Fall News & Free Horses

There's lots going on in the Wisconsin horse world these days, so let's dig right in:


Feist Soon to Face Trial

 Michael Feist of the horrific Otter Creek, Polk County WI neglect case will appear for a motion hearing on Sept. 30th. This motion hearing will determine whether the court will combine his trials for resisting an officer, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct with the horse neglect trial. Feist is currently scheduled to have a pretrial hearing on Friday October 3rd at 11am. With any luck, his trial will begin before the year is out.

Michael Feist is charged with four felony counts of mistreatment of animals causing death, 15 misdemeanor counts of intentional mistreatment of animals, and 15 misdemeanor counts of intentional failure to provide proper food and drink to animals. Read more about this truly awful case here... and then don't forget to write to (or call) the DA in this case, and ask him to prosecute Feist to the fullest extent of the law!Polk County District Attorney Daniel P. Steffen
1005 West Main Street, Suite 300
Balsam Lake, WI 54810

715-485-9231
daniel.steffen@da.wi.gov

Thiry Demands Stallions or Cash

 Barb Thiry the horse hoarder/abuser is petitioning Waupaca County to either give her the two stallions still being held at a court-appointed boarding facility OR reimburse her the value of the horses. Which is damn ridiculous, as those horses would be DEAD if they were still in her care, or in other words have a value of exactly zero dollars. However, the court may have no choice. Please write to the court and tell them that Thiry doesn't deserve to be paid for starving horses, and certainly shouldn't get any horses back!

Hon. Raymond S. Huber Waupaca County Courthouse 811 Harding St. Waupaca, WI 54981

Speaking of Sickening...

There's an update on EHV-1 here: now three horses in Dane County have tested positive.

Humans should beware as well; enterovirus has hit the Madison area.



On a Happier Note:

Midwest Horse Welfare just had another super fantastic fundraiser at a Packer's stadium concession stand-- congratulations to them, and kudos to all the volunteers who worked so hard! Go see some pics on their facebook page. Midwest's next fundraiser is the Golden Apple Give-Away, where you can win $1,000 in cold hard cash if you correctly guess where a horse will poop within a given area. That's right folks, it doesn't get more entertaining! And don't forget about their Fun Show and Tack Swap on Sept. 27th at the Waupaca Fairgrounds.

"Rooster" Found


Next up, many of you have been following the case of "Rooster," a handsome barrel horse that has been missing, presumed stolen, from Ann Zimmerman's farm in Walworth County. Rooster was just found dead in an isolated and brush-filled part of Zimmerman's property. The cause of his death is currently not known. Ann Zimmerman's boyfriend posted a partial explanation and apology today on Facebook:

Sudden Farm Closure Leaves Supporters Dismayed, Puzzled

Douglas Legacy Farm of LaValle, WI, which has long been a supporter of US veterans and horse therapy for veterans, has suddenly announced it will be closing. Farm events scheduled for this fall have also been cancelled. Susan Wellman, director of the American Standardbred Adoption Program, had also been named Programming Director for Douglas Legacy Farm for 2014. She seemed to think that the closure might only be seasonal, but did not know any more. There is no word about what will happen to the horses donated to the program. There was no comment from the owners of the farm by press time. Stay tuned for more information here.

EDIT 9/17/14: I received this email response from Douglas Legacy Farm:

Hello, No, the Douglas Legacy Farm is not closing. It is halting outdoor activities until next spring to allow for the renovation of a 140 year old barn. This is to ensure the safety of the public. The house will continue to be open for indoor meetings for veterans groups. Watch for our newly renovated barn next spring when outdoor activities will resume. Thank you for asking. 

  Bev Vaillancourt

 

Best (Worst) of Craigslist

This ad speaks for itself... *facepalm*














More Free Horses

14 year old registered bay Arabian mare. Broke, but has had a seizure, hoof issues. Poynette. Ad here.

25 year old very broke pony and 15 year old mare who was broke at some point. Mare has ringbone. Appleton/Sherwood. Ad here.

Senior donkey (20?) near Appleton/Shawano County. Current Coggins. Ad here.

Two paint mares, 9 and 15 years old, not broke. Near Janesville. Ad here.

Three mares, one Hackney two Saddlebred types, near Janesville. Two kid broke, but one needs serious work. Ads here, here and here.

8 year old mustang mare, mid-20s Quarter Horse gelding. Broke but not ridden for years. Sparta. Ad here.

23 year old registered Arabian mare, not broke. Wausau/Hatley. Ad here.

10 year old bay QH mare. Not broke. Health issue? Kewaunee/Green Bay. Ad here.

24 year old paint gelding. Broke, but soundness issues. Madison. Ad here.

Senior grade gelding with medical issues, owner can no longer care for him. Forest Junction. Ad here.


 In Simms, Montana, a large herd of mustangs needs to find homes ASAP. Owner claims they are "Spanish" mustangs. There is some indication they may go to slaughter if they do not find homes. None are halter broke, some can be touched. Many mares are pregnant. 5-6 foals and at least one stallion available. Contact Loreen Skinner via Facebook, or call 406-899-5517. The owner may be able to have them brought to Great Falls, MT, but otherwise transportation and roundup is up to you.