Complaint Review: Dan And Mary Ann Beberman; Lucky Diamond Ranch

Jake was a large, beautiful, powerful Walking Mule who had been used as a pack mule on hunting trips, and for ten years, allowed to do whatever he pleased. He had no discipline when we bought him and he had a habit of "weaving," which is a common trait with mules. He bolted with my husband on their first trail ride because we were told he was only ridden in a snaffle. We put him in a combination gag/hackamore, worked with him on the trail and in the arena, and he became one of the most awesome saddle mounts we have ever had, always light and responsive, and he never bolted again. He was flawless on the trail, in the mountains and at the beach, unflappable around gunshots, fireworks, etc., and he and I even got a 2-Gait High Point Award at a horse show at the Kitsap Saddle Club. I trusted him more that I did my other horses. He was also, as many equines are, especially mules, anxious in new environments, and he was pushy on the ground unless you gained his respect. Because he was so big and strong, we usually put a stud shank over his nose when he was led and we never had a problem with him. We put him up for sale because he became very attached to one of my mares who was due to foal. I couldn't have him around a new baby, and we didn't have the space to keep him separated.

Patti inquired about Jake because she wanted a mule that had more "go" in order to keep up with her Tennessee Walking Horse mare. She currently had a smaller mule that was "broke to death" but he was very slow and not compatible with her mare. We disclosed everything about Jake's history, which we do with EVERY potential buyer, she visited him several times at our farm, and she rode him at Green Mountain while I rode her mare so she could see him in "the real world" before deciding to buy him. We believed that it would be a good fit because she gave us the impression that she was an experienced "mule person" and an accomplished horsewoman. Jake also seemed to like her. The sale included a new Colorado mule saddle, breast collar, crupper, saddle pad, bridle and the very same bit we used with him on the trail. The bill of sale stated that she had the right to have Jake inspected by a veterinarian of her choice, and the sale could be cancelled if the results of a vet inspection were unsatisfactory to her. She declined a vet inspection, took him home and seemed happy with him.

Within a week or two, Patti called to tell us that someone had broken into her horse trailer and stolen all of her tack so she wouldn't be able to ride Jake for awhile. We offered to loan her another bridle but we didn't have a saddle that fit him. She said she expected that her insurance would allow her to replace her tack before long. I spent months watching ads and spreading the word about her stolen mule saddle, hoping I could help her in some way. In the meantime, Jake was not being ridden and just hung out in the pasture.

Shortly thereafter, she called to say that she had replaced her stolen tack, that Jake was great on the trail, and that even her "non horsey" boyfriend was riding him and loving it, but she was having problems handling him on the ground. She didn't want to use a stud shank and admitted that she preferred to use a "lighter touch." We pointed out that Jake needed a firmer hand and that he would soon take advantage of her if she didn't gain his respect. She agreed to try to be more assertive with him, and implied that she knew what she needed to do. I certainly didn't refuse to go to her place and I don't recall being asked to go there.

Sometime later, Patti called and said she had been seriously injured on a trail ride - her mare, not Jake had almost killed her and she was now REALLY having trouble handling Jake on the ground because she was hurt. She admitted, however, that Jake's lack of manners were entirely her fault and that she had no blame or malice towards us, because she had let him run over her from the beginning. She also stated that she was confident that we had disclosed everything about Jake, and I again confirmed that we had. We felt very bad for her, and wanted to help, but we had no stalls available at our farm at the time and Jake would have had to be outside without shelter, something we are not willing to do with any animal in our care. Further, we were not in a position to refund her money, and had made it clear to her at the time of sale that we could not take him back, because of the foaling situation and our financial situation. We offered to help her find another owner for him, and she said that she would be willing to take less than what she paid, just to get him into the right home. Although we couldn't bring him back to our place, we had discussed that perhaps I could take potential buyers out on test rides and help her sell him that way.

