‘Cause God forbid you sell them before they look like this
Nov 16 2009
Another day, another selfish, egotistical idiot who would rather let her horses starve to death than admit that she’s broke and can’t take care of them. Today our offender is Judy Caton. Judy has some extremely nice Quarter Horses including a very nice reining horse named Meerly Inwhizable. Judy’s web site has gone poof (no, really?) but thanks to the magic of the Google Cache, you can see his page here.
Meerly Inwhizable used to be a fine looking horse, as can be seen if you click here. Now, uh, well, you can see his current condition at left. This is RIDICULOUS. Just about ANY reining horse breeder would be HAPPY to care lease this stallion (I’m noting that now I’ve been told he’s a gelding and her site does show him to be a gelding. OK so we’ll edit to “any reining horse competitor” as that is true also – this horse has won a lot and anyone would enjoy having him to show and, you know, FEED him). He is starving for one reason: Because Judy Caton is a stubborn, egotistical idiot who doesn’t want everybody to know she can’t afford to feed her horses. Well, Judy, now the world knows! Now, will you give up your poor horse to somebody who has hay money?
It’s one thing when you have horses that no one wants…the kind of horses that even the kill buyer turns up his nose at. It can be a little more challenging to get those moved along, even when offering them for free. But it’s not even MILDLY challenging to place a horse with this horse’s accomplishments. Unless this woman is completely, off-every-possible-rocker mentally ill, there is no explanation for this. And given that she has been showing and running the frickin’ Washington Reining Horse Association, I would imagine she’s relatively lucid. Bet she’s plenty lucid enough to write me legal threats after I publish this blog.
Sadly, this stallion isn’t the only one suffering. All of these pictures were taken recently on her farm. (Clue #1: Everybody has a camera phone. They don’t flash and you can turn the clickety noise off.)
Now, here’s the interesting thing about this situation. Snohomish Animal Control, which had NO problem prosecuting people like Jean Elledge, seems to be protecting equally neglectful Judy Caton. They have discouraged media attention in this case, and at last report have decided to allow her to keep TWENTY FOUR horses. Are they smoking CRACK? Who is she buddies with at Sno-Co? She should not be allowed to keep a single horse. Visitors to the property found the horses not just without food but without WATER. Um, the only reason your horses don’t have water is that you are a lazy-ass bitch who won’t get off the couch to water them. It’s not like you have to go to the feed store and have a working credit card to water them.
Judy, the world already knows you’re broke. Anybody who can use the Washington Court Search can see how often you’ve been sued or had judgments against you that have gone unpaid. This is not a secret. Your starving horses are not a secret. You cannot cover this up. Surrender those horses now while they are still breathing to good homes, and then do something sensible to rebuild your finances – like lease out your very nice property to someone who can feed their horses. The worst part is heading into winter knowing how many of you are out there…how many herds of broodmares are sitting on pastures that can’t be seen from the road, getting thinner and thinner, pregnant bellies sticking out underneath hipbones that grow more prominent by the day. We’re going to see a lot of these wrecks this winter, though not often with quality horses like these. I just cannot fathom what kind of selfishness makes you hang on to horses YOU can’t feed that LOTS of other people would want. Do you really think you’re going to get money for them? Not looking like that, you’re not. Face reality, swallow your pride and give your horses a chance to survive. That poor stallion is only nine years old!
Oh, for anybody who wants to ask Snohomish County Animal Control why they are allowing her to keep two dozen horses and if there are charges pending, their # is (425) 388-3440. I’m very curious to hear what you are told (and if different officers come out with different answers, so find out who you’re speaking to!) I don’t see any reason there shouldn’t be criminal charges, looking at those pictures, do you?
175 comments to “‘Cause God forbid you sell them before they look like this”
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This is just horrible! Any horse owner with common sense would have sold off some of their herd by now. It might be hard to part with some of your horses, but ya gotta realize that it’s for the better. Those horses totally deserved better, I mean, they didn’t choose to have her as an owner. Horses cannot speak up for themselves, so we have to decide things for them, and the least Judy could have done was offer them for sale. I know many people who would have loved to own and show Meerly Inwhizable! N what the hell is with this no charges shit! What she did was %110 preventable and her fault, so charges are a must! By not pressing charges, your telling people that this is OK to do, and you won’t get in trouble for it, and even get to keep some of your animal! Just sick…
BTW- I sent judy a friend request via facebook, so if she accepts, I may be able to get some inside info!
You don’t think Judy can read this blog? Brilliant!
Check out this gem, he’s homozigus!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/grd/1470523437.html
WTF does the tarp prove? That he’ll be wrapping-paper compatible for x-mas?
No matter how anyone tries defending her, those horses don’t deserve that kind of care! It’s too bad people can’t see past the potential dollar signs, and do what needed to be done long ago. My 29 year old TWH was in better shape than those horses and he was dying of cancer! The vet that put him down, couldn’t believe how shiny his coat was, or how good he still looked. People that care will try anything to keep their animals well fed and healthy, and Judy surely doesn’t care for anything other than the financial gain she thought she’d get…
I had some luck contacting a person who sent out an email last week sometime when they thought the horses would need homes (I got the email this morning after it had been forwarded along by several people). I emailed him offering to take 1-2 horses and got a polite response with an update on the situation. Here it is:
“Thank you all so much for your interest in helping these poor horses. Snohomish Animal Control contacted me saying the owner is cooperating fully with them, that they are working with veterinarians and have a treatment plan in place. They have asked me and others to step back and let them handle the situation. Most importantly, they said that all horses are getting food and water. They encourage anyone with questions to contact their office at 425-388-3440 select option 9, M-F 9am-5pm. Or by email at: Vicki.Lubrin@co.snohomish.wa.us .
Thanks kindly for your interest in helping. You are also welcome to try contacting the Caton Ranch directly.”
I could care less about people so I just hope the horses come through this ok.
