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Post by Tockita on Jan 10, 2009 1:44:40 GMT -5
Is Felicity still with Angi, or has she been adopted? Felicity is out an a long term lease contract, and doing very well in a 3 horse home. (Her current mom is related to.. either Diamond's new mom or Kaseys I forget which) But I am moving 2 places down the road from her, so I had my peepers on her just last sunday. I'll probably be seeing her daily unless she hides while I drive past ;D Blossom had been back at Angi's for training but went home last month. Her dad's wife has Feather/Dreamer and Beth's roadside rescue pony Riley (whom she calls Little Joe because he looks like a miniature of Michael Landon's Bonanza mount Cochise.)
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Post by drjinva on Jan 10, 2009 11:20:07 GMT -5
Now that the truth has come out about so many of these horses, does anyone have any pictures of them that can be added to the RIP section, along with the truth about what happened to them? They need to be remembered!
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Post by beckybee on Jan 10, 2009 13:47:54 GMT -5
I was never an official volunteer or "member" of CBER, but just have been a supporter, defender and adopter for over 2 years. So take what I have to say with a grain of salt.
I really wish the "insiders" had divulged this information before. I'm glad we finally know the true stories of these horses rather than the insinuations and oblique references to their fates. I know a lot of my support for cber was based on the respect I had for the gals involved that I "met" on the boards. How could anything really underhanded be going on when there were so many good people involved? I assumed the board of directors had some influence on the corporation and/or the officers and volunteers would scream bloody murder in cases of, well, bloody murder. I know these people left because of "disagreements," but why didn't you tell us what those were?
A lot of the public controversies around CBER I could (and did) defend. >I can support a rescue prioritizing saving sound and trained horses. I had a conversation with Sam about a year ago where she was lamenting about the "sad case" horses being assessed and listed by others then no one would adopt them and she would be "stuck" with them. Once Sam became the sole assessor and arbitor of which horses were listed, this "problem" should have gone away. (In retrospect, my sympathizing probably helped enable her to continue her MO even though I had no idea what was really happening.) >I support euthanizing horses that are "unadoptable" and found to be dangerous, lame, untreatably ill, etc. in QT. >I support donating funds to pull old, injured, blind, etc. horses and euthanizing them if no one wants to adopt them >I support requiring an adoption fee even if the horse was bailed by donations (unless the horse is a companion only). This, of course, assumes the extra money is used to go back into the horses. >I support the mandated quarantine (I started following CBER when they started being blamed for horses off the feedlot infecting other horses at barns - remember the accusation that there was a crazy virulent disease coming off the lot that would kill any horse that came in contact with a CBER horse). >I can support not bailing horses unless bail, qt and home is in place. Every rescue has a different model for what works for them, and this one I believe is as valid as the others. You can "warehouse" only so many horses (I agree with Fugly on that one) >I also supported the quarantine being at Sam's. As a new adopter of my first horse from CBER (October 06) I was shocked to essentially be dropped cold after I paid bail. I was told I had to quarantine, but where was up to me with barely any guidance. The choices presented to me at the time were Deb's, Sam's, Dean's and "Spa" Shelley's. I think a horse had just died at Shelley's (and I was told horses had no shelter). There were insinuations of a "mud problem" at Dean's, plus Dean's would have added 4 hours onto pickup later. So my first horse went to Deb's, where his "old wounds" (that weren't old) went untreated and I later had to have surgery to cleanup because of the neglect during healing. My second went to Sam's, and when I went to pick them the two boys up, the quality of the facilities was night and day! I shudder to remember seeing little Alabama's head poking out of a dilapitaded stall at Deb's (didn't he die of "colic" or bastard strangles?). He was so sick, but was kept only feet from other horses (and when I was there, horses had "escaped" and were munching hay in front of his stall). Sam's was clean, horses were isolated, no mud, fresh hay, shelter. At least people (usually) got what they were paying for at Sam's. Logically, if Sam was being held responsible for the conditions of quarantine and she could do it, it made sense for her to do it. >I support a rescue having their expenses covered by donations, and I even support officers and employees of a non-profit getting paid. If Sam had wanted to make money, she could have been up front, told people this was a full-time job for her (which it pretty much is) and had taken a salary. That I could have supported, rather than taking secret $50 kickbacks from the KBs. A salary would have been less controversial and probably more "profitable." >I even can't castigate Sam for soliciting donations from people, even if in retrospect it seems manipulative. I guess I expect people have a level of responsibility for themselves and their actions. I'm a big girl, I never gave more time or money than I could afford.
