Grimes County citizens continue care for rescued abused equines 

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Madison, one of the skinniest horses rescued from the Grimes County property, was adopted by Cindy Fanning, a member of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. Fanning noted she is gaining weight and doing well. � Courtesy photo

Nov. 17, 2005 - As reported in mid-October, 19 equine animals were rescued from a property outside of Plantersville in Grimes County. Remains of five animals were also found, and the owner of the property, 29-year-old Jason Wenzel was arrested by local authorities and charged with 24 counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, and one count of cruelty to animals, a state jail felony. The felony warrant for Wenzel's arrest was obtained after officials found the remains of a dead equine on the property, tied by its hind legs by a rope and the rope was wrapped abound a tree.

The 19 animals were rescued by the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society (BEHS), along with assistance from local officials in Grimes County. Members of the BEHS arrived from a number of counties to help with the animals, and Dr. Jennifer Williams, president and co-founder of the group noted that it was “the worst case of neglect” she had ever seen, since she started in the rescue effort in 1998.

Williams said that all of the rescued horses have made improvements during the past few weeks, but the donkeys were slower to recover, since they (donkeys) do not react to higher protein like horses.

One misconception she, along with Cindy Fanning, a member of BEHS in Fayette County who adopted three of the equine animals, noted was that many people are led to believe that “most older horses will become skinny and sickly looking.”  Both Williams and Fanning explained that as horses age, their type of feed usually needs to be changed to assist the animals who have bad/less teeth and more sensitive digestive systems. They said there is no excuse for the older horses to become skinny, unless they are truly ill.

Another thing that Fanning finds a bit unusual is that she has never had a problem loading horses in need of rescue into her trailer. Williams said she has noted the same thing, and they attribute the eagerness to load because of food being offered, along with … perhaps … a feeling that they are going to a better place!

Of the three animals Fanning rescued to her property outside of Warrenton, she has one Paint mare, one pony, and one pony mule, the latter of which she said is most entertaining, since she’s never had a “pony mule.”  The mare has already gained around 75 to 85 pounds, she explained. 

Last year, Fanning said she had assisted in the rescue of 18 equine from another property.

Williams noted the rescue organizations are always hearing from the public that “they may know of skinny or sickly looking equine, but don’t know what to do or where to call.” She explained that it is better to have the animals checked, even if the animals turn out to be healthy, or are being properly treated.

As for Wenzel, Sheriff Don Sowell of Grimes County said there were a lot of people all over the country … not just Texas … who are watching to see what happens in the abuse case. Although some reports indicated a judge “thought” Wenzel, who was reported to have worked at a local livestock auction, had started out with a “good heart” taking animals that no one wanted, something … obviously … happened along the way.

District Attorney Tuck McLain explained that while initial court hearings could be held before the first of the year,  if actual trials should occur, it may be as long as a year for that to happen.

(To contact the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society: 888-542-5163 or  www.info@bluebonnetequine.org.)