Flooded fields and horses become a pressing concern every November, when Atlantic storms bring heavy rain across Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire and low lying grazing disappears under standing water. The mosslands of West Lancashire, the river valleys of Cheshire and the flat land beside the Mersey are particularly prone to flooding. For owners, sudden rises in water levels bring practical dangers as well as longer term health risks. The team behind horse cremations across the North West know that a calm plan made in advance can prevent injuries and losses when storms arrive.
The Dangers of Flooded Fields and Horses
Floodwater hides hazards. Ditches, fallen branches, broken fencing and debris all lie unseen beneath the surface. A horse that steps into a hidden ditch can fall, become trapped or suffer serious leg injuries. Moving water is even more dangerous, since a horse can lose its footing quickly.
Fencing presents another risk. Electric fencing may short out or be pushed over by water, and post and rail fencing can loosen in sodden ground. As a result, horses may wander onto roads or into neighbouring fields. Meanwhile, panic during a storm can lead horses to run through fencing they would normally respect.
Floodwater is rarely clean. It can carry sewage, agricultural runoff and chemicals from roads and buildings. Horses that drink it, or stand in it for long periods, may become unwell. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread in water contaminated by rodent urine, is one recognised risk. In addition, standing water draws in wildlife and can disturb buried hazards such as old wire.
The North West is particularly exposed. Much of the West Lancashire plain was reclaimed from wetland and relies on drainage ditches and pumping to stay dry. When heavy rain falls on already saturated ground, water has nowhere to go. Similarly, fields beside the Weaver, the Dee and the Mersey can flood quickly after prolonged rain upstream.
Planning Before the Water Rises
The best time to plan is before the storm season. Owners should know which parts of their grazing flood first and where higher ground lies. A clear route from the field to the stables or to a safer paddock should be agreed in advance. In addition, the location of any hidden ditches should be marked and remembered.
Weather and flood warnings deserve close attention through the autumn. Owners on flood prone land can sign up for alerts from the Environment Agency. When a warning is issued, it is far safer to move horses early than to wait until water is already rising.
Every yard benefits from a written emergency plan. That plan should include contacts for a vet, a farrier and neighbours with transport, along with a list of any horses that load poorly.
Moving Horses Safely
If horses must be moved through water, safety comes first. People should never wade into fast flowing water to retrieve a horse. Instead, owners should call the emergency services, who have specialist large animal rescue teams. In shallower, still water, horses should be led calmly by experienced handlers in suitable footwear.
Horses usually follow a calm leader. Moving a quiet, confident horse first often encourages the others to follow. Equally, taking time and keeping voices low reduces the risk of panic.
Headcollars should be left off horses turned out in fields that may flood, unless they are field safe designs that break under pressure. A headcollar can catch on submerged branches or fencing and trap a horse. Once horses reach safety, they should be checked carefully for cuts, swelling and lameness.
Health Problems After the Flood
Even after the water drains away, problems linger. Prolonged standing in wet ground softens the hoof, which makes it more prone to cracks, bruising and abscesses. In addition, wet skin on the lower legs is vulnerable to mud fever, while soaked coats can develop rain scald.
Grazing must be checked carefully before horses return. Floodwater can leave behind debris, sharp objects and contaminated silt. Grass covered in silt is less palatable and may carry harmful bacteria. Some owners therefore wait until rain has washed the grass clean, or bring in fresh forage while the field recovers.
Water troughs should be emptied and cleaned if floodwater has entered them. Hay stores also need checking, since damp hay quickly turns mouldy. Any bales that have been touched by floodwater should be discarded rather than fed.
Flooded Fields and Horses on Older Yards
Older horses cope poorly with prolonged wet conditions. They struggle to stay warm, lose condition faster and recover more slowly from hoof and skin problems. A veteran that is already losing weight may be pushed into a serious decline by a long, wet winter.
Owners should watch older horses closely after storms. Signs such as shivering, dullness, reduced appetite or lameness warrant a call to the vet. In some cases, good nursing restores the horse. In others, the most compassionate choice is a planned goodbye through planned euthanasia.
When the Worst Happens
Sadly, storms and flooding can lead to sudden losses. When a horse dies in difficult conditions, the team provide a cremation service following natural death and plan collection carefully around the state of the ground. Families can find details of the full area served on the areas we cover page.
On the West Lancashire mosslands, owners rely on Rufford horse cremations and Southport horse cremations. Further inland, the team support families through Leigh horse cremations and Warrington horse cremations. To the north, the same care reaches owners through Kendal horse cremations.
Flooded fields and horses demand careful planning and calm decisions through the storm season. Owners who need advice on collection from difficult ground, or who need help urgently, can call the Heavenly Pastures team on 01704 776976.