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Heartbreaking viral video shows how horses are kept safe as Hurricane Ian continues to wreak havoc

According to the horse owner, the safest way was to leave them outside with extra food and water, and a temporary identity card tied to them

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA: A viral video showing what happens to horses during Hurricane Ian has left thousands of viewers shocked. The video was posted by Sam J Hobbs, a Florida horse owner, on TikTok on Tuesday, September 27.

Sam wrote, "[I] braided my info in my horse's mane [and I'm] leaving him outside for the storm [Hurricane Ian]." The video has garnered over eight million views and 5,000 comments on the video-sharing platform.

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In the video, Hobbs said that she had braided a temporary identification card into her horse's mane, and that he will remain outside with his "girlfriend" as the hurricane passes over their area.

Hobbs said, "I'm putting him out during this storm because, apparently, it's safer to leave them out so that they can do their thing and not get hurt if ever the barn flies away," adding, "We also put [out] a lot of extra hay for them because nobody will be there to feed them tonight."

Due to the nature of the natural disaster, not everyone can ensure their horses are in safe places during hurricanes. As per Newsweek, the Humane Society of the United States said that all horses left behind should be "let out into a paddock or corral." The society said, "Include enough water (12 to 20 gallons per day per horse), hay, feed and medications for several days for each horse. [And] permanently identify each horse by tattoo, microchip, brand or photograph."

The society also advises attaching "temporary" identification information to horses through halters. The organization said, "On each halter, attach a luggage tag with the following information: the horse's name, your name, email address, your telephone number and another emergency telephone number where someone can be reached," adding, "At the time of evacuation, consider additional temporary identification, such as a leg band."

Meanwhile, the video upset many people after they learnt that that owners often left their horses outside during storms and though they recognize that this was for their own safety, it was still heart breaking. One user said, "Omg I didn't even think about people having to do that!!!!" Another added, "It's a horrible feeling when you have to leave them out for their own safety. I remember doing this." A third commented, "This breaks my heart! I know you have to do it and it's for their safety, I just don't want them scared. Stay safe."

Hurricane Ian entered Florida at around 3:05 pm on Wednesday, September 28, leaving more than one million people without power. Despite the evacuation orders in place due to Hurricane Ian, many Florida residents are refusing to leave red zones. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.