OKLAHOMA CITY — A nearly century-old Oklahoma company that supplies rodeos had as many as 70 horses die a week ago after being fed what one owner believes was contaminated feed.
Rhett Beutler, co-owner of Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. near Elk City, told KFOR-TV that the horses died shortly after being fed.
“We didn’t know what was going on, we just got the feed and started feeding it like we always do,” Beutler said. “Then suddenly looked up and there were horses just falling over and dying.”
Beutler and Sons officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment Friday.
“All these horses are kind of like my children; I’ve been raising them since they were born,” Beutler told KOKH-TV“When you lose one, it’s one too many.”
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry said in a statement that it was notified Aug. 23 of the horses’ deaths related to a bulk feed order and has opened an investigation.
“An inspector visited the Beutler and Sons site on behalf of the department on Monday, August 26 and learned that the feed originated in Kansas,” according to the statement. “The ODAFF inspector collected a feed sample that is being analyzed in two state-certified laboratories.”
The department said it is working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to investigate the company that provided the feed.
“We have initiated an investigation that includes labeling procedures, operating procedures and a review of their records to ensure that appropriate protocols were followed” in the manufacture and delivery of the feed to Oklahoma, said Kansas Agriculture spokesman Jamie Stewart.
The company that provided the feed has not been identified because of the ongoing investigation, Stewart said.
Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen, of Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital, Beutler’s veterinarian, declined to comment on the deaths other than to call it a “tragedy.”
Founded in 1929 as Beutler Brothers near Elk City, about 105 miles (169 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City, Beutler and Son provides stock for rodeos, including the National Finals Rodeo.
The company is providing the majority of the stock for the Elk City Rodeo starting Friday night, according to Elk City Rodeo board member Randy Hargis, who said events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and steer wrestling.