Special Report: Dealing with Nature

August 31, 2011

The Western Vault Newsletter

Howdy!

I'm sure everyone is well aware of all the things that we are facing here on our homefront. I wanted to share some great information I have gathered regarding natural disasters such as Irene and the ongoing drought in the south. I found some great tips on preparing for, dealing with, and recovering from these disasters, as well as heard some inspiring stories from our very own Western Vault members.

Be sure to check out our blog for the full stories included in this newsletter. Click the picture above to read the special report, "After the Disaster", published in this month's issue of "Equus" Magazine. Finally, if you are looking for help along the East coast, visit this Facebook page. It has some great resources for evacuees and their animals along the east coast.

Preparing for a Natural Disaster in Rural Areas

by Andrew Kerr, RFD TV

As hurricane season is in full swing, the east is facing flooding due to Irene. In the South, fires rage due to the extensive drought. Wherever you are, it is critical to be prepared for natural disasters. However, preparing for natural disasters is a bit different if you live in a rural area. Below are five tips you may find helpful in preparing your family, farm, pets, and animals in the face of a storm.

Tip 1 - Plenty of Food & Water
With flooding, it's important to remember that flood water could be contaminated, and an adequate supply of fresh, clean water may be necessary in the wake of a storm for both your family and animals. Furthermore, simply being in contact with flood waters can also pose a serious threat...

Tip 2 - Proper Clothing and Transportation
While it may be warm outside, it's important to have proper clothing set aside for a storm and its aftermath. Jackets, rubber boots, pants, rain gear, and hats should be available for your entire family. For small pets, ensure you have a clean carrying cage prepared. For larger animals, prepare your trailer...

Check out the rest of Andrew's tips on our blog!

RFD TV

-Andrew Kerr

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How to Handle Your Stock in a Drought

by Sassy Stanton, Stanton Pinckard Realty

This historic drought will have a long-lasting effect to the land owners and the services and suppliers that support the livestock industry.

The drought has created a major sell-off of cattle across Texas and Oklahoma. The prospects for a continuance of the drought until 2012 have taken away much of the "optimism" that next year will be any better. The weather forecast sees a dry winter and another long summer for the rancher.

The question for the cattleman is "why try to hold on with the cost of hay upwards of $90.00 a round bale and still be without feed this winter?"

The fact that the corn crop was burned up and the lack of rain means that there will be no hay harvested in late summer. This factor places stress on cattle, horse, goat, and sheep owners to find sufficient feed for their animals...

Read the rest of Sassy's article here! She also forwarded me two great articles: "What to Expect from Feeder Cattle Markets This Fall" and "Controlling Heat Stress in Horses."

Stanton Pinckard Realty

Houston, Texas

Carol K

A Helping Hand during the Loma Prieta Earthquake

One can say that it takes a catastrophic event to bring communities together, and that is exactly what happened in San Francisco and the Bay Area- Carol's hometown- in 1989 after the Loma Prieta earthquake. It was a 6.9 on the Richter scale, a strong quake felt for over one hundred miles. Here is Carol's story:

"Late in the afternoon, around 5:00, the shaking began. After 15, seconds it was over. What was not over were the electricity outages, the water, no way for people to get home, and the utter shock of what had just happened. Some were prepared, but the majority were not.

That night, I walked home about a mile. All the time, I directed traffic at stoplights, at intersections, helped people on the sidewalks, just made sure that I was safe and others were also.

The next day, still no water, no electricity, no phone. I walked to my local TV station to volunteer only to find out that they had so many people they didn't need anymore!

Earthquake

After that quake, I became more active in emergency preparedness and eventually got trained on how to provide rescue support through the local neighborhood communities.

Individuals are now empowered and prepared for another quake, including managing their prescriptions, credit cards, extra cash, and valuable papers. One of the mantras of emergency preparedness in my city is to get trained. The city won't be able to take care of everyone in a disaster."

Carol K
San Francisco, California

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Templeton Thompson

Firsthand Account of the Nashville Flood

"I'm grateful to say that I've never experienced, or at least been in the middle of, a hurricane, and that I've never had to evacuate the whole herd. I'm so grateful for that, and my heart goes out to the folks who've had to have themselves and their family members displaced because of Irene or other events.

