What Really Happened to Snippy's Body?

Introduction

The most important question in the Snippy case is not whether the carcass looked strange, but whether veterinary evidence supports the claim that the horse was deliberately and surgically mutilated. More than half a century later, the strongest evidence points in the opposite direction. Investigators who examined the remains found signs consistent with disease, possible gunshot injury, decomposition and scavenger activity rather than precision removal of tissue. The features that made the case famous—clean bone, little visible blood and apparently selective removal of flesh—are all phenomena that can occur naturally once a carcass is exposed on open range land. Later veterinary assessments substantially weakened the original UFO-linked interpretation and helped explain why the mare’s remains appeared so unusual.[Denver Public Library]history.denverlibrary.orgufos and horse called snippyDenver Public LibraryUFOs and a Horse Called Snippy20 Oct 2020 — On September 7, 1967, Snippy was a mare. The actual cause of death was a…Published: September 7, 1967

The Overlooked Bullet Wounds and Infection

One of the least-publicised aspects of the case emerged after the initial wave of sensational reporting. Local veterinarian Dr Wallace Leary obtained the carcass and, while preparing the skeleton, reportedly discovered two small-calibre bullet wounds in the mare’s right flank. Investigators also concluded that the horse had suffered from a serious infection before death. These findings offered a conventional explanation for how the animal may have died, independent of any UFO claim.[Denver Public Library]history.denverlibrary.orgufos and horse called snippyDenver Public LibraryUFOs and a Horse Called Snippy20 Oct 2020 — On September 7, 1967, Snippy was a mare. The actual cause of death was a…Published: September 7, 1967

The significance of the bullet wounds is often misunderstood. They do not automatically prove that the horse was intentionally killed. A gunshot wound can lead to infection, tissue damage and eventual death if untreated. Veterinary literature documents severe infections and cellulitis developing from gunshot injuries in horses, demonstrating that seemingly small wounds can become life-threatening.[PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPMCManagement of a gunshot wound in a mareNIHby MA Mellish · 2008 · Cited by 5 — A 5-year-old, Quarter horse mare was treated for severe cellulitis secondary to a gunshot wo…

The University of Colorado’s UFO-related investigation, conducted as part of the wider Condon Committee effort, ultimately found no evidence that the horse’s death involved abnormal causes. Later summaries of the investigation noted evidence of infection and possible injury that could account for the animal’s condition before decomposition began.[wikipedia.org]WikipediaMutilation of "Snippy" the horseMutilation of "Snippy" the horse

This matters because many retellings start with the mutilated appearance of the carcass and work backwards. Veterinary investigators instead worked forwards from the animal’s physical condition and found ordinary biological processes capable of explaining the evidence.

How Scavengers and Drying Alter a Carcass

The feature that shocked witnesses was the horse’s head and neck. Flesh appeared to be missing while the exposed bone looked unusually clean and pale. To observers unfamiliar with decomposition, this can resemble deliberate skinning or surgical removal.

In reality, the head is often among the first areas altered by scavengers. Birds and small predators naturally target soft tissues around the eyes, mouth, nose and throat because these regions are easier to access than heavily muscled parts of the body. Once skin is breached, additional tissue can be removed rapidly. Veterinary and forensic taphonomy—the study of what happens to remains after death—shows that scavenging can create wounds and tissue loss that are easily mistaken for cuts made before death. A key indicator is the absence of bleeding into surrounding tissue, because post-mortem scavenging occurs after circulation has stopped.[PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govUncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging…by L Indra · 2022 · Cited by 48 — No haemorrhaging at a wound indicates a…

The environment of Colorado’s San Luis Valley likely amplified these effects. Dry air, sun exposure and wind can quickly desiccate exposed tissue. As moisture leaves the carcass, skin shrinks and tightens, edges become firm, and bones can appear unusually clean. What looks like a precise incision may actually be the combined result of drying, tearing and scavenger feeding.[PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govUncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging…by L Indra · 2022 · Cited by 48 — No haemorrhaging at a wound indicates a…

Some investigators suggested that a wound to the neck may have provided an entry point for birds and other scavengers. Once access was available, natural feeding activity could account for much of the tissue loss that later appeared mysterious.[Gazette]gazette.comUFO legend: Horse found dead and mutilated 55 years ago…22 May 2022 — There was, according to the report, evidence of infection…Published: May 2022

Why Bloodless and Surgical Descriptions Mislead

The two most repeated claims in the Snippy story are that the carcass was bloodless and that the missing tissue looked surgically removed. Both descriptions sound dramatic, but neither is strong forensic evidence on its own.

