"It's so disheartening," Hauge said. "We try putting this community event together for the public, and we have people that go out and damage them."

"Horse Tales," which is painted as a mural of nursery rhyme characters, was stolen from the Child's Hope Learning Center at 2921 N. 19th St. The horse is still missing.

"Horse Feathers," which has feathers painted on it, was stolen from Microvest, located at 905 Tacoma Ave.

Hauge said "Horse Feathers" was found by Cottonwood Lake on Thursday morning. The statue had slight scratches and nicks. It will be professionally repaired, he said.

"Horse Tales" and "Horse Feathers" are two of 30 fiberglass horses being auctioned off to support Easter Seals Goodwill and the Child's Hope Learning Center.

Some of the horses are worth more than $5,000, Hauge said.

The 30 horses will be on display across Bismarck and Mandan until Aug. 15. Then they'll be placed at Kirkwood Mall until the horse sale on Aug. 25 at the Seven Seas Inn in Mandan.

Hauge said he is getting fed up with the recent string of fiberglass horse thefts.

A group attempted to steal "Horse Tales" in late May. However, a man in the area saw four males carrying the animal down the street early in the morning. When he yelled at them, they put the horse down and ran.

On July 14 or 15, "Prairie Patches," which is decorated like a patchwork quilt, was stolen from the Bismarck-Mandan Convention Center. The statue was returned with only a few scratches nearly a week later.

Hauge said the people stealing the horses are damaging the bases the horses stand on.

"I bet we end up spending an additional $5,000" on damages, he said.

Hauge said he's running out of ideas for keeping the statues safe.

"I don't know what to do to safeguard them better," he said.

Hauge said the same fundraiser was carried out in Minot, and the only problem was that one horse was scratched. But the Bismarck-Mandan event has been more problematic, he said.

"I don't know if I'll do it again," he said.

Tickets for the pony auction are now for sale at Easter Seals Goodwill and the Child's Hope Learning Center for $25.

Hauge would like community members to be on the lookout for Horse Tales in their neighborhoods. He said he has a feeling the horse will turn up along the river, in a new development or in a park. He said he is worried that the wind will knock Horse Tales over, causing worse damage.

Anyone with information about where Horse Tales is or who took it should call the Bismarck Police Department at 223-1212 or Bismarck Area Crime Stoppers at 224-TIPS (224-8477).