Last Tuesday and Wednesday was “chaos,” said Jenny Nevin, spokeswoman for the equestrian center. The facility cataloged each horse that arrived, making sure they could be reunited. The animal shelter has been free for the owners, thanks to the support of public donations and frequent free deliveries of hay, feed and other supplies.
Sergio Martial was one of dozens of people who brought animals here after their own farms were destroyed or threatened.
A week ago, he and his girlfriend Jenny Bacon participated in a competition to help save more than 70 animals from Dam stable Ethan, externalbattling flames so intense that his face mask caught fire and his glasses shattered and deformed.
His efforts landed him in the hospital, his lungs and throat burning after inhaling burning air.
A week later, Mr Martial, 29, and Ms Bacon, 30, showed Arthur and Playboy – the two miniature horses he helped rescue that night – around their new home. Here they were safe from the fires and seemed calm and friendly despite everything they had been through.
“It still hurts to swallow,” Mr Martial said, pointing to the face mask he has to wear to prevent infections. “I would do it all over again – no doubt.”
Most of the owners of the animals at the shelter have been identified, and several owners spent Tuesday afternoon walking their horses around the stables.
