A&R Stables Dec. 29, 2008
Disasters take many forms and nature can be a hard teacher. Those who help after disaster events can tell many stories of dramatic horse rescues and building collapses from fire, flood, earthquake and even volcanic eruptions. They also remember the tragedy of death and the financial headaches that often accompany disasters of all types. Rescuers have swum horses from boats through flooded streets, led them out of burning barns, trailered them away from lava flows and wild fires, and pulled them out of mudflows, ponds and frozen lakes. Nature’s most powerful forces call us to be there for the animals and the people who live through what she dishes out. However, one powerful natural force we don’t often consider is snow. It falls silently, looks beautiful, and weighs... a lot!

Spokane Washington, like other areas in the Pacific Northwest, saw record snowfall from December 15 until Jan 7. In all, over 6’ of snow fell over most of the Spokane area. As a result of the snow load on arena roofs, at least 11 equine facilities and 35 other public buildings collapsed in Spokane County alone. No type of facility was immune to the damage. We lost Titan class Cover-Alls, pole buildings, wood constructions and even integrated steel structures both brand new (one had not even had a horse in it yet!) and old stand-byes. Nature spared no one as small private facilities fell in as well as moderate boarding and training operations and full size, state of the art commercial facilities all went down. At least two arenas in the Portland area were destroyed during the same time frame.

The indoor facility at A&R Stables was one of the facilities in Spokane that collapsed due to the heavy snow that fell in the area of Mt. Spokane, just east of the city. Nestled quietly against the hillside, it had weathered the best that nature dished out for almost 40 years. Well cared for by owners Roger and Arlie Benegar and home to the Relational Riding Academy, A&R Stables housed personal horses, horses in training, school horses and horses in the RRA Rehabilitation Program. Sub-zero temperatures before the onset of the snowfall set up a situation in which snow simply refused to slide off the sloped metal roofs of many buildings, piling up to depths of four feet and more. The horses were housed outside the arena proper in stalls roofed by the standard lean-to design familiar of pole buildings. Snow had been removed from the lean-to roofs but it was deemed too dangerous to climb the steeply sloped arena. Because of the design of the structure, when the main collapse occurred, virtually no damage was done to the stall areas. Miraculously, no horse or human was injured when the entire roof collapsed to the ground on that Sunday morning, the Sunday after Christmas.

We stood there in the snow that morning looking at an acre of snow-covered rubble. The horses were munching hay in their now naturally lighted, well ventilated stalls, fairly unconcerned by the condition of the riding area they had all been in just the night before. We were shocked. We were grateful it fell when it did, with no one inside. Grateful for each others skills... the electrician helped Roger get the electricity on so lights and water heaters worked. We could reach the tack room so we scrambled over gates and half walls to get everyone’s things out before we realized how dangerous it was to do so. Trailers were dug out so some horses got relocated immediately, others were safely moved to pastures on the farm. Pastures with belly deep snow. But safe. And, we prayed.

The next day the real work began. The insurance company was contacted. Demolition companies came out to give estimates on clean up. We called various facilities shocked to find out how many had collapsed! The training horses were relocated to 2 facilities that had a few openings, the rehab horses went to a third place and some stayed right at home. We kept moving, looking ahead, wondering what God was thinking, unsure what to think, how to proceed. When asked what she would say to people facing a disaster like this, Arlie advised, “Just keep moving. Don’t sweat the small stuff, look at the big picture and have faith.” Faith indeed. Both in their 70’s, Roger and Arlie had contemplated giving up boarding horses. Roger wondered if this was God’s way of telling him it was time to quit. Arlie was certain it was God’s way of giving everyone a fresh start in a brand new barn. We tried not to cry and to help each other remember to hope; hope in the future, hope in God’s plan. Faith and hope, two cornerstones on which to look ahead. But why rebuild?

Ultimately it was a difficult decision. The insurance hemmed and hawed, the demolition contractors came and went, the tears fell, the builders brought plans, the bank approved the loan. We looked ahead, hoping in a future with faith in God and love of one another. If we build it, will they come? Faith says “yes.” As things proceed, however slowly, we get excited. Excited to get home, anticipating being together again, expecting to develop the programs for the 4-H kids, establishing new treatment areas for the rehab horses, discussing footing options. What is really great? We have the opportunity to correct the design flaws the old building had and incorporate the wonderful things about it in a new, beautiful facility with 16’ eaves. The old rafters were only 11’ high! Widen the aisle so we can drive a vehicle down it... no more wheelbarrows for cleaning. Automatic waterers too! Higher ceilings over the stalls... a windowed viewing room... a bathroom with a flush toilet? Maybe!

And what is there to share with others from this experience? We talked about what was important for other facility owners to consider. Roger advises people to know their insurance policies. They can be confusing but it is important for facility owners to read those insurance policies very carefully regarding everything, including snow and ice coverage (aka “water damage from water in any form”) to make sure the facility and the horses inside are covered for loss and damage. Arlie, maybe the strongest and most sure of all of us, inspires me with her strength of faith and resolve. They work each day to do what needs to be done to insure that all the steps get taken and the new building arrives. That, it seems, is the key. No matter what kind of disaster is faced, it is important to help each other cope with everything that comes up. Don’t give up hope and stay in action. No amount of money can make up for the loss of life and livelihood these kind of disasters leave in their wakes, but preparation is the key to picking up the pieces in the event that any disaster strikes. Please, have evacuation plans in place, be on good terms with friends and neighbors if horses need to be relocated, and check those insurance policies carefully.

A&R Stables and Relational Riding Academy have risen from the rubble!