Jefferson County – Several of 28 horses seized on the rural ranch of John McCulley are severely malnourished.
Authorities raided the home at 12601 W. 82nd Ave. after receiving a tip about the condition of the animals two weeks ago. McCulley was warned the horses would be confiscated if he did not remedy the problems.
The horses were still in bad shape last Wednesday, so sheriff’s deputies, animal-control officials, veterinarians and others rescued them Friday morning. After being examined, the animals were taken to area ranches to be nursed to better health. Several needed immediate medical attention.
“It’s always overwhelming when you first walk in and see them, but then you just have to take a deep breath and do what you have to do,” said Ingrid Spikker, one of several volunteers at the Jefferson County Horse Evacuation Assistance Team, which helped in the raid.
Many of the horses suffered from severe hoof pain, because their hooves had not been trimmed in months or possibly years. The horses struggled to make it into the horse trailers that were used to transport them to the foster ranches.
McCulley could not be reached for comment. Authorities say he will be cited for at least 28 counts of cruelty to animals, all misdemeanor charges.
He has 10 days to post a $500 bond on each of the horses. He then can temporarily retain them, or they’ll stay in the care of the county until a judge decides what to do with them, sheriff’s spokesman Jim Shires said.
Animal Control officer Christine Brooks said she spoke to McCulley’s wife recently and asked her why the horses were in such bad shape. “They didn’t see a problem,” Brooks said.
Some of the animals’ ribs were visible. One horse was so malnourished that a large bone protruded from his hind quarter. The horses quickly gobbled up grain the volunteers fed them.
Ashleigh Olds, a veterinarian for Aspen Creek Large Animal Clinic in Conifer, said some of the hooves were the worst she had ever seen.
“It could take months or years to get these feet back to normal,” she said.
Twenty-two of the horses belong to McCulley. The other six were being boarded there.
Officials are not sure what will happen to the horses. Donations for special feed and medicine can be sent to the Table Mountain Animal Center, 4105 Youngfield Service Road, Golden, CO 80401.
