Honey, a horse from Chaparral Ranch in an undated photo, was euthanized on July 12, 2024 after Santa Clara County Animal Control was called to a horse down at a Chaparral Ranch property on Weller Road in Milpitas, Calif. Ranch manager Jennifer Bryant, 25, is suspected of failing to provide proper care and attention to an animal. Bryant will be arraigned for the misdemeanor charge on Monday, August 11 in San Jose. (County of Santa Clara via Bay City News)

A manager of a South Bay horse riding ranch was charged for alleged negligence after a horse died from malnutrition and heat stroke, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Jennifer Bryant, 25, a manager at Chaparral Ranch, will be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of failing to provide proper care and attention of Honey, a horse that was found unable to stand, badly emaciated and filled with intestinal worms that experts said could’ve been prevented with proper care.

Chaparral Ranch operates across multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, providing horseback rides and riding lessons. 

In March 2024, county animal control officers responded to complaints about abused horses and inspected the property at Chaparral Ranch’s Bear Creek Stables location in Los Gatos where one of the officers noticed Honey was sickly with lice.

A veterinarian visited the ranch the next day and suggested that a follow-up appointment be made for Honey. No evidence showed that Bryant arranged for additional care. Instead, evidence showed that the horse was simply relocated to another ranch. 

In July 2024, county animal control officers were alerted of a “downed” horse at a Chaparral Ranch property on Weller Road in Milpitas. The officer found Honey on the ground, very thin and unable to get up.

Bryant said she had noticed Honey losing weight two weeks prior, stating that the horse’s condition was due to allergies. Honey was euthanized that day.

Bryant was charged following a thorough investigation by the District Attorney’s Office and animal control officials. 

“Honey the horse didn’t have to die like this — emaciated and malnourished on a hot day in July,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “Proper care in line with a veterinarian’s recommendations could have prevented this outcome, but Honey wasn’t given that chance. All animals deserve a life free of abuse and neglect.”

The arraignment for Bryant will be held on Monday at 9 a.m. at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. If convicted, she could face up to one year in jail.