LUTHER/GUTHRIE, Okla. (KFOR) – The Diamond Bar Rach and Equine Rescue in Luther is home to more than 30 horses, donkeys, and ponies. For the last three days, owner Retta Risley has been overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to provide for her beloved animals.

“I’m going, please, God, let me be able to figure out how to continue to feed them,” said Risley. “That’s a big worry.”

She had 75 bales and 11 bundles of hay swallowed up by Friday’s fires. The hay was stored at a property near Guthrie, about 10 miles from her ranch. It was months’ worth of food.

“The cost to replace it is about $10,000,” said Risley.

Around 300 acres were burned at the hay field near Guthrie. It was the main food supplier for Risley’s rescue operation. Many of the property owner’s tractors and equipment, used to cut and bale the hay, were also destroyed.
“It’s devastating for me. It’s devastating for my friend,” said Risley. “There’s a whole lot of people that have been affected by this.”

Risley said she was lucky enough to find another ranch that donated hay to get her through the week, but she still has many decisions to make about the future of her horse feed.

“Not only did I have to figure out where I was going to get money from, I had to figure out where I was actually going to get the food from,” said Risley. “It’s a concern.”

Last year the Diamond Bar Rach helped organize a fundraiser that delivered 200 bales of hay and $5,000 in grain to areas in the panhandle affected by wildfires.

“I remember at the time thinking I can’t even imagine,” said Risley. “Unfortunately, I don’t need to imagine anymore, and it’s devastating.”
The ranch has set up a GoFundMe account here. They also take donations on their website.