Article updated as of 9/3/24.
The storied stock contracting firm Beutler & Son Rodeo Company of Elk City, Oklahoma, is suffering devastating loss after their horses were given contaminated feed. Approximately 70 horses have died, with numbers growing.
The brand of feed has not been confirmed, though it is suspected the contamination came from feed with rumensin that was mistakenly delivered. Rumensin, also known as monensin, is a feed additive for cattle that is extremely toxic to horses and can be fatal. A toxic dose is about 2.0 mg of monensin per kilogram of body weight, which is similar to a toxic dose of cyanide.
An ongoing investigation is underway as losses have been ongoing since Sunday. Veterinarians attending to the situation are working to try to save livestock, while finding a solution to prevent a situation like this from happening again.
Beutler & Son Rodeo Company provides bucking horses and bulls to premier rodeos across the country including the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte and Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell.
No fundraisers have been approved by the Beutler family at this time.
The contaminated feed in question was sold and delivered by Livestock Nutrition Center. You can read their official statement here: https://ruralradio.com/rrn/news-category/rodeo/
