Why Are Horses Still Dying in Ohio Barns? Here’s the Shocking Truth.

The answer is simple: our laws and tracking systems are failing to protect them, and cases like the Silbaugh horse-neglect saga and the Pure Gold Stables tragedy prove it. Ten years after the Silbaugh cases, horses continue to suffer because neglect and abuse often result in light sentences and minimal accountability. As an advocacy group dedicated to equine welfare, we’ve seen firsthand how the system allows repeat offenders to evade meaningful consequences, leaving innocent horses at risk.

The Persistent Problem of Horse Neglect in Ohio

The Silbaugh Case — A Decade of Neglect

Diane and Thomas Silbaugh’s cases spanned nearly a decade, with multiple documented instances of emaciated horses, inadequate shelter, and lack of veterinary care. Despite severe neglect and even horse deaths, they were charged under R.C. 959.13, treating horses as livestock and limiting penalties to misdemeanors.

• 2008–2009 Portage County: Multiple horses seized; 10 counts filed. Jail sentence: 90 days (mostly modified). Restitution required prolonged litigation. No felony charges despite serious harm.

• 2015 Summit County: Four horses found dead or skeletal; others severely neglected. Prosecuted as misdemeanors with mostly suspended sentences.

The Silbaughs’ repeated offenses and appeals, including challenges to paying veterinary costs, highlight the urgent need for stricter equine protection laws.

Pure Gold Stables — A Recent Tragedy

In 2025, skeletal remains of four horses were discovered at Pure Gold Stables in Columbiana County, Ohio. The horses had been locked inside stalls and starved, while other horses on the property were in poor health. This tragedy could have been prevented with stronger animal cruelty tracking, mandatory inspections, and enforceable welfare standards.

• Community members and advocates discovered the remains while preparing to lease the property for shows and clinics.

• Seven additional horses were removed and cared for by rescue organizations.

Authorities are still investigating, but no charges have been publicly filed yet.

Why Current Ohio Law Fails Horses

Misdemeanor Penalties Are Inadequate

Under R.C. 959.13, even horses suffering permanent injury or death often result in misdemeanor charges. This allows offenders to receive light sentences, suspended jail time, and minimal ownership restrictions.

Lack of Tracking and Reporting

Without comprehensive animal cruelty tracking in Ohio, repeat offenders often move from barn to barn undetected. The Silbaughs are a prime example; despite multiple convictions, they continued horse ownership and repeated neglect. Cases like Pure Gold illustrate how invisible suffering continues unchecked, emphasizing the need for equine-specific reporting systems.

Inconsistent Restitution and Forfeiture

Victims — the horses — rarely see full restitution or long-term protection. Mandatory forfeiture of abused horses is often not enforced, allowing perpetrators to retain animals and repeat offenses. Proper legislation, such as the proposed Equine Partner Protection Act (R.C. 959.132), would ensure mandatory restitution, forfeiture, and long-term ownership bans.

The Human and Community Cost

Emotional Toll on Owners and Neighbors

Witnessing neglect can devastate communities. Horse owners, neighbors, and rescue volunteers experience trauma when discovering emaciated or dead animals. Personal anecdotes from our advocacy team reveal moments where immediate reporting saved lives, but many others go unnoticed due to lack of legal requirements for reporting and inspections.

Impact on Rescue Organizations

Organizations like the Ohio SPCA rehabilitate dozens of abused horses annually, but they operate far below the scale needed to address all cases. Without systemic changes, rescues continually face overwhelming cases of neglect, putting horses at risk and stretching limited resources.

How Stronger Laws Could Have Prevented These Tragedies

Mandatory Inspections and Tracking

If Ohio had mandatory inspections, equine-specific tracking, and data transparency, many cases, including Pure Gold, could have been prevented. Early intervention would ensure horses receive care before conditions become fatal.

Felony Penalties for Severe Neglect

The proposed Equine Partner Protection Act (R.C. 959.132) introduces:

• Felony charges for serious physical harm and death.

• Mandatory restitution for care costs.

• Long-term ownership bans.

• Pattern-of-abuse enhancements for repeat offenders.

Such legislation would deter repeat offenders like the Silbaughs from continuing to harm horses across multiple properties.

Personal Stories from the Field

Rescued Horses Tell the Real Story

Our team has witnessed horses saved from near-starvation who now thrive under proper care. One horse rescued after months of neglect at a private barn showed clear signs of trauma but, with proper rehabilitation, became healthy and adoptable. Each life saved underscores the importance of strong enforcement and reporting systems.

Community Action Makes a Difference

Neighbors who report abuse early often prevent fatalities. Our advocacy team trains local communities to recognize signs of neglect, document incidents, and report to authorities, bridging the gap where law enforcement may lack equine expertise.

Shocking Statistics About Horse Abuse in Ohio

• Ohio has roughly 250,000 horses, but there is no official annual reporting of equine cruelty cases.

• An estimated 10 million animals suffer abuse annually in the U.S., and horses are often undercounted.

• One horse is abused every 60 seconds, and many cases go unreported.

• Rescue organizations like the Ohio SPCA document 60–75 abused horses annually, but this only reflects cases they encounter, not the total number of incidents.

• 
  

FAQ — What You Need to Know About Horse Protection

Q1: How do I report horse abuse in Ohio?

A1: Contact local animal control, law enforcement, or advocacy organizations like Ohio Horses First. Document the situation with photos or videos.

Q2: Why weren’t the Silbaughs prosecuted more severely?

A2: Ohio law (R.C. 959.13) limits penalties to misdemeanors for horses classified as livestock, resulting in light sentences and limited restitution.

Q3: How could Pure Gold have been prevented?

A3: Mandatory inspections, equine-specific tracking, and early reporting could have identified neglect before the horses died.

Q4: What does the proposed Equine Partner Protection Act do?

A4: It increases penalties to felonies for serious harm and death, mandates restitution, enforces forfeiture of abused horses, and includes pattern-of-abuse enhancements for repeat offenders.

Q5: How can the community help?

A5: Report suspected abuse, support equine advocacy groups, educate others on signs of neglect, and push for stronger enforcement of existing and new laws.

Ten years after the Silbaugh cases, Ohio horses continue to suffer from neglect, abuse, and weak enforcement. The Pure Gold tragedy is a grim reminder that without strong tracking, mandatory inspections, and stricter laws, innocent horses die unnecessarily. Our advocacy group calls on lawmakers, communities, and citizens to act immediately: report abuse, support legislation like the Equine Partner Protection Act, and hold offenders accountable. Every horse deserves protection, and with collective action, we can ensure they are safe, counted, and valued.