Update: Judy Caton’s in the news
Dec 27 2009
High-End Monroe Horse Breeder Investigated
It it always a relief to know that animal control is involved and the situation has been made truly public by the media (not just on the message boards and blogs, where it is easier for defenders to claim the person is being railroaded and there is no truth to the accusations). Â I want to particularly commend Doug Stroud, Tana Hanson and Lori Goulet for filing an actual report and not going along with the “protect our own” mentality that allows so many “big names” to escape the consequences of their actions. Â I am sure that some of Judy’s friends will snark at you guys at next year’s shows. Â I’ll pass you a helping of extra-thick skin from my collection — you surely did the right thing on this one and all the real horsepeople will back you up 100%. Â Hopefully others will follow your example and not just post anonymously on message boards or send me covert “but don’t mention MY name” e-mails and instead actually march down to animal control and file a report. That is what gets results. Â That is what helps the horses. Â Do it.
Oh, and from the article:
“The three said when they asked Caton about the condition of her horses, she told them one of her teenage daughters forgot to feed them.”
For the one millionth time, YOU’RE THE PARENT. Â YOU’RE THE LEGAL HORSE OWNER. Â It’s YOUR responsibility. Â By the way, I wonder what Judy’s teenage daughter has to say about that allegation? Â It is hard to feed invisible hay. Â I think it is a bit much to blame dozens of starving horses on a child not yet old enough to vote, Mother-of-The-Year. Â And nobody forgets anything for the several months’ time it took for the horses to get that thin. Â It is not like someone forgets to feed a meal and they all drop 300 pounds.
(Just once, wouldn’t it be SO refreshing for someone like this to say “I have no excuse. I was trying to hide how broke I was. I was embarrassed and didn’t want to ask for help. Â It was the wrong thing to do, and I’m sorry that my animals suffered.” Â Never happens. Â Blame the drought, blame the economy, blame a teenager…the finger is always pointed elsewhere. )
Original blog entry here.
61 comments to “Update: Judy Caton’s in the news”
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Thank you to those whistleblowers.
I remember the blog from mid-November or so, Judy and her enablers were giving every excuse, like “somebody turned them out into the wrong pasture,” and “Snohomish County AC doesn’t consider me at fault” (because they had been so flooded with calls they refused to take any more calls) and “Evil people are trying to cherry-pick my horses! ” (because of course if some sympathetic person wants to save one of your horses from starvation, you should refuse if that starving horse is more valuable, in your own mind, than another lesser-bred starving horse.)
Now she’s gotten so desperate to save her name that she’s blaming her own daughter?
How pathetic.
I agree. Oh I starved my horses. Oh I forgot to have a farrier see my horse for 5 years. I haven’t gelded my stud, and have allowed him to breed mares, now I have 50 fuglies no one wants, their starving, have ring worm as well as rain rot. I haven’t seen a vet for the now seriously infected wound. Vet? What vet? You mean duck tape can’t fix that giant hole in his chest? And than when whistle blowers actually step up to the plate, and the owner gets arrested, said owner immediately starts to blame everyone else but themselves. We all know YOU (99% of the time) starved, or neglected said horse(s), so just admit it and stop wasting everyones time.
Reason why I put 99% is because sometimes there truly is miscommunication between people or people get confused (in other words owner tell person/people what to do, and sometimes they either don’t give a damn or try and still not do a very good job). But generally the owner is at fault. Rarely is there anyone else who is.
If “Judy’s friends” who will “snark” at the people who got help for these poor horses, then maybe these friends should be investigated too. How could ANY horse person see the pictures of those poor horses and even begin to have excuses for this woman?
Agree. It’s almost like these people condoning inhumane training techniques. Which brings up a good point, I wonder if humane law enforcement digs deeper what else they could find?
Quote: (Just once, wouldn’t it be SO refreshing for someone like this to say “I have no excuse. I was trying to hide how broke I was. I was embarrassed and didn’t want to ask for help. It was the wrong thing to do, and I’m sorry that my animals suffered.†Never happens. Blame the drought, blame the economy, blame a teenager…the finger is always pointed elsewhere. )
AMEN AMEN AMEN.
I am TIRED of “high end” horse people getting everything smoothed over! Now, if KY can only catch up to most of the other states!
