The death and destruction caused by Monday’s EF-5 tornado that struck near Oklahoma City, OK are staggering. According to news reports, several horse farms were damaged and many horses stabled at Celestial Acres in Moore, OK were killed. The NTRA has contacted local horsemen and officials at Remington Park to offer assistance.
One potential source of relief for horse breeders under these circumstances is the USDA Emergency Conservation Program administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The USDA Conservation Program site provides guidance to agricultural producers such as horse breeders concerning assistance that is available in the event of tornados and other natural disasters. Unfortunately, this program does not extend to stables or racetracks. The NTRA will work with local breeders to assist them in receiving any disaster relief to which they are entitled.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2006, the NTRA and the American Horse Council successfully lobbied Congress to include horses in USDA disaster assistance programs. USDA emergency relief was already available to most other livestock at that time.