Feed contamination kills at least 70 bucking horses on Okla. ranch

The Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. in Elk City, Oklahoma, is facing an unprecedented tragedy: the loss of 70 to 80 bucking horses, a devastating blow to its 95-year-old family-owned business.

Founded in 1929 by Elra, Jake, and Lynn Beutler, the company has grown into a cornerstone of the rodeo community. Elra’s grandson, Bennie, and his son, Rhett, continue the legacy. The sudden loss of so many horses is an irreparable setback to their generations-deep breeding program, which cannot be easily replaced or replicated.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry said that in a statement on Thursday that it became aware of the issue on August 23, when a veterinarian reported a potential problem with a bulk feed order linked to the deaths.

On August 26, an ODAFF inspector visited the Beutler ranch, collected feed samples, and determined that the feed originated from Kansas. These samples are being analyzed in state-certified laboratories. ODAFF has also coordinated with the Kansas Department of Agriculture as part of the investigation and has assisted with carcass disposal to ensure all state regulations were followed.

State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall has advised livestock and pet owners to carefully review feed labels and consult with veterinarians if they have concerns about feed safety.

Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen, the veterinarian trusted by the Beutler family, has provided crucial updates on the situation, as reported by Kendra Santos. Her post this week has been share tens of thousands of times across social media.

Contrary to early reports that the horses were mistakenly fed cattle feed, VeneKlasen clarified to Santos that the horses consumed a horse feed mix contaminated with a lethal amount of monensin, a drug typically used in cattle feed but highly toxic to horses.

The presence of monensin in such high quantities proved fatal, and all the horses that ate the feed have died, they said. The only surviving bucking mare, Black Kat, was spared because she was at VeneKlasen’s Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital in Canyon, Texas, at the time the contaminated feed was delivered.

This tragedy has left the Beutler family and the broader rodeo community reeling. The loss of these horses, many of which were integral to the Beutlers’ breeding program, represents not just a financial blow but a profound emotional one as well. The rodeo community has rallied around the Beutlers, with other stock contractors offering their horses to help the family through this difficult time.

As the investigation continues, with ODAFF and other authorities working to determine the exact cause and prevent future incidents, the Beutler family has asked for privacy and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss. The rodeo community remains supportive, with many offering assistance and expressing their deep condolences for a family whose way of life has been so deeply impacted.