Exactly! Oh I’m rich, so I’ll have my very educated attorney fight for me and have everything hidden under the rug! I have the money I’ll just pay people off! And than associations and officials wonder why people get seriously pissed when they know if they did the exact same crime or broke the rules for their benefit knowing they would get suspended or expelled from said association; and yet the person who did, who’s rich simply flashes some cash and magically it all goes away, or they get a slap on the wrist. I bet if people stood up and turned down bribes how quickly things would change? Because how many BNT have been convicted of something and than it magically goes away or gets down graded? Really I would like to know, so we can start to kick out the corrupt and place people in charge who actually give a damn about the welfare of the horse, instead of the $$$$$$$.
There is no excuse for what she did, ESPECIALLY a person in her position. She could have used her unfortunate situation to educate the masses and people would have had SO much more respect for her. Of course it would have been hard. No one wants to admit that they can’t take care of their responsibilities, it is a hard thing to do. One of the topics that continues to come up around here is how hard it is to do the right thing, but you have to suck it up, swallow your pride and do it, preferably sooner rather than later, especially when there are lives at stake.
I have a question, and I’m sorry its a bit off topic and has more to do with your last entry then this one…
But, I have been given a little brown/dark bay Appaloosa colt (he is actually out of an Appalossa mare and by a Quarter Horse stallion). He will be gelded asp when the vet says it is safe. He has no Appaloosa characteristics… none… not even the overly white eyes. I can register him with the Appaloosa Horse Cub, The Half Quater Horse Registry, and a stock horse association that I *believe* is the National Stock Horse Association.
I like the fact that if somthing happed to me his papers could stick with him. I am only really interested with registering him with the ApHC. However, with all the going ons and lack of ‘help’ and action by the association sworn to help these horses I am second guessing my decision. He isnt even a quality colt, he will be gelded anyway, and I’m sick of giving my money away to make people rich. I don’t show, but I would LOVE to do it just to meet people and have fun…. I’d love to try reining and western pleasure. This being so, I doubt I would make it to a breed show.
What would you suggest? Register him, don’t register him? Are these registries even worth a dime in this day and age of horse overpopulation? Would it be a disgrace becuase he isnt anything special, he has no characteristics anyway, and he isnt really breed typical?
Thanks for your opinions!
I think you answered your own question because if you had papers on this guy, who sounds like he has fallen into a tub of butter with you, by the way (:o), you could meet people and if the local chapter of the organization looks like a good group, you could get as involved as you care to with those who share your interests. Also, if you DID have papers, you COULD show. (Never say never ;o)
I have an OTTB and his original papers are probably long gone, but I could get duplicate papers “just to have them.” Last time I checked, duplicates were $125 and I had to prove why I did not get them when I purchased him. The reason papers are not sold with horses sold off the track to “just anyone” is understandable when the horse is still young enough to race. I bought my guy from the horse trader who got him from the people who bought him from the person who retrained him from the track … at the house that Jack built. ;o)
I don’t need papers to show in dressage, but I think I need them if I wanted to register him with USEF or USDF to qualify for the breed awards. (I haven’t shown enough to qualify for last place at a barn burning, so far, so I have not been pursuing this goal ;o)
If you can afford the price of registration, do it. Better to have the papers and not need them than need them and not have them. ;o) And again, good luck with him. He sounds like a very good project horse. Remember, “quality” is something that often improves with age and training. ;o)
I would register him, with as many of those registries as you can afford, starting with the QH club.
As to Appy….well, I have known jet black, no characteristics, animals turn into full Leopard at age six!!!
One of my mares was jet black, no characteristics, until she turned a yearling, then she went whit overnight (I swear!!) and grew spots all over. Her first son did the same. I still have her last daughter, who is solid black, no characteristics, and she is now in foal to a Few Spot so I shall put spots back in the line.
My point is, you may have a black colt now, but , tomorrow, you may well have a nicely marked little near Leopard!!
Don’t count on it – it’s rare for a non-characteristic to color later – but I must agree it can happen. We had a mare that was born solid black (minimal characteristics but she did have sclera) and she also colored out to a near leopard, very loud.
In the long run, I’d say the best thing you can do is get him a JOB! Horses that are of age to be under saddle and are not in this market only have one real destination. As the old saying goes, “you can’t ride papersâ€. That said I am a HUGE believer in paper! I’d probably pull the breed association papers just because they more credibly identify his linage; most of the “Half†type registries that I’m familiar with do not insist on the rigors that the breed does in verifying parentage. I would save my money on the other registries until you see what skill based registries he might be a good fit for.