That same scenario happened with Pushmataha County Sheriffs department in Oklahoma. In the case with Dawn Hahler (who fugly wrote about in another blog) when someone contacted the Push County department to try and help the animals they were told that Ms. Hahler was being cooperative and things were under control. Lieing through their teeth to seem cooperative is more like it. I really hope that something came of this, or comes of this rather, and that those animals will get some real help. People need to man up and do what is right instead of doing what is wrong to save face. Every person who does this because they have “to much pride” need to be stabbed in the face with a pen. BTW: the whole compliance thing with Ms. Hahler went along for a few months before someone actually pressed charges against her and she was finally arrested and taken to jail. I left her home a year ago and in December of last year she was finally charged. WTF? It just pisses me off that the Sheriffs department will sit there and say “oh we can’t charge someone because we have no one to take the copious amounts of animals off of the property” when you have been sending many, many, many rescues and loving homes to their doorstep to help. Get a clue people!
Sorry animal mistreatment always makes me mad. *sigh*
Jiver – THANK YOU for posting. I knew from what I was hearing that this was an extreme situation and your post does not surprise me. I have been there, done that, in a similar situation – always hearing that money was coming in, that she just needed a little help temporarily, that this wasn’t how she normally took care of horses. I bought hay too and you know what happened? Same thing. She bred again. These people have a mental problem…they will not stop breeding even when they cannot provide the most basic of care. They HAVE to have their horses taken away, they HAVE to be prosecuted…it’s the only way to get the message across, because in their fantasy world, the money will come in and everything will be fine again…even when there’s no realistic source of possible income. The only wake-up call that works is cruelty charges and a potential felony record.
Judy has received directions from her attorney that she is to retrieve all of her horses that have been farmed out. People Helping Horses has/had two of her horses. Judy will be picking them up either today or tomorrow. PHH has received donations for the care of these horses. ALL donations made in regards to Judy’s horses will be returned. PHH will not accept any donations that are to be used for the care of Judy’s horses.
Doesn’t matter, we will still keep fighting to get them all off your property Judy!!!!!!!!!!! You just work your ass off… Because “We have just started our fight”!!!!!!!
Good job Jiver,
Get the name(s) of the vets that examined these horses. Were treatment plans given for horses that remain in Ms Caton’s care?
Thanks
These pictures are truly heartbreaking. Well shes going thru bankruptcy, I think that she would have had to get rid of all these horses. She probably had an auctioneer look at the horses and was given the heads up that if you get them thin enough even the meatman wont buy them. The horses are sold for meat. debtors dont care. Noone will take or want them. So these are probably worth the most or maybe her favorites?? too bad she dosent realize the damage she is doing to her horses systems. Going thru a bankruptacy you have no rights to anything you own. Even if you own it outright. Perhaps she was told not to sell the horses or else she would be sent to federal prison. my brother went thru it and they wanted to take his family dog (it was a breed dog, and they werent breeding the dog either she was spayed)) and sell it. the debtors are coldhearted and ruthless,they dont give a shit, they only want their $$ back at any cost. if you die from the stress even better yet for them. This economy sucks for everyone out there,lets hope the remaining horses are taken care of properly.
ridetilldawn, I will face you anytime. what are you going to do? beat me up? give me a break! are you going to try and get me banned because I have an opinion? just exactly how old are you again? 12? I can go show my horse anywhere anytime and the second you say jack shit to me I file complaints and you get suspended. thats how it works. but boy what an eye opener that the NRHA membership is filled with people like you who feel they have a right to go after ANYONE just because they supported someone you hate? for the record, I have made no threats against you and now you are making them towards me, hiding behind a nickname on a blog? its somehow ok for you to post my name but are to much of a coward to post yours? says a lot about your character…coward.
double standards here? last time one of Cathy’s friends got publicly named on her blog she quick removed it and shut the blog down. awesome, cant name her friends as thats against her rules, but feel free to name someone else who HASNT done anything wrong other than say what she thought and its ok. good drama for the blog!
shekaberry – They’re trying to protect him from the rain, like they do with cars. Got to make sure he’s clean for the buyers. xD
You can name my friends, and if someone named you because they know your screen name is you, well, who told them that? I did not reveal that information to anyone so it must have been you. What I removed previously was friends’ addresses and phone numbers. I’d edit out yours, too, if someone posted it.
No 5 min pins:: It’s sad that the NRHA has to have Breeder’s like Judy…. I don’t hate Judy, just very upset about this whole thing… And for me going after you???? A lot of people on this blog have opinions of you.. You are just pissed at me because I said your name. I have made no threats against you at all. Just my opinion on the blog not a threat.. Show me where I said a threat to you??? Beat you up, are you kidding?? Please, why would I waste my time doing something like that,.. all just my opinion just like everyone else on here.. I know who you are and that is all that matters to me. What no contact with you…. I also thought many of the others wanted to know who you are. Your the only one on here standing behind her and think that she is in a state of mind to care for all the horses she had on her property when the proof is in front of you that she CAN’T…………………. Just my OPINION
I emailed some of this information to KOMO news, some from this post and from auctionhorses.proboards.com
http://auctionhorses.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=inneed&thread=71&page=1
KOMO news replied:
“Could you tell me where these horses are located? Have you contacted Snohomish Co Animal Control about this situation? Do you know if Animal Control is investigating, or has responded to the location?”
Can anyone contact KOMO news tip line with the address to the Caton ranch?
tips@komo4news.com
I’m late to the party but am horrified at the condition of these horses. I’m even more dismayed to hear that `some aren’t that bad’. How do you make the choice to feed some and not others? How do you walk right by a starving horse with feed because he may not be worth as much on the market? WTF?
