When barns go up in flames and someone comes to the rescue, that brave soul is usually of the human variety. That is why a horse owner was floored last week when she found out it was an equine with a checkered past that stepped up to save a fellow horse in need.

A horse checks out the damage that a recent fire at Starlight Stables caused.

As a report by WKRG News 5 explains, a barn at Starlight Stables, a popular equine outfit in Grand Bay, Alabama, caught fire this past Monday (April 2). Luckily, 22 of the 23 horses were not in the enclosure when the blaze struck, but one surely was.

Toni Christopher of Starlight Stables was out of town when a neighbour called to inform her of the blaze. Toni instantly hung up and called her husband, who, unfortunately, was also away from the location when the blaze was raging. He indicated that he had specifically left one horse in its stall.

No matter the efforts that were put forth, there was just no saving the barn, which burnt to the ground during the terrifying event. Expecting the worst, the neighbour went over and conducted a head count of the Christophers’ horses. Oddly enough, 23 head were counted in all.

Ironically, actions that had previously resulted in a scolding were quickly being praised – and gaining national media attention, to boot.

As Toni tells it, a mischievous lass’ penchant for unlatching stall doors had branded her a troublemaker in the past. Needless to say, it’s funny how fate works sometimes.

"Savannah goes through the stall doors usually and goes through the barn and opens all the doors and usually I get mad,” Toni explained. “This time she's getting some carrots.”

As the WKRG News 5 piece explains, the Christophers did not have insurance for the barn. People moved by the story have been more than generous with all types of donations. Additionally, a GoFundMe Page has been set up to help the horses, and, as of earlier Sunday evening, a total of 52 people have donated more than $4,000.

(With files from WKRG News 5)