Taking a step back

It's been a long time since I posted. Yes, I have been very busy but that isn't the entire reason why this blog has come to a stop.

I first started this blog because I didn't agree with everything Cathy, on the Fugly Horse of the Day blog, said. I never liked the fact that she preached on and on about sub-standard studs, but continued to keep one of her own. Whether he was going to breed before or after his show career has never mattered much to me when at best I think he'd make a nice gelding. She preaches about conformation, when her stallion has clear flaws that if he were bay or sorrel and belonged to someone else, she would be screaming "geld him."

I'm stopping this blog because it has lost its meaning. It went from being about Cathy to being a hide out for a few people that I would never IRL associate with and after seeing details of what has gone on in the past few months, it became very clear that I don't want to associate with some of you even on the internet.

Dena- You stole tack. You might have your cronies believing every word that falls from your mouth, but not this old hag. I've read your blog(LBTD) and am appalled at the lengths someone goes to try and place blame on the victim, like you have done to the people you stole tack from. Face it, if they wanted to scam an insurance company then WHY ON EARTH GET COPS INVOLVED WHEN THEY SEE THEIR STOLEN TACK ONLINE? My daughter has said it before and I'll say it again. If they wanted to defraud insurance they would have played dumb and not gotten the police involved.
You got caught red handed. YOU are the one with the criminal record. YOU are the one that had to enter into a plea. YOU are the one that invaded someones property and shattered their feeling of security. Deal with that and quit playing poor pitiful me.


For those that are enabling this thief- I don't understand and never will. But Dena has you all snowed. I don't care what she tells you over email, telephone, or telegram. She is a criminal. If what was printed in her local papers about her being busted for tack theft was false, then why not persue legal action to have the articles retracted? You know why? Because it's ALL true. It doesn't take a genius to see this. She got busted! There is no harm in admitting that you put trust or faith into a person that let you down and proved you all wrong. I'm not going to neener neener neener at you, I don't think anyone would. I think if you take a step back and review the situation, you'd see. Had this NOT been Dena doing this deed, had it been some person you've never heard of that did what Dena has been accused of, would you still be looking at the situation in the same light?



So continue to post on the other blog. I could care less as I read most of the comments over there too and it's not my cup of tea. You have to wonder, can she really be that righteous if she has to have all of you proclaiming her innocence ALL THE TIME? I'm letting you all know where I stand. I am for the horses and for supporting the actual innocents. I'm letting you know why this blog stopped.

Aren't genetics a funny thing?

Here's another Cathy gem. Seems she likes playing chicken with a speeding bullet as this time she provided her own ammunition.

Check out this Thoroughbred mare, Teresina. She's in my VLC's pedigree and I'm quite grateful enough other horses are in the mix that her legs were "overruled" by better conformed horses! Over at the knees, camped out behind, very weak gaskins. She might have been a fast, fast mare in her day but it's breeding for speed alone that has given us some of the flaws - and accompanying lamenesses - we see today.

**Insert excited smiley and clapping smiley here** Did she just say over at the knees? Does she mean like this?

Oh, but surely bad legs were bred out of VLC by now with all the phenomenal horses in Big Yellow Caddis pedigree? Hows that stifle feeling VLC?

Here's a horror show of conformation, and again, she's from my own horse's pedigree. The only nice thing I can say about Dixie Beach is that she appears to have pretty nice pasterns (set atop hooves that are all toe and no heel). She's also got a straight shoulder, nonexistant neck, homely head, long back, and a super high set tail.

High set tail? Long back? Short, chunky neck with bulky throatlatch?

WHEW! I'm sure glad that VLC dodged all those bullets otherwise he wouldn't be breeding worthy.

Maybe she needs to read all those horse books again

I'd like to clear up something that was in FHotD today. Here is her quote to shortly sum up my major eye roll-

the sugars upset the normal balance in the horse's digestive tract, resulting in toxins which lead to founder, aka laminitis

First, lets all get this straight since most people are led to believe that founder and laminitis are one in the same. While most google searches will bunch founder and laminitis together, they are actually two completely different things. While I feel that every first time or novice horse owner should know about grass or grain founder, it is also important they aren't led on to believe inaccurate information or that those are the only causes of either laminitis or founder.

Laminitis is the infection and inflammation of the laminae. Founder is the resulting rotation after the laminae breaks away from the hoof wall and the coffin bone rotates down towards the sole. Laminitis does not always lead to founder and there are simple steps you can take to make sure that your horse does not founder. Here is my simple list on how to treat laminitis before actual founder occurs. This is not to say that prevention of laminitis is not key in keeping your horse healthy and sound, these are just tips in case it does happen.