These pictures and information needs to be forwarded to the AQHA and any other association she has involvement with. Get this woman banned/suspended/barred whatever so she will stop this insanity. She can’t feed her horses but she can afford her internet connection and seems to have nice property…There is NO EXCUSE to allow this to happen to your animals. I am particularly sickened by that `Whiz’ horse being in that state. It would appear he may not be able to recover from this neglect and what a shame. I’m sure lots of people would have paid her good money for him before he got down this far. Maybe even enough to FEED the rest of the herd for a month or more…..
For the record, while I understand the reasoning behind not wanting to enable her, there is no way in hell I could not help if I was able and close enough. Starvation is too soft a term for what is going on. Those animals are SUFFERING. How can anybody say if we knew the whole story we would think different? I can’t fathom any reason that would cause me to think different on this issue….there is a special place in hell for this woman and her supporters.
I contacted news tips at KOMO, KIRO and King5.
KOMO news:
tips@komo4news.com
KIRO:
http://www.kirotv.com/contact/index.html
KING5 news:
http://www.king5.com/on-tv/contact
KING5 investigators:
investigators@king5.com
ridetilldawn, perhaps there are people on this blog who would like to know who you are also! By all means stand up and let them know who you are. I am betting they will support you even more. could be good for you. But heres the deal, many things said on the internet can be taken in many different ways.
“Well now people know who at least one person that is standing behind Judy..Good luck facing all of us at the WRHA shows now. Your name will run right along with Judy’s”
I take that as a threat. why do I need some good luck when I face you at a show? are you going to physically harm me? Are you going to scream and yell at me? Are you going to hurt my horse to get even with me? How am I supposed to know? Your the one that said it not me so I can only ASSUME you mean harm when you tell me good luck facing you.
You are welcome to send me another email. I know you have my email address. You have chosen to not hear anything I have said. I know your mad, I never said you didnt have a right to be mad. I also have some rights, and if I feel like standing up for someone that you currently hate it is my right. If you choose to hate me for that, again its your right and I have no problem with that. But you do not have the right to threaten me. You can choose to hide behind the anonymity of a nickname on a blog or you can send me an email and rip me a new asshole there all you want. I will check my inbox in the morning. I would really hate to keep thinking your a coward when I know you can do better than threats made on a blog.
I have not seen anyone threatening violence here – I believe the inference there was that your online opinion will be remembered in real life and you may not be the most popular person at the shows. Hey, I’m sure some of my online opinions will not make me popular at some shows. That’s the risk we all take when we choose to state an opinion.
A threat is like the dude from Arkansas’s wife who was going to break my face. I think those were her exact words. That’s a threat.
Ridetilldawn, you are sounding like one of the 2 who initially made threats to take the horses. Is this your way of getting back?
I also took ridetilldawn’s comment to mean that you will be looked down upon by other members at shows…embarressed to show your face…. that sort of thing. Maybe even guilty by association. I find it hard to believe that you would take it as a physical threat to your horse when the reason she is posting here is for the welfare of horses. Even for you to assume she was referring to violence, you would have to take the comment WAY out of context. Perhaps it is you that is not listening.
I notice in your last comments you did not offer to answer any questions or make any further defense on your friends behalf, which is supposedly why you are here to begin with. You made it clear that she was in fact taking better care of the better bred horses and trying to get rid of the culls first, all the while trying to make it sound like that was not what was going on. Care to elaborate? Did the horses she wanted to keep just look healthier because they were better bred? Was it just a coincidence? Did she stop feeding the other horses so people would feel sorry for the crappy ones and take them first? Why do you expect us to believe your side of the story when you offer no hard evidence, while the other side can at least show pictures/first-hand accounts? Then there is still the question of, why did it take up until the last week or so for her to start moving her ass and doing something about it. Was she waiting for the economy to suddenly rocket back up and feed prices to drop? Her pastures to grow a foot overnight? Everyone has posted very specific, yet basic questions, which so far, you have been unable to answer. Yet some posters who do not even know Caton are able to give us some very private info, I.e. status on bankrupcy, assets, etc.
This woman is undoubtedly an AQHA member and should be reported to them as well. I’ll be looking for her name in the back of the AQHA Journal under suspensions.
Bankruptcy is NOT a excuse! You either sell the horses BEFORE you file or you can rehome until your numbers are where you can take care of them. Unfortunately I know people with horses that have gone thru bankruptcy, but the horses were never starved!
5minpins, your defense of this Judy person is ridiculous. What she did was wrong and completely avoidable. Feeding some horses and not others is like feeding only some of your children – feeding one of them does not excuse starving the other.
Ok, here is an example of what you do when you are having money problems. Judy Caton, are you reading this? And for anyone looking for nice horses, this lady has really nice horses, and they really need a home….
“I am posting this with permission. Julie Bair, whom some of you may know, has fallen on hard times. She has to move her well-bred, well-trained Morgans and driving carts on NOW. Some of these Morgans and the Morgan/Percheron cross may not yet be trained to drive but the potential is there, surely.
Here is her contact information:
—————-
Hi Everyone;
Life has not gotten any better for us and I MUST sell some of these great Morgans. They have had the best of care, training and handling and are very appropriately trained to their age and level of ability. I can not keep them over the winter so I am now offering them to a good home for best offer. I can’t see myself taking them to the local livestock sale. I don’t know what else to do.
1) I have a foreclosure notice on my place and only part time job driving school bus. Can’t even come close to paying the bills, much less a
mortgage. I am bankrupt at age 60!
2) The fifty thousand dollar addition I built in 2002 is falling down and neither Allstate or the contractor will take responsibility for it.
Allstate says it was not built to withstand winter in NW Pa and the contractor says we had exceptionally heavy snow. I am stuck in the middle, can’t sell it and there is nothing I can do (alone) to repair it. It has been for sale for 18 months and no one has even looked at it.
3) I made the mistake of adopting a teenager last February (Natalie). She ran away in June rather than be away from her boyfriend for four weeks to
go trail riding across America with us. Children’s Services is currently
suing me for child support for her.
