Amy Platt of Bend says it's an image she won't soon forget.
On Saturday, she came home to find her four horses covered in blood. Two had been shot.
"There were four of them in the field, and they were all covered in blood, but she was the worst," she said Wednesday.
"This isn't okay," Platt said through the tears. "You can't go out there and shoot an innocent animal.
Police arrested
Inga Kemnitz, the woman they say shot Platt's horses. Deschutes County sheriff's deputies say Kemnitz told officers
she was shooting sage rats in a field. ((What???))
Platt, brought to tears at the thought of her distressed animals, says the whole thing confuses her. "We've never seen or spoke to this person," she said. "That's why it's so hard to wrap your head around why someone would do this to these beautiful, innocent horses. They're part of our family."
Sheriff's Sgt. Bryan Husband said around 9:25 p.m. Friday, a deputy patrolling eastbound on Hwy 20E east of Bend saw a woman running beside the road, a rifle in her hands.
The deputy stopped to talk to the woman, who identified herself as Kemnitz, 26, of Bend. More patrol deputies and detectives responded to assist with the investigation.
The owners of the horses were quickly identified as Platt and Justin Ward, who both responded to the scene. The horses were identified by their owners as a 3-year-old “Tobiono” paint mare quarter horse named “April,” and a 7-year-old “Dun” gelding quarter horse, named “Denny.”
Upon closer inspection of the horses, it was determined Denny had been shot in his head, just under his left eye, and April had been shot twice -- once in her chest area, and once in her hindquarter area.
The horses were loaded in a trailer by private party and transported immediately to the Bend Equine Medical Center.
Kemnitz initially was taken into custody by deputies for an outstanding local warrant and transported to the county jail.
On Sunday, more evidence linking Kemnitz to the animal abuse was located in the area of the horse pasture. Detectives went to the jail and added charges against Kemnitz, Husband said.
Husband said she faces three counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, and a single count of criminal trespass while in possession of a firearm.
Kemnitz was arrested in April 2009 on numerous counts of theft, criminal trespass and other charges, accused of breaking into two cars and taking purses and other items at Black Butte Ranch, and other thefts in the Camp Sherman area.
I am soooo looking forward to this movie this weekend. Desert Horses actually got to see him race. Wow. What a horse....we were lucky to have him for 19 years. Amazing spirit, the heart of a champion. This video clip of Secretariat is exhilarating to watch. Enjoy everyone.
Time to dig out all the orange...it is hunting season again in Oregon. Maddy wears her Equine Protectavest from Mac Mountain Tack in Maine. I have on orange (more like "cantaloupe") helmet cover 
I put on and I usually wear an orange jacket, but it was so hot today. If you need any great horse orange, check out Mac Mountain Tack. She is a really cool lady with really great stuff. I don't think you can ever have too much orange this time of year. I was thinking of getting some orange velcro and going around her medicine boots. I don't mind looking crazy to be safe. 
My best friend's daughter, Bella, found a great bargain while hitting some garage sales today. Not often you find such a nice steed for $2. Score Bella! That is the horse to have...no board and no vet bills. Enjoy your four legged friend, looking forward to seeing it when I visit Minnesota again. 
I received a wonder Live Wire Horse from a friend as a gift. She was shopping down in Ashland, Oregon while at the Shakespeare Festival when she spotted these cool little horses. I opened up the box and just fell in love with this tiny work of art. I went to the website and checked out the artist. She is really doing some cool stuff. Besides the Live Wire Horses, she is working with Ginger Kathrens of Cloud fame on another documentary...cool! With Christmas coming up, I think any horse lover would just love one of these. The website doesn't do them justice...they are very intricate and the colors are exquisite. Great gifts everyone.
I have been off the grid more often than not this summer, so my blogging has been pretty sporadic. This just means more riding and more travels, so it is a good thing. My latest fun has been with my mom. After spending some time together in the San Juan Islands watching Orcas, she came down to Portland. We went to the barn on Sunday and she hit the trails with me. The last time we rode together was about 5 years ago, so to get on the trail with her is pretty special. I forgot my camera, so I got a quick pic of her with Ms. Freebie after we got back. I love catching people after a good ride...the smiles are always so big. Horses just bring us such joy, you can't help but exude happiness.
The three amigos set out for a day of riding at Timothy Lake up near Mt. Hood. We created a list of places we wanted to ride earlier this summer, and we have managed to check off quite a few this year. Joni, Tammy, and I wanted to hit the water and do some swimming with our horses. I have heard wonderful things about the trails up there. I had no idea the water would be so blue and clear. We parked in the Joe Graham Horse Camp and saddled up. Maddy was already up to her water antics, tipping buckets and splashing. 
We found our first water stop about 45 minutes into the ride. Maddy loved the boats. She started splashing and I kept coaxing her deeper into the lake...next thing you know...we are swimming! 
We rode on. I was soaked, but the swim was worth it. I took off my riding boots and strung them to my saddle. Stirrups are a little harsh on barefeet, I wouldn't recommend it. We hit another campsite with nice water access. Here Joni and Tammy did a bit more schooling with their non-water loving horses. 
We rode on and on and on. We ended up doing the whole lake...not planned. Tammy and I are thinking demoting Joni from "Trail Boss":-). We think we did 23 miles...we think. All the literature on the lake trails are different...my butt says it was AT LEAST 23 miles. I am little sore, my calves are a little chaffed, but I will take it. I have great horse riding comrades and I am so proud of our horses. We rolled home about midnight, tired and with wet saddles pads. Timothy Lake...been there, done that, and I will be back to swim again.
Amy Platt of Bend says it's an image she won't soon forget.