So what I don't support? >A rescue taking donated funds to bail a horse then directly or indirectly (nudge nudge wink wink, they went to a nice home with Wayne) sending the horse back into the slaughter pipeline. Even to trade for a more "desireable" horse. Especially without notifying the supporters that the horse was becoming a problem. >Lying about the circumstances of horses shipping. (Although I suspected something was going on and I even noted to friends and family that it was pretty coincidental that certain horses shipped when it appeared people were becoming complacent.) >Lying to donators that a horse still needs funds when bail, qt, etc. had already been collected from another source (but again, people have to take somce responsibility for themselves) >Not informing the supporters of what decisions were made on certain horses (group adoptions, etc.) >A "paper" board of directors that is ineffective. I think the BOD should have fired Sam as president if they knew this all was going on. I'm not sure what the law is in Washington, but in California the BOD is responsible for the actions of the corporation, and a non-profit corporation cannot legally exist if the BOD and corporate structure is not functioning per its bylaws.
So anyway, "we" were able to save a hell of a lot of horses from slaughter with CBER. We can't be ashamed of that.
I don't get emotionally attached to the pictures of the feedlot horses anymore - I guess I'm somewhat jaded. I personally will take more action closer to home, as the problem of too many horses and not enough homes has spread to my area. At this point it's silly for me to pay $300 qt, $400 transport and $120 for travel papers to bring a horse to California when there a thousands going to slaughter every month. I can pick up free or virtually free horses in my backyard.
I will continue support and encourage people rescuing horses however they chose to do it. If someone wants to adopt a horse from Florida and have it shipped to Alaska - kudos to them. Because what is important is that a relationship is formed, a horse is loved, a human life is changed and more people will learn the inherent value of a living horse.
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Post by lurker on Jan 10, 2009 14:14:36 GMT -5
Beckybee - you are dead right. In WA the BOD has the ability to fire the ass off of any member they deem worthy of canning. Too bad Sam wasn't "canned" a long time ago.
A 501 is an entity not the personal belonging of one individual.
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Post by michelle on Jan 10, 2009 14:27:23 GMT -5
Beckybee - you are dead right. In WA the BOD has the ability to fire the ass off of any member they deem worthy of canning. Too bad Sam wasn't "canned" a long time ago. A 501 is an entity not the personal belonging of one individual. We couldn't have fired Sam, even though we wanted to. We weren't actually BoD. The Bod was always Sam, Megan, Wendy, and earlier included Sue and Vicki. Sam had told people (we found out after the fact) that she never intended to file the paperwork, either. She didn't trust that we would do as she told us.
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Post by lurker on Jan 10, 2009 15:54:25 GMT -5
I know that. I was not referring to you guys. The BOD still has the power....and is still the same group minus Kim.
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Post by michelle on Jan 10, 2009 16:11:55 GMT -5
I know that. I was not referring to you guys. The BOD still has the power....and is still the same group minus Kim. Both Megan and Wendy are not involved any longer. It is just Sam.
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Post by lurker on Jan 10, 2009 16:27:54 GMT -5
Where is the documentation stating that?
Oh, and that's sorta not legal.
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Post by michelle on Jan 10, 2009 16:56:04 GMT -5
Where is the documentation stating that? Oh, and that's sorta not legal. Like that has ever stopped her before.
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Post by lurker on Jan 10, 2009 17:18:42 GMT -5
it might start to.