4) Morgan is no longer with me. I think she reached her stress limit with all that has been going on. She blames me but I think it has just been
too much uncertainty as to where we would go and what we will do. What will
happen to the horses, etc. It’s just too much.
5) I am worried sick about my horses, little dogs and two old kitties. I don’t care if I end up living in a box but I can’t bear to let them suffer.
I have:
JMF Smoothy (Three Ks New Yorker x JMF Black Magnolia) f. 2005. Black.
15.1hh. Has hundreds of hours of work here at home and three months with a Clinton Anderson trainer. Smoothy is a talented sport horse and could be a good trail horse and / or jumper. Stallion but could easily be gelded. I paid $4,000.00 as a 7 month old, untouched colt. Will accept best offer.
Maritime Amazing Nola (Amazing Kite x JMF After Eight) f. 2005. Brown
mare. 15hh. Sturdy, typey, pretty head, leg in each corner. VERY quiet.
Suitable for anyone to ride. Has miles on the trail and in the arena. Nola is a keeper. Make an offer and give her a good home.
Maritime Amazing Aura Lee (Amazing Kite x Meldon X-Quisite) f. 2006. 15hh
Black mare, two hind socks, snip on nose and lower lip. This is the 3
year old black filly Morgan rode across America this summer. She is a
fantastic trail horse, crosses water, swims, crosses open metal grate bridges, go anywhere. Climbs mountains like a goat! Another one I would keep and Morgan swore she would never part with. But Morgan is gone now so make an offer, take her home and love her.
Almost Emerald (JMF Smoothy x Iowa Sioux) coming two year old 3/4 Morgan
1/4 Percheron sport horse. This filly will be worth her weight in gold someday. She is lovely, athletic and should mature at least 16hh. Very refined head and lovely neck (not a short, draft horse neck). Will accept best offer.
Anyone who will cherish these horses as I have and give them a good home is welcome to come and get them. If you can give me some money it would be so much appreciated as I have no income other than what I have been selling on ebay. My computer is broken right now so I am not even able to do that. I also have meadowbrook carts (one horse size and one Morgan size), a four wheel training cart (brand new from the Buckeye Sale never hitched), a Houghton jog cart and lots of other horse “stuff”.
Email for information or call me at 814-440-1115. “
Is there like a shortage of local hay this year? For $3 a bale – it’s better than starvation (insert the excuse here). Duh… Why didn’t I think of that.
Sounds like another case of someone caught up in their moment of glory and fame, riding the thrill and doing stupid shit till it runs out (always does) then it’s — Oh shit we’re out of hay and money (file bankruptcy).
One thing I’ve seen more than I care the last 5 years… People have been doing stupid shit to have fun at any cost and avoid personal responsibility. Then when it all goes in the crapper, blame it on someone/something else, crank up the pity party (begathon) and watch money fall from the sky. This is getting lame.
Off to ABR for my chunk.
I’m going to say it again. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OWN CATS, DOGS OR HORSES. I am shocked each time a story like this comes out, although I’m not sure why. These people seem to go about their daily lives, which in most cases includes 3 square meals each day. How can they drive past these horses or step into the barn without feeling a sense of desperation? How do you just walk away? Putting her in a stall for 7 days would be just the tip of what I would like to do, better yet get HER pregnant then starve her. These horses are confined and cannot “search” for food, they rely on whatever it is that the “owner” is willing to give them that day or worse that week. No, these horses did not get into this condition in a week or even in a month. I do not know why someone won’t ask for help at the moment they realize they cannot feed the animals in their care. I have to say that I would admire someone that had the courage to ask for help now this woman will always be known as the piece of shit that would rather “save” her reputation rather than do what is right. I have reining horses so I am fondly aware of her horses, which really makes it all the worse because these are horses that would have been wanted by someone. It’s one thing to have a bunch of wild mustangs that no one can touch – these are all horses that were purposefully put on this earth with great expectation. To say that someone could make $ off these horses is insane. The money and TIME it would take to get these horses back into a somewhat decent condition would far surpass their value. The people that were willing to take on some horses had every right to want to hand pick their preference. I am well aware of the economic times we all face, I live in this country too. I do not have an incredibly high paying job BUT my horses always have above and beyond what they need. I put these horses under my care and never would it be an option for them to do without. As far as her friend that was speaking for her and standing up for her: A better friend would have stepped in long before this tragedy played out. A better friend would have brought to her attention that what she was doing was unacceptable and would put into place some help and action. You can take it to your grave if a friend of mine was in trouble and there were horses (or any animal) being mis-treated I would be the first to offer help, if that help was declined I would take it to the next level and get help. Horse people can be the best people in this world but they can also be the worst. When your big fat ego gets in the way of doing what is where you cross the line. The horse community comes together for each other – if she would have asked for help she would have received it. Instead she wanted still to gain $ by being more greedy than caring. Someone who really cared about her horses and KNEW that she could not feed them would be happy to give them to someone who could take care of them. I’ll end it like I started it: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OWN HORSES. Diana from Texas
She did not feed some over others. She told someone to put those horses in a certain pasture. Her mistake was to not check on what was done and to not check on them frequently. Those horses were put on the wrong pasture that was already overgrazed. I can’t imagine not checking on these horses until they got to looking like that but that is the problem. I agree this is horrible and she did wrong but she did not feed some of the horses while walking by others. The problem was that she did not check on the horses on pasture. She knows she screwed up and is working with officials, she is taking responsibility for the situation. The horses left are being watched by many besides just the county and the vets.
I am so glad that someone stepped in and found the horses before they died. I am too outraged that this happened and is inexcusable. But we need to know the problem before we can fix it and it is not that she was purposely feeding some and not others or that hay was too expensive [although that may be related], tbe problem is inattention or stupidity.
