Camarero race trackThe Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare farm and the larger Purebred ranch in Puerto Rico escaped the worst of Hurricane Fiona September 19 as the storm passed through the south of the island.
However, the storm flooded the western region, which is the heart of Puerto Rico’s agricultural industry. According to multiple reports, more than 25 inches of rain has flooded fields and caused more than $100 million in damage to crops, including hay.
“We were really prepared for this storm,” said Kelley Stobie, co-founder of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare. “We bought a new generator over the summer and just received a container of hay two weeks ago donated by the International Humane Society. But the storm passed through the southwest corner of the island, where the all the hay farms, and now we’re seeing other people suffering. We won’t see any local hay production for the next three months.”
Puerto Rican rancher/owner, Eduardo Maldonado of famed Potrero Los Llanos ranch Potrero Los Llanos said the storm caused only minor damage to his farm — fallen trees and some damage to fences — but he also spoke to a large hay supplier, who said the storm had caused shortages.
“I have never seen so much water come down from the sky and I have been on this farm for more than 30 years,” he said. “We have 25 inches, and the west coast has more than us.”
The skies in Puerto Rico have been sunny and blue for four or five days now and shipments are frequent, so the shortage of hay at Camarero will be relatively short. However, Stobie said she is concerned about other horses on the island whose owners may not be able to afford hay to be shipped to – even among the trainers at the racecourse.
CTA is holding a hay fundraiser, hoping to secure two containers of Coastal Bermuda hay, each costing $7,000. Shipping costs of $8,400 for both containers, 700 bales each, were sponsored by Trailer Bridge in Jacksonville, Fla., which sponsors the annual CTA transportation service. The fundraising is to pay for the hay, provided by Florida-based Southeast Hay. The organization has a projected $5,000 commitment from the Caribbean Horse Relief Fund, which provided support after Hurricane Maria about 5 years ago, so almost covers the cost of the first container of hay expected is expected to arrive in Puerto Rico on October 7. Hopefully a second container will be shipped a week later.
“One container will be reserved for Thoroughbreds, so if someone on the track gets tied up we can help. The other crate is for other local horses other than Thoroughbreds, Horses. precious and others used at equestrian and equestrian schools Stobie said.
Anyone interested in supporting the cause can do so through Donking.com CTA Donation Page.
