Mystery illness kills 100 horses at farm

Tainted hay suspect at EquiTransfer in south Marion

By Fred Hiers

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OCALA – As many as 100 horses died at a farm outside Summerfield during the past 10 days after the animals became ill, littering the farm’s pastures. The death toll is unprecedented, say state veterinary officials.

The cause of the illness, so far, remains a mystery.

Owners of EquiTransfer, Jose Davila and his wife, Francis Ramirez, both veterinarians, had to euthanize the horses after the animals showed neurological problems and began collapsing. The couple say they think the cause of the illness was contaminated hay that wreaked havoc on the animals’ nervous systems.

Davila and Ramirez would not say who they bought the hay from, but said that EquiTransfer is the supplier’s only customer and that they have disposed of all of the suspect hay. Davila said they did not want to name the supplier because of potential legal consequences that could result if the hay turns out not to have been the problem.

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