If anyone wants to help save these horse please contact Pasado’s Safe Haven. Please donate if you can, to help in this fight. There is no reason she should be able to come pick up horses that she released last week “today” or any time.. If this happends, the county is not doing their job here and we need to take this case else where. The county will have to face news media on this.. If you want to join, please feel free to call Pasado’s Safe Haven http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/. We need as many people to fight this case.. We will not back down and give up on these horses that need a better home… They deserve better then that home…. Contact AQHA, NRHA and NRCHA.. Flood them with calls, emails and letter with pictures..
fhotd said: “I have not seen anyone threatening violence here – I believe the inference there was that your online opinion will be remembered in real life and you may not be the most popular person at the shows. Hey, I’m sure some of my online opinions will not make me popular at some shows. That’s the risk we all take when we choose to state an opinion.
A threat is like the dude from Arkansas’s wife who was going to break my face. I think those were her exact words. That’s a threat.”
THANK YOU!!!
And Forever Said: “Ridetilldawn, you are sounding like one of the 2 who initially made threats to take the horses. Is this your way of getting back?”
I offered to help, I didn’t offer to take in another horse.. My barn is full and with very, very nice horses. I have no need to want or try to get more horses. I am happy with everyone of them and the way they look. All I wanted to do is help Judy in any way I can.. But, she turned down help of many and that makes me think that she is not the person I thought she was. I have cried and had sleepless nights, becasue this is going on.. I have seen in person and touched horses that have to fat no muscle and that are very, very sick here.. These horse have given her and others much more in life that we could every give these horses. These horses deserve so much more… So if anyone can say that I am just fighting here to get back does not know the whole story to the truth.. This is so sick and yet I know this person that is hurting many people and horses with greed and selfish actions. With that said “forever” go back and read all of my opinions please. Maybe you didn’t read all of them?? Sorry you feel that way..
Kim, Suzume-Kuromiu, windingwinds
THANK YOU!!!
Mr Wiggles: I have heard that this is what happend and that she was stupid not to check on the horses “if this was the case.” As a breeder, you have a responsibility, and that is the care and the safety of ALL of your horses.. If you do not check on them every day, then you are not being responsible. A horse can get hurt by another, by a whole, by a tree, “if you haven’t seen the picture on the internet with a horses head stuck in a tree,” a whole lot of things happen to horses in just minutes.. So for her to use the excuse they were in the wrong pasture doesn’t set well with me.. I have as many horses that I can care for and watch. I have no more then that because I do not have the time or help.. But if I want to become a breeder or have a facility, I will have the responsible help that is needed and ( I will as the breeder or owner check on my herd or the herd I am responsible for, daily). Most big breeders have lots of help around the property. They not only have their own mares and foals, they are responsible for other peoples horses also.. No excuse here! These horses that are way under weight need a dry place to recover, not a pasture where they are getting rained on daily here in Washington.. I am sure she doesn’t have that many stalls for them… They need to stay where they are for now…
For the horses that were removes in June, I have no idea about that and am not going say that happened because I haven’t seen them nor did I hear of it until last week.. Only a opinion on the horses that I have witnessed their condition. If the yearlings that were removed in June were under weight, then the story about the pasture does not make sence.. The truth will always come out sooner or later..
I haven’t met Judy but let me take a guess…I will bet that Judy is a very nice, charming and sociable person in real life. That’s usually what happens. The person makes such a good impression that many people assume they cannot possibly be guilty of abuse or neglect. People like them! They seem nice! Surely it must be a misunderstanding!
What you have to realize is that these two things have nothing to do with each other. The grouchiest old curmudgeon you meet at the shows may be the best horseowner there. His/her horses may lack for nothing and never be treated in any unfair or unkind way. Whereas Suzy Social Butterfly may be hiding a house of horrors at home or on rented pasture and just bringing her one or two fat, shiny horses to the shows in her shiny trailer and pretending everything is fine.
Julie: I feel for your situation and I hope you find good quality homes for your horses and hope you get through these hard times. Times are tough on so many and I am one of those people. I am glad to see that you have asked a friend and I am sure you have ask a few for help. I see one here that is trying to help in any way they can.
What a awesome friend you are Arrow!!!!!! Just good people!!!!
I wish I had the money to hand out to everyone that is working their asses off to save what they have worked so hard for.. I know what it feels like to try and make ends meet. Pay check to pay check..
I have one of the yearlings that was removed in June. I’m not sure the pasture question, so I’m going to tell you what it was like. These babies were in trees with a patch of area that was overgrazed until there wasn’t anything left. They had a water trough, but there wasn’t any water in it. I was told that there was a ‘pond’ with water in it but it ‘must have dried up’. There was not any feed anywhere. Their shelter was on one side of the empty hay barn.
When I confronted her on November 9th regarding the condition of her remaining yearlings, she acted stunned that they looked bad. I offered to take her to her own pasture to see them and she declined. When I told her that they were worse than the yearlings we had taken in June, she looked surprised. My opinion is that she hadn’t been down there to even look at them since I had been there 5 months earlier.
jiver, I’m not sure if you purchased the horse you got off that ranch or just rescued it. It sounds like from the overload of emails coming into my mailbox the woman has hired an attorney and is trying to recover the horses with the help of the attorney. Okay here is the deal; unless those horses that left the ranch are branded with a Registered Washington State Brand, ownership of the horse is like; ” possession is 9 tens of the law.” First & foremost, the party’s name that is on the AQHA registration papers, is not the owner of the papers, the American Quarter Horse Association owns the registration papers and a court of law has to decide who owns the horse. This is a direct quote from the AQHA.
I would assume any sane judge should the question of ownership of the horses be in be taken to a court of law; would decide in the favor of those in possession & caring for the animal. Or at least the aforementioned would have to be reimbursed for their expenses.
I’m appalled the perpetrator of this crime is not being prosecuted; note Washington State Law
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/2009-SB-5402
There is no more of an excuse for the condition of those horses than if it had been the woman’s child. I’m hoping everyone is going to have the courage of their convictions to notify the powers that be in Snohomish co. that Horsemen from all over the Northwest United States & Canada are watching this case. In all rights Horsemen should speak up this case leaves a black eye on the entire horse industry.