Sometime later, she called and told us that she had found a "mule trainer" in Enumclaw that would work with Jake and consign him for her. That seemed like a good option, since the man dealt with a lot of mule people and would likely have more contacts in the mule world. Patti trailered him over there and called later that evening, and again the next morning to tell us that Jake had "lost it," broke loose from his handler, tried to break through a small window, broke down a stall front and tried to run over the trainer. The trainer indicated that he felt the mule had NEVER been handled or ridden, although Patti certainly knew otherwise. I offered to hook up my trailer immediately (10:00 pm) go over there and bring him back to my place, even though we didn't have room for him. Patti refused, saying she wanted to give the "mule trainer" a chance to work with him. I was in tears, hearing about what had happened to this wonderful but obviously distaught mule. I was later devastated when Patti told me that the "mule trainer" had declared him unsalvageable and took him to the auction. We only hope he went to someone who really understood mules, as that person would've gotten the bargain of the century for $300.00. Regardless, I am not aware that Patti made any attempts to contact us after that.

Patti has had a lot of bad luck, and we feel very badly for everything she has been through. We did not, however, and have never drugged a horse in order to sell it, and I would really like to know how she "has it on good source" that Jake was drugged. We encourage potential owners to go out and catch the horse/mule themselves, groom it, saddle and ride without our help so we can judge if the chemistry is right and if the person can handle the animal. We then encourage a vet check so that any question of drugs or "funny business" can be addressed. The same applied to Patti when she was evaluating Jake. He was calm and quiet at our farm because he knew we were in control, he respected us, he was comfortable with us and we knew how to handle him. We expected that Jake would go through an adjustment period, but that Patti was equally capable of handling him, particularly because of her implied experience with mules. We have never misrepresented a horse or mule, or knowingly sent a horse or mule or any animal to a home where we believed the animal or people would be in danger. We have never refused Patti's calls and tried everything in our power to help her. We wish we could've bought Jake back or at least brought him home to help him recover from his ordeal, but we sold him to her for less that what we put into him, we had expenses that we had to pay with the money she paid for him, and we didn't have the facilities to properly care for him while he waited for a new home. We felt her decision to consign Jake with someone with mule experience was a good one, and when it appeared that that was not going to work out, I offered to drop everything and go get him. Patti refused to let me do that.

We do have one horse currently for sale, and we are sorry that viewing our website triggered a flashback for Patti. Her flashback has triggered the heartbreak we felt when her problems with Jake were happening. Our website hasn't changed much in years because our philosophy hasn't changed, and we stand behind what our website states. We are not horse brokers and we have a very, very small facility, but we also have many good references and a lot of happy horses in forever homes. We wish we could house and care for all of the needy animals that come to our attention, and when we have the resources to take one in, or help rehome one that came from our farm, or help someone find an equine friend, we do so. We also wish we could promise those animals that the people they go to will be perfect in every way. Unfortunately, we didn't have those resources available to us at the time when Patti and Jake needed them, and Patti turned out to be the wrong person for Jake. Although we tried to rescue Jake when he was in crisis, Patti, as his owner, refused to allow us to do so. We regret all of this, but are helpless to change any of it.

We are honest and caring people - otherwise, we would've written off this ripoff report as just another cost of doing business. We are NOT in the business of ripping people off, and we are deeply hurt that Patti would imply to others that we are.

Jake was a large, beautiful, powerful Walking Mule who had been used as a pack mule on hunting trips, and for ten years, allowed to do whatever he pleased. He had no discipline when we bought him and he had a habit of "weaving," which is a common trait with mules. He bolted with my husband on their first trail ride because we were told he was only ridden in a snaffle. We put him in a combination gag/hackamore, worked with him on the trail and in the arena, and he became one of the most awesome saddle mounts we have ever had, always light and responsive, and he never bolted again. He was flawless on the trail, in the mountains and at the beach, unflappable around gunshots, fireworks, etc., and he and I even got a 2-Gait High Point Award at a horse show at the Kitsap Saddle Club. I trusted him more that I did my other horses. He was also, as many equines are, especially mules, anxious in new environments, and he was pushy on the ground unless you gained his respect. Because he was so big and strong, we usually put a stud shank over his nose when he was led and we never had a problem with him. We put him up for sale because he became very attached to one of my mares who was due to foal. I couldn't have him around a new baby, and we didn't have the space to keep him separated.

