Published: July 05, 2007 11:34 pm         

Someone horses around with colt

TERRE HAUTE — All 30 fiberglass colts have been accounted for, but at least one may have been the victim of horsing around, or, worse yet, attempted horse theft.

The colt, which had been on display at the northwest corner of Seventh and Cherry streets, is part of a fundraising project for the Sheldon Swope Art Museum designed to capitalize on Indianapolis Colts fever.

“Horsing Around in Terre Haute” is a summer-long public art exhibit, with 30 colt sculptures located outdoors and indoors at businesses and other locations, primarily downtown.







A colt sponsored by Indiana State University had been positioned outdoors at Seventh and Cherry streets, but late Monday night, ISU police discovered the colt had galloped into the middle of Cherry Street.

“Whether someone was attempting to steal it or whether it was a prank, I don’t know,” said Bill Mercier, ISU director of public safety.

The colts are bolted to a heavy concrete base, so a horse-napping is no easy feat.

On Thursday morning, when the colt turned up “missing” from its Seventh and Cherry location, there again was some concern about theft, Mercier said.

“For an hour or two [Thursday], we thought it was stolen,” Mercier said.

In fact, the colt had been temporarily corralled for safe-keeping at the Facilities Management custodial building. Facilities staff moved the colt late Tuesday afternoon and kept it there over the July 4 holiday.

A forklift was used to lift it because of the heavy concrete base.

On Thursday, the colt was moved indoors to the Hulman Memorial Student Union Commons.

While there may be some risk of hijinks — especially in a college town — the “Horsing Around” exhibit has been successful and is drawing much attention, said Mary Ann Michna, Swope curator.

The colts “are like magnets,” she said. People are stopping to look, ask questions and take photos. “The energy is unbelievable,” Michna said.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.