The Arabian horses were seized last month from Living Waters Arabians near Farmersville. The owner is upset by the auction and said the county misrepresented the horses' condition.
The 22 stallions and 25 mares range in age from about 2 to 10 years old, said Misty Brown, the county's development services manager.
The auction will be at noon Saturday, although the location has not been determined, Brown said.
People interested in bidding on the horses will be able to see them from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, she said. The minimum bid is $250.
The
Any horses that aren't sold will be turned over to rescue organizations or animal-advocacy groups, Brown said.
The horses were seized from Living Waters Arabians near Farmersville. The owner, Audrey Ehrman, said she was upset by the county's action.
"I am as much a victim as the horses that have been victimized by this seizure," Ehrman said. "There is so much 'back story' to this ... but that is for the appeal process ... ."
Ehrman took issue with photos of the horses that county officials shot during the seizure on June 9.
They are "badly taken and distorted photos designed to elicit pity and do not accurately portray the condition of the horses at seizure," she said.
Brown declined to comment on Ehrman's remarks.
Justice of the Peace Terry Douglas awarded custody of the horses to the county at a June 24 hearing, she said. He also fined Ehrman $22,000 to cover the county's cost of caring for the horses, Brown said.
Word of the auction is spreading to local horse lovers.
Tanya Eastman, a volunteer with the Humane Society of North Texas, urges
people to attend the auction and buy the horses. She bought four Arabians at a
"They're very loving," Eastman said. "I want the horses to get good homes."