Patti inquired about Jake because she wanted a mule that had more "go" in order to keep up with her Tennessee Walking Horse mare. She currently had a smaller mule that was "broke to death" but he was very slow and not compatible with her mare. We disclosed everything about Jake's history, which we do with EVERY potential buyer, she visited him several times at our farm, and she rode him at Green Mountain while I rode her mare so she could see him in "the real world" before deciding to buy him. We believed that it would be a good fit because she gave us the impression that she was an experienced "mule person" and an accomplished horsewoman. Jake also seemed to like her. The sale included a new Colorado mule saddle, breast collar, crupper, saddle pad, bridle and the very same bit we used with him on the trail. The bill of sale stated that she had the right to have Jake inspected by a veterinarian of her choice, and the sale could be cancelled if the results of a vet inspection were unsatisfactory to her. She declined a vet inspection, took him home and seemed happy with him.

Within a week or two, Patti called to tell us that someone had broken into her horse trailer and stolen all of her tack so she wouldn't be able to ride Jake for awhile. We offered to loan her another bridle but we didn't have a saddle that fit him. She said she expected that her insurance would allow her to replace her tack before long. I spent months watching ads and spreading the word about her stolen mule saddle, hoping I could help her in some way. In the meantime, Jake was not being ridden and just hung out in the pasture.

Shortly thereafter, she called to say that she had replaced her stolen tack, that Jake was great on the trail, and that even her "non horsey" boyfriend was riding him and loving it, but she was having problems handling him on the ground. She didn't want to use a stud shank and admitted that she preferred to use a "lighter touch." We pointed out that Jake needed a firmer hand and that he would soon take advantage of her if she didn't gain his respect. She agreed to try to be more assertive with him, and implied that she knew what she needed to do. I certainly didn't refuse to go to her place and I don't recall being asked to go there.

Sometime later, Patti called and said she had been seriously injured on a trail ride - her mare, not Jake had almost killed her and she was now REALLY having trouble handling Jake on the ground because she was hurt. She admitted, however, that Jake's lack of manners were entirely her fault and that she had no blame or malice towards us, because she had let him run over her from the beginning. She also stated that she was confident that we had disclosed everything about Jake, and I again confirmed that we had. We felt very bad for her, and wanted to help, but we had no stalls available at our farm at the time and Jake would have had to be outside without shelter, something we are not willing to do with any animal in our care. Further, we were not in a position to refund her money, and had made it clear to her at the time of sale that we could not take him back, because of the foaling situation and our financial situation. We offered to help her find another owner for him, and she said that she would be willing to take less than what she paid, just to get him into the right home. Although we couldn't bring him back to our place, we had discussed that perhaps I could take potential buyers out on test rides and help her sell him that way.

Sometime later, she called and told us that she had found a "mule trainer" in Enumclaw that would work with Jake and consign him for her. That seemed like a good option, since the man dealt with a lot of mule people and would likely have more contacts in the mule world. Patti trailered him over there and called later that evening, and again the next morning to tell us that Jake had "lost it," broke loose from his handler, tried to break through a small window, broke down a stall front and tried to run over the trainer. The trainer indicated that he felt the mule had NEVER been handled or ridden, although Patti certainly knew otherwise. I offered to hook up my trailer immediately (10:00 pm) go over there and bring him back to my place, even though we didn't have room for him. Patti refused, saying she wanted to give the "mule trainer" a chance to work with him. I was in tears, hearing about what had happened to this wonderful but obviously distaught mule. I was later devastated when Patti told me that the "mule trainer" had declared him unsalvageable and took him to the auction. We only hope he went to someone who really understood mules, as that person would've gotten the bargain of the century for $300.00. Regardless, I am not aware that Patti made any attempts to contact us after that.

Patti has had a lot of bad luck, and we feel very badly for everything she has been through. We did not, however, and have never drugged a horse in order to sell it, and I would really like to know how she "has it on good source" that Jake was drugged. We encourage potential owners to go out and catch the horse/mule themselves, groom it, saddle and ride without our help so we can judge if the chemistry is right and if the person can handle the animal. We then encourage a vet check so that any question of drugs or "funny business" can be addressed. The same applied to Patti when she was evaluating Jake. He was calm and quiet at our farm because he knew we were in control, he respected us, he was comfortable with us and we knew how to handle him. We expected that Jake would go through an adjustment period, but that Patti was equally capable of handling him, particularly because of her implied experience with mules. We have never misrepresented a horse or mule, or knowingly sent a horse or mule or any animal to a home where we believed the animal or people would be in danger. We have never refused Patti's calls and tried everything in our power to help her. We wish we could've bought Jake back or at least brought him home to help him recover from his ordeal, but we sold him to her for less that what we put into him, we had expenses that we had to pay with the money she paid for him, and we didn't have the facilities to properly care for him while he waited for a new home. We felt her decision to consign Jake with someone with mule experience was a good one, and when it appeared that that was not going to work out, I offered to drop everything and go get him. Patti refused to let me do that.

