The emaciated 25-year-old Arab gelding was reported to Animal Care and Control this week. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – Lake County Animal Care and Control officials are investigating the case of an older horse found emaciated and suffering from various health problems earlier this week.

Bill Davidson, Animal Care and Control's deputy director, said the agency received an anonymous complaint on Wednesday about the 25-year-old white Arabian gelding.

He said officers responded to the property where the horse was being kept near Lower Lake and found him significantly underweight. Other horses also were on the property but weren't in similar shape.

An examination by veterinarian Dr. Jeff Smith of Middletown confirmed that the horse was about 150 pounds under normal weight, was borderline anemic and suffering from dental disease, said Davidson.

The horse, which is being kept at the shelter on Helbush, is now on medications to address his various health problems, said Davidson. “We're basically doing everything we can.”

Davidson said they have high hopes for the horse, whose prognosis appears positive. “He's feisty. He's alive, he's good.”

For an elderly fellow, the horse has a lot of kick left in him, said Davidson, which is why they think he'll make it.

“We're going to monitor it for a minimum of several weeks,” said Davidson.

The horse isn't out of the woods yet, said Davidson. “We certainly have high hopes for it, though.”

The case is being investigated as a neglect case, he said. Davidson added that he anticipates the case being forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Davidson said his office always has horse cases. “They don't always end up in impoundment.”

They're also not yet seeing the spike in horse surrenders due to the economy that have been noted in other areas, said Davidson.

“We are anticipating it for spring and summer,” he said.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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