If you end up looking for a cow type skill based registry, I suggest the American Stock Horse Association (http://www.americanstockhorse.org). This group started out as Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT) and just went national this year. This group was formed out of the need they saw in Texas for an “affordable education for the many horsemen who wanted to learn to ride better horsesâ€. The shows are very low pressure events that include one day of clinics and one day of shows. They fall into the “non-show†category (to use Fugly’s term) but they are great for those of us that don’t really want to show at a breed level. I think if more associations adopted the purpose that ASHA has “help everyone ride a better horse†the world would be a better place for HORSES!
AMEN!
The #1 most valuable thing you can EVER do for a horse is make sure he knows how to do a job and do it well. I do not care if that is dressage, jumping, or being the most bomb-proof trail horse around, that employability will go far to keep him out of the kill pens.
The #2 most valuable thing is breaking them out at a reasonable age (no earlier than 3) and paying attention to their legs and feet, including paying for quality farrier work. If you do not ride them when they are a little bit sore, if you avoid crappy footing like deep sand, if you avoid the temptation to DIY on hooves without proper education (i.e. ACTUAL FARRIER SCHOOL or a long term apprenticeship with an excellent farrier)…your horse will stay SOUND which, again, keeps him EMPLOYABLE!
Horses who do not qualify for any job are in dire straits indeed, and there are a lot of them out there.
Yes, I say register him with as many as you can. Pretty or not he may be the best dressage/reining/trail/pleasure horse ever and all the buyer would want is a set of papers to show him with. Also with those funny appy’s they can change color their whole life……I knew a deep red chestnut that stayed that color until the summer he turned 5 then he shedded out to a blue roan color with red high lights around his face and legs! I made myself a promise a long time ago that I wouldnt BUY another non registered animal no matter how great they where and I know Im not the only person out there like that. Get him a job and work on papers while you do that! Good luck!
I think you might be surpirsed how many “solid” colored appaloosa’s go to high level shows…and remember that it is not always about looks but about skill, you just may wish some day that you could let your gelding strut his stuff in a trail class among the spotted ones. I do think you should check out your local club, if you do not find it to be what you are looking for then help change it; fresh ideas could be just what is needed. Good Luck!
Register him with the ApHC! For his sake and his future if not yours. The app club has many different programs you could get involved in with a registered appaloosa – the saddle log program (you don’t have to show), the ACAAP program – where you earn recognition/points for open shows, dressage or eventing. Trail rides, meet others. Never hurts to get that piece of paper, costs go up as they get older, and people loose track and he and you (or future owners) could miss out on a lot. Local App clubs have fun and interesting people and events too. Could be a whole new world to join in. Welcome!
Definitely register him with the ApHC. I find much of what is going on with the ApHC at the national level to be infuriating and downright moronic. However, I have loved showing with our regional clubs. The regional clubs have a lot to offer for various skill levels and disciplines, and not every horse there is world caliber. I started as a complete novice several years ago and never once felt intimidated.
Nah. The ones that would actually say “Ya know what…it was my fault…and I’m sorry” are the ones smart enough to sell before it gets to that point!
Well, there you go. You’re right.
But….well….wouldn’t it be nice???
Not far from me a woman was charged with starving her horses.
Her explanation?
They could not have been starving as there was hay just across the drive form them.
There was too, just no-one was giving it to the horses!
The Judge had a backbone and threw the book at her, said the fact that there was hay on the property actually made it worse!!!
In the end, though, I am pretty sure she got some of the horses back, after the RSPCA had finished feeding them up, of course.
Me, I would shoot them in their stalls before I would let her take them back.
Shooting a horse, done right, never hurt it.
Being placed back in hell on earth, however……..
Yup. Agree. Any sign of trouble and said owner needs to have plan A, B, C, D, E, F, etc. So this way if any plan falls through they can go on to the next one, and the next and so on.
Especially these days. It used to be that good people did not go without work. That simply isn’t true anymore.
Here’s a story that ought to scare the daylights out of everybody –
http://www.kvia.com/global/story.asp?s=11728194
Normally I sympathize with employers who are faced with being the bad guy due to economic pressures – but not these asshats. Hello, they didn’t JUST find this out 3 days before Christmas. And how could you EVER justify stranding people with no way to get home? This is as bad as employer behavior gets. I’m sure some of these guys or their spouses are horse owners. What now for them?
