SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Categories: Horse News

Foal Born in Aftermath of Tennessee Tornado

On Wednesday, April 5, a tornado touched down in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Shelbyville is a hub of Tennessee Walking Horse breeding and training, and the storm hit just 200 yards from a breeding farm called Rising Star Ranch.



Just hours later, a new colt joined the herd.



Breeding manager David Williams told News Channel 5 that he believes the change in air pressure helped induce labor and hopes that some of the other mares on the farm who are nearing their due dates will respond similarly after a tumultuous weather week.

The Shelbyville tornado was confirmed to have had a clockwise rotation, which is relatively uncommon in the northern hemisphere and is known as an anticyclonic tornado. The tornado was rated an EF-1, which denotes moderate damage. There are no known injuries as a result of this tornado, although one woman was injured by another tornado that touched down in Warren County, to the east of Shelbyville, during Wednesday’s severe weather.

Homes near the farm did have some damage due to the storms, but Rising Star Ranch was largely spared. More than 100 horses were on the ranch at the time that the tornado hit.

The mare who gave birth after the storm is called, appropriately, Rain Delay. Her colt is yet unnamed, but Williams suggested that it could end up being something weather related, like Storm Chaser.


Leslie Potter is a writer and photographer based in Lexington, Kentucky. www.lesliepotterphoto.com

Leslie Potter

Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.

Recent Posts

Energy Intelligence for Equestrians to Prevent Burnout

We hear a lot about “burnout” these days when it comes to work, but it can also happen when it…

5 hours ago

Barn Banter – Episode 30

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 30, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…

1 day ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Lucille

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 day ago

Bed Sores in Horses

As you brush your horse’s lower legs, you spy something curious. There’s a little patch of hair that’s ruffled, like…

2 days ago

A Recap of Road to the Horse 2025

Road to the Horse is an exciting, unique colt-starting event, dedicated to changing people’s ideas and creating a better world…

3 days ago

2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: An Impressive List of Entries

Lexington, Ky. — Six of the world’s top 12 eventing riders, including World #1 Tom McEwen (GBR) and World #2…

3 days ago