While the cause of a devastating weekend fire at Brant Performance Horses in Logan County, Ohio, remains under investigation, the trainer who suffered severe burns trying to save his client’s horses is on the mend and apparently in good spirits. However, he has surgery today and likely more to come.
Eric Priest suffered second-degree burns to his arms, back, and head from running into the blaze. He was taken to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to receive treatment.
In a Facebook post, Brand Performance Horses said, “On behalf of both the Brant and Priest Families we are happy to report Eric is doing well. He is still smiling and telling his same corny jokes. We love this man like family❤️”
At least 43 horses died in the fire. Owners Brandon and Cathy Brant have trained horses since 2007 for reining competitions, and they estimate that about 85 percent of their business was lost at the barn, which was 60,000 square feet with stalls, an arena, and living quarters for employees.
“If you do anything with livestock, this is your worst nightmare by far. There’s really no words, I have no words,” Brandon told a local TV station after the fire. “Everybody really lost a lot, dreams, you know it is more than just the business aspect of things. These are pets for people, it is an escape for people, we enjoy these animals so it is more than that.”
The Facebook update encouraged people to “please think of Eric and donate to help him rebuild everything he has lost.” It linked to a GoFundMe page titled: Support Eric’s Recovery and Rebuild. At the time of this article’s publication, they had raised $42,937 toward a $60,000 goal.
An update on that GoFundMe page said that Priest was to have his first skin-graphing surgery today.