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Sleigh Ride Company Somberly Continues To Operate After 2 Horses Killed By Train

FRASER, Colo. (CBS4) - The owner of a sleigh ride business who lost two of his horses when they were hit by a train says the loss is devastating in so many ways -- for the business and his employees.

The accident happened near County Road 5 and Highway 40 near Fraser. Dashing Thru The Snow owner Glen Phillips said his draft horses escaped their corral and ended up on the tracks.

Dashing Thru The Snow sleigh rides
(credit: CBS)

"We do probably 50 percent of our sleigh rides in the next two weeks," Phillips said.

So what happened Saturday was not only tragic, but could not have hit at worse time.

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CBS4's Matt Kroschel interviews Dashing Thru The Snow owner Glen Phillips (credit: CBS)

"My heart just sank to my stomach," Phillips said. "We get attached to our horses, so that was very devastating."

Somehow the horses got spooked.

"The corrals keep them in but if a horse wants out, I mean these guys are 2,000 pounds apiece."

Dashing Thru The Snow sleigh rides
(credit: CBS)

All of that power, scared and running full speed toward the rail tracks, two of the prized horses were struck and killed by a train.

For Phillips, the loss is hard to deal with; but with reservations filled through Christmas he says they have to push forward.

Dashing Thru The Snow sleigh rides
(credit: CBS)

"We are pulling through it," he said.

They teamed up the two surviving horses and a friend is letting them borrow another pair through the holidays in order to keep their doors open.

Dashing Thru The Snow owner Glen Phillips
Dashing Thru The Snow owner Glen Phillips (credit: CBS)

"We were able to take the two broken teams and put them together and they are working excellent."

The magic this Christmas of an iconic sleigh ride remains but folks working at Dashing Thru The Snow will continue to mourn the loss of the horses.

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