A fundraising effort has been launched to help Aiken Equine Rescue, where a barn was destroyed by an Apr. 3 fire.
There were no Thoroughbred retirees in the barn at the time. A pony was rescued and is currently undergoing treatment for thermal burns, reports farm manager Caroline Mulstay.
“We were very, very lucky,” Mulstay said. “There was only the one pony in the barn and we were able to get him out. All of our horses at the farm live out in paddocks and pastures. The only reason we would keep horses in the barn is if there is a medical reason. We were very lucky everybody was healthy and able to live out in paddocks and pastures. A week before the fire, we had a full barn.”
Mulstay said the rescue did have insurance, but their policy will fall short of covering the losses, which, she said included about $200,000 in supplies and equipment. She said investigators have yet to come up with what caused the barn to go up in flames. Aiken Equine Rescue cares for about 40 Thoroughbred retirees.
To donate go to Aikenequinerescure.org.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