A carcass discovered days after death will not necessarily be surrounded by obvious pools of blood. Blood settles internally after circulation stops, is absorbed into soil, dries, decomposes or is consumed by insects and scavengers. By the time the horse was examined, decomposition was already underway. The absence of visible blood therefore does not demonstrate that blood was artificially removed.[Denver Public Library]history.denverlibrary.orgufos and horse called snippyDenver Public LibraryUFOs and a Horse Called Snippy20 Oct 2020 — On September 7, 1967, Snippy was a mare. The actual cause of death was a…Published: September 7, 1967

Likewise, “surgical” appearance is often a subjective judgement. Natural tearing frequently follows anatomical boundaries, producing edges that appear surprisingly neat. Drying can further sharpen these boundaries. Investigators examining later livestock mutilation claims repeatedly noted that scavenger activity can create tissue loss that non-specialists interpret as knife work.[PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govUncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging…by L Indra · 2022 · Cited by 48 — No haemorrhaging at a wound indicates a…

Another frequently cited mystery involved the allegedly empty skull cavity. Yet decomposition provides a straightforward explanation. Soft brain tissue liquefies rapidly after death. If openings exist in the skull or surrounding tissue, fluids can drain, evaporate or be consumed by scavengers long before investigators arrive. SANTA FE GHOST AND HISTORY TOURS.com[santafeghostandhistorytours.com]santafeghostandhistorytours.comSNIPPY THE HORSE 1967 UFO MUTILATION BAFFLING UNSOLVED MYSTERYSNIPPY THE HORSE 1967 UFO MUTILATION BAFFLING UNSOLVED MYSTERY

The same principle applies to other supposedly missing organs. Once predators, insects and bacteria gain access to a carcass, internal tissues are among the first materials to be altered or removed. What appears selective can simply reflect which tissues are easiest to reach. SANTA FE GHOST AND HISTORY TOURS.com[santafeghostandhistorytours.com]santafeghostandhistorytours.comSNIPPY THE HORSE 1967 UFO MUTILATION BAFFLING UNSOLVED MYSTERYSNIPPY THE HORSE 1967 UFO MUTILATION BAFFLING UNSOLVED MYSTERY

What the Veterinary Evidence Ultimately Shows

Instead of a healthy horse apparently dissected by unknown agents, investigators found evidence pointing toward a sick or injured animal, possible gunshot wounds, infection, decomposition and scavenger activity. The dramatic appearance of the remains can be explained through well-understood biological processes that routinely alter carcasses in the open environment.[denverlibrary.org]history.denverlibrary.orgufos and horse called snippyDenver Public LibraryUFOs and a Horse Called Snippy20 Oct 2020 — On September 7, 1967, Snippy was a mare. The actual cause of death was a…Published: September 7, 1967

Within Colorado’s UFO history, this is one reason the Snippy case remains important. It helped launch the modern animal-mutilation legend, yet the strongest veterinary findings support a largely conventional explanation. The mystery survived not because the forensic evidence became stronger over time, but because the striking appearance of the carcass proved far more memorable than the later veterinary conclusions.[Denver Public Library]history.denverlibrary.orgufos and horse called snippyDenver Public LibraryUFOs and a Horse Called Snippy20 Oct 2020 — On September 7, 1967, Snippy was a mare. The actual cause of death was a…Published: September 7, 1967

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to What Really Happened to Snippy's Body?. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

Book

Stalking the Herd

By Christopher O'Brien

Addresses explanations and evidence surrounding livestock cases like Snippy.

See on Amazon

Book

The Mysterious Valley

By Christopher O'Brien

Provides background on the location and investigations tied to the case.

See on Amazon

Book

The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry

By Joseph Allen Hynek

Encourages evidence-based evaluation of extraordinary claims.

See on Amazon

Book

Hunt for the Skinwalker

By Colm A. Kelleher, George Knapp

Includes discussion of animal anomalies and competing explanations.

