Horse killed in ‘horrendous’ yard fire
A yard owner has been left “heartbroken” after her daughter’s horse was killed in a fire in Essex.
The blaze started in an outbuilding at Three Chestnuts Riding Club in Dunmow Road, Hadfield Heath, in the early hours of Monday (21 March).
The flames then spread to the adjoining 10 stables.
One of the horses, Bounty, was found dead when firefighters arrived at 2.08am.
They were able to save the remaining nine horses and the fire was extinguished by 3.50am
“A lady that lives opposite heard the noises,” yard owner Elaine Wallace told H&H.
“She thought it was rain as she could hear the crackling. Then she heard the horses and looked out and saw the flames.”
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Elaine keeps her daughter’s two horses at the yard, as well as her own dressage horse and seven other horses and ponies, who she loans out.
Bounty was a 13-year-old Belgian warmblood.
“My daughter has had him for eight years, since she was 12,” said Elaine.
“She used to do showjumping on him as well as Pony Club and one day events.
“To have a fire is horrendous, it’s heartbreaking.”
Another horse was injured after being released by firefighters when a horse he is not usually turned out with kicked him.
He is recovering after being treated by a vet.
Tack and equipment within the outbuildings was lost in the fire.
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“Crews acted swiftly and efficiently to prevent this incident from escalating,” said a spokesman from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. “Some of the buildings were completely destroyed by the fire.
“One horse was confirmed deceased on arrival. The quick actions of firefighters helped rescue the remaining horses from the stables.”
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.