Once-Starving Horses Regain Health and Are Ready for Sale

Six weeks ago, they were described as victims of the worst case of horse starvation in the the history of San Diego County. Today they are fat, sassy and up for sale.

Seven horses--among them five that were confiscated from Robert Fortenberry on June 10 while starving in an open pasture near El Cajon--and one pony will be sold to the highest bidder by the Humane Society this week.

Prices will start at $100 per horse and $40 for the pony, according to spokeswoman Lani Kian.

Up for bid are a 3-year-old registered bay quarter horse filly, a 4-year-old thoroughbred bay mare, a pinto pony gelding, a gray Arabian mare who comes with the chestnut colt that she foaled after recovering from starvation, a chestnut Arabian yearling, a bay yearling colt and--”my favorite,” Kian exclaimed--a rose and gray Arabian yearling filly.

The horses have been consuming feed at a terrific rate since they arrived at the Humane Society, and all have been certified fit by a veterinarian, Kian said. One horse that weighed 340 pounds upon admission is up to 560 pounds.

“The vet was really pleased with the progress they’ve made, especially the mare,” Kian said. “Probably the weight difference would have been most spectacular in her, but of course she gave birth, so that trimmed her down some.”

The horses were confiscated after neighbors on Willow Glen Drive reported the animals’ poor condition to the Humane Society. Fortenberry had apparently ceased feeding the animals after losing his job. Several horses in less severe condition were left behind by the Humane Society and have been fed through private contributions.

Fortenberry has pleaded innocent to 10 counts of animal cruelty and will go to trial late next month.

Bids on the animals can be made by submitting a 3-by-5 card to the Humane Society, 887 Sherman St., before Saturday. Bidders can call in to see if they have been outbid and then increase their bid over the phone, Kian said.

Bidding will be closed at 3 p.m. Saturday, when the horses will be sold to the highest bidders.

“It’s not essential that the buyers be there when auction closes, but it would be helpful,” Kian said.

Asked whether the Humane Society would screen potential buyers to ensure that they can care for the animals properly, Kian said: “Well, of course we don’t want to see a repeat of this horse starvation, but if someone is going to put up the money they’ll probably have enough to take care of them.”

The Humane Society receives no government funds, and is financed through private donation and sale of the animals it receives.