• Call your vet immediately as it is important to take action as soon as you notice- knowing the signs or being able to tell a difference in your horse are major role in this
• Soak your horses feet in cold water. If you are able to get your horse to stand in ice water. This will help prevent that inflammation that leads to laminae necrosis.
• Your vet will most likely suggest a pain killer and anti-inflammatory such as phenylbutazone or ketoprofen. If you have bute on hand, administer according to your horses weight.
• If your horse wants to lay down, let him. This will relieve the pressure that is on his feet.
• Your vet may suggest to keep with bute for 48-72 hours, make sure your horse is as comfortable as possible.
• Encourage movement to allow blood flow if your horse is comfortable enough to walk. No circles or sharp turning.
• Make sure your horse is in a area with soft ground to relieve the feet.
• Treat abscesses as soon as you can

Gone untreated-laminitis can lead to founder. Grain and grass are not the only reasons laminitis and founder occur.

• Road founder also known as mechanical founder occurs when a horse is worked for extended periods of time on hard surface
• Laminitis can also happen if a mare retains placenta for over 12 hours causing an infection
• Colic can lead to laminitis
• Drinking large amounts of water after a hard workout without properly being cooled down
• Bedding with walnut shavings in it
• Cushings and other insulin resistance
• Immune, respiratory, and renal problems

I post this because beginners are often misled and need to be aware that grain and grass are not the only culprits needing to be watched for.

Lets Get MOOOOving Bess!

Don't know if anyone else saw the story in the New York Post about Molly the cows escape from a Queens slaughter house and her finding a new home. Such a heart warming story and guarantee to put a smile on your face.

Have a happy Friday.

Standing O

Just wanted to say that I hugely admire and respect I Want Revenge's owner, David Lanzman, and trainer, Jeff Mullins, for scratching him from the derby even though his vet check passed. After discovering a hot spot and expecting a wet track, both trainer and owner decided against running even though the horse jogged fine for the vet and nothing was discovered on ultra sound.
This is a huge breath of fresh air as many trainers and owners have been known to run their horse in the big races despite the horse being off. Kudos to Lanzman and Mullins.

For GoLightly

I felt that Go's blog needed it's own post for those who may not sift through comments or know her side of the story. Time is short and I feel that Go covered this very well in her own words. As I've stated before, I honestly hope that other people read her story and what has been done to her and many others that have donated in the past to Cathy. I hope everyone considers researching the 501(c) 3 they wish to donate too and don't be afraid to ask questions. I also urge people to never donate to a rescue that does not carry a 501(c) 3. Most are just wolves in sheep's clothing(case in point- Cathy). Myself and countless others felt from the beginning that Champ should have been PTS. There are just far to many sound, sane, and healthy horses that could have been saved in that one horses place. I also found it quite unusual that any horse enthusiast or "rescuer" wouldn't have known or at least checked under the hood before actually rescuing to see if it's a stallion or gelding. But all of a sudden, "Oops, we rescued a stallion!" Just sounds a little strange to me, but I guess I'm also not shy when it comes to casting a glance under a horse to see if the chandelier is still hanging. My theory and this is purely speculation, perhaps she knew exactly what they were doing in "rescuing" a nicely bred stallion with hopes his health would turn around.

Traveling Safe

It's starting to get busy around here so there won't be as frequent of posts.



Today I'd like to touch on something that has been bothering me for a while now. This year is going to mark the 3rd year anniversary of my good friends death. She passed away in 2006 after her truck had a blowout and struck a guardrail losing control with their horse trailer in tow. Her 9th grade daughters best friend that was in the truck with her also passed away. They were on their way to a barrel competition, something that they did frequently.



Last October there was another wreck near me involving a truck and horse trailer, both the driver of the truck and the horse died.

I don't have time to write out my tips, but I would like for you to share what your safety measures are when you are out on the road with your horses.

Protecting yourself and your horse on the road

Since many like the topics that don't center around Cathy I decided to bring up a new subject after reading a story today about a Canadian Olympic hopeful and her horse that were struck in a hit and run while out on a hack on a rural road last week. Jessica Ruppels 3 year old Hanoverian filly, Bella, had to be put down on the side of the rural road where they were struck after vets fought to save the Olympic prospect for several hours. Jessica walked away with bruises and only minor injuries. Reportedly, the driver of the light colored truck that struck them was driving on the wrong side of the road. Jessica waved her arms and did her best to move her and Bella as far off the road as she could. After being struck by the truck who apparently didn't even try to miss the horse and rider, the truck came to a stop only for the driver to jump out and scream at Jessica,"What are you doing on the road?". He then got back in his truck and sped off from the scene. The driver of that truck has been found and is facing charges. Here are a few more news links regarding this-

http://www.collingwoodnow.com/news_09/bella_050409.htm
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1518792


So my question for readers today is...what are your safety protocols regarding riding on the side of a roadway?

Here are a few of my tips for those that choose to hack on the side of the road.

