Anyone buy, donate or adopt from Montana Farms/Horse Rescue Mission in Egg Harbor, NJ

[caly40]

Help ![](e find “Flint”

I just want to get my story out there so that noone makes the same mistake I did.

-And so I learned that a horse I cared for for many years who was loved by everyone who met him was missing and feared sold or dead. On April 25, 2008 I sent my horse to a supposed Horse Rescue Mission in Egg Harbor City, NJ. I did my homework as best as I could and to me the placed seemed legit. I left feeling reassured that Flint would be well taken care of and that we would be in constant contact. I was told Flint would be used for the NARHA program and if he couldn’t be ridden he would be groomed by handicapped adults in a therapeutic program. I have a signed contract and in it it stated that if Flint didn’t work out in this program he was to be returned to me.

-I was in constant contact with the owner of the HRM until June 6 when she changed her phone number. I decided to take a ride down there to find that there were huge “no tresspassing” signs and barbed wire so noone could get in. There was no one there but I got in anyway. Flint was nowhere to be found and the same horses that were there when I dropped Flint off were emaciated looking. I knew right then and there that something wasn’t right.

-I ended up getting the woman’s number and she told me Flint passed away. She has told several different stories already which none of us are buying. She can’t provide vet reports or numbers for the people who supposedly picked him up. He didn’t die, she sold him illegally. After doing more research I found this http://www.newjerseyhorse.com/bboard/post6861.html
I wish I would have seen this sooner as I would have never sent him down there.

-Please keep an eye out for Flint
he is 16yo Grey TB Gelding
Tattoo # is V18551

[IMG]http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/caly40/IMG_1215.jpg)

If you can’t trust a horse rescue with your horse, who can you trust?

[Marli]

Fellow Cothers:

Please take a look at Flint through the link Caly has provided. Caly has been searching and searching for him. :no:

The rescue in question I have never heard of, but perhaps someone here may be acquainted with it.

Anyone recognize the horse, perhaps know someone that may have recently acquired a grey gelding?

[Cherry]

Too bad, so sad…

I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t already gone through New Holland Horse Sales… A lot of horses eventually end up there.

Caly, I think you know by now just because a person calls him/her self a rescue does not make it so!!! Yes, you needed to be more diligent when placing a horse with someone–I would have wanted to know what NAHRA program–where??? Then I would have wanted to talk to the person there! I pray that you can get Flint back–you have a 50/50 chance at best…

There are several rescues near me that probably should be contacted but I am having problems with my Hotmail account. If you want the information I can supply you with it so you can call or email them. Pictures would help them. These are rescues that go to New Holland every Monday and specifically pull out Thoroughbreds to save… I’ll go make a couple phone calls and come back and let you know how I made out… :yes:

[joiedevie99]

I’m not sure I can be of any help, but I’ll tell you what I know. I responded to an add on Dreamhorse sometime in the early spring (March maybe?). There were many adds for horses they had for sale on several different sites. The add was labeled Montana Farms, and the trainer answered. I drove out later that week and someone else was there- she claimed to be the trainers business partner. She showed me the horse, along with about 6 others.

The partner told me quite a bit about what was going on there, but never mentioned the Rescue. She also mentioned using a facility with an indoor, but I’m not sure if they trailered over or if they kept some horses at another facility. She said it was a very short drive away.

Anyway, this all occurred before your horse would have gotten there, but I should be able to dig up names and numbers for the two partners if you don’t have them already and I remember the facility and the horses I saw pretty well. If I can be of any assistance please let me know.

ETA: I just did some googling and found this add: http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad322784. Have you tried both of those phone numbers?

[Cherry]

Well, I’ve been looking for contact information and it seems like one of the rescues I hoped might help has gone out of business and the other one is in a state of flux–I have no idea what’s going on there.

I did try to call yet another rescue but no one is answering–I will keep trying… I’m not sure who else would be frequenting New Holland on a regular basis at the point. If I can get through to this one rescue she may know who is there on a weekly basis…

Sorry I can’t be of more help at this time. I’ll try to find something out by tonight and report back…

[FatPalomino]

I knew of all the horse rescues in NJ when I worked for a rescue in Jersey (2004), but I never heard of this stable or organization.

I have heard of therapeutic riding centers in NJ selling their horses at auctions. From there I would assume the horse would go to Harker’s in Tabernacle. Last I was there (years ago), the horses sold were in good condition and I didn’t see any that seemed destined for slaughter.

If I were you, I’d go with a wad of cash in hand to Tabernacle auction and ask to speak with the owner. Tell him you’ll pay him if he can provide you with information, IF your horse was sold there by person named X. Don’t ask too many questions, just insist that you are only interested in the horse’s welfare. And flash that pocket full of money.

Is it the best way to approach the subject? Maybe not. I know you have been looking for a while now. I doubt you will ever get the straight answer from the person you donated your horse to.

Did you have a written contract? Have you filed a police report? Doing so, and tipping off the media, may let you get in the headlines and get some exposure, and maybe find your horse.

Have you posted flyers at all the tack and feed stores, asking for information and offering a reward if you find your horse? Worth a try, also…

Years ago we lost track of a lesson pony I rode in central NJ. She was sold at auction, and we did find her years later. She was very lucky. She had been run through the sale injured and a very nicely family purchased her, rehabbed her, and placed her with a young girl. They were thrilled to know more about the pony’s history. And we were thrilled that she was ok. We kept in touch with the owners and offered to take the pony if they ever didn’t want her. It was a wonderful, win-win situation. There is hope.