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Post by phascallk9 on Jan 12, 2009 8:34:10 GMT -5
I've heard many people say the same thing Jenm...and I've also had other individuals tell me how much they would love to go onto the feedlot and buy a horse off Chuck...but because Sam is "in tight" with Chuckie, these people are no longer allowed on the lot....truly sad....only hurts the horses more...especially when you can buy a horse from Chuck for $200-$300! Not $1000.00 that CBER wants. Are you being serious about the price??? Why is the price so high on CBER if we can get the horses from Chuck for 2 or 300 dollars? Might be a stupid question but I am curious about that... Is it a fact that you could purchase a horse for the low amount?
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Post by phascallk9 on Jan 12, 2009 12:11:13 GMT -5
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Post by Kirsten on Jan 12, 2009 14:25:10 GMT -5
Kelly, Sofie never shipped. Sam had this... plan, you see. She felt that horses had to be "lost" every so often of people would grow complacent and not be so desperate to save them. She told me this. Explained it to me. She told me this too many many times. SICK! Playing on people's emotions. Also~I never knew that story about the foal....your post made me very sad...thank you for sharing it.
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Post by foxie on Jan 18, 2009 22:13:26 GMT -5
Wow...
I came to the check out this board right after I got one of the mass e-mails tonight in my inbox stating this is no longer a CBER-supported board.
I've read over what everyone wrote and I'm downright shocked. I'm still trying to ingest all of this, so please bare with me.
Some of you might remember me - Foxie - I started volunteering right after I adopted my TB from the lot in summer of 2006. Life has taken me other places and I have not been able to keep up with the rescue. In reading these stories from past volunteers I've recognize a lot of horse's names who I remember and often think about in passing thoughts.
Looking forward to understanding this matter more,
- Jen
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 20, 2009 15:08:40 GMT -5
I haven't worked with CBER since Sophie came home to me. The stories I was hearing were too numerous to ignore any longer. Personally I never had a bad experience (that I'm aware of!!) with the organization or with Sam. I don't, however, doubt that they happened or that they continue to happen. I'm so happy to have met the people I have through CBER and that I was able to help many horses that DID go to homes. For that I am thankful. That many horses didn't find their way home when they should have is a sad comment on the duplicity of humans. Thanks to those of you with more pure motives and actions. Thankfully we have helped many horses. ---Sophie's personal chef.... Vicki aka calgal98 & calgal982
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Post by kellyd on Jan 20, 2009 17:57:10 GMT -5
I haven't worked with CBER since Sophie came home to me. The stories I was hearing were too numerous to ignore any longer. Personally I never had a bad experience (that I'm aware of!!) with the organization or with Sam. I don't, however, doubt that they happened or that they continue to happen. I'm so happy to have met the people I have through CBER and that I was able to help many horses that DID go to homes. For that I am thankful. That many horses didn't find their way home when they should have is a sad comment on the duplicity of humans. Thanks to those of you with more pure motives and actions. Thankfully we have helped many horses. ---Sophie's personal chef.... Vicki aka calgal98 & calgal982 Vicki, How is Sophie doing?? That is one horse that I love very, very much!! I was so devastated when cber told us that she shipped, even though her bail, etc had been paid!! I cried my eyes out. Do you have any pictures you can share with us?? Please??? And, give her a sweet hug from me, ok? Kelly D.
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 20, 2009 20:36:15 GMT -5
Hey Kelly! Sophie is doing wonderful and thanks you so much for all you went through on her behalf. She says it was worth it to HER! I'm going to try to post a new photo of her in the next day or so, but here is one from last summer with my gdaughter aboard. i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/calgal98/IMG_0151.jpg
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 20, 2009 20:37:39 GMT -5
Okay, so don't beat me up for no helmet, etcs. Gpa and daddy took the photo and I was aghast at what they didn't do. But its a precious photo so its posted!! LOL V. And, Kelly, please feel free to come visit ANYTIME~! We have a guest room and a fifth wheel so always lots of room. Sophie would love to see you!
