| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Dec 30 2009 : 8:08:29 PM
I need some advice here. Until recently I worked for a horse rescue. A few months ago they started refusing to let us call the equine dentist and the farrier. Then they stopped the vet care of the ones that have chronic pain or need surgery. Now they have stopped feeding them and are buying moldy cow hay for them to eat. And although the have stopped feeding them they are not allowing extra hay to be put out. Also, the horses are in a dry lot, there is not a blade of grass to be seen. There are 27 acres and 76 horses. They are refusing the let several of them be adopted out for various lame reasons. The whole staff and especially me have been told that if we report them again we will be sued for slander and libel. How do I proceed. I can't leave the horses out there like that but how do I proceed.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 10:32:12 AM
I think at this point we have done all we can. We have turned this over to the people with the power to do something so now we just have to trust that they will do the right thing. I hope they do and that they do something soon.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| lilwing |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 09:00:05 AM
Yes, Beth, I have been thinking alot about those horses and the cold weather coming. I've been worried and I know how you feel, but what can we do.. I am really glad to hear some things are coming through about it .....
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Proud Farmgirl #775
http://maggielousdaughter.blogspot.com
(in construction!)
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| Betty J. |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 08:58:23 AM
The only other alternative would be to call in the media. Once they start nosing around things get moving quickly.
Betty in Pasco |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Jan 06 2010 : 08:45:52 AM
Update. An international organization (the one I contacted) is doing an investigation. They have talked to several other people besides me and are taking this thing seriously. We contacted a couple of other rescues in Texas but they wouldn't help out because they have had "run-ins" with these people in the past and said they just couldn't risk getting involved. The ASPCA says it isn't illegal to not feed the horses grain and it isn't illegal to have them standing in mud. We have one volunteer that has a connection with a national news organization and they are going to do some snooping to see if they want to do the story. So maybe we will see something happen. I just wish it would happen before tonight when it is going to be 12 degrees here and the horse (the old skinny ones) will not have shelter.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 5:56:13 PM
At the moment he is on again. I think he is actually putting on weight. I have him on two different senior feeds with some sweet feed to make it interesting, Rice Bran, and his usual supplements. I hive ridden him the last three days and he was really full of it this morning. He has a beautiful trot that he hasn't gotten into for almost a year and he went right into it this morning and seemed really annoyed when I asked him to stop. So I asked him for it again and we trotted for awhile. When I went out this evening to bring him in he was trotting and frolicking around the pasture like he was 4. I love him so much I am always really relieved when he is on again with his eating. The natural healer in our barn gave me an electro-magnetic machine to use on his jaw in case the problem is there and she told me to give him honeysuckle bach flower remedy, I haven't had a chance to get the honeysuckle yet but he seems to be doing really well. Thank you so much for asking.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 1:44:05 PM
Beth, I wish you all of the luck in the world regarding this "rescue", I also wish the same for the horses there.
Oh, and how is your boy doing with his on again and off again eating?
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 12:41:07 PM
The problem with this rescue is the guy that started it is still officially in charge but he has turned the decision making over to someone else. I know times are hard but they have just been making decisions that make the rescue more famous but it isn't doing anything for the horses. Their policies as far as adoption and their processes were really great. However, they spent alot of money on a very expensive facility that has not been used. They are still spending money on equipment that is just sitting there. The person making the decisions is not a nice human being and because of her the staff keeps quitting or getting fired if they stand up to her or heaven for bid do what I did and go to the Board of Director's with concerns. That is how I found out the the BOD's was hand picked by her and will do nothing she doesn't say they can. She is in total control and the founder who is still president does what ever she says. I feel like I may be wasting my time, but I can't live with myself if I don't try. Yes horses are very expensive, I have two and a half. Unfortunately there are alot of people that believe they can live on just grass. They don't understand that there has to be a certain amount of grass and not just any grass will do.
I was contacted today be a volunteer that was working out there and she has been trying to get something done as well. She just found out that I was trying to do something. Maybe together we can get something done. There are three of us now making calls and contacting people. Wish us luck.
Thanks for all your input.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 8:00:52 PM
It amazes me how many people get horses, or anykind of animal, cause they got them cheap or free, and don't have a clue on what it takes to maintain said animal, even without vet bills, then it's , "well i can't afford that", so the animal suffers. We have city people move into our area, and the first thing they want to do is go buy a horse, and 99.9% of the time, they have never been around them, let alone owned and cared for one. As you all well know, even if your horses are on your own property, they are EXPENSIVE!!! So many times I've brought these people over to my place, and walk into a corral and put what on the horse and lead it where? There's horse poop in there, OMG, there's a fly, OH CRAP, the horse moved, its usually pretty funny, but I get my point across, go take lessons from the ground up, and "IF" you can hang with that, just maybe you might be one that could take on the huge responsibilty of ownership, and thats still a big maybe, especially in todays econmomy.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 7:37:17 PM
Okay, I see. I've been nosing around and they have covered it up quite nicely. You could always send to Fuglyhorse too.
If it got so bad that I couldn't take care of mine, I'd shoot them before turning them loose to fend for themselves. Sounds mean but a lot of people I know have an emergency plan for their animals. Hopefully, a lot of these 'rescues' will be weeded out and only the true and strong survive.
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
I have some other blogs in the works...please stay tuned and I'll let you know where to go! :-)
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| katmom |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 6:21:18 PM
maybe a bit of a "nudge" to the local TV station or newspaper might get some movement on this issue....just becareful to not sound like you are doing this out of spite 'cuz they will run the other way.
After all, the ASPCA & the "Rescue Org" DO NOT want bad publicity...and as we all know, they can "mask" things till the media drives off.