Jiver: Thanks for sharing. I didn’t think her bullshit story was true. Just trying to stay out of trouble… I hope you have pictures of the yearlings you took in June and get them to the county with a witness form filled out and also forward that to Pasado’s Safe Haven Ms. Ray. Her email address is cruelty1@pasadosafehaven.org. PLease do this if you haven’t yet. This will help with the with the crap Judy is telling the county.. Like I said before, the truth will soon reveal itself… She should not be breeding horses at ALL….
And for you 5minpins:
When this is all handled, I have no problem walking right up to you and let you know who I am. And I am sure I will not be the only one doing that…. I have nooooo problem showing my face when this is all said and done with.. I also have no problem letting Judy know what I think of her either………………………………………………………
“My opinion is that she hadn’t been down there to even look at them since I had been there 5 months earlier.”
WTF???? It’s not like she’s a big name trainer with underlings……
ARGH. Why do people always live WAY high on the hog before *pouf* Bankruptcy?
cattypex,
Excuse me, I have known BIG NAME Trainers all my 68 yrs and never have I witnessed a Professional Trainer with horses that even remotely resembled the horses in question here.
I am certainly in no way defending her but do want to say that bankruptcy and horses is fraught with problems. When Imy husband and I filed bankruptcy I had a 23 year old TB mare with no papers and serious high ring bone that made her lame anytime she carried anyone for more than hour or over 100 lbs for any amount of time, a crazy ten year old TB gelding without papers that I never got over a body condition of about a 3 1/2 regardless of vets, dewormer, hay, grain and supplements (When I got him he was somewhere between 1-2 just as bad as any of the pics in this post. With what I have learned here and other places honestly I think it was ulcers and my vet didn’t have a scope and I wasn’t educated enough about horses at the time to ask for one that did and I was dealing with a country vet who said he knew about horses but really was a cattle guy. Not an excuse but unfortunately it is the reality. This horse actually largely contributed to us being bankrupt), and a marginally broke ex brood mare fifteen year old APHA with no spectacular bloodlines that we were currently all afraid to get on because she had learned the new trick of bucking whenever anyone tried to ride her. They counted them all as property the same as they counted our clothes, furniture, dishes, etc. Luckily for me the lower end horse market around here had just crashed because the slaughter houses had been banned about six months before so I was able to convince them that the 23 year old was worth nothing due to age and lameness, the gelding was worth $200 if I got really lucky because nobody including the people I had tried to give him to were willing to take him and they had to put some sort of dollar amount on him at his age, and the fifteen year old mare was worth $250 because bucking unspectacular APHA’s are a dime a dozen all of which is true.
With that said if the horses had been worth more or I had not managed to convince the court they were worth so little we would have and morso the horses would have been horribly screwed. I think our entire family was allowed to have like $3,000 worth of stuff total if a family has a horse worth more than that there is nothing they can do. The court will seize it and sell it at the nearest livestock auction. The system is very flawed. The courts don’t consider horses or any other animal as beings with rights most certainly not as family members as most people do. The other thing is they tell you that if you give away, sell for less than market value, or try and conceal any property for any reason you will go to federal prison. My husband and I couldn’t afford our horses and we were losing our farm so we had nowhere to keep them. We ended up working with our attourney to find acceptable solutions which included giving away two of the horses to proper homes and selling one for $250 to the right kind of home that knew exactly what they were getting. In the process because of it they had to count the $250 towards the “money we had on hand” and I am not sure what they did about the other two hundred dollers.
I don’t know what this women’s attourney and the courts told but it was probably really scary and she is/was probably caught in the really bad catch 22 of she can’t feed her horses and she isn’t allowed to rehome due to how much the court has decided they are worth and the fact nobody is going to pay that for starving horses in any economy much less this one. The only thing I can think of is MAYBE the courts would allow her to free lease them to approved homes with the leasers information being given in full to the courts so if the courts wish to try and claim their property they can. With the hopes that the free leasers would decide to offer some amount of money to courts to purchase the horses and that the courts would accept it without sending the animals to auction.
5minpins shouldnt be surprised if she gets the cold shoulder at shows. Being friends with Judy and defending her at this point would be like being friends with Bernie Madoff. Judy is like the Bernie Madoff of the horse world. Crazy disconnect between appearance and reality.
nychic
Thanks for the chuckle, however I’m putting the perpetrator in the category with Ted Bundy.
ridetilldawn – I totally agree with you. I was trying to explain that she hadn’t planned on feeding some and not others and that she really didn’t realize there was a problem. But the blame is still on her. I can’t imagine not checking on my horses at least once a day when they are out on pasture.
I was also going to mention, On the Seattle/Tacoma CL there was a listing in farm and garden I believe for a herd dispersal of Arabs? Whatever they were I remember it saying they were well bred, and the owner was diagnosed with cancer and wanted to give away the horses before things started going downhill for them. Did anybody catch that ad? I went back to look for it but don’t see it now.
“the debtors are coldhearted and ruthless,they dont give a shit, they only want their $$ back at any cost.”
This is kind of an oxymoron… Part of it is true. I had a couple of debts sent to collection back in college. I was very ill, and had to go on emergency welfare, which was $5 a month less than my rent. The heating oil company and one other sent me to collections. After 3 or 4 months of back-and-forthing, I had a flash of insight: They only want their money.
So if I could provide them with a way of getting their money… I told them (the truth) that my doctor told me I could go back to work in October, and if they would give me until December, I could start paying them back at $xx a month. They accepted. I eventually paid them off.
We tend to think of debt collectors as ravaging, vengeful people that want to see us in jail or thrown out on the street. Not true. All they want is the money, to which they are entitled. That means they’d *much* rather see us gainfully employed.
