So, I got one of those calls this week that brought up a subject horse owners don't have to think about all that often, but nonetheless when we DO need to think about it, we have to be ready to make a fast decision: "They're telling us we have to evacuate. Do you have a plan for your geldings, already?" Seems the flood waters had pushed a hole in the dike behind the place where I board the guys.

Now, this would make a better story, of course, if I was out in the middle of the night in the driving rain waving a flashlight, wearing hip-waders, trying to catch my two brumby knuckleheads. (Because no matter their breeding, no matter how much you love your equine pals, in the middle of the night, in bad weather, under pressure, every horse in the world reverts to his brumby knucklehead ancestry.)

As it happened, though, the intelligent and capable folks who manage the place already had an evacuation plan in place, and were fully prepared to move my horses along with everyone else's. Not every facility will do that, though. If you're boarding your horses, it's something to ask about.

Actually, I had multiple options for alternative boarding arrangements. I've also got a number of friends and acquaintances with barn or pasture space, and we all sort of network with each other in the event of an emergency. So if you've not made any horsey friends yet from whom you can cadge a couple of stalls or a pasture, it's good to start making those connections. It's not absolutely crucial, though. We're lucky, here in western Washington, because most of our local fairgrounds will board animals for a few nights (for a small fee) especially in an emergency situation.

It should go without saying that it's important to be prepared to move your horses on little or no notice. It's not really hard to do. Mostly, your horses should always be current on worming and vaccinations, and you should have those records close to handâ??many barns and fairgrounds have firm policies (as they should) about requiring proof of vaccs, before they'll board your horse. Beyond that, if your horses are going to be exposed to new and different horse "bugs" you'll want them to be as safe as you can make them.

It's a good idea to know where your brand inspection, health papers, and other documents are at all times. If you can keep that stuff in one place, it will only help you in those moments of high pressure and limited time (like evacuation.) You might try putting each horse's papers in an envelope with his name on it, then putting the envelopes together in a zippered bank-bag (also clearly marked.) Heck, I'm still trying to do that with my assorted horse documents, and have been for years. I never seem to get quite that organizedâ??but every time something like this happens, I'm reminded of what a great idea it would be, if I DID organize all that stuff a little more effectively. Maybe you'll have better luck with that than I do.

Beyond that, don't forget to take the things you'll need for your regular routine: feed, supplements, brushes, blankets, and so on. That way, when you get one of those late night calls, you'll have a lot more time to spend out in the pasture. In the dark. Wearing hipwaders. And calling your beloved horse-buddies inventive names.