Up to 70 horses died a week ago, and Rhett Beutler, co-owner of a nearly century-old Oklahoma company that supplies stock for rodeos, says he believes poisoned feed is to blame.
The horses passed away soon after they were fed, according to Beutler, co-owner of Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. near Elk City, who spoke with KFOR-TV.
“We didn’t know what was going on, we just got the feed and started feeding it like always,” Beutler stated. “Then all of a sudden looked up and there was horses just falling over, dying.”
According to a statement from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, which has obtained a sample of the feed for analysis in two state-certified laboratories, the feed originated in Kansas. In a statement, the organization stated that it is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Representatives for Beutler and Son did not immediately respond to messages on Friday asking for comments.
“All them horses are kind of like my kids; I’ve raised them from time they were born,” Beutler stated, “Once you lose one, that’s one too many.”
According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, on August 26, an inspector paid a visit to the Beutler and Son location.
Speaking on behalf of Kansas agriculture, Jamie Stewart stated, “We have initiated an investigation which includes labeling procedures, operating procedures and a review of their records to ensure the appropriate protocols were followed” in the production and shipment of the feed to Oklahoma.
An horse specialist told that although the issue’s origin has not been determined, it’s probable that a mill that also makes cattle feed includes Monensin, an ingredient that cattle are frequently fed to combat parasites. But for horses, it’s fatal.
According to Kris Hiney, an Oklahoma State University equine extension expert, “it affects their heart and so it causes necrosis of the heart tissue, essentially and so in essence, they kind of have heart attacks and so it tends to be pretty rapid onset.”
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Feed supplier not named
According to Stewart, the business responsible for providing the stream has not been named due to the current inquiry.
The veterinarian treating the Beutlers, Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen of Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital, remained silent about the fatalities save to describe them as a “tragedy.”
Approximately 105 miles (169 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City, Beutler and Son was established in 1929 as Beutler Brothers and supplies livestock for rodeos, such as the National Finals Rodeo.
According to Elk City Rodeo board member Randy Hargis, the company is supplying the majority of the stock for the activities, which take place starting Friday night and include steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and bareback horse riding.
