In the wake of the May 4 tornado that destroyed homes, buildings and lives in the Marionville, Mo. area, many horses were left wounded and without the necessities for survival. Several horses were killed or had to be euthanized due to injuries sustained when one of the worst tornadoes in Missouri history ripped through the state. The horses that survived faced injuries and loss of shelter, food and water.

Among the hardest hit was Stokely Stables, outside of Battlefield, Missouri. More than 30 horses were injured when the barns were destroyed, and three horses died. Click here for pictures of the tornado’s aftermath.

“This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said JoAnn Hood, owner of Home and Livestock One Stop in Marionville. “There is such a widespread area of destruction. Fences are gone; feed is gone and people need help.” At the suggestion of a friend, Hood began to contact manufacturers of horse supply products to send first aid supplies, halters, lead ropes, water troughs, buckets, etc