Shedrow Confessions - HiCaliber "Rescue" & Company, et al.....

[TuxWink]

This whole drama gets more and more depressing. I understand that sometimes the most compassionate thing to do is to humanly euthanize a horse. However, based on many of the timelines illustrated in this blog,
Hi Caliber is either keeping horses alive to pull in the donations when they know they should/will be euthanized or letting them die awful, painful deaths due to lingering, untreated injuries/illnesses and/or neglect.

Then, this is minor in the midst of all the egregious cruelty and deception, but there is a “win a gift card for mucking” contest at HiCaliber. WTF? Do they not have full time, paid employees that muck stalls? I’m guessing “no” based on the condition of their facility, but COME ON! You cannot have that many horses on that small a property and not have daily cleaning. Stop buying more horses and spend some money on manure clean up and removal! Doling out gift cards to volunteers to come scoop manure in the sweltering heat sounds like a terrible idea.

Ok I am done. So much to process. My mind is blown by the staggering show this organization seems to enjoy putting on to the detriment of all the horses involved. I will continue reading the updates and hope for the best outcome for all the horses involved.

[TuxWink]

Just saw that Saban is going to Golden Carrot after his surgery. This is good news in the midst of all the HiCaliber mess.

Can I just ask, WHY ARE THEY BUYING MORE HORSES? Just stop. Fund raise for the ones you have. Get them healthy. Get the conditions cleaned up. Get the adoptable ones trained and into good homes.

[TuxWink]

I really hope this mess gets shut down and the horses land softly. I feel sorry for the volunteers still trying to keep things going there. They are stuck in a horrible position.

[datdog]

You know, there are so many ‘believers/followers’ for this rescue that I fear nothing will change.

[TuxWink]

@datdog

You know, there are so many ‘believers/followers’ for this rescue that I fear nothing will change.

I hope not, but I see your point. There seem to be a lot of egregious things going on that can’t possibly be ignored for too long, but I know the hold that a sociopath + access to horses has over people.

I think a lot of people are in a tough spot, especially the vets and volunteers. I’m sure the vets don’t want to find themselves shut out since that means no help at all for the horses, and same thing with the volunteers. Hopefully they are documenting the conditions in some way and can have enough evidence that will one day (hopefully soon!) shut down this rescue for good.

[TuxWink]

I am glad to see a local veterinarian coming out against #HiCaliber. Maybe if others see her publicly condemning this rescue it will persuade others to realize what is going on.

Here is part of one of her comments on the latest post on the Shedrow Confessions blog -

Adrienne Moore, DVM
…
“I find it incredible that she can get other 100% vets to suspend their ethics and turn a blind eye to the cruelty & neglect there, much less write letters in support and violate ethics by participating in the shooting of a horse !!! Those of us that actually take our oath seriously would never condone the activities of that EVIL POS !!!”

[katenreno]

I don’t exactly have a dog in this fight. But I’ve got a unique perspective on Hi Caliber. Recently I reached out to them for help placing a horse that had fallen into a bad situation.
I did not witness anything that was great cause for alarm at the facility that day. Michelle was not there, but I was greeted by a volunteer who helped me get the horse settled in a stall. Becky arrived shortly thereafter and offered me a tour. She introduced me to most of the horses and showed me around the property. It looked clean and well-kept. (MANY details of this were edited to protect my privacy, for reasons I would be happy to explain in a PM).

So at least that day, I’ve been there, and I wasn’t alarmed.

But… I did hear about the Louisiana horses, and it bothered me. There are a lot of horses here in CA that need help too. They do things that concern me, and I do feel that they have gotten off track. Again, I don’t have Facebook, so this is based off of what I’ve heard.

As for the eating testicles… it’s weird and I worry about the chemicals that could (should!) have been involved but it didn’t bother me that much.

As for the euthanasia by gunshot… I much prefer that method. After watching my 7 year old TB take 5 doses of sedative and then still go over backwards, I would much rather my next horse go with its head in a bucket of grain and a trained marksman.