1. Talk to your county representative about placing warning signs like this one on roadways that horseback riders frequent.
2. Wearing a bright orange vest may not be the highest of horse fashion. But it is one of the most recognizable colors on earth and will catch a drivers notice giving them time to slow down as they pass you and your horse. If you can find one with reflector tape of some sort it is especially good in case you do have an accident that leaves you stranded until after dark.
3. Wear a safety vest in case you do have a spill or do get hit. It might not do much to protect your horse but it will protect you if the ground near the roadway is hard or rocky.
4. Wear a helmet.
5. Carry a cell phone and let your barn mates or family know where you are going and when you predict you will be back.
6. Carry a emergency horse kit in a saddle bag or back pack while out on your ride. Many human safety kits come with everything you need for both horse and rider. And to top it off I especially recommend a roadside safety kit. The flares and reflecting triangle are great in case something does happen, they also come equipped with the reflecting vest and flash lights.
7. Carry lead and halter. Should you or your horse become injured it is always best to move away from the road as fast as you can. This will make it able for you to tie off your horse and stay closer to the road to wave for assistance.
8. Try to always ride with another horse and rider. If a situation does happen where you and your horse are injured there will be an extra set of hands to help.

The healing power of horses

After running across FHotD talking about yet another subject she has no clue about I decided to post a little more about handicapped/therapuetic riding. I'll only post a few sentences from FHotD that caught my eye.

Somehow you actually believe these horses will be well broke enough to pack handicapped children around safely with no training other than free help you can scrounge off of Craigslist?

This is one of the crazier schemes I've read, even on Craigslist. If I were qualified to open a handicapped riding program (by the way, we have names for those people...like "physical therapist"...I'll be surprised if the poster has those credentials),

A) You are not required to be a physical therapist in order to run a legal handicapped riding academy that is certified through NARHA(North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.) NARHA has a trainer/instructor program called CAT you are required to pass in order to give one on one lessons and group lessons. There are several levels from volunteer, advanced, and master. None require a physical therapy background. and B) many NARHA approved horses that are not broke or sound for riding are often used as petting therapy for younger children that are unable to ride or not yet comfortable riding.

Like almost every job you must work your way up the ladder. You can not become a master instructor until you have 4 or more years working at a certified NARHA facility, are a current advanced instructor, have documentation for at least 2 years of your NARHA work, and have taught over 400 hours of equine assisted activities which can range from ground work, to vaulting, english or western riding.

Many of the NARHA horses are donated by owners or other organizations. They are evaluated under saddle to see if they would be suitable and have the proper temperaments. The horses that do not pass into the program are often donated back to riding clubs or a show barn where they might be suitable as a lesson horse for a young adult or advanced rider. A certified NARHA facility can not have any stallions on the property for safety purposes and most facilities go through very rigorous inspections that include vet checks, book keeping, and surveying the property. These horses are treated very well and most of the time live out their remaining years ponying around children that are in need. Some facilities are donated accomplished show horses and vary in all breeds, size, and disciplines.

There are many opportunities that NARHA provides. Many facilities hold horse shows and offer a wide variety of disciplines. The riders range in a wide variety of disabilities from autism to cerebral palsy. Most of the horse back riding activities are formed to offer brain stimulation and human interaction. It also teaches balance and strengthens leg and core muscles, often speeding up development in children that otherwise would be far behind their age bracket. All NARHA facilities are equipped with wheel chair ramps that allow for easy mounting. All riders are required to wear helmets and other protective gear.

A NARHA facility is a great place to volunteer as it is not required to pass any certain accreditation, but it is encouraged to purchase NARHA volunteer lessons and hand outs from the NARHA website. If you can't give volunteer hours they always accept tack, horses, feed, and other horse supplies.

All in all I would not recommend sending a developmentally challenged child to a therapeutic program that is not NARHA approved or at least carry the EAAT standards. NARHA facilities are required to carry insurance and MOST accept medicaid, Blue Cross, Aetna, or other insurance as form of payment or partial payment.

Here is NARHAs home page so you can read more on what NARHA is and the great work they do.

http://narha.org/

And here is the direct link to find a NARHA center near you.

http://www.narha.org/Centers/FindCenter2.asp

Here are a few great centers that hold NARHA premier accreditation.

http://www.hottrc.org/

http://www.goodhopeequestriancenter.com/

http://www.braveheartsriding.org/

http://www.nbtr-bg.org/

Blackmarket Horse Slaughter

Here is what happens when slaughter houses are banned in the US but there is still a demand for horse products and meat. It creates a black market where I'm sure even the anti slaughter folks would be screaming that slaughter plants are even more humane than what is being done down in Florida. Here is the news cast. Be careful as a couple of the videos are graphic.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/From-Race-Horse-To-Main-Course.html

For those in the Florida and surrounding areas, I would be locking those barn doors, stall doors, and paddock gates because these black market poachers DO NOT care if Fluffy is your backyard pasture ornament. If there is a chance they can make money off his meat, he will be killed, stripped of his meat and left on the side of the road for dead. These poachers will hit anything from fancy barns to the run down sheds- if it has 4 hooves and says "neigh" there is a chance for these poachers to spot your prize pony and see dollar signs.