See on Amazon

Browse more on Amazon:Stalking the HerdThe Mysterious ValleyThe UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

eBay marketplace picks

Marketplace Samples

Live-tested eBay searches with available results related to this page.

Shop location

UsingUSA USA USAUKCanadaAustraliaIreland

Selected fromUFO case poster oneBay.co.uk.

Current eBay listing

UFO Hollywood 1976 CD rare slipcase & poster

GBP 17.41 | Shipping GBP 5.68NeuSeller: hellionrecords (100.0% positive)Ships from: DE

View listing on eBay

Current eBay listing

UFO Walk on water CD rare slipcase & poster, bonustracks

GBP 19.16 | Shipping GBP 5.68NeuSeller: hellionrecords (100.0% positive)Ships from: DE

View listing on eBay

Current eBay listing

UFO Ain't misbehavin CD rare slipcase & poster, bonustracks

GBP 17.41 | Shipping GBP 5.68NeuSeller: hellionrecords (100.0% positive)Ships from: DE

View listing on eBay

Browse more oneBay.co.uk

Example items shown for inspiration; availability and pricing can change. Branchoria may earn a commission if you purchase through outbound eBay links.

Endnotes

1. Source: gazette.com
Link:https://gazette.com/2022/05/22/ufo-legend-horse-found-dead-and-mutilated-55-years-ago-in-colorado-gets-new-life-at-roadside-attraction-130b0e6c-ca4a-11ec-af09-ffeb7d7ab0f4/

Published: May 2022

2. Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Title: PMCManagement of a gunshot wound in a mare
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2216437/

3. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Mutilation of “Snippy” the horse
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutilation_of_%22Snippy%22_the_horse

4. Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9027482/

5. Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12984085/

6. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Cattle mutilation
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_mutilation

7. Source: history.denverlibrary.org
Title: ufos and horse called snippy
Link:https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/western-history/ufos-and-horse-called-snippy

Published: September 7, 1967

8. Source: coloradolifemagazine.com
Link:https://www.coloradolifemagazine.com/blog/post/the-legend-of-snippy-the-horse?srsltid=AfmBOopVmsZKEmHevOMmj3nZ61nB-yZ0YGy94Y_wwABlpKmWb4fk8z26

9. Source: santafeghostandhistorytours.com
Title: SNIPPY THE HORSE 1967 UFO MUTILATION BAFFLING UNSOLVED MYSTERY
Link:https://www.santafeghostandhistorytours.com/SNIPPY-THE-HORSE-1967-UFO-MUTILATION-BAFFLING-UNSOLVED-MYSTERY.html

10. Source: coloradolifemagazine.com
Link:https://www.coloradolifemagazine.com/blog/post/the-legend-of-snippy-the-horse?srsltid=AfmBOoqTZ2owdCePdLb-4FlGHjoGPFt5pOqnAo790CwFSxFxCWWcQYRq

Additional References

11. Source: denvergazette.com
Link:https://www.denvergazette.com/2022/05/22/ufo-legend-horse-found-dead-and-mutilated-55-years-ago-in-colorado-gets-new-life-at-roadside-attraction-d1f47242-c05f-5cbd-9230-7d1f1bd6f87b/

Published: May 2022

12. Source: youtube.com
Title: [UFO Watchtower]({{ ‘ufo-watchtower/’ | relative_url }})
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-l3cKx0K1Y

13. Source: youtube.com
Title: What Happened To Snippy? | Unsolved & Unkempt
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ryEktN2CVA

14. Source: youtube.com
Title: EP 336: An Armoire of Brandy Snifters and Mug Madness
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VKALwuVtww

15. Source: veterinaryevidence.org
Link:https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/clinical-queries

16. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/incredhistory/posts/colorado-horse-found-mutilated-in-the-san-luis-valley-snippy-the-horse-was-found/162807850249629/

17. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSMelbourne/posts/karrie-ann-snure-and-her-daughter-were-horseback-riding-through-the-infamous-cal/1464096329089435/

18. Source: reddit.com
Link:https://www.reddit.com/r/UnsolvedMysteries/comments/1fug68c/netflix_vol_5_episode_3_mysterious_mutilations/

19. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/6290323784427787/posts/8992209690905836/

20. Source: youtube.com
Title: The Mysterious Mutilation Of Snippy The Horse
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npe0yNZasqw