DeLeon Springs, Fla. (WFLA) — The owner is charged with felony animal cruelty after two horses and a ponies were rescued and the bones were in “very bad condition” so the bones could be seen.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation in December 2024 after receiving a thin horse complaint at the winning facility at the Wood Trail in Deleon Springs.
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The sheriff’s office found Kash, a 26-year-old Sorrel horse, a 26-year-old Sorrel horse, while visiting the property. His owner, Twyla Guzman, 57, told an agent who works to get medical care for horses.
However, investigators said they later learned that Guzman had cancelled his appointment with the horse dentist, which was to look into Kash on January 16th.
The sheriff’s office said the same aide continues to try and check Kash’s care progress and will eventually meet with Guzman on January 29th. A day later, deputies seized Kash and two other animals, a white pony named “Candy,” and a white horse named “Marshmallow” under Guzman’s care.
The animals were taken to a rescue facility where the veterinarian assessed their condition.
Authorities say Kash’s spine and hips and ribs were clearly visible through his skin, with his hooves growing. Veterinarians determined that Kash had signs of thrush, a bacterial infection that occurs in horse hooves, and said his life expectancy was “very harsh.”
Candy’s bones were also shown to multiple spots on her body despite her abundant fur. The vet said the pony had an unusually slow heart rate, behaving abnormally and he noticed that staff had laying it multiple times for unknown reasons.
The marshmallows appeared to have an unusual respiratory rhythm and overgrown hooves, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said deputies determined that Guzmann was unable to provide adequate care to the animal and a warrant for arrest was issued. She was taken into custody Thursday and booked at Volsia County Branch Jail.
As of Thursday, authorities said marshmallows and Candy were recovering, but Kash’s condition remained uncertain due to the extent of his health complications.