What I want to know is where is the escrow money they are required by the USDOT/FMCSA to have? We are owner operators. Its bad. Its really bad out there. We are down 100K revenue in 2009 from 2008 levels. I now have some chickens and we eat a lot of eggs and we are cutting wood on our neighbor’s land. I give out dozens of eggs to my neighbors, so every little bit can help everyone. Round bales have been fantastic and I get to BS with my horse vet Weekly at the hay auction. My husband comes home every other weekend and runs from the east coast to the west. I only see him about 65 days a year. He made it home at 5pm Christmas Eve. Thats the sacrifice my family, my kids, make to keep America moving! We have friends who have lost their trucks through no fault of their own, we know drivers who are laid off and can’t find work.
Fugly, you said once, if you have the money to spend, PLEASE! Spend it! and I need to say that again and shout it from the highest roof tops, in order to get America moving again we have to pour every penny we can back into the economy. Its what creates jobs and keeps the wheels of our truck turning instead of another stomach turning anxiety filled day sitting in a truck stop 1,200 miles from home and wondering when freight will actually be available, tomorrow? the day after? and will it even cover the fuel to move it?
I am extremely worried the revenue could drop more. I could be in a bad situation more quickly than I’d like to think. BUT like others have mentioned, I have plans A through F, if it comes to that. I would never let my pride stand in the way. Things are just things, they can be replaced and really do I need all of this STUFF anyways? Nope. I am discovering a simpler life is a Beautiful Thing. Pride is a terrible vice and in this economy the sooner we give it up and accept the help of those around us, the better off we will all be. Hey Ms. Caton, did ya hear that? Me thinks you should have swallowed your pride the day the sub prime industry took a nose dive, a year later is way too late. Shame on You.
Absolutely march down to Animal Control and report these kinds of cases — and have PICTURES and documentation to show that you aren’t just some nut-job with a personal axe to grind. The instances I can remember reading here from posters who have the same kind of AC “officers” we have around here would indicate that too often reporting this sort of thing would fall on deaf ears.
That said, most of us have cell phones that take still pix or video, and if you don’t have such an item in your possession, surely you know someone who does. Or someone with a digital camera. Show the type of fencing, the lack of feed, water, the condition of the feet, the body, etc. Have a printout of the BCS chart along with the pictures and give the AC folks hard copies of everything. Do NOT assume they have any sort of reference or resource material at their disposal OR that they would bother getting off their ample butts and going to get their copy to refer to.
The one AC officer I know personally — and she is EXCELLENT at her job — does not work in the field. She takes in dogs and cats at one of the local town dog pounds and has been known to take some dogs home herself to rehome them. She knows about horses and what constitutes “care” and what is baloney, but that’s not where she works, sadly.
The few other AC officers I’ve had contact with in this particular town have had the “legend in his/her own mind” attitude that puts the abuse reporter’s concerns on the back burner. I’ve gone to the pound several times to see about adopting a dog and have been made to feel like I’m BOTHERING them. The County AC isn’t much better, though I’ve only had dealings with one person, an overweight guy in an official AC uniform, who preferred to get his facts from my next-door neighbor who was not a witness to what I had called to report.
That said, reporting is STILL the way to go, but with tangible PROOF — papers and photographs these officials can hold in their hands and SEE what you are concerned about for themselves. It’s easy to poo-poo a report made over the telephone or even a claim in person if there is no documentation. And of course, keep copies. And get the name and/or badge number of the person to whom you give the information.
Perhaps nothing will come immediately from just one person’s well documented concern over animal welfare, but the person with the file of pictures and statements with dates, times and places will have a stronger case against anyone in AC who sat back and did nothing.
Been there, done THAT more than once.
Very good points. Everybody complains “I reported and AC did NOTHING!” Yes, but you may have contributed to a pattern of reports which will make them do something in the future. They don’t always have the resources (or the legal standing!) to jump the second you would LIKE for them to jump.
It surprises me, or perhaps not, when AC doesn’t even know what condition a horse should be in. Unless they are in the country or have a high human to equine ration, than they don’t know what to look for. They may think really skinny horses are the norm. I would love it if AC officers got a crash course in farm , especially if their in a city and coming across said animals are very slim. And agree with the photos and vids, prove your not psycho, or have an ax to grind and people will be more than happy to listen. Especially if you can prove their living conditions. If AC isn’t listening, put pressure on them, and hope they cave, and if their protecting said person they stop.
This woman had plenty of warning that things were headed south. There is no excuse for allowing the situation to progress to the point where she still had all of her horses but no feed. She could have discretely begun selling some off while they were still fit and well-fed and perhaps avoided reaching the point of no return.