Those debts got sent to collection because I was desperate and couldn’t think straight, so I ignored the problem as it built. (And possibly because I was sleeping 22 hours a day?) … But I still managed to feed my pets. So I can cut Judy a little slack, because I know the feeling of desperation – and maybe she was kidding herself that the horses were fine. But she should still have LOOKED at them, and she should have accepted the help she was offered. I wasn’t too proud to accept the food – for me and the critters – that friends offered.
I guess that’s one of the reason that pride is one of the seven deadly sins…
Ruthie, still fighting pride
Thank You Julie or ridetilldawn, I have no problem facing you either. what I really wish is that you had taken the time to email me or call me and ask me WTF instead of going after me on here. If you had bothered to ask me why I said and did some of the things I did I would have told you. You wouldnt have had to read and interpret everything I said on here as evil. Julie just email me, or better yet call. You might be surprised to learn my whole opinion on the whole stupid fucked up situation. I saw the same horse you saw. it was all I could do to not cry. BUT he is in good hands now and will be ok in the end. I really dont mind if I get the cold shoulder from anyone at the shows. But I feel if your going to confront me on here the least you can do is show some class and speak to me personally. Then you might understand my view, doesnt mean you have to agree with it, but you should at least understand it before you make the decision to hate me.
Giving someone hay, who is starving horses ( even ONE horse ) while not holding them responsible by requiring the horses removal from their ownership is like handing an alcoholic a bottle of booze, so they wont have to go through withdrawl symptoms.
ridetilldawn post:
“Judy has received directions from her attorney that she is to retrieve all of her horses that have been farmed out. People Helping Horses has/had two of her horses. Judy will be picking them up either today or tomorrow.
NOW WTF is that? !!!!!!! that is sick … why is this ? How can she f…….cking afford an attorney when she can’t even f….cking afford to feed her horses…. SICK just totally SICK
5minpins/Salina, I don’t think anyone here hates you (and in fact I am ecstatic if you were able to remove any horse from Judy’s care). We are confused as to why you defend Judy and her actions when they appear so blatantly wrong and without excuse. You tell some that they have to email you personally to hear the “whole” situation. Why is that? Why did you come here if it was not to try and share the truth?
They can ALWAYS afford attorneys. Remember Dean Solomon? She hired the guy who defended the Green River Killer! HE did not come cheap. They have money for attorneys and for computers and internet to run around screaming that they are going to sue me. They somehow do not consider hay to be the same priority level. This is, again, typical.
And no, Salina/5Minpins, nobody is out to get you, it’s just that when you say that we don’t know the whole story, but you won’t PROVIDE the whole story and let us check it out and your defense makes no sense without it – so you just look like one of Judy’s buddies who is defending her/covering up for her. I don’t know if you are or aren’t. I’m just saying that’s how it looks. There are too many people here saying that the situation was going on long-term for it to be the result of an accidental and temporary mistake of turning horses out on the wrong field. Not that this would be excusable. I do not understand not looking at your horses every day or having reliable employees who do. That always boggles my mind. If you do not look at every horse every day, how do you find something like a puncture wound? Answer: You don’t. Therefore, failing to do a daily inspection (ideally a brushing but at least a look-over to make sure the horse is injury free) is irresponsible ownership.
kmathews:
Not sure if she is just using that to get some of the horses back that she released.. But if the county allows that to happen, then I have real issues with them.. Just everyone that has evidence on this case PLEASE send it to the County and Ms. Ray at Pasado cruelty1@pasadosafehaven.org.
If you do not have any evidence you can help out by sending a letter to the Snohomish County Council “to look into this matter, push its officers to enforce the current law, and enact harsher standards and punishments for animal care and those who neglect it.”
Contact Dave Somers directly at dave.somers@co.snohomish.wa.us or his aide Eric Parks at eric.parks@co.snohomish.wa.us,
– Dave Gossett Dave.Gossett@co.snohomish.wa.us
– Mike Cooper Mike.Cooper@co.snohomish.wa.us
– Brian Sullivan brian.sullivan@co.snohomish.wa.us
This case should not be over looked at all.. I feel if those yearlings were romoved 5 months ago or so, and it was brought to her attention, then she has neglected to look at the problem and fix it. She only allowed it to get worse..
how and when will someone know if these horses of judys are seized by the state and when they will go thru auction so we can get these once very nice horses back to health and back to the show pen for thats what they are breed to do
You will have to stand in line with the rest of the buzzards, including the ones that started this entire fiasco.
Forever,
We all see what we see… the proof is before everyone’s eyes in the photos, anyone that can’t see it should never own an animal or for God’s sake never have a child. The condition of those pitiful horses is not a fiasco its a crime of abuse against an innocent animal penned up where it can’t get out and fend for itself. To add to this; a stuffed animal for a person’s bed would be about all I would suggest for anyone that can’t recognize the problem in those horrific photos.
I need some help pricing this pony mare. She was given to a neighbor. The neighbor is a very kind hearted person with a nice barn. Her horses are well cared for but she really doesn’t have the time or the need for this mare. She offered the mare to me, but I’m 5′9″ and my husband is 6′2″ and we both prefer riding hunter/jumper so the mare is not a good match for us.
The mare aka “Gypsy” is an unfortunate example of “I’m going to breed because I can make spots”, but her confirmation is not as bad as some and her temperament is very good.
Any suggestions regarding pricing, terms, etc. for this mare who deserves a chance would be greatly appreciated. She’s located in Central Texas (Austin).
Four(4) year old paint pony mare. 14 hands. Has great temperment and is willing to do anything when asked. Vet-checked, vaccinated, Coggins and teeth have been floated. Lunges, ties, leads, good for grooming, washing and very patient/willing. Currently being ridden/trained by a small adult and doing very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3quOqlTzYQM
I mis-spoke when I said we had shown at her facilities I guess…we were led to believe it was her facility in some way. Not a big deal.
