Severe weather can be a troubling event, especially when there are animals whose welfare and comfort is of concern as well. Small pets can usually take cover with their owners, but what precautions can an owner take for larger animals, such as horses?

"The first step in protecting your horses and other livestock from severe weather is to realize what the severe weather risks are in your area," says Brandon Dominguez, DVM, MS, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) & Biomedical Sciences and member of the CVM Veterinary Emergency Team. "For many areas, springtime brings threats of severe thunderstorms, lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes."

Often owners like to keep horses stalled in a barn to protect them from lightning during a storm, but giving the animals the ability to travel could keep them safer.

"Generally, if horses are in a pasture with trees or near a lightning rod, the risk of the horse being struck is greatly diminished," says Dominguez. "A three-sided shelter can help to keep them warm and dry during a storm in addition to shielding them from lightning strikes