Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding

Every Friday, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we recognize the family that got Calista to safety.

With the disastrous weather that has struck the middle United States this spring, many are finding themselves in dire straits. This is especially true in Arkansas, where record rainfall has led to rising levels of the Arkansas River. Thousands have had to evacuate, leaving many to wonder what to do with their family pets. While this is a concern for all pet owners, it becomes especially problematic for those looking to evacuate to higher ground with their horses in tow.

Michelle Miller, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, swam her family’s 27-year-old horse, Calista, to safety while Jennifer Ocker filmed and other family members assisted. Although horses can swim and Calista may have been able to make it to safety on her own, Miller and Ocker were concerned that the horse may have gone the wrong direction, swimming further into the river. Multiple times throughout the video, Miller can be heard redirecting the horse and leading her in the right direction.

Also of concern was Calista’s age. At 27, she may have had difficulty swimming across the river’s rising waters. Fortunately, this family was able to team up to make sure their horse could find drier ground.

During extreme weather events and other natural disasters, the well-being of our four-legged companions often depends on our dedication, willingness, and ability to get our animals to safety. This video shows a family doing just that. So, this week’s Standing Ovation goes to Michelle Miller, Jennifer Ocker, and their family for making sure their Calista was out of harm’s way.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.