Kentucky Horses In Dire Need!!!
I am forwarding this to all of you and hope you may be able to send it to others who may be able to help them with this
horrific tragedy............please read below.
Mary
-----Original Message-----
From: Eve S. [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 11:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: [KYAnimalRescueAlliance] 21 KY Horses Lost In Flooding
From The Horse.com
http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=2629
21 Kentucky Horses Lost In Flooding
by: Kimberly S. Herbert, Editor
Article # 2629
One farm in Stanton, Ky., on the Red River lost 15 babies, five
broodmares, and a stallion to flooding on Sunday, May 30. Heavy
rains that day rapidly forced waters higher in the already swollen
river, and within three hours the river had covered horse pastures
with up to six feet of water. H.T. Derickson III said they began
trying to evacuate horses from his family's 400-acre Van Vert Farm
when flooding started about 6 pm, but unfortunately, they could not
beat the swiftly rising waters.
Employees and family in boats tried to rescue as many of the 100
Mountain Pleasure horses as possible, but waters quickly overtook
fields and fences. "Our vet, Dr. John Clark, has been a great help,"
said Derickson. "He was out there for eight hours at a time helping
pull horses out of the water."
The family, who has been raising, boarding, and showing horses from
Van Vert Farm since 1965, said one baby was saved after it washed
downstream about two miles. It only had minor injuries. The lost
stallion, Doc's Desperado, had been raised and shown by the family.
Wednesday (June 2) was spent burying horses and tending to survivors.
The surviving horses were moved to Far Lanes Farm near Lexington,
Ky., and they will remain away from Van Vert Farm until pastures are
dry enough to repair fences and handle horses, possibly as long as
two months.
Derickson said they are in urgent need of hay, as well as fencing
supplies, grain, and pasture space. Anyone with extra hay to donate
for the horses can contact Derickson at Van Vert Farm 800 Dreckson
Lane, Stanton, KY 40380 606/663-4464.
