MILLSTADT, Ill — One Illinois horse stable was still recovering after strong storms hit the area less than two weeks ago and left thousands of dollars in damage.
Now, Spotted Pony Stables Retirement Center owner Rochelle Weaver asked for the community's help.
It's clear Weaver's devotion in life is to take care of others. She works full-time as a nurse while running a horse stable for senior and injured horses.
"People needed a place to take their horse that they love, their beloved companion, and actually find a place for it to retire," she said.
That's where Spotted Pony Stable Retirement Center comes in. Weaver opened the sanctuary only three years ago in Millstadt, Illinois.
"I am full because it's a need here in the greater St. Louis area. A lot of the older horses would just have to be in a stall for 10 to 12 to 16 hours a day. A senior horse needs to walk, they have such bad arthritis, so living on the land, and actually enjoying life grazing is the best thing for them," she said.
Now, Weaver is the one in need.
"The damage was unbelievable. This is about a three-football field driveway to the top, where the horses were at that time," she said.
The July 16 floods completely washed away both of Weaver's bridges.
"I was working the night shift and came home after sleeping and found that my entire area was flooded. I could see that my bridge to get to the farm was completely washed away. I have a second bridge; it was gone too. It was devastating to us," she said.
That damage meant that Weaver didn't have access to the horse farm.
"There was no way to get to the horses. It was a good 20-feet drop, and there was no way of getting there," she said.
While a temporary fix is in place, according to Weaver, the long-term solution could cost up to $10,000.
"My contractor really wants me to concrete this, so it never happens again. That's a price tag I can't handle right now with the opening of my place," she said.
Luckily, none of the horses were injured during the flood. Weaver said if they would have been in the lower fields, it would be a completely different story.
"This is old mining country. There are sinkholes everywhere, so that's what I always worry about, as well. You could see over to the side here; we actually have some pretty dinks deep sinkholes. If they would get out, they could easily break a leg," she said.
Weaver said as she continues to care for the horses, she's hoping the community can help.
"Senior horses are loved and they really shouldn't be allowed to have dignity and be a horse for a while and then just live life to its fullest," she said.
Spotted Pony Stable Retirement Center has raised $1,170 of its $7,000 goal on GoFundMe.