We do have one horse currently for sale, and we are sorry that viewing our website triggered a flashback for Patti. Her flashback has triggered the heartbreak we felt when her problems with Jake were happening. Our website hasn't changed much in years because our philosophy hasn't changed, and we stand behind what our website states. We are not horse brokers and we have a very, very small facility, but we also have many good references and a lot of happy horses in forever homes. We wish we could house and care for all of the needy animals that come to our attention, and when we have the resources to take one in, or help rehome one that came from our farm, or help someone find an equine friend, we do so. We also wish we could promise those animals that the people they go to will be perfect in every way. Unfortunately, we didn't have those resources available to us at the time when Patti and Jake needed them, and Patti turned out to be the wrong person for Jake. Although we tried to rescue Jake when he was in crisis, Patti, as his owner, refused to allow us to do so. We regret all of this, but are helpless to change any of it.

We are honest and caring people - otherwise, we would've written off this ripoff report as just another cost of doing business. We are NOT in the business of ripping people off, and we are deeply hurt that Patti would imply to others that we are.

Jake was a large, beautiful, powerful Walking Mule who had been used as a pack mule on hunting trips, and for ten years, allowed to do whatever he pleased. He had no discipline when we bought him and he had a habit of "weaving," which is a common trait with mules. He bolted with my husband on their first trail ride because we were told he was only ridden in a snaffle. We put him in a combination gag/hackamore, worked with him on the trail and in the arena, and he became one of the most awesome saddle mounts we have ever had, always light and responsive, and he never bolted again. He was flawless on the trail, in the mountains and at the beach, unflappable around gunshots, fireworks, etc., and he and I even got a 2-Gait High Point Award at a horse show at the Kitsap Saddle Club. I trusted him more that I did my other horses. He was also, as many equines are, especially mules, anxious in new environments, and he was pushy on the ground unless you gained his respect. Because he was so big and strong, we usually put a stud shank over his nose when he was led and we never had a problem with him. We put him up for sale because he became very attached to one of my mares who was due to foal. I couldn't have him around a new baby, and we didn't have the space to keep him separated.

Patti inquired about Jake because she wanted a mule that had more "go" in order to keep up with her Tennessee Walking Horse mare. She currently had a smaller mule that was "broke to death" but he was very slow and not compatible with her mare. We disclosed everything about Jake's history, which we do with EVERY potential buyer, she visited him several times at our farm, and she rode him at Green Mountain while I rode her mare so she could see him in "the real world" before deciding to buy him. We believed that it would be a good fit because she gave us the impression that she was an experienced "mule person" and an accomplished horsewoman. Jake also seemed to like her. The sale included a new Colorado mule saddle, breast collar, crupper, saddle pad, bridle and the very same bit we used with him on the trail. The bill of sale stated that she had the right to have Jake inspected by a veterinarian of her choice, and the sale could be cancelled if the results of a vet inspection were unsatisfactory to her. She declined a vet inspection, took him home and seemed happy with him.

Within a week or two, Patti called to tell us that someone had broken into her horse trailer and stolen all of her tack so she wouldn't be able to ride Jake for awhile. We offered to loan her another bridle but we didn't have a saddle that fit him. She said she expected that her insurance would allow her to replace her tack before long. I spent months watching ads and spreading the word about her stolen mule saddle, hoping I could help her in some way. In the meantime, Jake was not being ridden and just hung out in the pasture.

Shortly thereafter, she called to say that she had replaced her stolen tack, that Jake was great on the trail, and that even her "non horsey" boyfriend was riding him and loving it, but she was having problems handling him on the ground. She didn't want to use a stud shank and admitted that she preferred to use a "lighter touch." We pointed out that Jake needed a firmer hand and that he would soon take advantage of her if she didn't gain his respect. She agreed to try to be more assertive with him, and implied that she knew what she needed to do. I certainly didn't refuse to go to her place and I don't recall being asked to go there.