As with anything illegal, the higher the risk, the higher the price. Horse meat is bringing $20/ per lb which is nearly if not MORE than double what cattle is bringing per pound in many parts of the country.

I'm not surprised in the least to see this going on, I half expected it. When you have a market for it then you will have people taking the risk to fill that demand. Do not expect to see this ONLY in Florida. This will happen in other states. If you board your horse go over safety procedures with your barn owner/manager. Talk about installing video cameras around the barn and also motion detectors that have an alarm that can be set after hours. These things might be a bit pricey but it's much better to be safe than sorry. If you have your horses on your land, it might be a good idea to talk with your neighbors and establish a neighborhood watch. Check your fences each day and padlock your gates that surround your property. But do not think for one second that these poachers won't cut wire to gain entry to your pasture. Make sure your property has adequate light source. These poachers are more comfortable at night and a well lighted barn or pasture might make them think twice.
To make it harder for these poachers to catch and get away with your horses remove all halters from sight. Leave them locked in your tack room or put away in your vehicle. Never leave a halter on your horses and if you are able, bring your horses into a smaller paddock for the night. Make sure your neighbors/barn owner know who you are and what your horses look like. Make sure your neighbors/Barn owner have your phone numbers, vehicle and trailer description. Tell them that under no circumstance is another trailer to be on your property and to call if they ever spot a trailer entering the property that should not be there or is not yours. Just like you would do for your kids, fill out emergency contacts and give them to your barn owner/neighbor. Always remember to keep open communication with neighbors/barn owners/other boarders.

Expect to see more and more of these black market poachers. Keep your animals safe and don't be afraid to call police if you see someone suspicious hanging around your barn or neighborhood. Your horses safety is your responsibility and these poachers just don't care if they are young, old, mare, stallion, accomplished performers, or trail horses.



**************
For those interested in helping those animals saved or just want to read more into their story, here is the SPCA website that talks further about the horses stolen, recovered, and sadly those that did not get such a happy ending. I have also included the link to the youtube video that speaks further into this story.

http://www.spca-sofla.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLApxH5le4

OMG, how did horses survive all those generations without FHotD?

So I am a little late but my computer is no longer acting like a giant turd with a power cord. Which means I can now comment on the whole Genesis Award/HSUS that has Cathy singing,"We aren't worthy!" Obviously she would fit right in with the PETA crowd with her anti carriage and vegan ways.(Not that I have anything against vegans, but don't care to have their views pushed on me). Hell, I'm an old gal that still enjoys that big juicy steak!

Where to start. Oh yes, the glorious comment section where Cathy is insulting and putting up a fight with anyone who doesn't agree with her. I have to say though, I've never seen Cathy comment so much. Here we go.

My personal belief - just mine - is that if you can't kill it and butcher it, if that would make you uncomfortable, then it's time you reassessed why you are eating it.

There are several people, including myself that raise our own meat and do not butcher it ourselves. My family has raised our own meat for several generations. My mum would take our cows to butcher when I was younger, would come home with the rolls of meat and tell us all that she "exchanged" the cow at the butcher just to make us feel more comfortable about not eating Fluffy, or whatever name we chose to give the cow. Just because you're not comfortable watching the actual butchering does not mean eating meat is wrong or raising your own animals for butcher is wrong.

Why can't the carriage rides go on at a beautiful farm somewhere more appropriate, like the Hamptons? You could do a beautiful driving trail with appropriate non-asphalt footing.

Cathy, are you also a person that complains about horses being in parades? "But the poor, poor horses could freak out when the fire engine turns on it's siren!"**crosses arms and pouts**,"It's just so unjust to imagine that people back in the 1800s and early 1900s traveled this way all the time. Their poor wittle feet. Lets cuddle him, put him in a dress and call him Dave!" Cathy, bet you just cringed when you read Black Beauty and learned that they pulled buggies on brick?

I don't think that is true. It may be a belief of certain HSUS employees but it is not the opinion of HSUS employees, donors, and volunteers as a whole. I have worked with them for a long time now and spent plenty of time talking to these people.

Birds of a feather flock together. That is one crazy @$$ feather though.

Michaleen - Well, given that you are supporting horses in NYC, not exactly a cheap place to live, I would assume that business could be conducted elsewhere. In fact, if you'd stop being so defensive and try to work with the people who want these horses to have a better life, you might find that someone is willing to donate a place for them to live or partner with you in your business to move it to a more appropriate place.

Cathy, believe it or not, but most horses that are willing, sound, and sane enjoy to work. I have a pasture full of them that would gladly saddle themselves if they could. Instead they choose to greet me at the gate and wait for me to come get them and tack them up. NYC carriage horses are well taken care of. Much like the Anhauser-Busch Clyde's. They are groomed daily, put up in warm stalls, blanketed when cold, given some of the best grain and hay, and shod on time. Can people ever win with you Cathy? You complain when people don't feed, groom, or trim their horses and then you complain when they do.

