Madera County, Calif., authorities are hoping the public can help them locate a pair of Quarter Horses that went missing last year.

Erica Stuart, public information officer for the Madera County Sheriff's Department, said the horses' owner reported that he placed the animals in the custody of Summer Tex of Madera, Calif., in August 2013; Tex is a brand inspector for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, she said. Stuart said Tex allegedly promised to place the 21-year old Quarter Horse mare and the 26-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with "Pasture Buddy" programs affiliated with the Harris Ranch in Fresno County, Calif.; such programs pair mature horses with young equids in order to keep young horses calm and to occupy older horses in their remaining years.

“One horse was to be delivered to Sanger (Calif.), the other horse (was to be) delivered to Coalinga (Calif.),” Stuart said. “Both the horses were in good health with Tex took them into her possession.”