Equestrian center shelters hundreds of animals

Trailers arrived at the same time, carrying hundreds of horses fleeing the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles.

Some horses came by themselves, others in caravans full of other animals. Most had owners, but others arrived alone, brought by their rescuers or animals. One horse, according to volunteers, carried its owner all the way from Altadena – which would have taken five hours and two feet. Pigs, donkeys and small horses followed.

Within 24 hours, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center had been transformed into a modern-day Noah’s ark. Last week, it has saved hundreds of animals from the danger as part of its work as one of the biggest zoos in the city.

The facility, located in the shadow of Griffith Park, will house more than 200 horses, on top of the 500 already housed there.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday was “chaotic”, said Jennie Nevin, spokeswoman for the equestrian centre. The center kept a list of all the horses that arrived, to ensure that they would be reunited. Hiding the animals came at no cost to the owners, thanks to the support of public donations and the dropping of free hay, feed and other supplies.

Sergio Marcial was one of the many people who brought animals here after their land was destroyed or threatened.

One week ago, he and his friend Jenny Bacon raced to rescue more than 70 animals from the herd Eaton Dam Stables fighting the flames so fiercely that his face mask caught fire and his glasses shattered and bent.

His efforts landed him in the hospital, his lungs and throat burned after inhaling the burning gas.

A week later, Mr Marcial, 29, and Ms Bacon, 30, walked Arthur and Playboy – the two miniature horses they helped rescue that night – around their new home. There, they were safe from the fire, and they seemed calm and friendly despite everything they endured.

“It still hurts to swallow,” Marcial said, pointing to the face mask he had to wear to prevent infection. “I would do it all over again – no question.”

Most of the owners of the protected animals have been identified, and several owners spent Tuesday afternoon walking their horses around the stables.

Many volunteers took care of some of the animals that lived on the property. Some had become famous in the community.

Two donkeys, Morris and Micah, often poked their heads out of their cages to care for them. They had fled down the hill with the owner when the Palisades fire approached, and they met again because he sprayed his number beside them.

“They love you to call them,” volunteer Lucena Herrera said. “We’ve all been taking them in and taking care of them.”

But a few animals have not yet been reported. A little horse named Izzy was still missing a week after the fire. The volunteers together took him until he found a new permanent home.

Many volunteers showed up to help the animals that the staff had to return to others, Nevin said. Between 50-100 volunteers have now found a place to graze, feed the animals, lick the grass and entertain Morris and Micah as they grow.

Watching owners reconnect with their horses was one of the most important things for volunteers, said London Scott, founder of the Cali Cowboy Club.

“It’s a very good way to go through,” Ms Scott said, “To be able to see this first hand, I know you played a small part in someone having peace of mind at a very sad time.”

Those who are here describe a deep bond with their animals and say that the burnt fields are a place of peace in this big city.

“It’s my safe place,” said Catherine Armenta, 42. “It’s like a bond, a connection that I don’t really have with anything else in the world.”

Many of those here do not know what will happen next, where they will take their animals after the chaos of the fires burning around the Los Angeles area is over.

“I couldn’t even manage any of this. There are 40 horses to look after,” Ms Bacon said. “When it’s all said and done, I think we’re all going to go get margaritas and just cry.”