Hay, Health and Helping Hands

Rebuilding and renewing our horse community

In December 2007, a series of devastating storms hit much of western Washington and Oregon. Flooding, heavy winds, and power outages affected not only the human residents of these areas, but their livestock as well.

Areas hit hardest by the storms received federal emergency aid, but the government funding is limited. Throughout several counties, groups such as humane societies, animal shelters, Back Country Horsemen and others reached out to their neighbors in need. Local area vets and other facilities took in horses displaced by the flooding. Still, several horses lost their lives in the deluge and stores of hay that were meant to last through the winter became waterlogged in the flood, leading to mold and combustion fires. Costs for replacing the hay are far beyond what many can afford as they rebuild their homes and barns. Donations of feed, large and small, have been crucial to the health of affected horses.

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