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Post by Tate on Jan 20, 2009 22:09:08 GMT -5
Oh Sophie looks very happy and round, I'm thrilled for her, and what a cute little rider she has.
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 20, 2009 22:13:58 GMT -5
Ah, thanks. She really should be named Soapie as thats what the younger kids call her. I love that. So I lovingly refer to her as Soapie...-)
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Post by kellyd on Jan 21, 2009 10:26:48 GMT -5
Hey Kelly! Sophie is doing wonderful and thanks you so much for all you went through on her behalf. She says it was worth it to HER! I'm going to try to post a new photo of her in the next day or so, but here is one from last summer with my gdaughter aboard. i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/calgal98/IMG_0151.jpgAhhh, Sophie; there you are!!! Thank you so much for loving her! I am sure glad that Tasha fought cber to have them list Sophie, even though cber didn't want to because the poor girl didn't have any teeth (or very many?).
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 21, 2009 11:17:29 GMT -5
LOL...I wasn't told about the teeth. Was quite surprised when I saw the condition. Vet says she probably never saw a float. We pulled a couple and she eats senior. She can't chew hay anymore, but does manage some grass when out on pasture. Her fronts are worn in a strange pattern that a friend suggested was from eating pasture on sand. They are just stubs. Most of the molars are gone. She stays fat on the senior, tho.
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Post by swissgrl on Jan 21, 2009 11:48:50 GMT -5
that is a cute picture, your granddaughter is adorable, and so is sweet Sophie!!!
BTW, I told my BF about Trevor (MacMuffin) nailing you when he was a baby. It's funny because he does have that independent attitude, and we both were like, yep, can totally see him doing that. But he is the sweetest thing, and loves to come for attention and scratches, but I think being out in pasture with the big guys, kinda put him in place a bit :-)
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Post by calgal982 on Jan 21, 2009 14:00:16 GMT -5
Yah, he behaved better when he got a bit older. As a baby, though, he was a Pistol!
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Post by atticus on Jan 21, 2009 21:52:07 GMT -5
Kelly, Sofie never shipped. Sam had this... plan, you see. She felt that horses had to be "lost" every so often of people would grow complacent and not be so desperate to save them. She told me this. Explained it to me. I can confirm that Sam would do this, she said this to me too about that it made people save more next time if a listed horse or horses shipped. She often made Chuck the "bad guy" in shipping deals when it was actually really her decision. I don't know if many of you remember "Morris" a, dark brown bay young stud colt of QH type that was on the lot in 2005 I think. He had people who wanted to save him and in fact specified sending money for him, although I never got to see the accounts to know if they did or not. However, the truck came and Chuck was willing to keep him back because I told him we had someone interested. However Sam wanted to keep back a new horse that wasn't listed yet and said to let him ship. I tried to argue about that but couldn't, and was told he was an unhand led stud colt and would be too hard to deal with. However he did have people that knew this and wanted to help him. In the end, it did no good, even when Chuck said, "are you sure?" She said yes and let him go. I always always felt bad about that and she lied and said Chuck said he had to go to "fill a spot". That is another common lie... Yes, it did happen once in a while legitimately, but other times she used it as an excuse. I also remember a similar thing happening to a horse even Wendy was trying to save, a little black mustang who was very mischievous. I had him separated and pulled when the truck was coming as he was supposed to be saved, but Sam didn't like his attitude as he would act studdy and herd other horses around and that day he p*ssed her off and she said to ship that SOB, that was OK with Chuck, but he did ask if she really meant it and she did. There are similar circumstances and others were lost... In reading all of this I just want to confirm that this statement is totally true. Sam would say "we have to let some ship so we can rally the troops." She liked to think of herself as King Arthur going into battle, hence the Camelot Farms name. When she started saying this all the time and then she started using CBER funds to build on her own place....I was out.....among other things