Warnings for those in the Northeast...

[targetsmom]

I know the weather is bad almost everywhere, but some things you may not have thought of;

The weight of the snow from record snowfall in southern New England is causing roofs to collapse. I know of two horse barns that collapsed - one where my vet had to put down two of the 15 horses inside. And just heard on FB that a friend's indoor collapsed. It seems to be a packed snow depth of 3 feet or more that causes it, so if your snow is that deep (and not melting) you may want to try raking it off. Don't even try to hire someone or find a roof rake around here - there aren't any - but improvising works. And builds muscles! Plus the snow on the ground is so deep the roofs aren't that high any more (and neither are the fences).

Fences: Yes, your horse MAY know where they belong when the fences are buried, but don't count on it. Our 2 year old stallion Max was quick to realize he could get over the lowered fence and in with the mares. Thankfully we were right there and stopped him, but think if he got into a road....

When this all melts: Our Governor is urging people to get flood insurance now, because it takes 30 days to take effect. Be prepared. Your homeowners insurance almost certainly will not cover the water damage.

Stay safe!!!

 

[RockRiverTiff]

This is really good advice for everyone that's been effected by the storms. Thank you!

 

[Bess Kelly]

With the current conditions you may not be able to get flood insurance on an existing home. However, if I lived in such snow prone areas I would already have a rider for the excess snow issue. In fact, I do on my policy here and we rarely get anything like what the Northern areas have. Heck, we had 18" about a month ago and we all FELT like we were snowed in for life

So, check your policies as you may be covered for some things....a good agent would have had this on or at least offered.

 

[mydaddysjag]

We had a few roofs collapse here last year. This year the barn owner where we board has been putting a few heaters in the indoor for an hour or two each day after she puts horses outside(shes there to watch the heaters). She has a metal roof and the heaters have been heating the inside if the arena enough that the roof warms a little too, and a good bit of the snow melts a little then slides off. What wont come off they get with rakes. Her roof is probably over 30 feet though, so its easier to use the heater. She also puts the buckets in the indoor when she has the heaters on, to thaw the buckets so she can empty and scrub them before refilling them.

So far its been working than whats been done in years past.

 

[Sonya]

Aside from accumulating snow collapsing your roof, it can also cause your furnace to crap out. The average metal stack that emerges from your roof for your gas/propane furnace is not very high...snow will accumulate around it and it will shut off if it is not getting enough intake/exhaust. Learned the hard way with 4ft of snow on the roof, furnace crapped out and pipes froze...in the summer we are having our stack lengthened, but until then as long as there is snow, even small amounts that could blow around the stack, we will be shoveling our roof.

 

[LAminiatures]

This so scary. I have two coming to stay at my barn this weekend due to the potential roof collapse situation. They say clean snow off but some of theses arenas are just to high. My husband put me in the bucket of our loader to clean all our roofs off. It was quite a workout but at least I can sleep.

If someone gets in a mess in New England I have one more stall available just bring your baby and the feed.

 

[targetsmom]

Thanks for the idea of using the bucket on the tractor. That has got to be safer (and more effective) than what I am trying!

Max (2 yr old stallion) got "out" again this morning, meaning he likely just stepped over the fence into the next turnout. Luckily this one only had his younger brother in it! But the mares were only another low fence away, so we had to do something. Ideas welcome!! What we did for now (more snow coming tomorrow) is put up more hog panels ON TOP OF THE SNOW and tied them to the original ones. If this keeps up, I guess we dig out the original panels and put those on top of the next snow level and keep alternating!!

And LAMiniatures - that is a very kind offer - where are you? I got an e-mail this morning from someone looking to board one mini in CT for a short time this winter/spring. We can't take on any more.

 

[Marty]

If anyone out there has an emergency like this I have an extra barn with two empty stalls in a private area with a turn out paddock if you can get your horses to me. I cannot help with transportation though. We are not underseige here at all in Tennessee.

 

[Indian*R*A*I*N*Dance]

It's horrible up here! Theres a teacher at my school who lost her 3 horses because her barn collapsed. Also watch out for the ice!!! A frinds horse slipped on the ice, broke her back and died before the vet could get to her

Just a freak accident.

Definatly shovel off roofs!

 

[LAminiatures]

Sorry Target, I went to exchange a couple bales of hay this weekend and ended up with two baby goats. The farmer said he had a few freeze to death in this cold and asked me to take 2 babies. They are precious and have to be bottle fed 3-4 times per day.

Careful with all this ice!