Volunteers tending to horses seized in Gage County as caretaker recovers from injury

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) — The horses seized from a veterinarian in Gage County are improving every day with the help of volunteers as their new caretaker recovers.

Lin Guyton, who runs Epona Horse Rescue near Crete, is recovering from an injury at Old Cheney Rehabilitation Center. 

“On Sept. 25, I thought I had my truck in parking, but it was in neutral,” Guyton said. “I stepped out and took my foot off the brake; it rolled backwards and ran over my leg.”

In August, the veterinarian who was taking care of the horses was charged with 37 counts of animal neglect.

Authorities brought three dozen horses to the rescue, where they’re doing much better now.

“They have improved tremendously,” said Jennifer Burback, a volunteer at Epona. “Most of them have gained over a hundred pounds.”

For Guyton, it has been hard being away from them as she recovers. 

“I think about the horses all the time,” she said. “It’s frustrating to be here but it’s comforting to know that there’s such an amazing team of volunteers that keep everything taken care of.” 

An army of volunteers has stepped up, feeding the horses and cleaning the stalls. 

“It has really been wonderful; everybody has stepped in,” Burback said. “When Lin got hurt, even more people came out and really joined in and gave ideas.” 

Volunteers are making sure they send Guyton pictures of the horses, especially of a foal born Tuesday.

“I pretty much made it a written law that somebody has to send me daily pictures of the baby,” Guyton said.

She said volunteers are always welcome to help with the horses. You can find more information on Epona’s Facebook page or its website.