This is beyond my comprehension as a horse owner.   I went by the farm yesterday which has been seized by the humane society.  Words cannot describe the scene there.   This "women" that owns this farm had stallions running loose with mares for "years".  They believe that most if not all of the mares are currently pregnant.  They "think" that there are possibly 10 or 15 stallions and the rest mares......... No food, water, shelter was provided.  I talked with the president of the humane society at the scene (poor man has been there for 4 days) and he said that all of the horses were so infested with worms that they were literlly falling out of the rear ends of these animals.  Many of these horses have never had human contact making their job even more difficult.  They are working on moving all of them off the farm in the next few days.  Several rescues have taken as many as they can handle.

One lady had stopped by and said that this has been going on for 20 years..................My question to her was "Why didn't you neighbors call everyday and complain"????  Can't you tell when an animal hasn't had food?  Just look at these poor creatures.  There all bags of bones................

How does one go about educating the public?  I sure don't know.

I will say that the equine community, locally and nationally rallied around and came forth with SO MUCH needed hay, tack, vetinary care and money .  Makes me even more proud to be an American.

It's ironic that Maryland is so damned "anal" about everything from wearing seatbelts in your car to your kids wearing "helmets" while riding their bikes.........but the animal cruelty laws are so laxed it makes me ill. 

The director of the humane society in Washington County says they don't know as of yet wether there will be criminal charges filed.  Alot of the "neighbors" are reluctant to appear in court!   Why they need the neighbors is beyond me.  Just friggin look at the animals for god sakes........

He also told me that this women will probably only get probation for 3 years.  Which means here, she can't own an animal for the probation period "only".  She told the director  that she will be moving to North Carolina and wants to start a "horse" rescue.  What a nut case this person is.  She claims she did the best she could but things got out of control.  Oh and she has a degree in "animal" husbandry!  So you see, she's not in touch with reality.... 

Only we citizens can stop this type of abuse by being aware of our surroundings.  Make the darn call if you even suspect abuse.  Trust me, my neighbors are WEll AWARE that I keep my eyes open at all times....from Alpaca's to Zebra's, I'm on the watch for abuse........and this incident really through me over the edge........

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Maryland has no laws regulating the number of horses per acre. Pastures may need two or more acres to produce enough forage to feed one horse during the summer grazing months, according to the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.

This has got to be one of the worst cases of animal abuse I've ever heard of. I have read most all the articles on this today, and I am floored. This woman needs to be put in a padded room. Would you want this RN, who states she has done nothing wrong and has never mistreated an animal taking care of you or a family member.

Rich M.,,,,,,,,,,,,,I just read the article in the Frederick Post.  I agree with you.  What's up with this person?   Again, another person taking on more than they can handle and looking for financial help.   "Therapeutic" riding school??????  Definetly questionable.   This school should be supporting itself.  If not,,,,,,close the barn doors.  There's going to be MANY more winters in the future.  So what then???? 

I can feel a letter to the editor in the works here.........geesh!

Too many people get the idea I'll start up ( insert rescue, therapeutic riding, etc) and it will be a good thing. Now don't get me wrong I believe in the goodness of people and well executed and organized plans but be realistic everyone is not going to pour on the money freely. These groups seek 501 c3 status and act oh so poor please help. I know enough about this group and at least one other ( which plays barn roulette after the owner gets over the teary eyes and everybody complains enough of getting their hay and feed ripped off becaused there werent any donations this week/day/month). Nothing like watching disabled children screaming as the ottb ( cheap, free, etc.) races across the cornstalk stubble with "instructor" running behind.Compassion is not enough for these outfits to succeed. What some feel is compassion for animals is slow death for it and I fully believe that euthanasia is the ultimate form of compassion for some.

1 foal euthanized already from the Sharpsburg lot. The numbers will begin to pile up.

I read every article on this I could find. The one article I read said she was planning to move to NC to open a rescue for horses. HELLO!!!! I am from NC, and I think she better reconsider. Wanna see a true redneck from the Carolinas, let that happen around some of those good ole boys. I also lived in Maryland for 7 years, and I was shocked at the articles that said the neighbors did not want to get involved. Stupid people make me sick.

I have stated in the past that not until the "HORSE" is documented as a "Domestic Pet" instead of "Livestock", will lawmakers be able to make abuse and neglect of the horse a "criminal" offense that warrants "jailtime".  Yes I know that they say there are laws already on the books for this, but these are "livestock" not pets. (we don't eat horsemeat)  It's the "mindset" of the law enforcers that really can't be bothered with all the paper work and "work" needed to follow through.  

WE the people have taken this magnificent creature and made it dependent on us for it's survival.  And it must be the people to demand that the horse be re-classified as a "domestic pet". 

Like we all know, as horse people, we stand alone.  I've talked to many people in the past several days over this tragedy and most just look at me with the most dumbest expressions on their faces.  Comments like, "Oh yeah, I read about that".  No opinion one way or the other. No compassion.................

Well,,,,,,like I said in one of my previous post..................Look the hell out Marylander's if you aren't taking care of your animals because I'm gonna be your worst nightmare come true.

I'm going to make a call to the Frederick County Humane Society this week.  They will probably tell me to call Animal Control first.  No problem, will do, but the horses are probably in good shape.  The owner, right now, probably receives enough donations to feed the horses on a regular basis but wants constant "free" handouts from the general public. She's actually quite clever.  She knows how to tug at the publics hearts strings.  Have you ever seen her farm?  It's VERY VERY nice........................Mines nice too, but I have to use MY money to keep it that way..........................

By the way could any of you find it in your hearts and more so your wallets to help me build a 100 x 240 indoor arena? (lighted of course)............I'll even let you use it once in awhile (maybe).  You can email me @ GetMoneyForNothingAndFeedMyHorsesForFree.com

HEY!  It never hurts to ask.................................

Tranquilly Farm is also a boarding stable. My friend, who has boarded in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, was told she needed a special form of insurance to board there. I had never heard of it being required at a boarding stable, and she had never been required to produce it. When she checked with her insurance company, the requirement was very pricey. She boarded elsewhere, w/o this obligation. I go by Tranquilly most everyday on my way to work, as well as several other stables. If I see a problem, I do not hesitate to call the proper authorities. To date, the Tranquilly horses look fine.

While we are on the subject of horse well being, I would also encourage all of you to call any horse van companies driving dangerously. In commuter traffic, I was going down South Mountain on I-70 at 80mph (yes, I know, too fast, and 65mph limit), and an 18 wheeler horse van passed me like I was sitting still! I got the name of the company, logged the time, approximate mile marker, and what I could see in the passing blur (cowboy hat on dash). I found the company on the internet and sent a hot e-mail. The supervisor of drivers quickly responded, and said he was sending my e-mail in a memo to his drivers, and seemed appreciative of the info. I shared with him that "horse eyes" are everywhere!

Take Care,

Brenda

No, but the horses should be humanly put down...........and the owner put out of business.

The "media" need to stop with this already.   The FNP last week and now NBC 25.   Problem is, once it's out, it's out.