Mary Loeffelholz is a Scumbitch + Official Apathy

Reader Carol asked me to re-post this stunning case of official stupidity involving a neglect case, and I totally agree that it's worth broadcasting. First, though, I'd like to remind every single horse owner out there: when you're selling or giving away a horse, USE A CONTRACT -- one like this that specifies that you get first rights to buy back the horse if the new owner ever wants to sell (or give it away). Some contracts even state that the previous owner shall have the right to inspect  the new owner's horse and property at any time, and describes the minimum care the horse has to receive. I don't know if that part is legally enforceable... but the buy-back clause is. If you don't spend five minutes signing this little piece of paper, your horse could end up like THIS, and there's legally nothing you can do about it:

Mary Loeffelholz of Belleville, WI, is the scumbitch responsible for this cruelty. She got horses from careless people who'd got horses from decent people who'd given those horses away...without a buy-back contract. However, it's the local officials who have been letting this crap continue. They've been scolding Mary to "do better" with her 20 horses for 4+ years, but not actually taking real any legal action against her, much less getting the starving horses out of her hands.

Cheri Carr, Dane County Humane Officer, had issued an abatement order to Loeffelholz in 2008. It ordered her simply to provide regular food and water to her animals-- an order she appealed! (Her appeal failed after even her own mother testified against her.) However, that order expired in May 2011, and nothing was done since then.

Several news articles, here and here have made much of the fact that eight of the starving equines are now off of Mary's property, but what they fail to mention is that that's not really the doing of the officials themselves.

Several previous owners of the horses showed up and just plain took four of them. After making them take the horses back to their abuser, officials finally sort of acted when faced with the wrath of the would-be rescuers. One of those horses was put into protective custody, and the cops convinced scumbitch Mary to surrender seven more.The was also partially due to the heroic efforts of Madison lawyer Cynthia Fiene, who has been trying to get someone to do something for years. (I hear she has a website, but I can't find it-- if you know it, please share!)

However, there are still twelve starving critters in Mary's hands-- though she's moved them to her sister's place, where she probably hopes everyone will forget about them. Which the cops probably will, because they're still not making any legal moves against her, despite apparently agreeing that the horses needed to get out of there. No shit Sherlocks.

The cops are making the usual excuses about how long the legal process is to seize animals, etc...but come ON, it really takes more than four years?! Bullshit. Doug Vogeli, Director of Environmental Health Division, had more excuses:

- The cost of boarding, feeding and caring for so many large animals "is an issue." Wait, you mean the cost of caring for animals that several people have screamed about saving and are already willing to take care of? And how is it that we can spend millions of dollars giving convicted criminals health care, cable tv and workout equipment, but we can't spend a dime on helping tortured animals? Finally, don't we have animal control and humane societies for exactly this purpose?

- "The standard of care may not be what other people would want the horses to be kept at but the minimum standards were being met," says Doug. But isn't the decision of whether the minimum standards are being met a judgement call? Animal control does have to follow the law, but when you're looking at a law that says, "food must be present," and you see a pile of moldy straw, how about deciding that it's not really food?! Basically, the cops just don't want to push this case.

 I'd like to start working on writing a bill that would create stricter standards for animal care, and another that would allow officials to seize animals faster. Is there anyone out there with legal experience that could help? Who do you think might sponsor such a bill?

If you're upset about this situation, you can do the following:

Contact Doug Voegeli, and tell him to take real action: dvoegeli@publichealthmdc.com (608) 243-0360
Call Patrick Comfert, Animal Services Leadworker: 608-243-0309
Call Patrick's Boss,  Beth Cleary, Program Manager, Animal Services Unit: 608- 243-0327


Contact everybody's boss, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, at:
City County Building Rm 421, 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Madison WI 53703, 608-266-4114
Contact the Belleville Police Department and urge them to follow up on the case.
Contact the Oregon Horse Association, and tell them to spread the word among their members; neglected horses need homes, push the officials to prosecute, and never do business with Mary Loeffelholz!