that I don't care to rehash or remember. All I can say is I am in a much better place now. I do believe while I was there I did the best I could for each horse I came in contact with and did it honest, that is why I am not there anymore, I refused to be dishonest. You guys, don't dwell on this, Yes I think it is therapeutic to vent, vent it and let it go. There are soooo many horses that need our help right now, if we get together we can save our own. All good things come in time and you can bet Sam is running and I know they will loose their 501c3. What I do thank my lucky stars for everyday is that some of the horses I see everyday were saved, mostly due in part to Heidi. If I did not have Atticus or Oslo I would not know what to do. If Hawkeye hadn't urged me to save him, I would still be horseless, Brunhilda brightened mine and Hawkeye's life. If Velvet, Izzy, Abby, Dallas, Dreamer, Vanilla Bean, Hattie, Sky, Sweet Tart, Celeste, Ada, Elgance, Mindi & Mandi, Yuma, Shannon, Masquerade, Juliet & Tempest, Braveheart and Shannon, hadn't been saved I don't know what I would do, I cherish their smiling faces looking at me waiting for food. If Norma Jean hadn't been saved Carrie would have missed her best friend. If Hattie hadn't been saved Evelyn and Amber wouldn't have realized their dream. If Hope hadn't have been saved then Becca would not have her best friend. If the 3 in 1 hadn't been saved then Katy and Stephanie wouldn't have had their best friends. And to add a few more Willow, Piper, Honey, Melissa, Frisco, Kara and Baby Bean in her moms tummy, they have gone on to be adopted and live great lives. Dwell on the good stuff....CBER will fall, but you ALL did good while you were there in your own way. YOU will continue to do good. Sam's attitude and dealings reminds me of a bible quote a friend once told me...."Pride cometh before the fall" It will happen guys. By the way...Velvet was adopted today...so if she wasn't saved...Amy would not have her new best friend!
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Post by mkgbuegel on Jan 22, 2009 1:18:44 GMT -5
Very grateful for my Honey shes an amazing girl!!! Thank you Ashley and I completely agree. There is much more important stuff to dwell on. -Michelle
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loopy
Groovy Groom
Posts: 38
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Post by loopy on Jan 22, 2009 13:04:43 GMT -5
Yes! Very happy to have found my BFF Hope!
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Post by hytyme on Jan 31, 2009 13:01:46 GMT -5
You have said it well, Ashley. Dwell on the good...Through us some horses have been saved, some have been rehomed, some will live out their lives here, and some have passed on with dignity. Through CBER we have met many great horse people, and have had the opportunity to learn and grow and move on. However, some of our experiences have grown to be sad memories. With the re-rescueing of the CCG horses (another CBER fiasco), came Iris along with others. Iris is one whom will never be easily forgotten. We had such high hopes for her. She was coming along so nicely over the two years we had her. She was fat. happy, and beginning to trust again, but not long ago a tragic accident dashed our hopes for her. That was one of the saddest days ever since we have been involved in rescue; but, in her memory and that of others in need we will continue. In retrospect, CBER taught us that horse rescue can be done MUCH BETTER , and that is our goal.
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Post by chatty on Jan 31, 2009 22:01:39 GMT -5
I love my boys (askhim and Native Skywalker)....If it wasn't for my horses I'd be going crazy....
chatty
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cat67
Super Pooper Scooper
Posts: 17
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Post by cat67 on Jun 22, 2009 1:23:44 GMT -5
"In reading all of this I just want to confirm that this statement is totally true. Sam would say "we have to let some ship so we can rally the troops."
Gag.
I left CBER when the photographs of Soot after she came back from CCG's surfaced, and I also saw indisputable proof that CBER knew horses were starving there a full month earlier and had failed to pick up the rest of the horses in that month long period.
Even before I knew they were being abused more than starvation, that was enough for me. If you cannot get off your d**n couch, hitch up your trailer and go rescue YOUR horses that YOU were responsible for that YOU sent to a bad home, then you should not be in rescue. Sure, everybody makes placement mistakes - but you fix them as soon as you find out.
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