I agree with the people who are saying that she should not be allowed to keep 14 horses. Where is she suddenly getting money to feed that many, if she owes back taxes and has recently filed for bankruptcy? Fourteen horses will require a lot of hay and grain, not to mention bedding, farrier care, vet care, etc. I’m sure we haven’t heard the end of this story.
Why is she allowed to keep 14 horses? Maybe she got her daughter a reminder app on her cell phone and the kid is remembering to feed every day.
I agree. Take all the horses away.
These last 2 posts have spiked my blood pressure! I will never understand how these people can let their animals suffer due to “embarrassment or denial of their current situation”. Ask for help!! I will also never understand how the animals that these people purchased,bred, and at one point cared for continue to suffer and starve right before their eyes!!
To not even provide clean water ? WHY?? Too depressed to turn on the hose or clean and fill a bucket or water trough?
Sadly this continues to go on and is the reason why shelters,rescues and those of us who understand the responsibility of horse and pet ownership are left to then do something about it….often when it is way too late.
By the way for those of you who still have the rose colored glasses on that it’s not that bad…..there are now branded warmbloods (Oldenbergs,Hanoverians) that have ended up in the kill pen at New Holland. I’m not talking the backyard breeder type of warmblood or the AWB’s….branded German warmbloods that were imported to this country and were very well trained! Hey they are all just meat to the kill buyers!
Blaming your kid… Now that takes class. Nice.
Totally agree with you fugs. YOU are the adult, YOU are responsible. Just because you say that it belongs to your child or teenager, doesn’t mean a fairy will come and magically not hold YOU responsible. It doesn’t surprise me any more when this comes out of an adults mouth. If the horses did belong to the teenager and the teen wasn’t feeding, she should have sold the horses. Simple as that. Not show responsibility, the animal goes away, simple as that. Why oh why can’t there be some sort of licence to keep all these idiots from owning animals? And make people suffer, and I keep preaching this, make them pay out of pocket. Not a measly $500, why not $5,000 per animal? People are more willing to learn if they have to pay, and have a record. If they can’t pay, than they shouldn’t have been penny pinching (or ask for help) in the first place and done the crime. What these people often don’t know if that the people they could be asking for help from could have been in a hard place at one time to. So they know what it’s like asking for help. Because than it would have bought the horses some more time for them to get sold, instead of trying to get them to the condition before they were starved. It’s sad, but at least now they have a chance. I wonder how many carcasses will be discovered? I hope she gets the book thrown at her. I wonder if in court, she will use the classic, “They were fine yesterday.” Excuse. Honey, if a horse loses 100+lbs in one day, something is very seriously wrong, so don’t even bother. We’ve heard this excuse as well. And I honestly hope she can never own anything other than a pet rock, if that.
This is a step in the right direction. There is NO excuse for this lame buck-passing bullshit, nor is there ANY excuse for people involved in NRHA to defend it. As a member of several performance discipline and breed associations, and someone who believes we have to put the welfare of horses, particularly our competition horses first, I hope that people who are legitimately prosecuted for and convicted of neglect/abuse will not be granted full membership privileges in the future (probation, full suspension, denied membership, etc). As for Judy, who I think (from comments on the original post) is no longer an NRHA member, hopefully her membership will not be restored if she is convicted. These people need to be weeded out of the sporting community, and competition and breed organizations need to get tough about this (where convictions are involved), in addition to the abusive training/show-ring tactics, tail-fixing, medication issues, etc. that are already getting the attention of their various welfare committees.
The sad thing is… maybe her daughter WAS chronically forgetful and self-involved — a lot of teens are — but by not doing anything about it, the woman basically taught her daughter that starving animals because you’re too busy is OK. So even if mom learns her lesson now, will we be teaching the same lesson to her spawn in a few more years?
True. MAYBE she was forgetful and self involved. But Ms. Caton should have been checking up on the horses and noticed them missing feedings and dropping weight LONG before they got in this condition! When she noticed the problem she should have either corrected the situation with her daughter or taken that chore away from her… NOT let the horses suffer! To blame it all on a forgetful and self involved teen is ridiculous!
I was always taught that domestication equates to a contract with the animal… you are taking them out of a situation that they can provide water, food, & shelter for themselves so you are obligated to provide those things. Domestication also removed the ability to wear hooves down through covering miles of terrain so that is part of the obligation. They lack access to a variety of vegetation many of which provided some level of protection against parasites and other illnesses so those things need to be provided in captivity. When humanity made the choice to domesticate these animals this became a requirement and (in my mind) those are the minimums of care that need to be enforced.