Good Luck on this.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 5:51:35 PM
Beth, can you get intouch with the original man who started this rescue? If so bring him pictures, and I would bring pictures to the spca also. This is an on going problem all over with horse, dog and cat rescues. Instead of admiting they are in trouble, they try hiding the problems and WHO SUFFERS, the animals. I would try and farm them out before it ever got this bad, put notices in the paper and call the news media, and then, and only then would I take that last drastic step, and humanely euthanize, before they starved or were so run down with injuries and disease, that a bullet was the best thing for them. This has happened here in California with horses and pets, one so-called rescue was just dumping the horses out in the boonedocks and letting them die of starvation and dehydration, it was horrible.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| lilwing |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 5:29:29 PM
And Moldy hay is just ASKING for trouble in the horses in that alone!! And here I was planning on taking some of their horses eventually. :(
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Proud Farmgirl #775
http://maggielousdaughter.blogspot.com
(in construction!)
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| Faransgirl |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 5:26:39 PM
Winona, they are a very high profile, national rescue. This is a recent problem and although they have been reported to the SPCA they were not investigated. The have a long time relationship with the SPCA so when they got called they (the SPCA) just blew it off. The report had to go to a national organization to get something done. I won't give out the name and yes they do have excuses but if anyone knows anything about horses and rescue then you know the excuses don't hold water. They have up until now been a very successful, caring, awesome rescue. The went in at Katrina, Rita and Ike they have done some really great stuff for the last 12 years. The man who started the rescue is having some health issues and has turned the reins over to someone else. There in lies the problem. It really was an awesome rescue when I first started working there. It really, breaks my heart that it has come to the point that they have just stopped feeding the horses. I know donations are down but some of the things they have done have made matters much worse. Reporting them was one of the hardest things I have ever done. There are horses out there that if I could I would take myself.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 1:34:49 PM
http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/horses.aspx
I don't know if this would help of not.
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
I have some other blogs in the works...please stay tuned and I'll let you know where to go! :-)
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| goneriding |
Posted - Jan 01 2010 : 12:46:55 PM
Not to doubt you, but what is the name of this rescue?? Is it a full-fledged one or one that someone started to take advantage of tax loopholes?? It should have a board to oversee things. If they are doing bad things, then it should be in the news somewhere or on horse boards and I haven't seen a thing, so this is fairly recently??
The reason I say, 'not to doubt you', is that recently, there have been a few postings from people who mean well but it's only one side of the story. The other side turns out to have a reasonable explanation of things.
However, if they are doing as you stated, then you are right to report them. They can't blow smoke at you. If they want to sue, ask them if they can withstand the process of 'DISCOVERY'. You can blow them out of the water with this. Personally, I've diffused a situation with a lady who tried to snow me about suing and I asked her about how she would feed about Discovery...she suddenly 'came to her senses' and problem solved.
If you don't want to post the name of the rescue here, please send to me in a pm. 
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
I have some other blogs in the works...please stay tuned and I'll let you know where to go! :-)
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| maggie14 |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 6:07:17 PM
I bet there just saying that so they don't get reported....
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 6:05:29 PM
You cannot be sued. Slander and Libel by definition involve a mischaracterization of what truly happened. As a rescue they are not allowed any level of privacy. The "management team" needs to be taken care of, obviously they dont know what they are doing or are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
| lilwing |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 6:05:10 PM
Beth, My husband mentioned...they probably won't sue...it takes too much money to sue and they probably won't want to lose their money...(since it sounds like greed to me too) ... it's more than likely just threats...
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Proud Farmgirl #775
http://maggielousdaughter.blogspot.com
(in construction!)
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| maggie14 |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 6:04:56 PM
It's just plain sick.. I could never do that to an animal and I am so mad that other people do this to them.. It takes a very sick and messed up person to do this.
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
| lilwing |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 6:00:05 PM
OMG, Beth. The horse rescue I was thinking about helping out with?! This is terrible and sad. I am glad you reported them. If I can help back you up, I will?! This is exactly what they are supposed to be against! OMG... This is a big issue for me.
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Proud Farmgirl #775
http://maggielousdaughter.blogspot.com
(in construction!)
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| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 5:03:56 PM
Beth, you did the right thing. Please let us know what happens.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 08:57:33 AM
Please keep us posted Beth.
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 08:40:00 AM
Ok, I reported them. I sent in the form this morning. They use to be a really good rescue, they have done great work in the past but they have someone new on the management team. They are spending money trying to be a famous rescue rather than taking care of the horses. I talked to all the staff last night and after we quit crying we decided even if they sue us we will be doing the right thing. I filled out the form this morning with details. Thanks for your encouragement. It is not so cold today so the horses will at least have a break from the cold.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
| Hosanna |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 07:52:46 AM
Doesn't sound like a "rescue" to me at all. It's stupid do refuse adoptions during these times. Can you and the other members solicit donations? Raise some money; anything? If they get busted, where will the horses go????
Things are really bad for the unwanted horses in the world these days. If it gets worse and they refuse to do anything, I'd report them no matter what. They can't sue you over that. They're just trying to scare you.
www.happilyeverafterhosanna.blogspot.com
www.thewindofheaven.blogspot.com
www.CarolinaRoses.etsy.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Dec 31 2009 : 07:38:34 AM
REPORT THEM ASAP, I do not understand how anyone lets an animal suffer, but, unfortunatly alot of "rescues" in the last few years ( and probally before) have gotten greedy, instead of useing the money donated to them for the care of the animals, they are spending it on themselves and the animals are suffering big time, these rescues become no better than the place the animal was rescued from, and sometimes worse. Texas has one of the best Humane societys, especially when it comes to horses. Call them, and who ever else from this rescue that will talk, get written statements, also have them call. Good luck
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
