Nevada may be a desert, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get rain. Average rainfall statewide is about 10.3 inches, but sometimes nature gets a little carried away and we see much, much more. Recently, remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel reached southern Nevada, and some parts of Las Vegas broke the daily record for rainfall.
While tropical storms are uncommon, it is important to remember that the desert can become dangerous under big storms. Flash flooding is not uncommon, and that can turn a dry wash into a raging river. Trails and dirt roads can disappear, corrals can flood, and in some cases horses can become very sick from contaminated water. Even when a storm finally passes, it can take days or weeks to recover.
If you have horses, it’s important to consider how to react to natural disasters and emergencies before they happen. In this article, we will consider flooding at the home/barn and how flooding impacts trails and riding.
Before the Flood: Preparing Your Horses and Property
Have you ever noticed a part of your property or barn that seems to hold water after a storm? That’s the kind of thing to pay attention to. Walk your property, pasture, barn, corrals, and any other structures to identify places that seem to be in a drainage path or flood-prone area. Of course, after a rainstorm is a good time to check – but don’t wait until a torrential downpour! If you do identify some “hotspots,” you can try to mitigate them with landscaping, moving soil, or structural seals.
Identify higher ground where horses can be moved if necessary and set up temporary pens. Be sure to keep halters, lead ropes, identification, medications, feed, and emergency supplies accessible when severe weather is building. Have your truck and trailer ready for evacuation and consider your evacuation plan – Where will you go and how will you get there? What if the road is flooded?
Most importantly, monitor National Weather Service alerts and local emergency management instructions. A Flash Flood Warning means flooding is happening or imminent. As with all natural disasters, you don’t have to wait for evacuation orders – you can decide to leave anytime. Better to leave early than too late.
When Flooding Happens: Safety Comes First
If the weather does not warrant evacuating, move your horses into a barn or someplace with shelter before the water reaches them. Horses may be understandably spooked if the weather is really bad, especially if there is loud thunder and/or lightning, so only move them when it does not endanger people. (No barn or shelter? I’ve personally put my horses in the garage when a serious storm broke out!)
Remember, safety first. Do not enter moving floodwater to catch animals and don’t drive trucks or horse trailers across flooded roads. If a horse becomes trapped by floodwater, contact your local emergency services or qualified large-animal rescue team rather than attempting a dangerous rescue.
After the Flood: Hidden Hazards for Horses
As soon as the storm waters recede, you can start inspecting your property. Walk your entire fence line to check for damage, debris, or exposed wire. Corrals and turnout areas should be walked as well, to look for any objects that may have washed in with the water. Check barns, buildings, and any electrical equipment for damage. Don’t forget hay and feed! Mold can happen fast.
Horses should also be thoroughly assessed, especially if they had any prolonged exposure to floodwater. Cuts and scrapes are common in those situations. But floodwater is also notoriously dirty and can cause skin issues and illness in horses. Horses may have swelling and heat in limbs or fungal infections that manifest in lesions. Even just standing in mud or on wet ground for a long period of time can cause thrush or soft soles in the hoof, which can lead to laminitis. Always contact a veterinarian about injuries, suspected contaminated water exposure, or illness following flooding.
The Rain Stopped! Can I Ride?
Unfortunately, desert trails and access roads can remain hazardous long after a storm passes. Some trails at Mt. Charleston are still closed after sustaining flood damage from Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023! Fast-moving water can cause deep ruts, expose rocks, collapse trail edges, or wash out sections of trail entirely. Floodwater can leave behind branches, wire, rocks, or other debris on the trail. In some places, a flash flood or heavy rain can completely change the route through a wash or canyon.
Please Let the Trails Dry Out
Just because you can ride a muddy trail doesn’t mean you should. Riding trails while they are still wet can cause damage, especially when hooves sink into soft soil. Those hoofprints will last even after the ground dries. Over time, damaged trail surfaces can develop drainage problems and erosion. Riding through mud can even widen trails eventually as people try to ride around the worst sections. Land managers are strapped for time, staff, money, and resources – and trail repairs require all of those.
However, there is no universal waiting period after it rains! Things like soil type, elevation, drainage, shade, and temperature can all affect how quickly a trail recovers from heavy rain. A low-elevation sandy trail might drain and dry quickly, whereas clay-rich terrain in the trees could remain unridable much longer. The best approach is to check current trail conditions and postpone riding if your horse is leaving deep hoofprints or otherwise damaging the trail.
How to Know When It’s Safe to Ride Again
Check current conditions and closures at:
- National Weather Service
- Nevada 511 (for state highways)
- Local Bureau of Land Management office
- Local Forest Service office
- Nevada State Parks (for park specific info)
- Your favorite local meteorologist
- Nevada Horse Trails (we always update listings with closures)
- Nevada Floods (gov’t collab for preparedness)
- Is your house in a flood zone? Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map.
When in Doubt, Wait Another Day
The desert is quite beautiful after a good rain, and it can be tempting to load up the horses and head out to enjoy it. However, sometimes the best thing we can do for the trails we love is to give them a little time to recover. The trails will still be there tomorrow – let’s leave them in good shape for future riding adventures!