I havent read the shedrow confessions blog. I probably will, but I’ll take it with a grain of salt. There are some nutty people out there with a vendetta against that rescue.

The local vet speaking out against them… let’s just say I’ve met her and she’s a bit… insane.

Im undecided about Hi Caliber to be honest. My ranch where I board my gelding fosters a couple horses for them. There were also a couple boarders who adopted horses from them, but the situations were weird. The moment the horses started having issues, the people were basically forced to give them back. There wasn’t any offer to help them work with the horse. It was like “hey, we are having a little trouble with lunging…” “oh he HAS to come back then!” So I don’t know. And lastly, a friend who is a novice rider but working daily with an experienced trainer and is a well-off, small animal vet wanted to adopt from them. She filled out an application and never heard back. Kept trying to follow up and never got any responses. Doesn’t sound like a group that’s trying to adopt out horses. Which is a shame because she is a phenomenal owner.

So thats my experience. I have no opinion really. I’ve heard and experienced good and bad. But i thought it might be helpful for the posters and readers here to hear from someone who has personal experience with the group. Do with it what you will.

[TuxWink]

@katenreno

So thats my experience. I have no opinion really. I’ve heard and experienced good and bad. But i thought it might be helpful for the posters and readers here to hear from someone who has personal experience with the group. Do with it what you will.

I think it is interesting to hear about the range of experiences. I am just worried that things have gone off the rails. The recent pics and videos don’t really showcase a well run, professional organization. The sheer number of horses and the constant acquisition plus the begging for people to come and feed/clean is alarming.

I also “consider the source” of some of the negative posts, but the incident with Saban and the bizarre run around the person trying to help him received make me think that the person(s) at the helm is/are a little unstable (no pun intended.)

[TuxWink]

This circus needs to end. The horses are suffering, the people are vile and the milking of donors for their hard earned dollars when #HiCaliber can’t even provide WATER is unbelievable.

[Thoroughbred1201]

@katenreno

So thats my experience. I have no opinion really. I’ve heard and experienced good and bad. But i thought it might be helpful for the posters and readers here to hear from someone who has personal experience with the group. Do with it what you will.

It’s always good to hear both sides. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. My understanding is that this was a rescue that was doing things right, but has now gone off the rails. I had looked into it, originally planning on donating to them. But in doing my research, I ended up having a couple of serious concerns with this rescue.

1. The lack of transparency on the money. I’m a non-profit accountant. Without getting into the weeds, the way they handle their donations bothers me a great deal. There seems to be a lot of cash flowing without any accountability, and they don’t seem to understand the difference between restricted and unrestricted donations. I’d be very interested in what an IRS audit would bring forward. From what I’ve seen, they wouldn’t have to dig very deep.

2. The sheer number of horses that die on their watch. The list seems to be well over 100 in the last 12 months. But since they won’t post any veterinary information on those they do mention, and many others are just never spoken of again, it just makes me wonder what is going on.

3. The auction ‘The truck is coming’ style of fundraising every Tuesday. Lots of issues here, and I won’t go into it. We all know the score.

Basically, there are a lot of red flags that keep coming up. I wish they’d just come clean, be transparent, and fly right. Sounds like they were on the right track there for awhile. But now? From what I see, they are the poster child for what a rescue should NOT be.

[OverandOnward]

@luvmytbs

Another volunteer speaks out.

Somehow this was the most disturbing of all. Until now, for me, it has been a kind of ‘mistakes to avoid’, but I finally get it. This volunteer’s experience of the behavior of these ‘rescuers’ bumps it to a whole other level. I now understand why some people are saying this is NOT simply a rescue that has over-committed and thus run into problems. It is a whole other ballgame.

http://vet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/typology.jpg

Had thought the situation was probably a combination of the 1st & 2nd categories in this list. Now I see why some closer to the situation see it as the 3rd category. In which case that group aren’t going to stop just because of a lot of negative feedback.

