The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - The national governing body of equestrian competition offered a reward for information on those who intentionally injured five American saddlebreds.

At least $100,000 has been pledged to the reward fund, USA Equestrian president Alan Balch said Saturday. The reward would go out for information leading to the capture and successful prosecution of the perpetrators.

A separate fund to pay for the care of the saddlebreds - Wild Eyed and Wicked, Cats Don't Dance, Meet Prince Charming, Kiss Me and Sassational - has been set up.

The amount of that fund, to be overseen to the American Saddlebred Horse Association Foundation, had not been announced.

The saddlebreds from the Double D Ranch in Versailles suffered life-threatening injuries after an unknown substance was injected into their left front legs. The horses showed severe swelling in their legs up to their shoulders on June 30.

Wild Eyed and Wicked has not responded to treatments as well as the other horses have, said Bridget Parker, a business partner of the Double D Ranch. She said the condition of the two-time winner of the industry's Triple Crown has deteriorated over the last few days.

Kentucky State Police are investigating, but no arrests have been made.

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On the Net

USA Equestrian: www.equestrian.org

American Saddlebred Horse Association: www.asha.net