Many thanks to the person who sent this photo composition of the
six horses lost in the barn fire at True Prospect Farm.
six horses lost in the barn fire at True Prospect Farm.
I just got off the phone with Boyd, who sounds about as exhausted and overwhelmed as anyone possibly could after enduring the worst imaginable ordeal over the past couple of days and nights. Even though he is in the middle of a crisis and still very concerned with the welfare of the surviving horses, he wanted to take the time to acknowledge the huge outpouring of support from people around the world. - AMH.
This is probably the hardest blog entry that I’ll ever have to do. To be quite frank, I really don’t feel like writing it but I feel that I need to say something because of the amount of support that I’ve had through so many friends around the world with text messages, emails and phone calls in the last 24 hours. The support has given me a new burst of life to push on and continue and I feel I owe these people this update.
You probably heard that I endured the most tragic event that I’ve ever experienced in my life. The fire in the upper barn at True Prospect Farm has not only shattered my life but it’s also devastated many people involved in the facility, including the owners Phillip and Evie Dutton, the residents Caitlin and Woodsy, and all of the people who had a sleepless night Monday evening struggling to salvage and save what we could.
In all honesty my heart goes out to the devastated owners who received a phone call from me at 6:00 yesterday morning telling them that their horses were lost. Calling Anne, Abbie, Bonnie, Faye, Ron and Densey was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life.
The five surviving horses that were in the barn, I believe will all live. Neville, Min and Hoku, (Catch a Star) are all in the intensive care unit at New Bolton Center. Otis and Rose are in stable condition in the general section of the hospital. All five of them are receiving 24-hour fluids and Neville, who looks to have the worst case of smoke inhalation, has two oxygen tubes in, assisting his breathing 24 hours a day. Min also suffered smoke inhalation while Hoku has got the worst burns, which cover a great deal of her body.
This tragic event has brought the community that we live in even closer. It’s an amazing feeling having so many people willing to help and assist you when you experience this kind of misfortune. I am also absolutely taken away by the bravery of our staff. Sara, Caitlin, Lillian and Ash, Randall and Devon not only showed bravery and heroism but they are showing resilience by continuing and pressing on in their lives despite the tragedy.
I will forever be grateful for the way Phillip and Evie Dutton have treated us through the horrifying event of watching a structure burn to the ground on a farm they own. I’ll always be indebted to Phillip, who assisted me in dragging out Neville when the inferno was raging hot and we ignored the orders of the fire chief to not go in to the barn. I’m also indebted to Woodsy, Caitlin and Lillian who raised the alarm and freed the bulk of the surviving horses from the blazing barn.
We relocated the majority of the horses in our training program to the Delaware Equine Center, which is next door to Phillip and Evie’s. We will continue training out of the facilities at True Prospect Farm.
I’m sure this event will forever haunt me and the people who were involved. I think there be many more tears and more healing and it is going to take a long time to get over the experience but I really feel that life must go on.
I wish to thank everyone who has sent an email or a text message, sponsors who have donated tack and supplies and those who have contributed to the various funds that have been set up. Your support has lifted our spirits in this very dark time.
-Boyd
