Horse owner fire alert
Horse people have a special relationship with their animals . This year we need to be conscious of the horrific fires in the northern hemisphere and to learn the lesson about fire preparation to protect not just ourselves and our property , but our livestock as well .
Whether you are involved in recreational riding , jumping , equestrian events or involved with work horses doing cattle work , you have the same relationship that has been bred down into us through thousands of years .
One company , Australian Pump Industries , located in Sydney ’ s Hills District , is in the centre of possibly the most densely populated horse area in the country . Pony clubs abound , trail riding is popular and sometimes we breed equestrian super stars . Like much of the rest of the country we are also subject to bushfires that can sweep through at an incredible pace , and take even those who are prepared , by surprise .
Here are some basic suggestions and hints from the team at Aussie Pumps about keeping our horses safe . 1 . Practice Develop your own safety plan and carry out the drills . Understand your equipment , its capability and limitations .
Make sure you and your team understand that the pumps should be fuelled and oiled , and run occasionally , and your water supply should be tested to make sure everything works properly .
Attach hoses , move it to the source of water and get the jet , or jets , coming through the pump nozzles to make sure that it ’ s going to give you what you want . If performance is substandard , you know you ’ ve got a problem , possibly an air leak on the suction side , the most obvious and common fault with underperforming pumps . 2 . Understand the battleground This means having your horse ‘ safe area ’ well established and getting the animals familiar with it . It should have primary and alternative access and of course , where necessary , a way out . 3 . Prepping the horse Experts recommend removing all synthetic material from the animal . That includes lead ropes , rugs , halters , fly veils . Rope halters burn - they are a danger and should be avoided .
Leather or soaking wet canvas halters are a better option but even then , beware of the buckles which can get very hot and cause injury .
We also recommend drenching the horse and soaking the mane and tail with water if you have to pass through or near the fire . Plaiting the tails may reduce the chance of ignition as well .
Experts also recommend writing a mobile phone number on the haunch of each horse with livestock crayon and removing iron , steel or aluminium shoes . Many horses have an inherent fire instinct . They will gallop along , through or even around the fire front and stand on burnt ground until the fire has past because of the instinct for self-preservation .
Get your property and your horses prepared for this summer .
Be prepared , have your plans laid out quite clearly , make sure your pump is primed and the family or neighbourhood team know the drill . Although they can hope for the best , you should always be prepared for the worst .
4 . Save yourself
Since fire fronts move quickly , both through bush and grass , once it hits you there is very little you can actually do . Staying with the horse to comfort it can have the opposite effect by preventing it from using its own instincts to stay safe . It may also put you in a lot of danger .
The sound of bushfires is deafening and it is highly likely a horse may panic and bolt . Experts recommend “ standing back and giving your horse room to run ”. 5 . Buy the right gear If you are choosing to stay and protect your equine friends , be prepared . Having a big Rapid Spray 20,000 litre tank filled with water is a good start . Match that with an Aussie Fire Chief , regarded as the world ’ s best lightweight portable fire pump . Use a quality hose and nozzle kit , and an experience crew - this goes a long way towards providing fire protection .
Aussie Pump ’ s unique Fire Survival Guide is also a good read and should be regarded as essential for anybody who plans to fight , rather than flight . Only you can make that decision .
The reason that the team at Aussie put this story together is because they know just how emotional that decision can be .
Further information is available from Australian Pump Industries aussiepumps . com . au or Rapid Spray rapidspray . net .
345
$ 269
SP55-R1
$ 449
SP100-R2
Dick Petrikas P / L Chainsaws , Mowers , Tractors Petrikas Lane , TENNYSON Ph : 4576 5555
Mahindra Tractors
$ 1320 $ 195
15L PROGRADE BACKPACK SPRAYER
Professional shut-off handle with comfort grip , trigger lock , nickel plated poppet and filter
• Ergonomic tank with padded shoulder straps
• Handle can be fitted Left or Right hand side & folded away for storage
• No leak seal under the lid , no chemical spilling down your back
• Additional constant pressure valve for low pressure spraying
• Internal paddle for continuous agitation
5 Walker Street , South Windsor Phone 4577 4622 www . gwsmachinery . com . au
Easy to drive steering wheel Zero Turn Mower
Chainsaws
STOCKISTS OF LEADING BRANDS
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 137 // OCTOBER 2021 29