The chart above is from Tufts school of vet medicine. http://vet.tufts.edu/

Here is Tuft’s evaluation criteria for animal caregiving, be it a rescue or other situation, even just an animal owner … once again, I’m seeing where the concern is coming from. Huge holes in the problem ‘rescue’ organization.

http://vet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/EvalCriteria.jpg

[TuxWink]

@OverandOnward

Somehow this was the most disturbing of all. Until now, for me, it has been a kind of ‘mistakes to avoid’, but I finally get it. This volunteer’s experience of the behavior of these ‘rescuers’ bumps it to a whole other level. I now understand why some people are saying this is NOT simply a rescue that has over-committed and thus run into problems. It is a whole other ballgame.

http://vet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/typology.jpg

Had thought the situation was probably a combination of the 1st & 2nd categories in this list. Now I see why some closer to the situation see it as the 3rd category. In which case that group aren’t going to stop just because of a lot of negative feedback.

The chart above is from Tufts school of vet medicine. http://vet.tufts.edu/

I agree that this falls under the 3rd category. This isn’t just a case of trying to do the right thing and then realizing you are in over your head and have too many horses. These are extremely manipulative people who are using their volunteers and social media to keep things afloat.

Unfortunately I have experienced a sociopath personality type like this in the horse world and they can really suck you in. Their ability to control your access to the thing you love - horses - gives them an edge in that you will put up with a lot of their “quirks” because you don’t want that thing you love taken away. They are also great at playing the “poor me” card and convincing you that everyone is against them because they are jealous, don’t understand, etc. They turn their temper on and off so you are constantly on edge around them and wanting to “please” them.

[iberianfan]

So, I know nothing about this rescue or any of the players. I am appalled by the crudity of the behavior for one. I guess I wouldn’t do business with anyone whose public persona was so unprofessional.
Nevertheless, I am a fact checker. What I was able to determine: HiCaliber is up-to-date on 990 filing, 2015 being the last year filed. Presuming 2016 is on extension, it is not yet due. They are also in good standing with the Sec of State in California.
Per the 2015 990 data, they took in about $290,000 and spent about $295,000. About $105,000 for hay, $49,000 for horse purchases. Costs for vet and farrier were lower. No salaries.
fwiw.

[OverandOnward]

@iberianfan

So, I know nothing about this rescue or any of the players. I am appalled by the crudity of the behavior for one. I guess I wouldn’t do business with anyone whose public persona was so unprofessional.
Nevertheless, I am a fact checker. What I was able to determine: HiCaliber is up-to-date on 990 filing, 2015 being the last year filed. Presuming 2016 is on extension, it is not yet due. They are also in good standing with the Sec of State in California.
Per the 2015 990 data, they took in about $290,000 and spent about $295,000. About $105,000 for hay, $49,000 for horse purchases. Costs for vet and farrier were lower. No salaries.
fwiw.

That is good to know. And yet, as a financial person, I know how much can be hidden, even misstated, in those numbers. The state won’t know until and unless they do an audit.

Even then, a regular audit does not look for fraud and often misses it. Several major business frauds had passed yearly audits (Enron, WorldCom, et. al.) There has to be a strong, provable reason to justify a fraud audit. Fraud audits are unusual even in the business world, very expensive and not at all easy to accomplish. So anyway, I’m thinking that if they have someone helping that is good at pulling the books together for the state, it may not be the financials that are their weak point, even if the financials are in a sorry state.

From the blog I gather they are not in compliance on some other things, but not clear just what, and with what government agency. They may have expenses and invoices, but are those matched to horses that have a record of what has been done, and the current condition and whereabouts of the horse? It’s the horse end that is falling through. Apparently this is what this rescue does not share. Which doesn’t mean they don’t have it, but in their case it would be in their financial best interest to share more of it with the public than they do.

I agree that the behavior really pulls the curtain back. I am not sure how any operation can be run with that sort of behavior, especially one that depends on unpaid volunteers for so much work. The whole operation appears to be falling apart under its own weight, but with only voiceless horses to suffer the consequences.