Someone who owns 116 acres of pasture land worth $1.5 million (2001 prices), another home on 10 acres valued at $510,000, buys $40,000 horses, and can’t come up with hay is a person living high off the hog in a personal fantasy world brought to you by Bank of America. Like you can’t Refi (since your in that business), pull equity out of your $510,000 home/116 acres to feed your horses, get a personal loan or cash in some of the luxuries?? Give me a break!! I’ve seen children come up with better excuses.
Nope… Sorry, I’m not going for she needed to ask for help before it got this bad. She needs to quit living the lavish lifestyle and feed her Dam horses. I do and I don’t own a $8.5 million dollar building, but you can bet I’d sell the business, hawk the acreage and house, or give away my horses before starving them. I’m sure someone was holding a gun to her head for every $40,000 purchase.
And now she can afford a lawyer?? Gee, wonder where that money suddenly came from? A retainer feeds how many horses?
I’ve run into a bit of a sticky situation and need some advice. We’re in rural wyoming where the AC is less than accomodating and general ideas of what constitutes acceptable horse care are sometimes a little different… in this case, it’s old ideas combined with complete ignorance coupled with lack of caring – and 5 horses are suffering. I need to keep the rest of this off the internet for the time being.
I do not have room for a rescue horse, and even if I did, I’m about to have major surgery and be out of commission for the next two months or so. I would NOT be an ok home… so we need AC to step in and do the right thing. I have photos taken from the road for evidence… we’d need help anyway, there’s no way I would pay “ransom” to this jackass – that would be encouragement to pull this shit again…
So Fugs, please tell me how I can contact you privately. Thanks.
OT, but Cathy you are gonna love this one. Check out the photo on the bottom.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grd/1526990739.html
I opened that one up, read the text, and thought “What’s so bad? At least it’s gelded, in reasonable condition, and they’ve got it at least walk/trotting under saddle at five years of age, and using a halter with two lead ropes instead of twisted wire.”
Then I saw the third picture… Wow. Yeah.
Oh well, not all of us are good parents. I for one would be very tempted to throw three toddlers up on the nearest at liberty horse, if I did indeed have three toddlers. (sarcasm inserted)
Just slightly OT
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Now, unless I’m completely out to lunch (which does happen on occasion) this particular case was later cited with a quote from a Mr. David Duquette, Executive director of the United Horseman’s Front. I believe he was quoted saying “There is a lot of emotional rhetoric circulating the internet. Let me
restate that drawing media attention to this will only give the animal
rights groups more ammunition against the whole horse industry. They will
twist this in ways that most can’t imagine. This is already happening.” regarding this case. Now, if I’m wrong, please don’t post…
I had contacted Mr. Duquette voicing my disgust at his willingness to sweep this kind of behavior under the rug. What’s more, he responded
Actually you are the first to make a negative comment. If you want to know who I am you can look at my website at http://www.duquettequarterhorses.com (*which was pretty scarey!*)
My record for helping the horse industry such as promoting shows, showing and helping the industry in Washington D.C. is extensive. (Congratulations… a 19-year-old horse crazy girl can also claim the same!)
We are and always will be for the Horse. No other distinction can be made by doing some fact finding about what we do. (I do beg to differ – pro slaughter!)
I just wonder if he’s eating his words now… ???
All I can say is that I don’t see law enforcement taking horses away and the media covering the situation in cases that have turned out to be just a bunch of internet rumor.
It was always obvious what Mr. Duquette’s motivations were. “For the horses” my butt.
I certainly wouldn’t call Hermiston Oregon the hotbed of good animal stewardship.
I read this in the paper and her lawyer says they are going to sue the folks that took the pictures of the starving horses for tresspassing.
If you enter a building without consent, it’s 1st degree – I don’t believe anyone did that. So now you are down to 2nd degree at best. It’s a misdemeanor. A legal defense in WA state is “The premises were at the time open to members of the public and the actor complied with all lawful conditions imposed on access to or remaining in the premises.” Therefore it’s easy to argue that since she had horses for sale and was actively showing them to people, the premises were indeed open to members of the public. I do not anticipate anybody is exactly going to jail here. Oh and FYI, it is a CRIMINAL charge so Judy and her lawyer cannot bring it – the D.A. would have to bring it. Looking at those pictures, I am guessing the D.A. will tell Judy and her lawyer to go fly a kite. Just my predictions, and not to be taken as legal advice.