Where do you draw the line, if you allow Madeleine Pickens to have 30,000 horses with no hoof care?

Madeleine Pickens is planning on letting these horses live as naturally as possible with little human interference as they were born and most have lived doing so. This isn't a question of taking some prissy jumper/dressage horse out of a show barn and throwing him out on a million acres. She is taking wild(feral) horses and placing them on land where they can live protected without much government interference. In the wild, these horses naturally wear down their own hooves. Where do you think the term Mustang Roll came from? This is a lady that has a plan, seems to have the money, and wants these horses to remain in their natural environment with plans only to throw hay and feed when times call for it and to doctor the horses that need to be vetted. Once again, no one can win with Cathy. She's against the slaughter of these animals and against the stalling of these animals, yet when someone comes along and wants to bring aid to the situation, she's against that too. Makes you wonder, if ole Cathy is just jealous that she's not able to do this much?

Bloody Computer

I'm having issues with my computer right now so will try and keep this as short as possible before my computer turns off again. I promise I will get more into Fugly tomorrow.

Since we all talked about what makes a rescue in previous comment section and from FHotD post today- I would like to know what everyone thinks is the appropriate profit a rescue should be making and when does a rescue go over the line on how and when they spend their donations? When do you think/feel that a rescue should be outed? Have you ever had to report a local rescue? Do you donate money to rescues or do pay for hay/feed at the feed store you know supplies the rescue? What procedures do you take to make sure donations are being used appropriately at the rescue you donate to? Also, if you'd like please post a link to a rescue that you admire and think are doing it right.

Computer is slowing down again so it's only a matter of time before it turns off.

Oh yes, because THATS so much better!?!

Been a busy few weeks. I've gotten a break today and my fingers go wandering over to FHotD where Cathy had no issue picking apart a little 12 year old riding the 4 year old stallion. And might I add, riding the stallion very well. But I guess when you're a scared 40 something woman who is to terrified to jump on your own "gentle" stallion the only thing left to do is pick on a 12 year old that could most likely ride circles around you. Here is the video for anyone that does not link to FHotD.
http://www.viddyou.com/lilfella951

And here is what Cathy had to say about it-

She's not that solid and I'm way too distracted worrying about her riding a 4 year old, 16.3 stallion in an open area to look at the horse. Again, just more silly theatrics to sell a cute but unaccomplished horse.

And why are we zooming in on the kid's face in the video? It's a sale video for the horse, right? Try to remember what you are marketing here.

She looks like a pretty solid rider to me, the horse looks gentle as can be and well trained. She's wearing all the appropriate riding equipment. Looks to be an adult nearby doing the filming able to aid at any given moment. And most likely zooming in on the little girl not only for their own video collection but to prove that she is in fact riding the horse and there is not a grown up stunt double. And should Cathy really be talking about unaccomplished horses? What's that fabulous stallion of hers doing right now other than burning through hay? Oh, we'll just have to wait to see what this super secret trainer is going to make of him. Hopefully he's not pushing down anymore fences or panels breeding for more crooked legged babies. I don't know what threatens Cathy more, the fact that the stallion in that video is a ready to show nicely bred 4 year old and her stallion isn't even trained or the fact that this little 12 year old can ride the hell out of a 4 year old stallion when Cathy can barely get a W/T/C out of hers? But since most of us have seen Cathy's riding I guess we understand why she is so jealous.

Then remember the over dramatic rescue story of Jazzercise, the rescue TB that magically ended up in a kill pen within 5 minutes, needing to be roped by 5 grown men because he was a Son of a B*tch? Oh, yes there is more about him, and he's a local star having been on the news! When you click on the link you read about some of those silly theatrics Cathy was talking about in the above topic.

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Safe-Haven-for-Horses/vm-ngptAoEqjxIecWdmiBw.cspx

Oh joy, because I would call throwing a sleeping bag out and laying down in a rescue horse's stall only after weeks of having rescued him and not knowing his full history so gosh darn cute and safe. Cause we've never heard of a horse freaking out in a stall because the wind blows or a bee is pestering them and charging around. Yes, but I wouldn't call that silly theatrics, eh Cathy?

Calling all horse people in Texas!!!!!

If you live in Texas I'm sure you have already heard about the horses seized in Hill County, Texas. Over 160 head of horses need to be placed after being seized from their owner last Thursday and Friday. Some of these horses are in good condition, many others are suffering from various disease and starvation. Humane Society is needing people to open up their hearts and homes to these horses as they are already over run. Here are many of the news articles with more information about what is going on.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/40874252.html#

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15321/TX/US/

http://www.kcendt.com/?p=5666

Please if you have room and are in the DFW or surrounding area, be a hero for some of these horses. I am still trying to hunt down the rescue/SPCA website to post up here.

