Dozens Of Horses Suddenly Die At Oklahoma Ranch, Prompting State Investigation

State agricultural officials are investigating after dozens of horses reportedly fell ill and died last week at an Oklahoma ranch thats known for breeding generations of award-winning rodeo livestock.

As many as 40 to 70 horses died at the Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. farm near Elk City, which is about 110 miles west of Oklahoma City, after eating a bulk feed thats suspected of having been contaminated, according to local reports.

The ranchs co-owner, Bennie Beutler, told local station News 9 that the horses started dying not long after eating the feed.

We put the feed out and we lost a couple that morning, lost some more that afternoon, Beutler said. I said Its gotta be the feed, they dont just lay down and do that.

Kaitlyn Hall, who owns the Lazy H Equine ranch a few miles away, told ABC affiliate KOCO that Beutler got some new feed from a new supplier. 

Beutler told News 9 that his ranch, which has been breeding rodeo livestock since 1929, still has 140 horses. Some of them are very young, however, and will need to be bottle-fed after losing their mothers.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed in a statement to HuffPost that it is investigating the incident after a veterinarian reached out last Friday.

A sample of the feed is being analyzed in two state-certified laboratories. Because the feed originated from Kansas, state authorities there were also contacted, Oklahoma officials said. 

A representative with the Kansas Department of Agriculture told HuffPost in an email Friday that is reviewing the feed companys records, labeling procedures, and operating procedures to ensure that the appropriate protocols for feed are being followed. The cause behind the illnesses remains unknown at this time, they added.

Though officials have not said yet what may have contaminated the feed, multiple outlets have pointed to a drug called monensin sodium as a potential cause. Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen, a veterinarian based in Texas who cares for the Beutler horses, told The Oklahoman that the feed was mixed with a large amount of it.

Monensin, also known by the brand name Rumensin, is used to improve the health of cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens when used as a feed ingredient. Monensin is toxic to horses and domestic animals like dogs, however.

In a statement, Ohios state veterinarian, Dr. Rod Hall, reminded livestock and pet owners to be judicious in reviewing animal food labels before feeding and to contact a veterinarian if they have any questions or concerns.

Representatives with Beutler did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment Friday.