Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

RED LODGE - Horse neglect may be to blame for the poor health condition of roughly 60-70 horses in Carbon County.

Authorities are investigating the situation, but according to Carbon County Attorney Alex Nixon, no charges have been filed yet. With the investigation still on going, few details are available at this point.

The horses are located on the Sand Creek property in the Clark's Fork Valley.

The severity of the situation is unknown, but the Carbon County Sheriff's Office is treating the case seriously and is reaching out to organizations to help care for the animals.

"It's a very, very bad situation," says Beartooth Humane Alliance Executive Director Diane Zook.

It's unclear if any horses have been euthanized, but Zook says it appears there are no immediate medical situations at this point.

Carbon County Commissioner Doug Tucker spent Friday on the property and says some of the horses are in good condition, while others are in poor shape.

Water was delivered Friday along with some food. Tuckers says a truckload of hay will be dropped off on Saturday as deputies continue to monitor the situation.

Tucker says the issue has been an ongoing concern, but they're working with the owners to solve the problem.

"They just haven't been able to provide the amount of feed this number of horses need," explains Tucker. "They're not neglecting them on purpose, they're trying. So, with some of the help efforts that we have, providing feed and help monitoring them, I think we'll try to help them out of this situation the best we can."

To donate contact the BHA at 406-446-3500.