What is a big deal is the nastiness that sometimes happens here. My goodness, we are all adults right? Sharing ideas and opinions doesn’t mean we have to attack those that don’t agree with us and vice versa. I am not defending or supporting anyone in this pissing match, just wanted to bring the fact that sometimes we need to put on our big girl panties and realize that our fighting doesn’t help anything and can be distracting to the real issue.
Off topic: With help from a state grant, Alaska now has what amounts to a knacker’s van combined with a butcher shop that can be trucked or ferried pretty much wherever it needs to go. It’s meant to give an economic boost to beef cattle operations by going to where the cattle are. A licensed, trained professional takes a live animal in one end of the van (a modified small cargo container IIRC) and wrapped cuts of meat come out of the other end. The article described it as one of a handful of similar setups operating in the U.S. Why aren’t there more of these in the Lower 48? And would it be that hard to modify them for processing horses?
Okay, if you have horses in king county from Judy Caton’s case please call Sgt Morris at #206-296-3939. He is willing to help in this case.. It was confirmed that Judy did contact PHH to take the 2 horses that were released to them to care for. With this said, if you have any of these horses and need legal advice please call Ms. Ray at cruelty1@pasadosafehaven.org to put you into touch with one of their lawyers.. This way you know your rights as you help these horses that need medical attention, while this is an open case..
Jiver: I think it would help if you contacted psado safe haven at cruelty1@pasadosafehaven.org. (don’t know why this link is not working, sorry) but she needs all the amo she can get.
Ridetilldawn and 5minpins and anyone else who is making the “I’ll snub you in the showpen” threats:
Lets not forget about something called sportsmanship. I’ve had to to share the showpen with the likes of you both who carry a grudge, and its a big turnoff to other competitors. Inevitiably there will be new competitors in the showpen next year who don’t have a clue about any of this. Don’t ruin it for those new to horse showing, or push anyone out because your bickering makes showing unpleasant for anyone.
Bitchslap each other all you want on this forum. But leave it here. Please.
Littlebigred, That little paint pony is adorable. If my spousal unit would let me I would be over to check her out even though she is a bit small – he has me maxed out at three. I’m in TX too (aggieland) and the horse market is really hard to gauge around here right now. It sounds like she has a lot going for her. I have seen grade paints going for anywhere from $200 to $1200 around here and most aren’t as cute as she is. I would aim high but be negotiable. Best of luck – I hope she finds some sweet little girl to whom she becomes the whole world.
littlebigred: She is adorable! And just my size! I wish I lived closer, I would definately be interested in taking her. Is she registered anything that you know of? If she is 14h she is a little taller than my reg. APHA mare I had a few years ago (she was 13.3 on a good day lol)
showgrrl :
I will not being talking and pointing fingers behind 5minpins back at all.. I just want nothing to do with her… I just told her my opinion of her and that I want nothing to do with her at all. That all will stay right here on this blog, not go on at the shows or any where else for that matter.. I am there to show my horses, not to gossip with anyone. I am not one to walk around and say crap about anyone that I dislike to anyone. The same will go for Judy. Not going to live my life gossiping about her crap. I just made it known for people that wanted to know who is saying that everything is fine with this case when it’s not fine. I can care less if she shows in the same arena as me. There are a few that show in the same pen as me that I can care less about knowing. So who cares, she is just one more… She doesn’t judge me in the show pen, the judges do… The only reason I am on this blog is to get the word out about what is really going on here and how to help. I am not a blogger and don’t plan on being after this case is done.. I have never blogged in my life, but this case, I can’t keep my mouth shut.
This is about the horses that are suffering here, not 5minpins…….
Angel Ray from Pasado can be reached at 360-793-9393 or at cruelty1@pasadosafehaven.org, I hope everyone that can come forward will..
Kim & Akeem’s Mom
The paint pony mare, Gypsy is not registered. From the feedback I’ve gotten, I think it will be pretty easy to find her a forever home based on her attitude (I forgot to mention she loves to go places aka get in the trailer) cuteness factor and patience of my neighbor (she is not going to rush her out of the barn).
Thanks for the feedback
I live near Worland WY, and just recently a couple was arrested for animal cruelty after authorities found two dead/starved horses and one that had to be put down immediatly after a vet stated it was bleeding from the nose from starvation. These morons had 11 total horses, that were eating the wood fence posts, to try to stay alive. So the dumb-ass authorities seized all but 2 (they let these people keep 2!!) And It was printed in the paper. Now THAT is unbelievable to me.
That’s sad, searfosshorse
Those folks better stay out of the state of Montana with their abuse. Prosecutors in Montana aren’t as kind to the abusers of livestock. I’m thinking part of the problem with the authorities in Snohomish co. Washington not seizing the horses off the Ranch where the overtly skinny animals reside is; those with the power to file charges know nothing about the care of livestock therefore have just bought into any sob story the woman has told them.
I’m confused. You honestly are saying that what this woman has done shouldn’t be brought to shows or into the show ring? I mean, I totally agree that no one should be cutting her horses off, or ruining her runs. But how can any horse owner or caretaker say, “Well, I’ll talk about her on a blog, but no, I won’t say a word at an actual show. That’s bad sportsmanship!”
No, bad sportsmanship is being rude to someone in the show ring, or spitting when someone else wins the class. It’s failing to smile at fellow competitors, or making up lies about someone just to cause problems for them.
Bad sportsmanship has NOTHING to do with avoiding someone at a show, or ignoring them, or telling newcomers very frankly that you will not associate with such a person because they are known to starve and abuse their horses. You honestly want newcomers to a show situation not to know about that? Why?! That is exactly what drives people away from shows– finding out after they have associated with people at shows that some of those very same people are abusive or horrible horsemen. Far better to be up front. Unless of course, you don’t mind that this woman will continue to show and gain the support of competitors who feel so amazingly sorry for her… competitors who evidently don’t value horses enough to care when someone abuses the horses in his or her care.