Feed that killed 70 Oklahoma rodeo horses was tainted with toxic additive

The manufacturer of a batch of feed that caused the deaths of 70 rodeo horses has admitted the batch was contaminated with a toxic additive.

The Livestock Nutrition Center said the feed contained monensin, a substance used to combat parasites that can be deadly to horses, adding that it was “truly sorry” for the incident and the loss of “valuable” livestock.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) initiated an investigation on August 23 in response to reports of multiple animal deaths in connection with a feed order for Beutler and Son Rodeo Co.

Rhett Beutler, co-owner of the company, said that shortly after feeding the animals, he saw “something that was wrong” and that the horses were “falling over on the horses.” Beutler said that between 40 and 70 horses died Oklahoma News 4.

In a statement released Friday, Livestock Nutrition Center President Ronnie Castlebury said the company is “dedicated to helping and supporting” the Beutler family after the loss of “so many precious animals.”

“Our initial tests have shown that a load of feed delivered to Beutler and Son Rodeo Company in Elk City contained monensin, which can be toxic to horses. This likely occurred due to a combination of a failed cleaning procedure and a sensor failure,” Castlebury said.

According to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medicine Center, monensin is an animal feed additive that is used “to control parasites and improve feed efficiency.”

Horses are extremely sensitive to monensin, which is toxic to them and causes myocardial death. Animals may die from toxicity, recover completely, or develop heart failure and must be humanely euthanized.

In a statement, Castlebury said the contaminated feed came from a single plant and that no other batches were contaminated or in contact with it.

“We take this seriously and are working with the Oklahoma and Kansas departments of agriculture and the FDA to get to the root of the problem. We will take any corrective actions necessary,” he said.

“Words are cheap, but we are committed to helping and supporting the Beutler family and making amends because our customers and employees expect and deserve it.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Bennie and Rhetta Beutler, the family and all affected by the recent tragic event at their ranch. The loss of so many precious animals is devastating.”

Since 1929, the Beutler family has been breeding and raising champion horses that compete in rodeos throughout the United States.