Of the 61 severely neglected horses removed from a Creswell property this week, 60 are en route to Portland. The group taking them in said this is the largest case they’ve handled, and the most expensive.

For Sound Equine Options (SEO) news of dozens of neglected animals wasn’t shocking. A previous case in Linn County left 34 horses in their care. Vice President of SEO Marie Naughton said it’s a challenge both logistically and financially.

“These horses we’re estimating right now, just to feed 60 horses per a month is over $5,000 an month and we’re just talking hay, we’re not taking grain, we’re not talking supplements,” Naughton said.

Naughton said bedding will cost about $4,000 a month, making the total bill to care for the horses at least $9,000 a month. And that, she said, doesn’t include veterinary care.

SEO partners with law enforcement in the state and often boards horses that are seized during criminal cases. Based on previous cases, Naughton said SEO expects to shelter and care for the animals for six months.

She estimates the organization will need to raise $100,000 to cover the cost. Though it’s a big undertaking, Naughton adds, they’ve unfortunately become experts in horse abuse cases.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office, partnered with the Lane County District Attorney’s Office and arrested the owner of the property, Gwenyth Davies. She was cited for felony animal neglect in the second degree.

One horse remains in a veterinary hospital.



Clarification: Davies is a property owner. She may or may not own any of the seized horses.