I talked with Kevin about the 30 year old mare, Gitta, who had been placed with him at the same time Ruby Beau was. My farrier and I visited the Neatherlins a few days after they took Gitta into their establishment. At that time, she was in good condition (see photo above). I had talked with her original owner when I called to inquire about her. He was an elderly gentleman who had been taking care of the horse for 10 years. Gitta had belonged to his daughter who had died. The old gentleman was afraid that he would not be able to continue providing Gitta with the care she needed because of his age. Gitta had not been neglected, and the old man was looking for an individual such as myself who would care for her and use her for light pleasure riding; however, he had already sent her off with Neatherlins.
Kevin told me that after spending four months with the Neatherlins, Gitta was down to 700 pounds. He says that he did his best to feed her up and that she did gain weight up to 946 pounds but unfortunately, she died. This was an old horse, and she might have died at that age anyway; however, she did not need to be put through what she was put through by the Neatherlins. Their treatment of her was not what the old gentleman was seeking when he offered her for a good and caring placement.
When Rick and I initially became involved with the Neatherlins, in September 2014 we gave them the benefit of the doubt and we thought that they were doing their best to do something good. We thought that if we helped them, they might be able to really make a go of it and help some horses.
In the course of six months, our experiences with the Neatherlins have convinced us that we were too optimistic. We feel that the Neatherlins are exploiting horses in need in order to receive tax credits and in order to sell (and sometimes resell) horses for cash. Charity recently disclosed to Rick that they are required to keep at least five horses on the premises for tax credits. This is why rather than waiting until they receive calls about horses in need of genuine rescue they apparently devote a great deal of time to cruising Craigslist, rescueme.org and similar websites in search of horses that they can pick up for free.
We have seen them frequently run out of feed and hay while striving to get more horses onto their premises. Their truck is in a constant state of disrepair and in danger of repossession. (And, indeed, it has been repossessed.) They think nothing of hauling horses in a trailer that is in a poor state of repair. Their fences are inadequate, and there is no shelter on their premises.
In the final analysis, I strongly recommend anyone considering dealing with the Neatherlin Horse "Rescue" not to do so. I do not believe that they are honest, and I do not believe that they are working in the best interests of horses.
Kevin told me that after spending four months with the Neatherlins, Gitta was down to 700 pounds. He says that he did his best to feed her up and that she did gain weight up to 946 pounds but unfortunately, she died. This was an old horse, and she might have died at that age anyway; however, she did not need to be put through what she was put through by the Neatherlins. Their treatment of her was not what the old gentleman was seeking when he offered her for a good and caring placement.
When Rick and I initially became involved with the Neatherlins, in September 2014 we gave them the benefit of the doubt and we thought that they were doing their best to do something good. We thought that if we helped them, they might be able to really make a go of it and help some horses.
In the course of six months, our experiences with the Neatherlins have convinced us that we were too optimistic. We feel that the Neatherlins are exploiting horses in need in order to receive tax credits and in order to sell (and sometimes resell) horses for cash. Charity recently disclosed to Rick that they are required to keep at least five horses on the premises for tax credits. This is why rather than waiting until they receive calls about horses in need of genuine rescue they apparently devote a great deal of time to cruising Craigslist, rescueme.org and similar websites in search of horses that they can pick up for free.
We have seen them frequently run out of feed and hay while striving to get more horses onto their premises. Their truck is in a constant state of disrepair and in danger of repossession. (And, indeed, it has been repossessed.) They think nothing of hauling horses in a trailer that is in a poor state of repair. Their fences are inadequate, and there is no shelter on their premises.
In the final analysis, I strongly recommend anyone considering dealing with the Neatherlin Horse "Rescue" not to do so. I do not believe that they are honest, and I do not believe that they are working in the best interests of horses.