The facility that my Clients had leased was 2.5 miles down the road from my ranch.  Although they are close in distance they are worlds apart, our ranch is on the low land down by the  Colorado River that is open pastures ( mostly dirt now due to the drought ) that is surrounded by other large pasture ranches and two big pecan groves to the north and east that are always under irrigation.

When my Clients got off the Comal River and heard about the fire they came racing back and could not get in, just like us when we got back that day, Sheriff’s had the road closed.  We drove around the barricades hours earlier and had about seven minutes to get our property in order before the Sheriff’s escorted us out ( none to happy we had driven around them…..).   My Clients and my husband and I caught up at one of the staging areas where we stayed, facinated and horrified by the fire.  We  could see that the fire was raging through that property and we all thought the worst.

A number of hours later once the fire had moved all the way past the property my Clients were able to sneak in.  They found that their friends car along with the house, the barn, the outbuildings, their vehicles and trailers had all been lost, but all seven of their horses were untouched in the arena!

Below are some pictures I took of the arena and the property after the fire.   As I learn more about the triumphs and tragedies of the fire I will share what I learn but one thing that is ingrained in my head is that a large enough arena may be one of the safest places to put your animals in the face of a wild fire when you have no time to get them out.

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Lee Ann Johnsonposted toSusan Snead Gill

 

AP :: Images :: Search Results :: horse rescue – Bastrop

www.apimages.com

horse rescue – Bastrop: Keyword search for “horse rescue – Bastrop”.

Here is my newest listing : 130 Flaming Oak in Holiday Hills – Bastrop

Neighborhood: Holiday Hills

Stories: 1

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 2

Square Feet: 1244 (per builder)

Year Built: 2009

Price: $120,000

Nicely appointed site built home on nice sized lot. Privacy fencing, RV
gate. Rural feel but minutes from downtown Bastrop. No restrictions!

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When the fires began we were south in La Grange in Fayette County at Thunderbird Southwest ( friend’s vintage and collectible auto business) to warn them about a wildfire we had seen to the north of their home in Columbus as we were driving home to Bastrop up Highway 71.  While we were there one of my lease Clients called me to tell me they were evacuating her in Bastrop from her lease property and that she needed help.  We put the pedal to the metal and raced to the Cottletown area to help if we could and offered her refuge at our ranch.  When we got closer she called with good news that she had gotten out with her dogs but as we watched the fire we realized it was headed towards our ranch.  By the time we got home they were evacuating us.  Seven minutes is not a long time.  We were able to catch all four of our house cats and loaded them in plastic totes and put them and our dogs in the truck and then made the agonizing decision to turn all of the horses on the property loose in our big back pasture that had forage, and access to the river, hoping that if they had to they could run from the fire, and we drove off.

We staged on the Highway and actually watched as one of our neighboring ranch properties was consumed by the fire, when it got to close we moved towards Smithville and watched as the wall of flames and smoke got more and more angry as it consumed everything in it’s path.  Each time a propane tank would explode or a new dark plum of almost black smoke pillared into the sky we knew another home had been lost.  Everyone was in shock.  Tears and disbelief along with prayers for the safety of neighbors and their animals.

We spent the first night in an airplane hanger in La Grange owned by one of our friends.  We were able to just pull the vehicles in and close the door behind us.  There was a small bath and shower and we could store the animals crates .  Needless to say there wasn’t much sleep.  The next day we spent at the Smithville Evacuation center that had been set up at the Rec Center.  Amazing all of the people there helping and all of the donations.  As the smoke grew in the sky and the wind shifted we decided to move further down the road to La Grange and we have been there ever since.  We commute to Bastrop daily through one of the back routes that are open.  Facebook has been one of the best ways to find out what is happening as the posts are real time.  Many animal evacuations and reunions have been due to pages that were created right in the thick of things by some very caring individuals.

Once we knew that the fire’s determined march down our road had been quelled my Indiana Jones husband was able to swim or fly his way in across the river  to our ranch daily where he hooked up our tractor and water tank and took feed and water to all of the animals ( cows, horses, donkeys, dogs, etc. )  that were left behind on our road until we were finally able to get a pass from the local livestock sherrif to caravan in to remove our horses to a more secure location with regular daily access.

We moved 23 horses ( not all of them mine!) to local equine evac shelters at local arenas where portable panels created stalls.  Each facility is staffed by local riding clubs or other volunteer organizations and feed and necessary tack is donated.  One local feed store set up a paypal account for donations for small and large animals that have been displaced or rescued.

As the days have ticked by we have learned more about the devastation caused by the fire.  I think at last count it was 1400+ homes.  I am looking forward to getting back to my home with my animals and back in to my home office so I can contribute more of my time to help all those who have lost so much.  Soon, I hope, soon.

“I  was looking for my first piece of land as a city dweller to build a %100 off grid green home and had no idea where to start looking for the right person. Someone who was not just looking to move a piece of land, but really get to know what I wanted to do with it.  After seeing Deb had her own land and managed her OWN horses I knew I had the right person.  Deb took no time in showing not only the properties that matched what I said I wanted to see, but also what she knew I should consider. If you are looking for someone who appreciates Texas for the land and what you can do with it Deb is your person. Working with her was a real pleasure.”  Emory at Apple

Emory – thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you find your spot!  It was a pleasure!  If you are looking for a Realtor to work with to buy or sell land in Bastrop, Caldwell, Lee, Fayette, or  Gonzales counties, or in the greater Austin area please call me! 512-743-0516!  Deb

1-AQHA 2004 Getcha Sum Frost Buckskin mare- 14.3 hands tall 1,000 lbs Green broke, discontinued training to breed her. Currently in foal to Captain Midnight 16.1 hand 1300 lbs Homozygous Black Overo Stallion. Produced a super flashy Frame Overo Buckskin colt with two blue eyes with liner, this year from the same stallion. Asking price: $ 700.00

Veiw her pedigree here:  http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/getcha+sum+frost

2- AQHA 1992 Reeds Moon shadow Brown mare- 14.2 hands tall 1,000 lbs broodmare only. Currently in foal  for a 2012 with AQHA Docs Smooth Herman a son of Docs Hickory.

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/reeds+moon+shadow

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/docs+smooth+herman

This mare has produced in the money running horses for many years. Docs Smooth Herman is a cutting and reining producing Sire. This combination in breeding will produce a quick and cowy foal for your future competitions! Asking Price $400.00

3- APHA Jeta CreamPuff  Sorrel/ Tovero with two blue eyes. 15 hands 1,100 lbs Broodmare only. Has a Bay Overo Colt on her side now by: APHA Heza Jetset Cherokee 16 hand Linback Dun Tobiano Stallion.

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/jeta+creampuff

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/heza+jetset+cherokee

She has been re-bred and confirmed in foal to: APHA/PtHA Captain Midnight

We are offering this 3 for 1 package deal for $1,000.00

4- APHA Name pending Buckskin Frame Overo Stud Colt with two blue eyes and liner.

The offspring of AQHA Getcha sum Frost #1 mare on this list and APHA Captain Midnight.

Asking price: $1,500.00

You can see all of these wonderful horses on our website and for more info go to:

www.embstables.com

Contact: Michele Bluemel @ 512-809-4163