GOOCHLAND, Va. (WRIC) — A Goochland County horse retirement farm owner will face a judge for a three-day trial for 13 counts of animal cruelty.

Byrd Rareshide, the owner of Byrd’s Nest Farm was initially charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty on Feb. 18.

Before those charges came, an animal neglect complaint was made to the Goochland County Animal Protection officials on Feb. 3, which led to an investigation, after which findings over to the County’s Commonwealth Attorney’s Office on Feb. 17.

8News learned that three more charges of animal cruelty were brought to Rareshide, bringing the total number of charges to 13.

Online court records show a grand jury indicted Rareshide on Aug. 8.

Amanda Myers, a horse owner who sent her horse, Scarlett to Byrd’s Nest Farm spoke with 8News in February of 2023 about the conditions of her horse upon returning from her stay.

Pictures below begin with what Myer’s says Scarlett looked like before following with three pictures showing after.

  • Scarlett, before she was sent to Byrd’s Nest Farm. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Myers)
  • Scarlett, a 29-year-old horse, returned to her owner after she was sent to Byrd’s Nest Farm in worse shape than when she arrived. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Myers)
  • Scarlett, after she was sent to Byrd’s Nest Farm. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Myers)
  • Scarlett, after she was sent to Byrd’s Nest Farm. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Myers)

“It was sad to see the lack of spark in her eyes. She had absolutely dead eyes,” Myers said. “She wasn’t happy to be home. She wasn’t happy to see anybody. She didn’t call out for other horses.”

Trial proceedings will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at Goochland County Circuit Court.