NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Athens County Humane Society confirmed Thursday that it is investigating claims that Hocking College neglected its horses, after an initial visit to the college failed to resolve concerns prompted by reports to the humane society.
Athens County Humane Agent Andy McDonald said he and an associate “went out and we took a look at the horses” after receiving reports that Hocking College was neglecting its horses. He said that at this initial visit they concluded “that there are questions and we need to find out more.” This prompted the humane society to initiate an investigation.
McDonald said the humane society is not yet convinced the complaints are founded. He said photos of the alleged neglect that have been shared — including publicly on social media — are not attributed to anyone and fail to identify the pictured horses. The photos therefore constitute “hearsay” for the purpose of the human society’s investigation, McDonald said.
“We’re just trying to make sure that, you know, any alleged abuses are not just, you know, retaliation — or just, people who are upset at their grade or something,” McDonald said. “You know, all those kinds of things happen.”
The humane society is asking “some people who know about horses, who are ferriers, to come out and look at the animals and then render their opinion,” McDonald said. He added that the college is working with him on the investigation and that the college had already conducted its own internal investigation.
“The college and I are working together, trying to figure out, is there any validity to the problems that are alleged?” McDonald said. “If they are, how do we fix them? And if they aren’t, can we put this thing to bed?”
The investigation will be completed as soon as next week, McDonald said. Hocking College President Betty Young said in an email that “no complaint” had been filed with the Athens County Humane Society.
The college initiated its own “investigation” in December 2023, Young said, by Dr. Jonathan Yardley, a veterinarian and associate professor of equine care at The Ohio State University.
“We had a complaint from a former disgruntled employee,” Young added in an email. “Any complaint filed at the college is investigated. We take these things very serious. We are working with the humane society as we all do our due diligence, as we did by having OSU vet come in December.”
Yardley reported that “the horses on Hocking College property are well taken care of and there is no negligence in the foot care,” Young said in an email. “He also stated our farrier, Eric Wilt, is a good farrier. Eric takes direction from the veterinarian when needed and there have been no issues with incorrect shoeing.”
Hocking closed the case based on Yardley’s investigation, Young added. Dr. Yardley did not return a call in time for publication.
“Hocking College has had a successful farrier and equine program for more than 40 years,” Young said in an email. “Hocking is committed to the health and well being of all our animals which leads to our ability to continue to have a successful program in Equine Science and Farrier Science.”
The college is cooperating with the humane society “to provide the information necessary for them to draw the same conclusion as Dr. Yardley,” Young stated.
The Independent also sent a request for records related to the college’s internal investigation and its care for its horses, which remained pending by press time.