Here’s a story about persistence. This guy is my hero:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/28/illegal.slaughter.farms/index.html
Thanks for posting that. Yup-a HERO. THIS IS NOT OK.
I’m so tired of hearing about this kind of abuse. Yes, abuse. If you can’t afford to feed them send them somewhere they will get fed. I have a limit on the number of cats I own because I know how much I have in my “taking care of them” account for food, medical care, emergencies…and they’re cats, which I’m sure are cheaper than horeses to feed and care for. I worked an extra job for years to build up a savings account just for them and would have no problem asking for help if I found myself in a position where I couldn’t feed them! If I couldn’t afford a big medical bill for one of them I’d give them up! Yes, that’s right, I love them enough to give them to someone else who could afford the treatment! I love horses, ride friends horses and, yes, help them muck stalls in exchange of the pleasure of riding. I don’t own a single horse because I know my limitations physically and financially!
Oh. Yeah. Let’s blame it on the the kid.
I feed 6 horses on a daily basis. Not much right? I guess so but they are NOT in stalls, or in separate pastures, and some eat faster than others. Also, I need to make sure that the broodmare is getting her “good” food, the colt is getting his “better” food and that my horse, the obese pony and the family horse are all getting their “diet” food. Oh and that the boarder gets his special mix. 2 horses need joint supp and 1 of the 2 get rice bran to help keep her weight on.
And amazingly, they all get what they are supposed to!
Even if the the teen is somewhat to blame
1) the parent is responsible for the child’s actions and
2) the parent is either blind or refusng to see that their kid cannot take are of all the horses, which would be very hard since there are too dang many of em’.
We went to the vet today and got my horse’s coggins done. I had my mom sign as the owner in veiw of the fact that if I can’t sign a petition and have my signature count b/c I’m under age, then why should it count on any other legal document????
Oh, BTW I’m a junior in highschool and can take care of 5 horses and have a job. Guess how Cinco’s special shoes get paid for? How else am I going to pay for some of my college tution? And when am I going to get that new bridle that I need (the old owner apparently had a problem with rats and to say the least it’s kinda chewed looking)? Probably summer if nothing happens to my truck. Yeah, I take care of that too.
(signed)
a teen who’s held accountable for her actions
The reward for all of this is that when you’re 30, you’ll be a valued employee who is well able to afford to keep her horses in the style they’re accustomed to – not someone who winds up having to dump her horses because she can’t get any kind of a job. Oh, and your parents deserve a blue ribbon for raising someone who “gets it” about responsibility.
Here’s a FUGLY blog story waiting to happen. This is from the website of a new boarding/training barn opening just outside Ocala. They have a beautiful website that says many, many nice things. They do not, however, give the name of the barn owner, the trainer they are using, the qualifications of their riding instructor, etc.
They talk about gentle, natural horsemanship training techniques on the ‘training’ page, yet THIS is the photo that was chosen to illustrate their trainer’s expertise:
http://www.ocalahills.com/images/training.jpg
Is it just meeee… or is this another example of how anybody can say ANYTHING on a website?
The rest of the pages paint a beautiful picture of an idyllic facility – yet, everything is extremely vague….
Well, to be honest… I’ve been riding and training for most of my life.
And I don’t think I could do what… ever… it is that trainer’s doing. So he must be good right?
So I read this in the Bellingham Herald, and in the comments section, there is actually some support for her, saying she is a victim of the poor economy. What a bunch of BS. I currently have 3 old horses. I have been offered more, but I cannot afford to support any more. Why did she not just ask for help, talk to the Humane Society, anything but let them starve. And water is free, so there is no excuse for no water. To blame her daughter shows what a great mom she must be. She sounds like a hoarder to me, but a rich hoarder. And of course, the taxpayers and rescue organizations will have to pay to clean up this mess. Why don’t they put a lean on her property to help pay for the rescue?
Well….Due to lack of pony I have substituted with smaller animals. I can vouch that feeding two dogs and two cats is just as expensive as one horse. If you feel the need to have a lot of animals sell a horse, get a dog. Sell a horse, get a cat. Sell a horse, get a hamster. SELL A HORSE, well, you get the point. This only works if they trade ONE horse for ONE smaller creature and only one. Maybe a fuggs reader should get into politics and make a few laws, or maybe us smarter people should just implement these rules of animal ownership on the “special” people
PS the dogs dont mind the little saddles but the cats just flat out refuse to play horsey with me.