Find Mylie A Home! + Entitlement Sucks

This is Mylie-- and she needs a home!

Many blogs feature adoptable horses from rescues. It's awesome-- but a little unfair. Horse rescues do work incredibly hard, and they deserve help and respect. But usually, they already have a support network. What about individuals?

I'm not talking about every Joe Shmoe that wants to "rehome" (sell) a horse because their daughter grew out of her pony phase. I'm talking about the honest, hard-working people who have opened their homes to a single animal in need, and don't want to make any profit. These people don't have highly visible, popular websites. They don't have 501(c)(3) status. They're getting no deals from vets or trainers, and they're generally not part of the rescue-involved "scene." They're just people trying to do the right thing. That's today's featured rescue.

This Quarter Horse mare is a gorgeous bay, fully broke, sound, healthy, and young (seven). She's also nice and tall at 15.2 hands. She's had her hooves, vaccinations and worming done. She's located near Markesan, WI. And she's free!

There's one problem: Mylie is a bucker. Not always, and not a bronco-bucker, but not for a beginner.

Her owner Todd says he has ruled out saddle fit problems, back injury or pain, teeth problems, rider error, and in short, everything he can think of. Todd got sold a lemon, but unlike many people, he won't send her to auction, he won't dump her on a dealer or an unknowing newbie, he won't give her away to just anyone, he's going to keep her until she finds a really suitable home. That's awesome.

Here's what Todd has to say about the bucking issue:

"She is a nice girl. She will saddle and take a bit fine. She will at times buck after first mounting or anytime while riding. It is not the aggressive bucking but a back step buck up and you can be thrown. It seems to be a fear or panic response to things. She can be ridden and before us had two young children riders but SHE IS NOT SAFE for a child and I will not market her as such. I want her to go to someone who has desensitizing training or experience with troubled horses and has the time she needs. She can appear perfect and sound and so I fear if in the wrong hands she would be remarketed and sold for profit and someone would end up hurt."

There are those of you that might complain that Todd needs to spend some money on training. That might be true if this was just a simple issue. The way Todd describes it however, it's a dangerous habit that may or may not be fixable-- meaning, even if he had the expertise or money to train her, he may never be able to fully trust Mylie. I can empathize with that. I had an Arabian cross gelding that was a fantastic horse-- except that he was hot, hot, hot. Fast, spooky, pushy and dominant, he scared me to death, and after a year of trying, I was simply not comfortable with, or capable of, doing more with him. Even if I had sent him to a trainer for 365 days, his personality was such that I would never have felt safe riding him. Likewise, Todd just doesn't feel safe riding Mylie...but he's not dumping her either!

Mylie needs a great home with someone who can work on her issue. Is it you? Are you one of those go-get-'em riders with training expertise and a little taste for thrill? Do you have experience working on bad habits? OR, do you need a gorgeous, sound young pasture mate?

See Mylie's Craigslist ad here, or contact Todd at funkltodd@hotmail.com -- but be warned, Mylie is only going to go to a GREAT home!

P.S. Todd says he's been getting a ton of criticism from all sides. Undoubtedly, there are those who are telling him to just shoot or euthanize poor Mylie, and those telling him he should keep her forever and ever and ever regardless of his safety. What really made me angry, however, was one response to his Craigslit ad, also posted on Craigslist:

Is this a scam (markesen)

---

Date: 2012-05-03, 3:04PM CDT

Reply to: see below ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

---

Theres an add for a free horse and I went to see it and I wasn't given it. I think it's a scam!!!!!!!! I wasted my day and so I don't want anyone else to waste theirs. I was told that she was rideable but told I couldn't ride. The guy who showed her got up and rode but when I asked why I couldn't i was told because she is unpredictable. So what she is free and I should have been allowed to get on her. I was told I wasn't a match for her because she needs an experienced handler. Why? I think this guy jusst wants to waste peoples time and has nothing better to do.

Isn't that the most bratty, entitlement-filled thing you've ever read?!  I just had to respond:

To the person complaining about not getting the free horse:

- They rode themselves and didn't want YOU to ride because of the possibility of a lawsuit if the horse injured you.

