WAUSEON — Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the disappearance late Friday or early Saturday of three horses from a barn at the Fulton County Fairgrounds.

The standardbreds, New Moon, Oat Matt Donald, and Shorty B, were reported missing Saturday morning after one of the owners noticed that his horse and two others were not in the barn.

The horses were last seen about 5 p.m. Friday when they were fed, said Heather France, who with trainer and driver Adam Short of Archbold own New Moon and Oat Matt Donald. The other horse reported missing, Shorty B, is owned by Jerry Lighthill, a trainer and driver, Ms. France said.

Ms. France said she believes the horses were stolen. She said that both ends of the barn had been closed and her horses were kept in their stalls without halters.

“Somebody would have had to open the barn and put on the halters,” Ms. France said. “The halters are gone.”

She and Mr. Short had planned to take one of their horses to Northville Downs in Michigan for the start next month of the harness racing season.

First Published December 30, 2012, 6:37 a.m.