MISSING EQUINE Burt

Burt was missing in a bad agreement along with another mare, Spot. Read Burt's story below, but don't miss reading Spot's story, as well: http://www.netposse.com/newsviewer.asp?id=742

NetPosse Notes: On Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006, Jeanne informed us that a friend had found Burt advertised for sale along with another horse that had been given to this same buyer.

On Sunday, Sept 3, Jeanne and friends, posing as buyers, headed to the "buyer's" location to repossess Burt and another horse. The second horse, Spot, had been given to Burt's buyer by a friend of Jeanne's when the buyer had posed as a rescue. Spot has a hip problem so she was a special-needs horse and didn't need to be bred. The "rescuer" BRED her!

Jeanne's accounting of Burt's recovery: (Sept. 5, 2006)

Good Morning Guys ... You guys have been awesome through this whole thing. The long version, huh? I almost wish I had said something more to her [the buyer] now. At that point It was just a priority to get the heck out of Dodge - - - before too much was said. Some drama would have been a little fun - just kidding.

Here goes the long version - (rather be over a campfire with Freedom nickering in the background). He has about two weeks left before I can ride.

Roy and I arrange to meet with Jessica on Sunday the 3rd to check out the horses. Roy is the actual owner of the second horse she was selling with Burt. He had given Spot to Jessica because she had promoted herself as a 'rescue farm'. Spot had a bad hip from spooking away from something in the field. One leg had gone to the right and the other to the left. So 4:30 am I get up and ready and on the road to meet him at 5:30am. He had two friends with him. So we get on the road about 6am with trailer and all of us. Jessica thought we were coming in the afternoon. We were hoping to find the horses and just load them up without having to deal with her; but no luck.

So Roy called her and met her so she could lead us to the horses. Because she never met Roy in person and only talked with his wife on the internet she had no idea who he was. Susan Wright [of the Etowah County Mounted Unit] had joined [as a friend and support person] us at this point so I was in her truck with my hat and sunglasses. We parked in a driveway and acted as if we were lost. After Jessica and our party passed we followed.

Roy backed the trailer toward the gate. Susan and I parked accross the street. Roy and the other two friends got out and they all started chatting. Jessica and her youngest son called the horses to the gate. Roy went straight to Spot. I hung back until the halters were on - just in case she recognized me and decided to shoo them away. As soon as the halters were on, Susan had Burt and I came up getting the leadrope and heading straight for the trailer. There were several people at this point so I was not paying attention to Jessica. Burt didn't hop in like he usually does ( I was shaking like a leaf). Jessica said that he will go in easy after Spot. Her husband loaded Spot and she loaded Burt. I had not said a word and we had only exchanged glances.

When she came out of the trailer I met her straight on. I took off my glasses and said "Jessica, I'm taking Burt back". Her eyes grew angry and hot but she didn't say anything but "Alright" (Foxworthy style). I just turned and headed back to Susan's truck -quickly. She yells after me "I was gonna send you the money".

Yeah right^&!**!!**!, I'm thinking to myself. I then asked for Christines bridle. She didn't have it there. It is in storage. I know we won't see that ever again. Roy starts to explain our position and all this. I hollared to him " No explanation is neccessary. Get in the truck and lets go, now". So we all did.

Roys wife got an email from her not 15 minutes from then. She proceded to call me an a___. And that I had to pay for Spot. It is amazing the outlandishness of dishonest people.

... Spots hip looks healed with alot of calcium scare buildup according to the equine chiropracter. The "rescuer" had Spot in with two studs at one point and she is really swelling out. The vet will be there to confirm pregnancy and to see if Spot will be in any danger of giving birth.

Christine [Jeanne's grown daughter who'd raised Burt since she was 13] was simply beside herself when we got back. Burts hug to her was priceless! She spent 5 hours with Burt yesterday just grooming and playing with him. Her two college papers due Wednesday - huh - they will be done tonight - LOL!

So there you have it. I am looking forward to meeting all of you on the trail. If Christine has any school holidays maybe I can get her and Burt to join all of us on a trail ride.