Horse owners in Kentucky affected by March's deadly tornadoes have received assistance from the U.S. Equine Disaster relief fund as they work to rebuild what was destroyed by the storms.

This year, tornadoes devastated many towns in Kentucky and the surrounding states, affecting a great number of people and animals. Many horses perished during, or a result of, the tornadoes. The surviving horses were left in dangerous situations, as they encountered destroyed barns, blown-down fencing, overturned trucks and trailers, and loss of feed. Their owners also lost homes and vehicles, so worrying about their animals added yet another burden.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) put the U.S. Equine Disaster Relief into effect to help Kentucky and surrounding states. In the past, the fund had been used for tornado and flood victims in Texas, Vermont, and Mississippi.

Representatives from the KHC spent the next week communicating with extension agents, veterinarians, and individuals in the hardest-hit areas. U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Funds provided feed, hay, temporary fencing, and veterinary supplies to horse owners in need. The KHC Facebook page was used to spread the word about missing horses