Three horses owned by La Plata County rancher Ed Zink were killed earlier this week after being hit on U.S. Highway 550 in the Animas Valley, several miles north of Durango.

Zink said he has checked all his fences and gates, but fences were in good condition and gates were closed.

“We’ve found nothing definitive to explain why the horses would be on the highway,” he said.

Zink said he would not speculate if someone might have let the horses out. He said 10 horses were on the parcel from which the horses escaped. Two horses were dark-colored and one was light-colored, he said.

“When people are driving at night, the main thing I’d say, is slow down. The speed limit is 55, but I don’t drive 55 at night,” he said. “People need to be more careful. Deer and elk are a constant problem, and livestock can happen, too.”

parmijo@durangoherald.com