Thoroughbred horse missing owner

06:36 PM PST on Saturday, January 17, 2004

By TRICIA MANNING-SMITH / KING 5 News

MARYSVILLE, Wash. - An obviously valuable thoroughbred horse who seems to belong nowhere or to nobody seems headed for the auction block, as a nationwide search is under way is find its owner.

In its gloomy isolated stall, the antsy thoroughbred looks out of place. You'd expect to see its sleek coat gleaming in the sunshine as he tears around a racetrack.

Jon Marshall rarely sees this quality of horse at the Marysville, Wash., livestock auction.

KING Jon Marshall has been caring for the horse.

Yet there it was, trotting down the roadside near Lake Stevens, still wearing an expensive leather harness, and dragging its lead rope.

Erin Porter came home one night last month to find the horse in her pasture.

“One of the neighbors thought it was our horse, because we boarded horses,” said neighbor Steve Porter.

Multimedia

A report from Marysville

The horse appears to be about 5 years old.

The Porters, who are animal lovers anyway, said they'd care for the horse until someone claims it. They searched the Internet and contacted various organizations, but to no avail.

In the meantime, Animal Control loaded up the horse and took it to the auction barn.

There, they found the horse’s secret. Hidden under its lip, the horse bears a tattoo, a common way of marking thoroughbreds. But unless someone can claim that number or cite the name listed on the horse's halter, the horse may be running no further than the auction block.