It’s any horse owner’s worst nightmare ‒ a freak accident that results in the euthanization of a beloved animal. This was the case on Sunday, February 28th at New Dawn Horizons Stables in Elmvale, Ontario. Farm owner Victoria Adams turned her rescue mare Sweet Pea, along with two miniature horses, into the indoor arena when the whole building suddenly collapsed on top of them. The two minis were spared and escaped injury-free, but Sweet Pea suffered catastrophic injuries and had to be put down when the vet arrived on site.
The New Dawn Horizons arena before the collapse.
Unfortunately, the tragedy didn’t end there. Upon further inspection another of Adams’s horses, Chance, had been injured by falling debris in a paddock adjoining the arena and had to be euthanized as well.
Crystal Smith and Holly Graham, two friends of the family, have organized a GoFundMe page to raise money for a new arena. Because it is considered an “out building” the insurance company may not cover the cost of replacement.
They write on the GoFundMe page, where pictures of the horses are posted, “Chance was a very special horse that started it all for Victoria and her family not many years ago. He had a loving and goofy personality that their entire family adored. Victoria and her husband Rich are the most genuine and kind people I have ever met, and it reflects in the above and beyond care they provide for not only the rescue horses they adopt, but the horses belonging to their boarders as well. For something of this magnitude to happen to anyone, let alone some of the best people I have ever met, it is absolutely heart breaking.”