In the News: The equine tornado victims of Oklahoma
Our hearts are heavy for the loss of lives, both horse and human, resulting from yesterday’s twisters. Here are the latest equine-related news reports.
(Note: Readers may find some of the descriptions disturbing.)
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‘Man survives Oklahoma twister in horse stall’
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‘Over 100 horses feared dead in Oklahoma’
It’s like a war zone here — [the horses] are just gone. It’s just scorched earth — like a bomb went off.”
[ESPN]
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‘Horsemen suffer heavy losses in Oklahoma tornado’
I showed up a few minutes after it happened… There were mangled horses everywhere. I had one guy in the barn trying to let horses go when it hit. He survived. He dug himself out of the rubble. I have no idea how.”
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‘Tragic sight of dead horses piled high as farmers return to find ‘just scorched earth’ after Oklahoma tornado’
They came across distressing scenes of horses lying in the middle of the road, surrounded by piles of twisted metal and uprooted trees. Others were tangled in power lines.
‘AQHA is collecting donations for the tornado victims of Oklahoma’
The American Quarter Horse Association is coordinating a community wide effort to help with the recovery and relief of victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes.
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‘Animals need help in Moore, Oklahoma’
Many of the horses were killed when the tornado picked them up like a toy and spun them around before throwing their bodies miles from their home. Three were other horses that were not killed by the impact but so severely injured they had to be euthanized.
[Examiner]
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‘Oklahoma horse owners face tornado devastation’
According to reports, Plain as Bay Eventing lost all of their Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, and substantial equine losses were also reported at Celestial Acres, a facility located on the Orr Family Farm, an agri-education and agritourism destination located in suburban Oklahoma City.
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‘Farm battered by tornadoes’
I tried to let some of the horses get loose and free out of their stalls so they’d have a chance.”
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‘Tales of survival from Orr Family Farm’
It was just like the movie Twister… There were horses and stuff flying around everywhere.”
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‘Heartwarming (and heartbreaking) stories of tornado victims and their families’
Thousands of local residents have pets that were killed or lost, possibly forever, while livestock and even wild animals have also been affected by the storm.
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‘Thoughts and prayers to Plain As Bay Eventing’
Run by Sky and Randy Weidner, their barn and apartment was destroyed and all twelve horses lost.
Go Oklahoma.
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