PARKER, Colo.—Three Belgian draft horses in Elbert County have had their tails hacked, prompting a warning to neighboring ranchers and a plea from investigators.
Tom Johnson says the horses had their tail hair cut off last week while boarding at Happy Trails Horse-Drawn Rides, which he co-owns with Jim and Cheryl Hoff near Parker.
The horses lost up to 2 1/2 feet of hair.
The animals weren’t hurt, since the hair was cut below the fleshy part of the tail. But Johnson says he has no idea why anyone would do such a thing.
Barb Delf of Iowa-based Custom Tails, which makes horse-hair products, says people who steal tails may be doing it to make belts, violin bows or hair extensions for show horses.
Elbert County sheriff’s officials are seeking help from the public.
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Information from: Kyle Clark, KUSA-TV/Denver:
