From Dream to Tragedy: Victoria Fluhart’s Journey to Start an Equine Therapy Business After Losing Her Beloved Mare in a Tornado

Brandon Johnson of Jamico Construction recently sold his property to Victoria Fluhart and her husband, Justin, to start an equine therapy business. The couple was ecstatic to finally be living their dream and were just days away from hosting an open house when a tornado struck Waterloo.

Victoria Fluhart’s first priority during the storm was to save the horses on the property. Despite being injured in the process, she managed to rescue several horses. Sadly, her beloved mare Onyx did not survive the storm. Fluhart had owned Onyx for 18 years and considered her not just a horse, but a partner, therapist, and friend.

Despite the devastation caused by the loss of Onyx, Fluhart is determined to continue pursuing her dream of offering equine therapy in the community. With the support of the community, she and her husband are now focusing on rebuilding their business. They plan to construct a new building on the property and hope to host their open house this summer thanks to donations from the community.

Fluhart expressed gratitude for the help they have received during the cleanup process and sees this as an opportunity to start anew. While the road ahead may not be easy, she is determined to honor Onyx’s memory by fulfilling their shared dream of offering equine therapy services to the community.