An Oklahoma rodeo company has reported the tragic loss of up to 70 horses due to contaminated feed.
Beutler and Son Rodeo Co., established in 1929, supplies livestock for various rodeos, including the prestigious National Finals Rodeo. Recently, a significant number of their horses fell ill and died after being fed a contaminated batch of feed.
“We have a lot of feed, and somehow it turned out to be the wrong stuff,” Rhett Beutler, who co-manages the company with his father, shared with local Fox affiliate KOKH. “We noticed something was off after feeding them that morning, and then, mid-morning, horses started going down.”
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) learned of the issue on August 23, with reports linking it to a specific bulk feed order for the Rodeo Company.
After an inspector visited the site, it was confirmed that the feed originated from Kansas.
“The ODAFF inspector took a feed sample for analysis at two state certified labs,” the department noted.
They are collaborating with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) to investigate the situation further. KDA spokesperson Jamie Stewart emphasized that they are reviewing labeling and shipping procedures to ensure that proper protocols were followed during the feed’s production.
This has been a tough time for the Beutler family. Rhett expressed, “Each horse is like my child – I’ve raised them since birth. We’ve even lost some world champions. Losing one is too many.”
Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen, the family’s veterinarian, referred to the incident as a “tragedy.”
Despite the challenges, the show must go on. With some help, Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. is still set to provide horses for the Elk City Rodeo of Champions, happening this weekend.
“This is our hometown event. We might have lost some horses, but we still have others and some from friends. We’re determined to make it a great show,” Beutler told NBC affiliate KFOR-TV.
This story also includes information from The Associated Press.