ETA- More information. Wild Horse Foundation is currently housing all these animals and assuming the care that is needed for the time being. So far, over $20,000 has been spent on this seizure alone. Here are their links-

http://www.wildhorsefoundation.org/

http://www.wildhorsefoundation.org/hill_county_cruelty_case.htm

Head meet Desk

Here is another sweet Jesus moment since Cathy obviously doesn't understand that many of her followers are NOT going to follow her "profanity free" emails to judges, attorneys, D.As, congressmen, etc. Because we all know that these D.A.s and judges have so much time to filter through thousands of emails, let alone their desk jockeys being able to file through the thousands of emails I'm sure they have already received as result of todays post where Cathy posted-

E-mail for the D.A. Remember, short, sweet and profanity-free is what makes the point. Spewing invective like you're on the Internet makes people hit the delete key and ignore what you have to say.

Cathy, I can't seem to understand why you keep posting emails and links to attorneys and judges. As a para-legal you of all people should know that it's NOT the attorneys or judges filtering through these emails and most likely the para legals and desk jockeys are just going to do mass deletions. Even at that, should the A.C. officer have a trial he will file appeals up the who-ha screaming foul because attorney and judges minds were swayed by the thousands of emails they received. It may be one wobbly leg to stand on, but I've seen cases thrown out on less.

Then she posted this gem.

Where's the hay money going, Kenny? Beer? Drugs? Does Aleshia have an addiction to the Home Shopping Network? What exactly is the problem here, and did you think your property was invisible and no one was ever going to see this?

I'm now guessing that Cathy only holds the belief that drug dealers/users and alcoholics are the ones abusing animals. I'm also guessing that she thinks only Catholic priests are the ones molesting small children. Cathy despite your belief that he MUST be a drug user or alcoholic, stuff happens. A.C. officers aren't rolling in the money sitting around wondering,"Now what can I go blow this money on!" They get crap pay, for probably one of the most emotional tolling jobs. They have bills that a blog isn't paying for, Cathy.

How are you going to feel when it does turn out that these horses ARE rescues? Cathy constantly complains about people just letting their horses starve or sending them to slaughter, now she's complaining about death by a bullet. Cathy, make up your mind! It sounds like they put the horses out of their misery instead of begging for the funds to keep a lame/sick horse alive. There are a lot of horse owners that would prefer death by a bullet instead of making a horse suffer until a vet can make it to their property. And there are a lot of ranches that will leave the body in the back pasture, some will bury the horse, some won't. There is a rescue near me that drag their horses to a un-used pasture and have named it their own "Rainbow Bridge". A lot of people don't want to pay $150 or more for their horse to be picked up and dumped in a large pile. You think that the animal removal gives a horse or any other livestock a burial?

Yes, I know! How unethical of me to be standing up for an animal abuser! I just choose to wait for ALL the facts and not jumping to conclusions until all the facts are presented. How fast could those on FHotD ruin this mans name when he could and may very well be innocent? And just how many rescuers do you think are going to bow out of this business when they think could very well be the next FHotD post?

You put your right arm in, put your right arm out!

Yes, that's the little dance number that Cathy is tap dancing too. Just a couple weeks after publicly slamming her readers and blog commentators on The Manure Pile she is singing a different tune- and quite off key if I might add. Here is what Cathy had to say in one of her latest comments.

P.S. Anybody can post as much as they want. I have not assigned anybody to be the comments police and tell others they are posting too much. If you have an opinion, feel free to post it.

I guess there should be a really small print terms of service agreement along with that statement that goes something like this-

Post whatever you want as long as it has nothing to do with my VLC, riding ability, hypocrisy, inability to stay at a job for more than a year, or my inability to love anyone other than myself.

__________________________________

On another note about her earliest post. I'm not trying to take the blame off of Trina Kenney because she is to blame for this. But how on earth can so many people be scammed by the most obvious things? And who purchases a horse sight unseen with out a vet check. Obviously, they paid good money for the horses and the shipping, otherwise they wouldn't bother with a law suit. I can understand if a horse is buted and missing a minor ailment. But missing major things like navicular, parrot mouth, hernia, unbroke/untrained horse, cuts/scars, and other lameness issues. I'm having a hard time grasping why and how so many people were scammed over things that could not have been covered up. Also, why did these people turn over money for a FULL payment of the horse before the horse was shipped. I mean that smells more of a scam than those emails everyone gets saying, I'll send you a cashiers check for XXX amount, ship the horse to this location(or I will have a shipper pick up the horse), and just hand back the extra amount the cashiers check was made for.

I'm sure I'll get bashed for saying this, I am in no way trying to take accountability away from Trina, and I'm not saying that I don't feel sorry for the people that were scammed. But when you hand over A LOT of money for a horse you've never seen or had a vet check on- you are kind of asking for a scammer to target you.

