RIO LINDA, CA - A local family is struggling to stay cheerful this holiday season following the theft of an ailing pet horse.

The horse named Jewelie was stolen in the early morning hours of November 6 from its secluded pasture in Rio Linda. With each passing day, the family's concern has only grown for Jewelie's health and safety.

Vickie Talley said whoever took Jewelie knew the lay of her land and she believes the crooks either knew the Talley family or previously cased the property.

"They came through the pasture. Then they came across the bridge, then came across to this side, which was locked with a chain," Talley said.

Talley also said there were many other horses around that were in better condition than Jewelie, so she thinks the thief or thieves came specifically to steal Jewelie.

"They did a lot of work," Talley said. "They went to a lot of effort and I know it's someone who specifically wanted this horse."

The Talley family bought the horse about 2 and a half years ago. When Jewelie first came to them, Talley said she was malnourished and needed medical attention for a variety of ongoing problems.

"We had to fatten her up. We had to make sure that all her medical care was taken care of," Talley said.

Just before the horse was stolen, Jewelie had fallen into a small creek next to the property where she was boarded. The fall required medical attention and once again, Talley was nursing the horse back to health.

"She needed her medication to prevent aspiration pneumonia, which can make her drop dead overnight," Talley said.

Now, almost two months after Jewelie's disappearance, the family has become more and more worried. So far, there have been no leads and no one's sure if anyone is caring for the sick animal.

"I don't think she is cared for. I don't think she is cared for the way we care for our horses. So it's hard," Talley said.

Talley said the horse was tattooed by the Bureau of Land Management, which means the thief would need a title to sell the horse legitimately.

The Talley family is offering a cash reward to anyone who could provide any information leading to the conviction of the person or people who took the family pet.

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