- They didn't give you the free horse because they obviously thought you were not going to be a good owner

- It's THEIR horse, and they have the right to decide who to give it to-- i.e. a GOOD home

- This whiny, entitlement-filled ad PROVES you are not going to be a good owner

- If you want everything your way, try actually paying for a horse

Okay folks-- spread the word! Find Mylie a home! I have faith in you :)  Don't forget to watch the Kentucky Derby tomorrow, Sat. May 5th! It will be on NBC at 5:24 pm central time-- but if you want a preview of the horses and jockeys, you should of course tune in earlier.

Shame on UW River Falls

Alright, yes, somewhere, somehow, people need to learn proper horse breeding techniques. Preferably at a school, where responsible, experienced adults are there to supervise. The University of Wisconsin River Falls apparently decided to start filling that role, and thus, their horse breeding program was founded!

...except they left out the "responsible" part.

This guy's name is "Rambos Smoking Hot." The name alone is nearly criminal. He was bred, along with a couple dozen other colts, at UW River Falls, broke to ride before age two, and sold at auction last year. Oh, and before they shoved him into the ring, they bred him to two mares. At two years old. He's not totally horrible looking...though his left rear leg looks very turned-out, he neck is rather short, and I think he's a bit tied in at the knee. But hey, sure, break and breed him before age two! What?!

Here's the list of two-year-olds up for sale this year. There's forty-three of them. It's unclear how many have been bred by UW River Falls and how many have been consigned, but a disproportionately large number of them are stallions.   ( Looks like I'm wrong about this one-- thanks for the correction JayGirl!)

Why is a state-sponsored school irresponsibly pumping out tons of foals every year when we have so many excess horses? Do they really need that many to teach with?

Why is UWRF breaking horses at age two or earlier, when research clearly shows that doing often results in lasting harm to the horse? A two year old horse is equivalent to a 11-13 year old human. Just because they're big enough to do some homework doesn't mean they're physically or mentally ready to start full-time work like loping into sudden turns.

Finally, why is UWRF breeding two year old stallions to mares, before the stallions have any kind of performance record, or proven ability at anything?

Oh, and here's the cherry on the cake: not only are they irresponsible breeders, they're irresponsible owners. I just got an email from a Yahoo group, about how they're selling off their old school horse(s) for cheap rather than give them a decent retirement:

"University of Wisconsin River Falls is having their annual colt sale May 5.  After the colts from the reining class are sold they will be selling some of the schoolies.  One up for sale this year is Armani.  He is a Selle Francaise I believe and is about 20 years old and was a 3rd level dressage horse before being given to UWRF.  He has been used in beginning hunter/jumper classes as well as advanced classes.  Had an injury in the pasture a few years back but has no issues because of it.  Coach for the hunter/jumper team has never had issues with him and he can handle beginners as well as intermediates and advances though does require lighter work just due to age.  He's a great boy. I've ridden him myself and seen video of some VERY bad riders on him.  Not so much as a twitch or a bat of an eye.  He's just great. They're looking for about $350-500 for him.  At least dealer price on him.  Had some unscrupulous buyers the last few years and all of us who have been around and ridden this old boy want him to go to a great home.  Thanks so much!

contact info for Armani: Kris Hiney at UWRF (715) 425-3704 or email at kristina.hiney@uwrf.edu   She can be a little slow in responding especially during spring since she's in charge of the breeding stallions and mares at the school so please be patient if you don't contact her.  If you don't hear from  her in a week try again. "

When I tried to find any more information about Armani or any of the other UWRF school horses for sale, on the school's website or anywhere else, I found nothing.

SO, not only are they dumping off old school horses that have give them years of service, they're not even bothering to advertise them well in order to find them decent homes. Armani sounds like a fabulous horse, one any dressage kid would die to have, and I found out about it via a fan of the school posting on a Yahoo email list?! Maybe, just maybe, they could concentrate on taking care of their hard-working seniors rather than pumping out more babies?! Or at least try to do even a half-assed job of promoting them when they do dump them? Armani is about 50 years old in human years-- a hell of a time to shove him into an auction ring. It's like all those guys who are laid off from their factory jobs in their 50s, replaced by Chinese or Mexican workers overseas...except more sad, because horses don't even have welfare and social security to fall back on.

