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The five horses going on the silent auction block today and Friday haven't been ridden for more than a year, so they "will need to be worked with."
Paul Bartsh, barn manager at Country Veterinary Hospital, has pet names for the three quarter horses, Arabian and miniature horse seized in July 2004 by the Winona County Sheriff's Department.
"We call the mini Cocoa," Bartsch said. "We call the palomino Pal. The old one, I just call Old Man."
Facility Manager Steve Merchlewitz said the horses have potential to be good animals.
Veterinarian Shawn Jensen said Merchlewitz has cared for and become attached to the horses.
"He's concerned they go to good homes. They are all good horses," Jensen said.
As the veterinary staff walked down a hill to collect the horses for their last round of shots before the auction, the animals, with heads high and spirited gate, trotted to meet them.
That is in marked contrast to how they looked last year. They were malnourished, 250 to 500 pounds underweight, with parasites.
The horses' owners, James and Keri Huffman, of East Burns Valley Road, were charged with animal neglect. Their case has not come to trial yet.
"They were awful, looking just like a bag of bones," said veterinary technician Amy Woodard. "We slowly worked them up to a normal feeding."
Sheriff Dave Brand said the county made an agreement with the Huffmans to put the horses up for sale with the proceeds going to the county to cover the cost of the horses' rehabilitation and care.
Woodard said Brand visited the horses every two weeks.
"I care about horses," Brand said. "I care about animals in general. I hate to see them abused."
Two of the quarter horses are five years old, and one is three. The Arabian and miniature horse are both 19.
The public may view the horses and make silent bids on them today and Friday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Town and Country Veterinary Hospital at 29161 Wilson Frontage Drive, along I-90. For more information call the hospital at 507 452-8665.
