Couple Accused Of Neglecting Horses

The season and the economy possibly are factors in a case of neglected horses in Conejos County.

Officials say more than 30 affected horses will be cared for at a facility near Castle Rock in Douglas County.

William Barter, 53, and Kristina Kremer, 34, appeared in court on 130 counts of animal neglect. Authorities began investigating after the horses were found grazing on someone else’s property.

Dwayne Adams, a volunteer helping to care for the animals, said the weak economy makes it harder for owners to properly care for their horses, and a horse’s thicker winter coat may cause the animal to appear healthier than it really is.

“The horse can be losing a significant amount of body weight and the owner wouldn’t even know it,” said Adams. “You have to groom horses and feel them. Also, hay is more expensive because there’s a shortage, and these horses are 25 years old or more and can’t always get the nutrition they need to keep warm and healthy.”

Adams said on a scale of 1 to 9, with 9 being the best condition, the neglected horses are a 2 or 3. He said caring for each animal will cost about $400 a month.

“People think that a horse can survive out there on the land,” said Adams. “They can’t. They’re domesticated. They aren’t going to survive if they’re abandoned in the wilderness.”

A group of volunteers is caring for the horses until they can be adopted or sent to another rescue organization. If you’d like to help, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection. The link is:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1178305441818