Dear River Falls: you do not have, "one of the strongest equine programs in the nation," with, "the latest theories on nutrition and exercise, to breeding, raising, training and riding young horses." If you did, you wouldn't act like irresponsible bastards.

"Horse For Sale: No Tire-Kickers!"

I'm seeing a lot of horse-for-sale Craigslist ads lately that scream, "No tire-kickers!" I thought this was weird to see in a horse ad. I imagine a really sleazy used car salesman screaming this at people.

"You want the mileage? I'll give you mileage. Get the hell outta here!"

A tire-kicker is apparently someone who isn't really interested in buying whatever you're selling. They show up, ask a ton of questions, maybe take a test drive (ride) but never make an offer.

I understand how that can be frustrating. No one wants to waste their time. I've posted a solution below*. However, I have three objections to seeing this statement in an ad.

1) How do you know the difference between a "tire kicker" and someone who is truly trying to find the best horse to suit their needs? Personally, when I buy a horse I ask roughly 72,000 questions and try to spend as much time as possible with the animal. Buying a horse is only slightly less life-changing than adoption-- and as expensive. If the animal turns out to be a bad fit, you are going to be the one responsible for re-selling it to a good home, re-training it or continuing to board and feed your mistake. Hasty decisions are not a good idea. If you the seller are trying to push a horse on a buyer without having a fair idea of whether they will be a good match, you are irresponsible-- the horse or owner could wind up injured.

"Kids? I'm sure Sugar would be great with 'em. Ground manners? She's ok. Take her home!"

2) As a person selling something, isn't it sort of your job to answer questions and let people look at your stuff? Are you really expecting someone to show up and immediately say, "Oh yeah, that one looks pretty, we'll take it!"

3) Even if your "buyer" is an actual idiot when it comes to horses, isn't it worth a few minutes of your time to try to educate them a little, in the hopes that they will be less likely to harm themselves or a horse in the future? I once sold a young, hot, half-Arabian gelding. In my ad, I specifically mentioned that he was hot, spooky and not a horse for children. One caller was a father of two girls, aged 11 and 12, who was looking to buy his first horse ever-- for the whole family to ride. He liked mine a lot. He wanted to know what a "Coggins" was. I spent twenty minutes on the phone with him explaining some basic facts of the equine world, and directing him towards a local horse rescue that I knew wouldn't try to screw him. At worst, I wasted a whole twenty minutes of my time. At best, I may have saved Dad or his young daughters from a nasty fall, and a horse (mine or another) from a potentially bad situation. Totally worth it.


P.S.: This blog post was inspired by an idiotic Craigslist ad you can read here. The seller spends 99% of the ad whining about how she can't fathom why no one wants her horses. "No tire-kickers!" she screams. She then gives precisely zero details about the horses besides price, height and age, saying, "I'm sure you have seen their previous ads so not going to bore you with details- email with any questions." Um, what?! I managed to track down her other ads here. If you want to spend $1,800 on an average (admittedly calm) Appaloosa mare whose only skill is trail riding, please let me know-- I can find you two horses of the same quality for half the price!

LOL look- she "walks through water!" Totally worth $1,800.

*The Solution to Time-Wasters:

I've heard of, but never experienced, horse "buyers" who just want to come out, pet a horse and ride it for free. The solution to this is simple; explain that because you want to ensure that both horse and buyer are a good fit for each other, you have a "two visit minimum." The buyer needs to visit the horse on two different days before purchase, and test-rides only happen on the second visit. Use words like, "safety," "don't want you to rush," "give you time to think," "really get to know the horse" etc. Not only is that responsibly ensuring that horse and buyer will be a good fit, it discourages time-wasters who just want a free ride on their first visit.