IN Firefighters Save Horses after Partial Barn Collapse

Feb. 18, 2021

"They were really good with the horses," said a staffer at a nonprofit shelter about the Hobart firefighters who rescued horses trapped when the roof of their barn collapsed.

By Lucas Gonzalez

Source The Times, Munster, Ind.

Hobart, IN, firefighters rescued horses trapped after a barn collapse at a nonprofit shelter Wednesday.

HOBART, IN—A partial collapse of a barn roof at a local nonprofit shelter temporarily left a group of horses trapped inside until staff and firefighters rescued them early Wednesday.

Staff of Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited Inc. reported to work that morning to find part of the roof of an arena area had fallen in, entrapping eight horses, Hobart Assistant Fire Chief John Reitz said.

Firefighters responded about 8 a.m. to the barn, at 5699 E. 73rd Ave., after workers called to report the collapse.

Some of the horses' stalls were blocked by debris, preventing them from getting out, Reitz said.

A partial roof collapse of a barn on 73rd Ave led to the successful rescue of all eight horses inside. TZ was the last...
Posted by Hobart Fire Department on Wednesday, February 17, 2021

The last animal to be rescued, a horse named TZ, became distressed while firefighters used tools to cut down a stall wall because debris left it stuck, Reitz said.

EEU staff helped retrieve the horse by giving it a light sedative, said Lisa Way, an instructor and equine manager for the nonprofit.

Another horse that was rescued before firefighters arrived had a small mark on its head likely due to fallen debris. However, the animal was not injured, Way said.

Otherwise, the rescue went smoothly, Way said, thanking first responders for their assistance.

"They were really good with the horses," she said.

All horses were safely retrieved without injuries by about 9:50 a.m., Reitz said.

EEU also thanked Hobart police, who redirected traffic while firefighters handled the rescue.

In the meantime, all the horses were taken to three different barns owned by friends of staff, where they will stay temporarily, EEU President Ken Mertens said.

"They'll all be safe there," Mertens said.

The Hobart Building Department is investigating the cause of the roof's collapse. A preliminary investigation pointed to heavy amounts of snow as a possible cause, Reitz said.

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