This isn't the first time I've heard of things like this. I've heard of a lot of disgusting ranches that take payments on horses. They'll have you sign a contract saying that you agree to the amount but you'll miss the fine print that says if a payment is not received the contract is void, there is no money refund, and they keep the horse. What happens is they have you pay a down payment of so much and then monthly payments for quite some time. Then 2-3 payments before you receive full ownership of the horse they'll claim they haven't received latest payment(when really they tossed the check). What happens is they make faux "Payment not received" documents giving 2-3 warnings, BUT they never send them. Instead they take the letters and contract to the attorney along with current bank documents showing that no money was received. The attorney then gives notary that the sale contract is in default. Soon after that happens you receive those "Payment Not Received" letters along with a letter saying you defaulted. BAM! The horse is still theirs to sell to another person and you don't get your money back. I know, not very savory, but it does happen.

Breeding Chatter

Sorry that the post is a bit late. I'm battling a mean sinus infection at the moment. So I finally got caught up on FHotD latest post and read through the comments. So it sparked a question that came to my mind. I saw a few people talking about it and wondered what the rest here would think.

Do you think that the government should step in and regulate breeding? Should government require a standard that each stallion or mare has to meet in order to breed? Do you think that breeders should have to obtain a license for each of their stallions through the government? If government did step in and tried regulation do you think BYB would stop? What kind of fines do you think would stem from 'breeding laws'?

AND... for the heck of it. If you had to pick one famous/popular stallion to keep intact which stallion would it be and why?

If it smells like BS, then it probably is

Call me skeptical, but something smells fishy about the FHotD post today. I'm sure you all know the saying about the duck? This wouldn't be the first time someone on a forum told a wild rescue/sale story just for attention. In fact, my daughter sent me a forum post from the free speech board where a lady spun a story about how she retired her show horse because of lameness to a retirement horse barn only to be told later that her horse had passed away, stating that the retirement barn even went as far as sending her photos of the grave site. Shortly after that she said she went onto the internet to find that her retired show horse wasn't dead, but in fact was being shown even though the horse was suppose to be "lame and dangerous to ride." She spun her story for a while trying to get a reaction until she was confronted by a couple of forum members that called her BS. Turns out this person that was spinning that story had done this years and even months earlier on different boards. She fled Free Speech as soon as she was caught and called out.
So it wouldn't surprise me if Cheree embellished her story so she could be featured on FHotD. Here is why-

"The auction didn't even start yet?!" Rita new where he had gone...he was in the kill pen... purchased privately by a meat buyer before the start of the auction.... We found the broker who brought him to the sale and proceeded to find out which dealer bought him and if he was in fact in the "pen."

Sorry, but I have to agree with BEC on this one. I've said it before- kill buyers do not discriminate. They don't care if the horse is sound, safe, and sane no more than they care if the horse is skinny, lame, or crazy. But in all my years I have yet to see purchases made before start of auction when the horse is already tagged and registered in the auction- especially purchased by a kill buyer. I've seen purchases made while the horse is being unloaded to be tagged and I've seen purchases made after a owner POs a horse. Kill buyers aren't going to purchase a horse before the auction because they are in it to save a buck and make a buck. They would rather spend $500 on ten horses rather than spending $500 on one horse. Simple as that. They aren't going to give you a $100 offer on a horse before auction because your horse could very well sell for $50 when run through.

I had five good ol' boys at once telling me "You don't want that crazy son of a bitch, that horse will hurt you, he is CRAZY!" "I'm not gonna sell you that horse, he deserves to be slaughtered, that crazy son a bitch got loose in here, and it took five of us to catch him, we had to rope that crazy a$% horse, you do not want that horse!" I politely asked and stated "what makes him so crazy?" "If I got loose at a scary auction like this, I would run too and you could bet no one would catch me!" I then asked "is this crazy horse broke to ride?" They said "yes, he's a real nice riding horse, BUT he's crazy as sin, real head shy won't let you touch his face, if the wind blows he'll rip our arms off, again lady, YOU DO NOT WANT THIS HORSE!"

*eyeroll* Like I stated, kill buyers don't care what's wrong with the horse, they are in it to make a buck just like most everyone in the horse industry. If they think they can sell you a horse, they for sure aren't going to tell you how crazy the horse is or if the horse was lame in one leg. Whats even stranger is that she said she was only gone for 5 minutes and then came back. So all that "crazy" horse business went down in those 5 minutes without her seeing the ruckus or at least hearing about it?

Over all, there are just to many holes in this ladies story that make the post sound over dramatic and embellished. It reeks of someone just dying to be featured on FHotD. Supposedly, this rescue horse had been sold to a dressage/show barn for $5,000 and now that owner that paid $5,000 is saying she gave away the horse to a show jumping home even though he was lame and wasn't working in her program. Sorry, but people just don't give a $5,000 horse away, not even to a kill buyer.

