As Colorado heads deeper into another hot, dry season, horse owners across the state are once again facing the realities of wildfire risk, and the urgency of being prepared before disaster strikes.
Colorado is entering fire season with dry conditions after a winter with low snowpack and a spring with below-average rain. The warmer-than-normal temperatures and reduced moisture are drying out grass and vegetation earlier than usual. Together, these conditions are increasing the risk of fast-moving wildfires this summer.
For horse owners, wildfire risk brings unique challenges. Preparing for evacuation takes extra planning and practice. Having a ready-to-go evacuation kit for each horse and taking proper actions before disasters strike increases the chances of a safe, quick exit.
Key Essentials Recommended by Colorado Horse Rescue for Your “Go-Bag”
- Coggins tests
- Vaccination records and other medical documents stored in a waterproof container
- Identification photos
- Emergency contact details
- Medications and supplements (with checked expiration dates)
Recommended Preparedness Actions:
- Enabling local emergency alerts
- Ensuring horses are microchipped
- Keeping registration information current
- Routinely photographing animals for identification in case of separation during an emergency
- Keeping halters and lead ropes accessible
- Knowing multiple evacuation routes
- Practicing trailer loading and unloading
Transporting Horses During Emergencies
Transportation is one of the biggest challenges for horse owners during evacuations, with about 1 in 5 not having access to a trailer, according to a Colorado Horse Forum survey. Because of this, many owners plan ahead by lining up help through neighbors, friends, emergency animal response teams, or hauling services, and often turn to social media and local networks during emergencies to find available drivers.
During the 2020 Cal-Wood Fire, Colorado Horse Rescue evacuated their 60 horses with the help of an outpouring of community support. There were trucks and trailers lined the driveway ready to assist. In the years since, CHR has continued coordinating with local Animal Control to support evacuations across Boulder County during wildfire events.
However, they noted that social media-based callouts can create unintended complications. As CHR explained in a website post: “While social media callouts from local barns and owners attracted help, they also spurred panic and crowded roads with large trucks and trailers, often to be turned away upon arrival as horses were already safely evacuated.”
What did CHR do to combat this? The Creation of HorseAlert
That experience helped lead to the creation of HorseAlert, a digital evacuation platform developed by Colorado Horse Rescue in partnership with Colorado-based tech company Initial Capacity, which has extensive experience in emergency alert systems, including work on AMBER Alert and reverse 911.
HorseAlert is designed to function like a ride-share service for emergencies, allowing horse owners to request evacuation assistance and quickly connect with nearby volunteer trailer drivers.
HorseAlert in Action
Since launching in 2024, HorseAlert has already supported multiple evacuations across Colorado, including during the Stone Canyon Fire near Lyons, where horses Blackjack and Woody were safely transported with its help.
“I was driving home, and I saw the smoke, and it was just way too close. I had my panic moment, and then I shifted into logistics mode,” Horse owner Lynn Yarmey said. “I went to my computer, logged in, and submitted an evacuation request. A few minutes later, I got a text from a driver who was 18 minutes out.”
The trailer driver, Blake Holliman, said he had been searching on Facebook groups for more than 45 minutes trying to find someone who needed help that hadn’t already been connected with a driver. When he signed in to HorseAlert, he was connected with someone who needed assistance within five minutes.
Whether using a personal trailer, community help, or HorseAlert, not all disasters can be predicted. In sudden emergencies, the safest option may be to turn horses loose so they can reach higher ground. As a last resort, owners may need to release horses and, if possible, mark them with spray paint if ID tags aren’t available.
When Releasing Your Horses Becomes Necessary
- Remove halters
- Turn horses out of barns
- Cut fences to allow escape
- Immediately contact 911 about loose livestock
Ultimately, preparedness is essential in every emergency. Experts recommend having a go-bag ready, staying alert to local weather warnings, and maintaining a clear evacuation plan for your horses.
HorseAlert encourages owners to act early, before an official evacuation order is issued, if conditions feel unsafe. Trust your judgment when making decisions about moving livestock to safety. Planning ahead, staying informed, and acting early can make all the difference in protecting both you and your horses.