EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — William Molinar received a call on Monday night, June 17 from people in the Ruidoso Downs Race Track who needed help evacuating thousands of horses from the area that was in danger of the flames from the South Fork Fire.
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An El Paso horse trainer and cowboy, Molinar, sprang into action like many across the Borderland, and loaded up his trailer onto his truck to go help.
“We go to Ruidoso a lot when we can. Everybody goes camping, everybody goes skiing, so that’s another home to us, that’s a home here for us. So as much as they give us, we need to give back to them and help them out when they really need us,” said Molinar.
Molinar said there were approximately 7,500 horses when they began moving them out. There are currently only about 1,500 left who have to stay behind with their trainers as the horses’ owners do not want them moved out.
“I used to work in law enforcement, so I know how it is to be stuck somewhere and can’t get food or can’t get out nothing. That kind of hits me a different way too, but more with the horses. I have ten horses, they don’t choose to be with us, we choose to have them with us. So, it’s our responsibility to take care of them and make sure they’re okay first,” said Molinar.
Molinar went viral on social media where he shared his and others’ efforts to transport horses out of the area.
He’s since shifted his efforts to help transport donations from El Paso up to Ruidoso, and used his platform to call on the El Paso community who might want to contribute.
On Thursday, June 20, he parked his trailer at the Sam’s Club off of Pellicano Drive, where he received many donations from El Pasoans contributing to the cause.
Donations included water, food, snacks, hygiene products, pet food, coffee and more.
Molinar is transporting donations to shelters in the region were residents affected by the fire have moved to. He’s also dropping off many of the donations to first responders and horse trainers who are still at the racetrack caring for the remaining horses.
He said his truck and trailer have gotten pretty banged up in the process, but said he’s become even more motivated because of how well the community has come out in support.
