Valiano Horse Protocols
Blasting is a highly sensitive process and safety is our top priority. Not just for our four-legged friends, but for everyone living and working nearby. Those of you who are within 1,000 feet of the blasting site and anyone who has registered to receive updates will also receive the required 72-hour notice(s), so this page is specific to protocols for neighboring horse properties.
Dr. Max Wilcox has been retained as the equine vet. He will be on site one hour prior to and during blasting events to provide sedation where clinically appropriate and to provide medical assistance in the event of an emergency. He can be reached at 619-820-6887. Services are only available during the blasting window. The liability waiver and consent for treatment forms must be signed in advance of scheduled blasting events.
Program Overview
Lennar will cover the costs of having Dr. Wilcox on site and for sedation, as requested and clinically appropriate.
When it comes to sedation, we would prioritize those who are closest to the blast site and then work our way through any other requests on a first come, first served basis.
Sedation would be at the discretion of the vet where clinically appropriate.
Coverage of services needed beyond the blasting window will be determined on a case by case basis and whether the issue is reasonably attributable to the blasting event. As noted in the liability waiver, if a horse owner chooses to not take proactive steps in preparation of blasting, they would assume liability of their animal. This would not preclude them from receiving emergency care from Dr. Wilcox, but the cost of that service would be on the horse owner.
Proactive measures are recommended. You know your animal(s) best, so we encourage you to consider the following and decide what is right for your horses.
Move your horses away from the blasting. Two options are Harmony Grove Village Equestrian Park (roughly a one-mile walk from the project site) and Walnut Grove Park (roughly 7 miles away; a horse trailer is needed).
If your horses stay on your property, consider confining them to their stalls, where their movement can be restricted, and avoid open areas and paddocks.
Talk to your regular veterinarian for any additional recommendations.
If owners choose to take NO preemptive measures, then they are agreeing to assume all liability for their animal. Horses would still receive emergency treatment, if needed.
Our first blasting location will be at the end of Mt. Whitney. We will be blasting in this location Monday (11/9), Thursday (11/12) and Friday (11/13). Minor vibrations may be felt 800-1000 feet from the blasting site. The majority of the horse properties in the area are outside that distance.
Horses outside that radius are still covered.
These distances could help inform horse owners on how they’d like to proceed. For example, someone at the far edge of the community would most likely not even be aware of a blast occurring on the opposite side of the project site. So, they may choose to not sedate their animal, and confining them to their stall for a short while could suffice.
The blasting window is from 12-2. We will not be blasting that whole time. It takes several hours to setup so the crew will start bright and early so they can detonate as close to noon as they can. Once detonation occurs, the blast itself will be done quickly (approximately 20-30 min).
An airhorn will provide a warning 5 minutes prior to the blast, and second warning airhorn will sound 1-minute prior to the blast. A single, sustained air-horn sound indicates all clear. These warnings are to notify anyone within the restricted area that a blast sequence is being initiated. While nearby neighbors may hear the warning horns at times, they are not intended for public notification.
There are several blasting areas across the site so we will provide more information about upcoming locations as we progress. Ultimately, our trade partners are responsible for determining the most efficient way to move around the site so we will keep you posted as additional locations are scheduled. Download map with blasting locations and horse properties.
In the event of an emergency, Lennar will cover the following services provided by Dr. Wilcox:
Determine the reasonable medical assistance required for an eligible horse impacted by blasting, including assessment, reasonable stabilizing treatment, and sedation where clinically appropriate; neither sedation nor a particular outcome is guaranteed.
Assess and provide reasonable stabilizing treatment for horses showing injury, shock, or acute distress reasonably attributable to blasting.
Arrange referral or transfer when clinically appropriate and document the recommended care, receiving provider, transportation arrangements, and available consent.
Remain available and provide continued assistance or an appropriate handoff for cases already under care, consistent with professional judgment and the governing requirements.
Lennar would not cover:
Treatment of pre-existing conditions, chronic illness, or injuries unrelated to Project blasting is outside the program. A pre-existing condition itself does not exclude assessment or reasonable assistance for an acute exacerbation attributable to blasting; the veterinarian shall evaluate the relationship and appropriate care.
Routine/wellness care — vaccinations, deworming, dental, farrier work, check-ups.
Referral, transportation, hospitalization, and follow-up care, unless they constitute required reasonable medical assistance associated with blasting, as reasonably determined by the veterinarian.
Transportation, boarding, or facility fees at any off-site relocation location