This comment isn’t directly about this, but is a good newsclip to watch. I saw this on CNN about the illegal slaughter houses in Florida. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/28/illegal.slaughter.farms/index.html
For the person with the solid black 1/2 app colt. Register him now. As Appaloosa. I had an App/TB cross mare, App dam, TB sire. She was solid bay as a 2 year old when I got her. No spots at all by age 4. Age 5, one spot. Now at 33 she is a mostly white snowflake App. I breed her to a beautiful grey Arab when she was 8 for a riding horse for myself. Her daughter was only 1/4 App and was a few spot Leopard. So just because there is no color now, doesn’t mean it might not appear at some point in his life.
The papers may not be ride-able and might not make your gelding more valuable or beautiful but they will give him an identity. And at some point in his life that might mean the difference between life and death.
Ladypr – not to be picky (OK maybe a little) but your 1/4 App with an Arabian sire could not be a few spot leopard. Genetically impossible. For a homozygous foal to be born both parents must be Appaloosa (even if they are minimally colored, they must still carry the LP gene). Your foal might have been born with Appaloosa coloring, but can’t be homozygous – but having a grey sire, he could have greyed to white. Even loud Appaloosas with the grey gene will grey out and lose their spots.
However – I completely agree with getting the colt registered, and asap, as registration costs go up with age. Papers don’t guarantee safety, but it sure helps!
Alright, first of all, I hope someone gives that lawyer a lot of money– even lawyers shouldn’t have to sink that far.
“She has a good heart.”
She does? I mean, I would agree she’s got a good barn. She’s got a good reputation. She’s got good friends in high places. She’s even, by some standards, got good horses. A good heart? Oh yea, a mother who blames her own child for failing to feed 40 head of horses for an extended period of time, a woman who weedles her way into keeping 14 (count them 14!) horses when she has almost killed 30 other ones.. that’s one good hearted woman.
How about this, Judy Caton? Sell your horses. Start a new business . And then hire back one… just ONE… of the 60 odd people who evidently lost their jobs when YOUR business went under. That might convince me you have a good heart. Right now I see a selfish uncaring bitch who whines because her toys are being taken away.
Right now I also see a person who evidently REALLy has something on the local authorities. Otherwise, there is NO way she would have 14 horses under her care. Or children, for that matter. Trust me, if her daughter was supposed to be doing chores for 50 head of horses every night and morning, and Mom didn’t notice that she wasn’t, then Mom isn’t keeping track of said daughter. You don’t complete chores in less than an hour at such a large farm.
here’s a local upstart “horse rescue” and their page for “equestrian education”
sigh
http://www.equinerescuecenter.com/5622.html
Geesh…notice the vague post office box for an address. Sounds like another person trying to dishonestly solicit funds. Crystal Rivers…who was the subject of the blog a few weeks ago–was soliciting nearly a MILLION dollars on her website for items needed….a swimming pool for the horses, an indoor riding arena, sponsorships, etc. An anonymous letter was sent to Liberty University, and suddenly the page was removed.
Here is a great horse rescue that I wish would get added to the links page of reputable rescues: This is a rescue in Virgnia that takes injured show horses and rehabilitates them. They are a foundation with a board of directors, and are an official charity. The horses receive great care…have large pastures and free choice hay. The vet and farrier regularly sees ALL of them. They have a 4-H club and a volunteer club and a very reputable riding instructor works with the volunteers. They adopt out the horses for FREE, but the horses always technically remain the property of the foundation and they have to get returned if the person who adopted them can’t keep them anymore. There is a real group of dedicated people running the place. They don’t take more than 30 horses at a time, because they are smart enough to know what their limitations are.
Brookhill Farm
I don’t understand why people don’t feed their horses, and I know I’m not the only one. Isn’t it common sense that if you can’t feed a horse, you don’t own one? This past week, it was discovered that a man in my area had 10 dead horses on his property and about 7 others that are starving to death.This person’s farm backs up to the farm I keep my yearling on, and we had called animal control on this person several times. In fact, in April, one of his horses broke out of her “pasture” and showed up on our farm. We caught her and told him to come get her and he never claimed her. No wonder….the mare had a body score of about 2 and was so wormy she looked pregnant. We called animal control then, too, and the man is just now being reprimanded (in December!). On a happy note, we obtained legal ownership of the mare, who we named Gypsy, and she is now fat, furry, and very much loved!