Three different horse owners have had their horses’ tails cut off in the past week in Elbert County.

First hit were the owners of Happy Trails Horse-Drawn Rides, Tom Johnson and Jim and Cheryl Hoff. Three of their Belgian draft horses’ tails went missing on Jan. 29 and were most likely taken in the middle of the night, said Johnson.

At least 30 inches were cut off Prince, a 19-hand Belgian draft horse. His tail that once hit the ground now reaches only his tail bone, Johnson said. The other two horses’ tails were also cut significantly shorter.

Debi Shorkey, a neighbor in the same area, noticed Feb. 5 that one of her horses’ tails was also missing. One of her older Missouri fox trotter horses had about 2 feet of his tail missing.

“He is one of our senior citizen horses so he is real mellow,” she said. “I’m sure the other two horses took off before anyone cold catch them.”

Shorkey said her neighbor also suffered a loss of length in four of her horses’ tails.

The incidents are under investigation by the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson was told by the sheriff’s office that patrol would be increased, but at this point that is all that can be done.

One thing all neighbors can agree on is that they believe the person or persons involved are stealing the tails for monetary reasons.

“I think whoever is doing this is selling the hair for a profit,” Jim said. “I have no doubt in my mind.”

Shorkey said she hopes the person or persons behind the crime are caught, but if not he hopes no one else has to suffer this type of a loss.

“If you have horses around here keep your eyers open,” she said.

Anyone with information about this case can contact the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office at 303-621-2027.