Friday June 27, 2008, 7:57 pm
June 27, 2008

ATASCADERO -- Stories of severely abused and neglected horses are surfacing in San Luis Obispo Count

Since April, Sheriff's deputies have found four horses either abandoned and starved or abused and neglected.

So far, authorities have made one arrest. Jose Figueroa-Navarro, 45, a local field worker, is facing animal cruelty charges.

Equine experts suspect his horse was used in a roping event in Mexican rodeos called "horse tripping". It can cause severe injuries to the animals.

For now, the 5-year-old animal is being cared for by the folks at the Vulcan Mesa Ranch in Atascadero. Judith Pett has been caring for horses for more than five decades. She says this is the worst case of horse abuse she's ever seen.

"I've seen accidents where horses were in automobile accidents, trailer accidents, where they had some pretty bad things happen but never this kind of thing from a human doing it to them on purpose," said Pett.

Pett says it will likely be two months before the horse will no longer require around the clock care and she doesn't know if the horse will ever fully recover.

A woman from San Luis Obispo has already adopted the horse, as well as one of the other abandoned horses.

As for the two other horses, one is being cared for by some people in Nipomo. Sheriff's deputies say the other horse, a victim of abuse, is at a veterinarian's office getting medical care.

In most cases, detectives say failure to provide adequate feed, water and care for the injured horses have lead to the investigations.

Friday June 27, 2008, 8:01 pm
Horse trippin and steer trippin is just damn cruel and should be stopped no matter what.

Big Gorilly Hgus

Saturday June 28, 2008, 11:48 am
I'm getting pretty sick of reading all the horrible things that so-called humans do to animals and I'm also getting pretty fed up with the human race in general.

Saturday June 28, 2008, 10:04 pm
Humans are the most the dangerous animal in the world.

Saturday June 28, 2008, 10:19 pm
I love horses and i hate it when people do stuff like that is makes me so mad

Sunday June 29, 2008, 2:09 am
I have never heard of horse tripping. What an attrocious thing to do! Was I supposed to sign something though? I couldnt find it if I was :)

Monday June 30, 2008, 4:58 am
just came across this above message, sounds good to me

Monday June 30, 2008, 4:58 am
anamcre - 3:55 AM 1 Vote Report User I adopted these horses and wanted to let you know they are doing well. Clifford is on my mothers ranch, eating and has now joined 2 other horses in the pasture. Nick who is the injured 5 yr old Arabian is with Judith Pett at the Volcan Mesa Ranch. He is healing now and has a much better outlook for his life. Please feel free to see him or call anytime to check on him.I wanted to thank all the volunteers who donate their time to the Animal Reg where he was being held. Luckily I had the support of many caring people who offered to move both horses. Finally 2 days later we had a very short notice from the person who runs the facility, Dr Eric Anderson . If we did not move quickly he would be Euthanized. Dr Liz Bracken treated him and evaluated him. She was optimistic that in time he would heal.He has such a sweeet and forgiving nature considering what happened to him. This practice of tripping is so inhumane and it is happening in our South County. He is lucky to be alive. Usually they break legs, teeth, and suffer from severe injuries.The cost is mounting and I am not sure how long he will be under Judith's care. If anyone would like to to donated towards his care please contact me at anamcre@charter.net Thank you, Shevon Sullivan

Monday June 30, 2008, 9:38 am
Thank you Hilke, this is good news!
I'd donate but I have no credit card... (and no money.) I'm passing the word around to see if anyone can help. Take care