Investigations by Oklahoma and Kansas officials were prompted by reports that dozens of horses on a breeding ranch in Oklahoma that has produced livestock for rodeos for generations had died after consuming feed tainted with an additive fed to cattle, according to a veterinarian.
Since 1929, the Beutler and Son Rodeo Company has provided horses, bulls, and calves for roping and bucking competitions in rodeos all throughout the country. Located just north of Elk City, a town of roughly 11,000 inhabitants in the western portion of the state, the ranch has been in the Beutler family for generations.
The ranch is currently owned and operated by Bennie Beutler and his son Rhett Beutler. Bennie Beutler reported that last week saw an increase in the number of horses dying after being fed. Although some reports said at least 70 horses had perished, it was unclear how many had actually passed away by Thursday.
After learning of the horses' deaths on Friday from an unidentified veterinarian who said there was a "potential issue with horses relating to feed," the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry said in an email on Thursday that it had send an inspector to the ranch on Monday.
The ranch is currently owned and operated by Bennie Beutler and his son Rhett Beutler. Bennie Beutler reported that last week saw an increase in the number of horses dying after being fed. Although some reports said at least 70 horses had perished, it was unclear how many had actually died by Thursday.
After learning of the horses' deaths on Friday from an unidentified veterinarian who said there was a "potential issue with horses relating to feed," the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry said in an email on Thursday that it had send an inspector to the ranch on Monday.
The feed was originally from Kansas, and the inspector took a sample for testing. The results should be finished in a few weeks. The Kansas Department of Agriculture said on Thursday that it had started an investigation of the records and of the labeling and operating procedures of the feed company.
A Texas veterinarian who works with Beutler on the ranch, said the horse feed was contaminated with Monensin, an additive common in cattle feed but that is toxic for horses.
The Beutlers’ sprawling legacy ranch has deep roots in the rodeo community. Bennie and Rhett Beutler provide stock for up to 30 rodeo events a year, including in Arizona, Nebraska and Texas, and have contributed stock to the National Finals Rodeo for years.
After the deaths of the horses, other livestock contractors have rallied in support of the Beutlers ahead of the Elk City Rodeo of Champions, happening Friday through Sunday at the Beutler Brothers Arena
