Record Snowfall Challenges Horse Owners

Several barns in affected regions collapsed under the weight of the snow.
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Winter Storm Jonas, the first major snowstorm of 2016, buried several Mid-Atlantic states under several feet of snow and paralyzed others as far west as Ohio and Kentucky under dangerous conditions last weekend.

The National Weather Service’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reported that storm warnings were issued Jan. 22, just ahead of the high winds, record cold, and blizzard conditions in 14 states along the eastern seaboard. In the end, West Virginia received 42 inches of snow, Virginia recorded 39 inches, and Maryland received 38 inches, the NCEP said. Meanwhile, snowfalls of between 36 and 25 inches were recorded in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Kentucky posted icy conditions, high winds, and substantial snowfall.

The storm created complications for horse owners, especially those whose animals weathered the blizzard inside their barns. In Montgomery County, Maryland, a group of horses was trapped after the roof of barn in which they were stabled partially collapsed. Firefighters were able to rescue those horses safely, but similar incidents took place throughout the region.

So how can owners keep horses safe when severe winter weather threatens? Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, primary instructor, president of the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, believes animals’ safety begins with planning and attentive owners. She said owners must be attentive to storm warnings and other announcements made by local weather, fire, and law enforcement officials. They also must understand exactly where horses are safest

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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