To me her whole story sounds like she wanted to be seen as the great and nobel hero of this "crazy" horse that nobody wanted to take a chance on. And wanted to add in the dramatics of almost everything Cathy bashes on FHotD, kill buyer- CHECK. mistreated/misunderstood horse- CHECK. Auction drama- CHECK. Sale/buy back policy gone wrong- CHECK CHECK.

For now, until I check up more on this story, I choose to see the holes for what they are. And like most things, if there are holes, then something is probably not right.

Riding ability?

So, I just got done watching most of Cathy's youtube videos or at least the painfully funny ones of her riding. What was even more humorous were the comments left on one of her youtube videos. Here are a couple-

"OMG! haha! You suck at riding then say other people suck at riding!!Thats horrrible!"

"are you riding? It's not nice to judge other riders, when you can't ride well.You're not a very good rider, therefore you shouldn't critique other people. Simple as that. "

Poor choice in critiquing other riders on their weight, clothes, and saddle color when you can't ride worth a darn. On top of the video those comments were posted on was another video where Cathy was working a bigger filly and appeared timid and terrified to get the horse to move up into a solid trot, at one point prompting whomever was video taping to ask if Cathy needed her to chase the filly. Funny how someone who claims to be training horses for a drill team can barely ride, let alone train a horse. I really hope that Cathy didn't start VLC. Horses, especially stallions, need to be started right and not by a timid person afraid to get a horse to trot. And another humorous video I found was one of a palomino filly accidentally jumping out of the round pen and a bunch of commentators saying,"The horse should be put in jumpers!"

So my question is. How many of you have had your riding critiqued by a person FAR less qualified? Funny stories always appreciated.

When ignorant people comment on rodeo

Not all that surprised when I clicked over to FHotD and went to the links to the youtube videos Cathy was blogging about. Yep, sending her loyal flock to bash videos on youtube again! I don't expect much from Cathy now-a-days, especially don't expect her to understand rodeo events such as roping or barrels. What I am surprised about is seeing the comments saying that kids are overhorsed and should all be on ponies. I am getting tired of the PETA and SHARK people on FHotD saying, "roping steers is cruel and mean!" *eye roll*. How do these people think these calves were vaccinated, branded, and vetted decades ago, by walking up to them with feed in your hand and hoping they stand still? Nope, they were headed and then heeled so they could be layed on their side for vaccinations, branding, and tagging. I'm prepared for the day I click to FHotD and see someone say,"The sport of Cutting is sooooo mean, it's cruel to separate a steer from it's herd mates!"
I'm also so tired of the "kiddies all need helmets!" comments. Yes, they can save the head from concussion. But do people not understand that helmets only prevent outer damage. They do nothing to protect the brain from rattling inside the skull if you're being drug behind a horse. A helmet is not an automatic,"You're safe on what ever mount". And do these people honestly think that by going onto youtube, calling people names and telling them they are abusing their children is going to make these parents automatically think their kid needs a helmet? Heck no. And if that is child abuse, then I guess my parents are the demon of child abusers seeing as all 6(including me) of my brothers and sisters never wore a helmet. And for those youtube videos of the little boy on his play day horse many people were calling the horse a saint. What you call a saint, I call a good broke horse. His horse obviously was well trained, knew her job, and was very mindful of where the little boy was on him at all times. If THAT honestly shocked you, come down to a play day here in Texas and see how a properly trained kid horse is suppose to act. Sometimes I wonder if Cathy or some of her followers have in fact ever been around a well broke or a kid safe horse. Some times I wonder if they have even been around horses at all since most of them seem so shocked about these videos. Here are two of the videos that she featured for those who no longer link to FHotD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1hw6ieDdI&feature=channel and this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw-mTgrY2LU&feature=channel
Here is a little of what Cathy had to say-

Check out the rest of the vids - plenty of bareheaded babies on horseback, babies running around with loose foals, the world's fugliest foal being born, children galloping that don't have the riding skills to trot safely without assistance - yes, the stupid's all there, preserved on video for your entertainment.

Sorry Cathy, but I've seen videos on youtube of YOU riding and I'd just about say that even you aren't fit enough for that 'saint' of a mare. Cathy I suggest you start off with a horse like this- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdsdehdg3Io. Stick to topics you know, such as ceramic kitties or the basics of grooming a horse. I'm not even going to touch on her comments on the fugly foal or the breeding as I'm sure everyone here knows exactly what I think of that crooked legged VLC baby, Bullwinkle. Those that actually are educated about rodeo, whether it is Junior or Pros, know what it takes. Next time you're at the NFR ask those barrel racers and bull riders when they started riding and then ask those barrel racers if they were out fitted in helmets. And then I want you to head over to a NRHA show and watch the young bucks show you how to rein. Those that do participate in Western Events such as cutting, reining, and WP know just how good some of these kids are for their age. Speaking of which, my 6 year old grand baby placed 2nd at a junior/youth cutting this past weekend. I couldn't be prouder.

Rodeo and Cowboy-ing isn't something that you just learn, it's in your blood.