Four Lost Lives on State Route 45

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This story isn’t my own, but one that was shared by someone who experienced it firsthand.

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"My husband — a well-known and highly respected farrier serving Columbiana County and the surrounding areas — was helping close friends this past weekend. They were preparing for the first jumper show of the season at a local equestrian facility in Salem Township, known to many as Pure Gold. He was the first to open the round pen to make sure it was ready for riders to warm up in — and that’s when he made a heartbreaking discovery.

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Inside the barn, he found the skeletal remains of four horses. From what could be seen, it appeared they had been locked inside and left with no food or care. The way the stalls were damaged suggested the horses had tried desperately to eat through the wood in an attempt to survive. Blankets were still adhered to their decomposing bodies, showing they had been there for more than a year."

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According to an official report from the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene in the 3300 block of State Route 45 in Salem Township after the remains were discovered. The report stated that four horse skeletons were found inside the barn and that seven additional horses were still on the property — alive but in poor condition. Authorities said the horses appeared to have starved to death after being confined.

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The discovery was made by someone who had recently visited the property to discuss a potential lease agreement. They immediately contacted law enforcement after finding what was inside.

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Back in 2022–2023, the Humane Society had reportedly been called to investigate the same location. The case was left open at that time, but since then, it’s been said that all evidence related to the investigation was destroyed. How and why that happened remains unclear — but it has left the community without answers and those animals without justice.

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People in the area are heartbroken and angry. These horses suffered unimaginably, and yet their story risks being buried with the destroyed evidence. Many are now calling for transparency, accountability, and real consequences for whoever allowed this to happen.

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These animals deserved care, compassion, and dignity — not neglect and silence. It’s time for their suffering to be acknowledged and for meaningful change to ensure nothing like this happens again in Columbiana County or anywhere else.