Source: Horsetalk.co.nz ~ Live Link
The station reported that 75 to 100 horses had died in the area and completely destroyed the farm
Up to 100 horses are feared dead after a massive tornado ripped through the Oklahoma City area.
Authorities say two people are known to have died in twisters that ravaged the area, and six are reported to have died in Texas as storms generated a series of deadly twisters.
Oklahoma and other Midwest areas remain on high alert, with fears the storm system could generate further twisters.
KFOR.com, Oklahoma’s Channel 4, in a live feed earlier today, reported on the devastation at the 106-acre Orr Family Farm in Moore.
The farm and an adjoining horse training and agistment facility took a massive hit from the tornado.
Footage revealed complete destruction, with the remains of stalls unrecognisable. Surviving horses could be seen in the footage.
The station reported that 75 to 100 horses had died in the area and completely destroyed the farm, run by Dr Glenn Orr and his family.
It is understood the farm’s stalls and barns took a direct hit from the tornado, which was estimated to be on the ground for 40 minutes as it took out everything in its path. It was estimated to be 3.2 kilometres wide.
Residents had about 16 minutes to seek safety.
The Orr family farm, responding to messages of support on its Facebook page, said: “Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We are sorry we cannot reply to each of you at this time, as we are focusing on our staff, families and the farm.
“We are physically alright, but we have sustained a large amount of damage at the farm, and adjacent properties.
“We are still assessing damage to both properties and animals.”
Orr Family Farm spokesman Tony Vann told Horsetalk that communications were difficult, but he managed to obtain a brief update by text-messaging Dr Orr’s son, Tom.
He said the family and staff were all right, but he did not have information on the animals.
He said he had heard the report of 75 to 100 horse deaths, but could not confirm that.
He said the block of land where Orr Family Farm stood also housed another business, Celestial Acres, which was a horse training and agistment facility.
It is understood the Orr family also own that business.
Vann said Orr Family Farm did not have 75-100 horses on its property. That raised the likelihood that at least some of the reported horse deaths may have occurred on the agistment property.
Vann said the neighborhoods devastated by the tornado seen on media footage were in some cases only a few hundred metres from the Orr property.
He said there were five staff and family in the farm’s administration office, plus seasonal workers, on site when the tornado approached. All were able to reach safety before it struck.
Update from their Facebook Page:
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We are sorry we cannot reply to each of you at this time, as we are focusing on our staff, families and the Farm. We are physically alright, but we have sustained a large amount of damage at the Farm and adjacent properties. We are still assessing damage to both properties and animals. We will post more updates as they become available. For media inquiries, please contact Tony Vann, (405) 609-7068.
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Categories: Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Our prayers are with you,your family, your staff and their families,and all your animals. But also to your community.May God Bless and Keep You All In His Tender Loving Arms Forever!!
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As of this morning, our State M.E. has confirmed 91 deaths, and many, many more still unaccounted for. So sad……
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Heartbreaking and just no words for all the loss of life, human and animal.
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So very sor ry for your loss and all the pople of Moore OAK. Prayers go aut too all of you. Blessings From Falcon Co. Carol Ann Johnson
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If you’re reading this chances are you woke up this morning just like most any other morning with a roof over your head, coffee in the pot, breakfast on the table and your loved ones by your side. You’ll take the family dog for a walk or maybe you’ll be tending to your farm animals just like any other day.
Now consider the thousands of our fellow countrymen who cannot say that it’s just another day. Imagine waking this morning with your life having been torn apart. Some have lost their home…some have lost a child.
The storms have ravaged for a few days through several states and the loss of property and life is catastrophic. What can we do?
http://www.redcross.org/
God Bless Us Everyone!
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Does anyone know if the OK Dept of Ag or nonprofits like ASPCA, HSUS or HfH have committed to help the animals? I haven’t heard and while the human and property loss is horrific, we rarely hear of the devastation to domesticated or wildlife animals.
Just wondering.
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Denise, I cannot speak for the Dept of Ag which wants to slaughter horses nor can I speak for HSUS or ASPCA but I can tell you that HfH is standing by. The call was made to assist with the blast and disaster in West TX and the help was respectuflly turned down.
Moore OK is not rural but within earshot of downtown, the Orr Family Farm was very close in to this urban area. That is the primary location for equine assistance and HfH, again, stands by.
Please remember that HfH was hand picked by the State Vet of Louisiana and LSU to be the first and principle boots on the ground rescue organization after not only Hurricane Katrina but also Rita. Jerry, Terry, Julie, Rebecca, myself and others have logged more hours slogging through toxic water, mud and alligators to physically rescue post storm horses than HSUS or ASPCA combined.
When it comes to post storm rescue, we hold not only the certs but the experience and you can read of those credentials in documentation and books other than our own.
HfH and WHFF will be there if needed/requested…
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I just watched those shots, above, and have not done so for years. They were the worst times of our lives but also the best times of our lives as we were actually SAVING horses, wading into water, cutting off locks to flooded stables and leading out horses who had been standing in chest deep water for days…we were SAVING horses. Few get to wrap their arms around that and although it was tough for us, it is now a feeling of warmth and accomplishment; which goes to prove we need to GET AFTER IT and continue to do the same. We have a mission and we need to stay focused.
Keep the faith and stay tuned.
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Thank you, RT….I know you know the best rescue people in the world.
Yes, when I saw Gov Fallin and the other rep/senators (state and fed) trolls, I wanted to shoot out the TV screen knowing their position on HCHS. And the West, TX thing is disgusting as it looks like there was some sort of livestock “holding” area adjacent to the fertilizer plant…..AND NOT A WORD ABOUT THE ANIMALS THERE. BTW, looks like that blast may have been arson related, but the officials are keeping mum…..creepy.
Don’t you just love the human failing called arrogance.
Saw photos of surviving equines, maybe Orr facility but it was AWFUL.
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BLESS YOU.
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Nice to see this and know that when people ask about who helped back when I can say Terry Fitch, RT and Gerry and others… and that you are real pros and we need more like you.
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Truly frightening & so heartbreaking for humans & animals! Yesterday, right after after the tornado passed, the exercise rider/groom at the farm was on tv. He was saved by crouching in a horse stall. He was covered in mud & obviously in shock. However, the main part of his talk was about the *horses! How right before the tornado hit, he went into the barn & let them go, “So they had a chance.” He showed the reporter what was left of the stalls, tack room…nothing. How the horses gave so much to others. The horses paid his salary & gave him his home (he lived in the barn). How so many horses are dead. To paraphrase: ” All the horses. All those beautiful horses.” It was all about the horses. His companions. Bless him.
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Thank you R.T. and to all who work to help and care for our horses and all our treasured animals. Bless each and every one of you!
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Thank you Susan…but to be clear this is not about us but instead what speaks to our souls…and that is the horses. It is always about them; first foremost and forever.
We simply need to stay focused, and that is my intent.
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My hearts go out to you in your loss….i am speechless from so much devastation ……From humans to horses and other critters …
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There is no way to say more than has been said. May all receive high energy, love and light as this passes.
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Thank you R.T. and all other involved with rescuring horses and all in need. Good luck to your rescue efforts.
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So very sad to see this horrific devastation. Could someone explain this term: “agistment facility”? Tx.
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