Owner of malnourished horses charged with animal cruelty, 57 horses removed from Colorado property

The owner of malnourished horses has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.

The Colorado Humane Society & S.P.C.A and Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center assisted the Park County Sheriff’s Office in removing 48 malnourished horses from Mark Walker’s property near Hartsel, Colorado on Feb. 21. An additional nine neglected horses were removed and transported to Harmony last week, bringing the total number of horses to 57, including several pregnant mares.

The horses have been evaluated at the Harmony Equine Center. Since being taken to Harmony, most of the horses have gained a substantial amount of weight and are showing great improvement.

Some of the horses are progressing at a slower pace and will be monitored for other potential issues. The staff at Harmony remains optimistic that the unborn foals will be born healthy.

None of the horses have been euthanized, and none have died since the Park County Sheriff’s Office became involved on Feb. 21.