[philosoraptor]

I’ve never heard of them, either. I don’t claim to know of every rescue everywhere, but I am only 30 minutes drive from NJ.

If they were a NARHA center, can you see if NARHA has a new address for people involved in the org? Perhaps if you can politely inquire with other Board members of this organization, you can find out what happened?

Did you get the names of references before you sent the horse there? If so, can you call them to ask if any of them have seen the horse?

Do be careful about how much you publicize “so and so is a horse thief”. IMHO it’s a civil matter. You don’t want to look like a nut to the judge when you go to court against her. I’d start by sending her a written request for return of the horse and send it certified mail / return receipt requested. State that you are aware that the horse didn’t work out for her program and as per the terms of the contrat, you’d like him back. Request she contact you within 10 days of the date of the letter to arrange a time to pick up the horse. (she probably won’t contact you back, but you are establishing things in writing in preparation for going to court)

Good luck to you !! If I come across anything about him in my travels in the resuce world, I’ll let you know.

I don’t think this is an issue of “if you can’t trust a rescue”. It’s a conflict of interest when a therapy barn says they’re a rescue and makes all sorts of promises. Therapeutic riding programs generally do not (cannot) keep the unsound horses for the rest of their lives. A therapeutic riding progam will find itself full of unsound horses eventually and would have nothing to give lessons on. The mission of the therapy program is to help the handicapped, not run a retirement home. Therefore it’s not unusual or unreasonable that a therapeutic barn (even a 501c3 and/or NARHA barn) sometimes sense horses to auctions or brokers. Once ownership is signed over, the horse is theirs to resell, and the best you can do is try to sue in civil court for damages.

[philosoraptor]

Does this address help? or is it out of date?

Horse Rescue Mission Inc.
1701 4th Avenue
Devonshire, NJ 08215
(from their web page)

I checked GuideStar and I didn’t see “Horse Rescue Mission” listed as a nonprofit in NJ. But there is always the slim chance they just got their 501c approval like last month or something?

I read more of their site, and I see that they sell or adopt horses out. Is there a chance they sold your horse to a good home?

I am just kind of puzzled by some things on their site. For example it’s kind of odd all their horses are “HRM” considering they didn’t breed these horses.

[FatPalomino]

@MayS;3511693

I checked GuideStar and I didn’t see “Horse Rescue Mission” listed as a nonprofit in NJ. But there is always the slim chance they just got their 501c approval like last month or something?

Not all Charities are listed on GuideStar. Many smaller ones do not have to file a 990. Check with the IRS to be sure if the agency is a true 501c3.

[BuddyRoo]

I have nothing to add…just wanted to send you well wishes. I hope you find your horse.

Also, have you contacted NetPosse and an attorney?

[Rivendellhorses]

Also try posting on www.nj-horse.com as they might be a good place to check out, someone might have seen something.

Possibly post on craigslist (newjersey.craigslist.com/cnj.craigslist.com/southjersey.craigslist.com) as there is a farm and garden section. another chance to see more people.

good luck.

[Angela_Freda]

The story of Flint is why I so fear when people say they are going to sell their less than perfect horses.

Flint is wonderful- good at his job, not hard to handle, pretty, and WANTED, not just by Caly40, but his former owner as well had a contract for his return when that buyer was moving on from him. Obviously that was breached. This horse is wanted, he has people wanting to keep him safe.
If he can end up in a bad place, ANY horse can.

It would be great if anyone with connections to rescues who attend auctions could bring Flint to their attention, maybe they will remember seeing him? If we just knew how much he sold for (if indeed he sold at auction) it might tell us more about where he went.

It would also be great if folks on the East Coast could keep their eyes and ears open, in case someone snatched him up hoping to make him into their show horse- Hunter/Jumper- or for resale.

Find Flint!!

[Angela_Freda]

Bumping because Dammit I hope someone finds Flint!

[BasqueMom]

jingling he’s found and bumping up again!

[Cherry]

What you might do is contact The Horse of Delaware Valley and The Equine Marketer and put an ad in them with a picture (or pictures) of Flint, asking the question: “Has anyone seen this horse?” and his vitals saying that you thought you were sending him to an equine rescue but he is now MIA–don’t forget to include your contact information… Anyone with half a brain will know what you’re alluding to… :yes:

There may be other horse publications you should put this ad in too but I’m not aware of any other than the ones near me… The Horse of Delaware Valley has a very wide audience in the PennDelMarva area…

Good luck!

[lolalola]

You could also put an ad in Horse News. It has a wide readership in that area.

[Angela_Freda]

Great ideas.

I also was hoping FUGLY would pick up this story and run with it.

It truly is the epitome of warning stories… this horse is wanted by TWO former owners, and contracts were in place… he has a job, is good at it, is easy to handle,… and still he is missing. shaking head

You know it happens, and then it happens to a horse you knew, and WHAM! It’s more real and scary than ever.

FIND FLINT!

[Cherry]

I also was hoping FUGLY would pick up this story and run with it.

Well, somebody send the FUGLY gal an email and pictures!!! :yes:

The longer this goes on the less chance there is of finding this fellow–it’s already been almost five months… :uhoh: It’s stories like this that have kept me from leasing or selling my little TB mare…

Another publication you could put an ad in is Tri-State Horse ( http://www.tristatehorse.com )–it covers New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania…

Good luck!

[the_other_mother]

Another place to put it in is Horse & Tack Classified. 609-758-3450
Huge readership and circulation area in all of NJ

[Angela_Freda]

Any news or updates on the search for Flint??