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It was on the hike down to the brilliant turquoise falls of Havasu Canyon, after the darkness of early morning had faded, when Shea Carpenter saw the horse that would shock her into action.

The horse, which was grazing on whatever it could find in the canyon, was emaciated, had cactus spines in its face and saddle sores on its body.

“We hiked into town looking around. I wanted to tell somebody there’s a horse out there that needs help,” Carpenter said. “As soon as I got to town I realized no one would care because there were plenty of other horses like that.”

Carpenter is one of several individuals and organizations that have devoted themselves to improving conditions for horses and mules in the Havasupai village of Supai. Many of the animals are used by tribal members to make a living hauling the gear of tourists as well as other items up and down the canyon.

On Thursday, the FBI arrested a Havasupai tribal member, Leland Joe, on charges of cruel neglect, mistreatment and failure to provide necessary medical attention to one of his horses.

Joe’s horse was reported to be thin and malnourished, with open and bleeding sores along the length of its spine, likely caused by repeated rubbing of heavy packs.