I do remember well runnin' from hurricane Bonnie a few years ago... But honestly, the experience that truly makes me feel for the families who had to evacuate during Irene, and in other times, is when we had our big flood here in Nashville just a little over two years ago. It's kind of hard to believe we got all that rain when I look outside my window and see how dry my horses' pasture is. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I'm prayin' for rain for my Texas friends & family.

Luckily, even with the flooding in our neck of the woods, Sam & I were so lucky that we didn't have to evacuate to get ourselves and our kiddos to higher ground. We're very blessed to live on high ground, but I can tell you, I honestly had no idea it was going to flood. It's because of that thinking that I headed out to a horse event in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the very morning of the flood. It wasn't just me that headed out. Me and my rockstar mare, sweet baby Jane, headed out to go learn how to do mounted shooting together for the first time with CMSA spokesperson and rockstar cowgirl Annie Bianco-Ellett. My husband Sam kept sayin,' "Honey, it's really rainin'. You sure you want to haul in this?" And I kept sayin, "Aw, it's just rain. It'll taper off." Well, "taper off" it didn't...

Read the rest of Templeton's story on our blog!

Templeton Thompson
Dickson, Tennessee

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Cowboy Outfitters

A Helping Hand during Hurricane Ike

I spoke with KK Adams of Cowboy Outfitters regarding her experience with hurricane Ike. After volunteering many hours at the local evacuation point taking care of people and animals, she has a few tips to add in making sure you are prepared in the face of disaster.

Make sure all your animals are identified. All cattle should have ear tags, small pets should wear tags including your phone number, and horses can be marked on their hindquarters with your contact information. For your skiddish horse, make sure your phone number is big enough that it can be read from a distance.
Know the name and phone number of your local extension agent. They will be your point of contact regarding evacuations and where shelters are located.
Take pictures of all your animals in case you get separated, so that you can post them if necessary.

Cowboy Outfitters
Highlands, Texas

Texas Music Chart

Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music

After seven weeks on top, Kevin Fowler has been knocked out of the #1 spot on the Texas Music Chart. Stoney LaRue lands the top spot this week with his single, "Velvet." "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" is in the #2 spot, followed by the Casey Donahew Band with "Breaks My Heart" at #3. The Eli Young Band is at #4 this week with "Crazy Girl," and "My Texas" by the Josh Abbott Band featuring Pat Green is at #5.

Jason Boland and the Stragglers debut on the chart this week with "Mary Ellen's Greenhouse" at #26. Eleven Hundred Springs shows up at #41 with "We're From Texas," and Micky and the Motorcars debut at #49.

There's a three-way tie for the biggest move on the Chart this week. Jerry Audley moves from #31 to #24 with "Rolling On." Rosehill moves from #32 to #25 with "Dream it All Over Again," and 6 Market Blvd. moves from #46 to #39 with "Misery in Me."

Click here to see who else made the chart this week!

Texas Music Chart

Houston, Texas

(713) 952-9221

New Inventory

Black and Red Cowboy Boot Purse

Diamond 57

$395

Cowgirl Tuff Dark "Wild & Wooly" Jeans

RCC Western Stores

$39

News, Sales, & Events

GREAT NEW WALL CROSS FROM CHUCK'S WOODBARN!

Hand crafted one at a time, these beautiful works of art are a wonderful addition to any home décor. What a breathtaking statement to make in a entry way, family room, bedroom, or hallway- the symbol of faith, hope, and love.

Crosses and hearts are solid oak, shaped by steam bending, aged and distressed, then hand polished to a beautiful sheen. Accented with 3 square head nails. These crosses also make a priceless heirloom gift for a wedding or anniversary. Can be personalized with names and dates. Find them on TheWesternVault.com!

Chuck's Woodbarn

Bartley, Nebraska

Things to Do Comin' up Soon

Here is a short list of things comin' up soon. Be sure to check out the entire event calendar on TheWesternVault.com for a complete list of great western events all over the United States!

August 13- November 12: AQHA Museum: America's Horse in Art- Amarillo, Texas
September 2-4: DesignAmerica at the Harley Davidson Museum- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 7-11: Lucchese & Rocketbuster Trunk Show at Pinto Ranch- Las Vegas, Nevada
September 8-11: 23rd Annual National Cowboy Symposium- Lubbock, Texas
September 8-11: Western Design Conference- Jackson Hole, Wyoming