Woman Criticized for Abandoning Horse During Hurricane Milton

A woman from Florida recently shared an emotional account of what she faced before leaving her beloved horse behind during Hurricane Milton.

The hurricane, which hit near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday night, swept across the state before moving into the Atlantic Ocean.

While many residents evacuated their homes and took their pets, those with larger animals, like Victoria Louisa Sanders and her horse Midas, had a more challenging situation.

Sanders posted a touching photo on Threads, detailing the preparations she made for Midas’ safety before she found shelter. She mentioned, “I braided my contact info into his mane, prayed over him, and kissed him goodbye. I don’t know what Milton will bring, but I’m hoping Midas will be safe.”

The post quickly gained traction, eliciting over 13,000 likes and nearly 1,000 comments. However, some users questioned her decision, expressing disbelief at leaving her horse behind.

One commenter asked, “Why are you leaving your animals? Stop,” while another said they would take their horse wherever necessary, even to an apartment.

In response to criticism, Sanders explained that she couldn’t load Midas into a trailer due to her car’s limitations and concerns about gas supply on the roads. “His barn is more inland and safe from the storm, and I needed to prioritize my own safety by going to Orlando,” she clarified.

“There were precautions in place for his safety, but I couldn’t stay with him at the barn,” she added, acknowledging the tough decision she had to make.

Some supporters defended her actions, emphasizing the complexity of the situation. One remarked, “It’s not as simple as picking up a small dog. This is a horse, and she’s doing the best she can to protect him.” Another pointed out the logistical issues of trying to keep a large animal in a residential setting.