"Nugget" (Sundre RCMP)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

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Dead horse on Ya Ha Tinda Ranch possibly mistaken for elk

Nov 18, 2021 | 2:42 PM

RCMP say a horse belonging to Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, the only federally-owned working ranch in Canada, was found dead this week.

The ranch is located about a two-hour drive southwest of Rocky Mountain House.

Sundre detachment says the horse was located by ranch employees on Nov. 16. Fish and Wildlife officials, as well as RCMP were called to the scene to investigate.

A field necropsy was completed, and determined that the horse was shot in the chest area with a large-calibre rifle. It’s believed the horse was shot between Nov. 13-15.

“Preliminary investigation indicates the horse was standing in thick spruce trees slightly elevated from where the shot was taken, which is believed to be 150 to 200 metres from the deceased horse, on Ya Ha Tinda ranchlands,” RCMP describe.

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“Elk season is currently open and the area where this incident occurred is a common zone used by elk hunters.”

Police say the animal was a 20-year-old quarter horse and was still being used in active duty. All of Parks Canada’s service horses are trained on-site, they add.

“Due to the circumstances surrounding this incident, there is the possibility that this was an accident due to mistakenly believing the horse was a game animal,” RCMP say. “We encourage the person or person(s) responsible to come and speak with the RCMP in Sundre about the incident.”

Sundre RCMP are asking the public’s assistance for any information in relation to this incident or identifying those responsible. Contact Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3655 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.