Neighbor concerned over horses' care

HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - The animal control officer in Huntington County has said that five horses in that area are well taken care of despite one neighbor’s concerns of animal neglect.

Heather Eltzroth lives behind a piece of property on West Markle Road occupied by five horses. She complained that the animals were not receiving enough food after witnessing the horses bend a fence in order to reach fresh grass and eat wood from a tree and shed.

“[Tuesday was] the first time I’ve seen them have hay this month and it’s horrible,” Eltzroth said. “It’s heartbreaking because you don’t want to see them starve.”

Lori Vanover of animal control does not share Eltzroth’s concerns. After investigating the horses’ conditions, Vanover determined the horses to not be in grave danger. The owner of the horses has been cooperative with the department’s requests to maintain proper feed according to Vanover.

“We will keep on top of it,” Vanover said. “They have hay. They have grain. They have mineral blocks and salt blocks.”

Vanover was not worried about the horses eating wood on the property. She said horse behavior called “cribbing” explains why bark from a tree, wood from a shed and branches have been eaten.

Images of the horses and property can be viewed in the video player attached to this story.