Fred and Jennifer Goslin, a Magnolia area family, are dealing with the loss of 13 Arabian show horses and several injured Arabian show horses after a fire completely destroyed their 40,000-square-foot barn.

Around 6 a.m. on Aug. 9 neighbors and area residents passing by reported a large barn fire on FM 1488 and Superior Road. The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department headed to the scene.

Ken Neely, a friend and nearby resident saw the flames on his way to work, called 911 and rushed to the Goslins home. He attempted to wake the family and then rushed over to the barn to begin opening stall doors to allow the horses to run out of the barn.

Neely said he worked his way through the barn avoiding the massive fire and smoke to unlock the stall doors and free the horses. He said all he could hear were horses kicking the building trying to get out.

The Goslins came outside during the commotion and began helping Neely open stall doors.

Magnolia firefighters arrived and reported that the barn was heavily involved in fire. They struck a second alarm bringing in units from The Woodlands and Needham Fire Departments to assist.

The building housed 28 Arabian horses, however, 13 perished in the flames and 1 was still missing as of press time last week. Of the 14 saved, the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office (MCFMO) said several are suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Daughter Carissa Goslin-Shumaker arrived from out-of-state. She said her horse, Whiskey, is the mare missing. On Aug. 11 neighbors and family were preparing a search party in hopes of finding the missing horse, according to Shumaker.

Many of the horses were valued at $60,000 with one reported world champion valued at $100,000, according to MCFMO.

Several horses have been moved to nearby barns, while others are under close watch due to burns and stress after the incident.

Shumaker stated that a veterinarian checked on the horses and said that they are doing “surprisingly” well.

MCFMO reported that the barn was a total loss.

“The barn is believed to be a total loss, along with the obvious emotional loss for the owners of these horses,” Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams stated in a press release.

The facility and property is used to train Arabian horses, according to Gwen Nix mother of Jennifer. Jane Ann Godsey said the family has about 25 to 30 clients. Godsey also had five Arabian horses at the facility. She said she lost one in the blaze.

The family moved to the property about 16 years ago, according to Nix. The business had already been established prior to moving in. She predicted the barn had been on the property years prior to the Goslins time of move in.

Nix said Fred is devastated over the loss of the horses.

“He has been very devastated because he not only trained them, but he loved them like children,” she said.

As of press time last week, the family was unable to begin cleaning up the leftover debris because firefighters said the area is still smoldering.

MCFMO is still investigating the cause of the fire and has yet to release further information.

A fund has been set up for the family to help with damages. For more information, visit www.horsemensdistressfund.com.

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