On June 1st we had severe thunder storms. Just 1/2 hr from us there were 3 tornados devastating sections of Springfield and Monson, Ma. There was also severe damage in Sturbridge and Brimfield. Four human lives were lost, and 1 horses' life. A horse trailer had been picked-up by the tornado and blown into a horse, instantly killling it. Another horse on the same property had serious damage to its leg from flying debris.
Tom and I were driving home from Worcester during the rainstorm. An emergency alert was broadcast on the radio to seek shelter in a basement, ect. Of course, our first thoughts were of the horses. Five of our horses were outside in paddocks, and Fancy was inside the barn (don't ask. It’s a long story!).The 5 horses had run-in shelters, but the shelters are not as sturdy as the barn. Hence the question arose. Are horses better inside a barn, or outside, during a severe storm that could include tornados? I imagine that in the central states like Kansas, it might be better to let the horses remain in the open. Didn't they let the horses loose in the Wizard of Oz? That way the horses can run away from the tornado. Here in New England there are lots of trees, so it would be difficult for the horses to run away. I've been asking other horse owners, and get different answers. Maybe I'll call the MSPCA, and find out what they recommend. Anyway, this issue is something we should think about. What are your emergency plans for your horse/horses? BTW, by the time Tom and I got home, the skies had cleared, and all the horses were fine, which was a good thing, as we had never come-up with a definitive answer to the question!
++The above picture is of Mark bringing in one of this horses during a rainstorm. Yes, it was really that dark at 3 PM++
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