Aiken County Code Enforcement says a welfare check at 964 R & B Way has led to one of the most serious animal neglect cases the county has handled in recent years.
Eleven horses were seized from the property on Wednesday after officers and a veterinarian found the animals in worsening condition despite repeated warnings to the owner, Cynthia Vest, 45, of Aiken.
The latest report details that when officers executed a search warrant, Vest came outside and appeared irate, stating “What now?” Officers noted that the horses’ condition had “deteriorated since the prior visit,” with several horses exhibiting open wounds and body condition scores ranging from 1 to 3 on a 9-point scale. The report stated that all eleven horses were “severely underweight,” with one colt suffering from “abrasions and trauma over the eyes with discharge” and another horse “slow to get up” due to a swollen hock.
Officers first responded to Vest’s property in mid-October after reports of abandoned chickens, ducks, and possibly horses. They found “no food” and “very dirty, green” water with “a foul smell.” Neighbors told investigators that no one had been seen at the home for two weeks and believed Vest “was arrested.”
Records show that Vest confirmed to officers she had been incarcerated in California prior to their Oct. 17 welfare check. Earlier in 2025, she also pleaded guilty to animal neglect in Aiken County and, in August, was charged in Anderson County with meth distribution. Those drug charges remain pending.
When officers rechecked the property in early November, they reported worsening conditions. A search warrant was obtained, and all 11 horses were removed and placed in the custody of Aiken Equine Rescue for emergency care. Vest was arrested and charged with 11 counts of ill-treatment of animals under South Carolina Code 47-01-0040(A).
During her bond hearing, officers informed the court that Vest had stated she wanted to “sell her house and just leave.” She later waived her rights and voluntarily surrendered ownership of all the horses, identifying them by name, including “Storm,” “Rain,” and “Lady Cause.”
According to Aiken County Code Enforcement, the investigation remains open. The horses are now receiving veterinary care and rehabilitation at Aiken Equine Rescue.
Summary of horses and condition at time of seizure:
- Storm (#1) – Bay Colt, Body Condition Score 2/9, abrasions and trauma over eyes, pale gums, diarrhea.
- Rain (#2) – Red Roan Quarter Horse Filly, Body Condition Score 2/9, slow to get up, swollen left hock with large wound.
- Lady Cause (#3) – Grey Mare, Body Condition Score 3/9, left front fetlock median whorl near eye.
- Bugsy (#4) – Bay Gelding, Body Condition Score 1/9, firm swelling across face and bridge of nose, draining tract over maxillary sinus.
- Julie (#5) – Liver Chestnut Mare, Body Condition Score 2/9, sunken right eye with no apparent vision.
- Liz Piece of Pie (#6) – Chestnut Mare, Body Condition Score 2/9, severely underweight.
- Silver Cup (#7) – Grey Gelding, Body Condition Score 3/9, markedly underweight.
- Dale Cash (#8) – Sorrel Mare, Body Condition Score 3/9, right hock pastern and right front fetlock issues, markedly underweight.
- Max (#9) – Quarter Horse, Body Condition Score 2/9, markedly underweight with ringworm on left shoulder and forearm.
- Seagull (#10) – Quarter Horse, Body Condition Score 2/9, markedly underweight with ringworm on right shoulder, foreleg, and face.
- Capone (#11) – Buckskin Gelding, Body Condition Score 3/9, markedly underweight.
