The horse owners suffered setbacks, but were able to hire a new contractor to finish the project.
By Gail Geraghty
Staff Writer

HARTFORD – Construction has resumed on a horse barn on Gurney Hill Road to shelter six horses that have been housed since August in temporary box stalls.

State District Humane Agent Bentley Rathbun said Thursday the owners of the horses suffered setbacks with the previous contractor that delayed construction of the barn before winter set in.

The mother and daughter settled on the rented property with their horses in August.

The two women were told they had to build an enclosed shelter for their horses to comply with state humane laws, but initially thought such construction was the responsibility of the landlord, John Charette.

It wasn’t until after the first snowfall that construction began, despite numerous complaints from horse-lovers in town that the horses were suffering for the lack of shelter.

Rathbun, who took over the case from the town shortly after the women moved to town, said the horses have been well cared for. They are fed and exercised and given plenty of water, he said. “The cold doesn’t bother the animals,” he said.

After the construction work came to a standstill with the first contractor for the project, Rathbun called the women and said he’d have no choice but to seize the horses unless another contractor was secured.

“They got another contractor right away, and they’ve been working on it non-stop since the week before Christmas,” Rathbun said.

The floor of the 30-foot by 40-foot barn has been framed in, and the frame is taking shape, he said.

When complete, the barn will be fully enclosed with individual stalls and a hay loft.

“It’s moving along pretty good. I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made so far,” Rathbun said.

Rathbun acknowledged that the women will not meet the original deadline he imposed earlier for completion of the project.

However, he added, “As long as I keep seeing progress to get those horses in a barn on a permanent basis, I’m not going to push the deadline.”