[iberianfan]

Overandonward, absolutely. I was an auditor for a number of years, so the numbers are only as good as the documentation behind them. I just put out verifiable facts. I completely agree that the horses are the ones that are hurt by all this craziness. It is unbelievable to me that many people can be sucked in and think that this behavior is acceptable. Folks that are this belligerent, this confrontational, this nasty - cannot be good for any living thing. Kindness is not in there anywhere.
OK, but now that I looked up stats on legit websites, HC is showing up as a suggested post on my FB page. Ugh. Just ugh.

[luvmytbs]

I have to wonder how people who do not have a regular job, aren’t retired and aren’t on a “rescue’s” payroll are making a living? They have to eat, don’t they? :yes:

[Boshy]

LoveMyTBs

No one at HiCaliber has ever bragged or boasted about their choice to euthanize by gunshot. Many disagree with euthanizing this way which is fine, but don’t make up stories about them bragging about it or enjoying it. It’s simply not true. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. I just believe in being truthful and fair. Please don’t let your hate turn you into a liar.

[Boshy]

Luvmytbs

No one at HiCaliber has ever bragged or boasted about their choice to euthanize by gunshot…EVER!! They have (many times,) explained their reasons for choosing to do it that way. Many people disagree with it, and to each his own. You can hate HiCaliber all you want, but please don’t let that hate get the better of you and make you willing to make up stories and sensationalize to try to get others to feel the way you do. You’re saying that HC murders horses by shooting them between the eyes to make it sound more dramatic. They prefer to euthanize by gunshot…period!..and without bragging!!

As far as them cooking and eating horse testicals…you don’t have to agree with it, but how does that make them a horrible rescue? My family loves sushi but I hate it. Does that make them bad people? If you have legitimate issues with HC, then please stick with your issues. What you are doing is just plain slander.

[TuxWink]

@Boshy

Luvmytbs
You’re saying that HC murders horses by shooting them between the eyes to make it sound more dramatic. They prefer to euthanize by gunshot…period!..and without bragging!!

As far as them cooking and eating horse testicals…you don’t have to agree with it, but how does that make them a horrible rescue? My family loves sushi but I hate it. Does that make them bad people? If you have legitimate issues with HC, then please stick with your issues. What you are doing is just plain slander.

To your first point, I don’t have a problem with the method of euthanisia, but I do have a problem with the application of this method by anyone other than a trained professional. I also have a problem with which horses are selected for euthanasia. It seems arbitrary, some deaths are not announced and horses are scrubbed from website and there isn’t any sort of approval/consultation from a vet for many of these euthanasias. I understand in emergency situations a vet consult may not be possible, but most of these euthanasias do not seem to fall into that category.

To that end, Michelle Is NOT a vet. She is not qualified to diagnose neurological ailments, lameness or any of the other issues or diseases which are discussed in the videos and posts. I don’t think she and her “board” should be making non- emergency euthanasia decisions without a vet seeing the horse.

As as to the eating of the testicles, that doesn’t make them a “bad rescue,” but is just one of the very questionable behaviors they routinely engage in and plaster on their social media.

[luvmytbs]

@Boshy

Luvmytbs

No one at HiCaliber has ever bragged or boasted about their choice to euthanize by gunshot…EVER!! They have (many times,) explained their reasons for choosing to do it that way. Many people disagree with it, and to each his own. You can hate HiCaliber all you want, but please don’t let that hate get the better of you and make you willing to make up stories and sensationalize to try to get others to feel the way you do. You’re saying that HC murders horses by shooting them between the eyes to make it sound more dramatic. They prefer to euthanize by gunshot…period!..and without bragging!!

As far as them cooking and eating horse testicals…you don’t have to agree with it, but how does that make them a horrible rescue? My family loves sushi but I hate it. Does that make them bad people? If you have legitimate issues with HC, then please stick with your issues. What you are doing is just plain slander.

Sorry Boshy, but I am not the one writing the Shedrow blog.

However, I do agree with a lot of the concerns being brought up by whoever is the author.

HiCaliber is no rescue; they are cheap roadshow exploiting individuals who apparently love the drama and don’t care about the welfare of these horses.