Rigaud stable fire leaves 36 animals without shelter as winter approaches

A family is reeling after a fire tore through their stable in Rigaud, Que. last week.

On the morning of Sept. 19, a devastating fire swept through the 26-stall barn at L’Écuries Martin in Rigaud, about 70 kilometres west of Montreal.

It took firefighters from the small city, along with crews from Hudson, Saint-Lazare and surrounding municipalities, six hours to put out the flames. By the time the fire was extinguished, the 100-year-old wooden structure had been reduced to ashes.

Owner Rachel Martin and her family were left in shock.

“The only thing we could do was get the animals out of the barn and watch it all burn down,” she said.

For eight years, Martin had poured her life into building L’Écuries Martin into more than a stable. The farm was home to 36 animals: horses, miniature donkeys, ponies, goats, pigs, chickens, dogs, and a beloved 44-year-old pony named Orea, also nicknamed Ponette.

Martin said a veterinarian examined every animal within hours of the fire. Four animals — a horse, a pony, and two miniature stallions — showed signs of smoke inhalation but have since recovered.

The blaze not only destroyed the barn but also everything inside it — food, medication, blankets, buckets, halters, tools, and much more.

Authorities did not deem the fire a criminal event.

Martin admitted she did not have proper insurance coverage. She said she had been misinformed about the value of her buildings and accepted responsibility for not having proper protection, adding that she had learned from the experience and would never let it happen again.

Still, she insisted she would not abandon her dream, even though the pain was immense.

“We will just grow stronger, even though we feel broken right now.”

More than a stable or a farm

The farm also served as the heart of equine therapy programs that brought people from across the region to connect with the animals.

Zootherapist Danièle Monast has been working at L’Écuries Martin since 2014 and has been in the field for two decades. She described the connection people develop with the animals as transformative.

“When you’re around horses, there’s some kind of magic that operates,” she said. “These horses bring so much joy — whether it’s with children, teenagers or adults of all ages. I have women who come here who are over 75 years old. They are just wonderful, sentient beings.”

Monast stressed that rebuilding quickly was crucial.

“All the animals, especially the smaller ones, the older ones, and the sick ones, cannot be outside in the winter, so a new stable is essential,” she said.

For Amy-Jill Drury, who’s horse Scout has been at L’Écuries Martin for the past year, this place is much more than just a local business.

“It’s my little barn family and we’re always here to help one another,” she said. “Without the community here, I don’t think we’d be able to survive the winter.”

Drury remains optimistic about what lies ahead. “We don’t know what the future holds for us, but we’re taking it day by day. I have faith that things will get better — bigger, stronger, and better.”

Eight of the horses at L’Écuries were brought in by Refuge RR, an animal rescue based in Eastern Ontario.

Animal care assistant with the organization, Shelby Blickstead, said Martin has always stepped up when others could not.

“Being in this type of industry, I can say that what happened here is everyone’s worst nightmare,” Blickstead said. “Rachel is here for these animals, no matter what — and she always has been.”

She noted that caring for horses is physically demanding work that most people cannot do.

“These are the ones that have been abused and need specialized care — Rachel has never turned one away, and she does it all with a huge heart.”

A call for help

Community members have launched a GoFundMe campaign with the aim to collect $100,000 to construct a new stable and replace critical supplies.

Martin said the outpouring of support has already been overwhelming. “I believe it takes a community to raise somebody when they’re down. We decided to stand strong because we have that — a beautiful community supporting us," she said.

She urged others to try to understand the bond her family shares with the animals.

“Put yourself in our shoes — as if it were your dog, your cat, your little pet you want to cuddle at night. It’s the same thing for us. This is the home of our beloved animals who depend on us for their care.”

For Martin, rebuilding is about more than wood and nails. “We get up in the morning, we think about them. We go to bed; we sleep on one ear to make sure everything’s okay outside. These are our babies,” she said.

“We take care of them with everything we’ve got.”