NEWS RELEASE            December 10, 2007
Hay Relief for Flood Ravaged Horses Delivered along Chehalis River
Hungry horses, survivors from Chehalis River flooding, received hay relief Monday through efforts of back country horse enthusiasts, responding to the crisis.
“Esther Schoonover of Rochester gave a harrowing account where two of her horses were in water over their backs looking for high ground, being led to safety by boats. She lost three other horses and 20 pigs, swept away by flood waters,” said Darrell Wallace, vice president of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington organization.
“These surviving horses were obviously stressed, owners wondering how they would feed their horses, while they deal with the losses and devastation of flood waters and mud that ruined homes and left property in disarray,” Wallace said.
“We obviously think about people first in emergencies like this,” Wallace said. “We have a responsibility to feed and protect horses too,” he said. “It’s been a tough go for many of these folks, we just wanted to lend a hand where it was needed.”
Tons of hay were delivered by volunteers of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington. Assisting in the effort were 20th District Sen. Dan Swecker and Rep. Gary Alexander, whose district includes all of Lewis County and southern Thurston County.
Participating Chapters: Scatter Creek Riders,  Nisqually, Lewis County,  Capitol Riders, Grays Harbor