Sometime later, Patti called and said she had been seriously injured on a trail ride - her mare, not Jake had almost killed her and she was now REALLY having trouble handling Jake on the ground because she was hurt. She admitted, however, that Jake's lack of manners were entirely her fault and that she had no blame or malice towards us, because she had let him run over her from the beginning. She also stated that she was confident that we had disclosed everything about Jake, and I again confirmed that we had. We felt very bad for her, and wanted to help, but we had no stalls available at our farm at the time and Jake would have had to be outside without shelter, something we are not willing to do with any animal in our care. Further, we were not in a position to refund her money, and had made it clear to her at the time of sale that we could not take him back, because of the foaling situation and our financial situation. We offered to help her find another owner for him, and she said that she would be willing to take less than what she paid, just to get him into the right home. Although we couldn't bring him back to our place, we had discussed that perhaps I could take potential buyers out on test rides and help her sell him that way.

Sometime later, she called and told us that she had found a "mule trainer" in Enumclaw that would work with Jake and consign him for her. That seemed like a good option, since the man dealt with a lot of mule people and would likely have more contacts in the mule world. Patti trailered him over there and called later that evening, and again the next morning to tell us that Jake had "lost it," broke loose from his handler, tried to break through a small window, broke down a stall front and tried to run over the trainer. The trainer indicated that he felt the mule had NEVER been handled or ridden, although Patti certainly knew otherwise. I offered to hook up my trailer immediately (10:00 pm) go over there and bring him back to my place, even though we didn't have room for him. Patti refused, saying she wanted to give the "mule trainer" a chance to work with him. I was in tears, hearing about what had happened to this wonderful but obviously distaught mule. I was later devastated when Patti told me that the "mule trainer" had declared him unsalvageable and took him to the auction. We only hope he went to someone who really understood mules, as that person would've gotten the bargain of the century for $300.00. Regardless, I am not aware that Patti made any attempts to contact us after that.

Patti has had a lot of bad luck, and we feel very badly for everything she has been through. We did not, however, and have never drugged a horse in order to sell it, and I would really like to know how she "has it on good source" that Jake was drugged. We encourage potential owners to go out and catch the horse/mule themselves, groom it, saddle and ride without our help so we can judge if the chemistry is right and if the person can handle the animal. We then encourage a vet check so that any question of drugs or "funny business" can be addressed. The same applied to Patti when she was evaluating Jake. He was calm and quiet at our farm because he knew we were in control, he respected us, he was comfortable with us and we knew how to handle him. We expected that Jake would go through an adjustment period, but that Patti was equally capable of handling him, particularly because of her implied experience with mules. We have never misrepresented a horse or mule, or knowingly sent a horse or mule or any animal to a home where we believed the animal or people would be in danger. We have never refused Patti's calls and tried everything in our power to help her. We wish we could've bought Jake back or at least brought him home to help him recover from his ordeal, but we sold him to her for less that what we put into him, we had expenses that we had to pay with the money she paid for him, and we didn't have the facilities to properly care for him while he waited for a new home. We felt her decision to consign Jake with someone with mule experience was a good one, and when it appeared that that was not going to work out, I offered to drop everything and go get him. Patti refused to let me do that.

We do have one horse currently for sale, and we are sorry that viewing our website triggered a flashback for Patti. Her flashback has triggered the heartbreak we felt when her problems with Jake were happening. Our website hasn't changed much in years because our philosophy hasn't changed, and we stand behind what our website states. We are not horse brokers and we have a very, very small facility, but we also have many good references and a lot of happy horses in forever homes. We wish we could house and care for all of the needy animals that come to our attention, and when we have the resources to take one in, or help rehome one that came from our farm, or help someone find an equine friend, we do so. We also wish we could promise those animals that the people they go to will be perfect in every way. Unfortunately, we didn't have those resources available to us at the time when Patti and Jake needed them, and Patti turned out to be the wrong person for Jake. Although we tried to rescue Jake when he was in crisis, Patti, as his owner, refused to allow us to do so. We regret all of this, but are helpless to change any of it.

We are honest and caring people - otherwise, we would've written off this ripoff report as just another cost of doing business. We are NOT in the business of ripping people off, and we are deeply hurt that Patti would imply to others that we are.

Jake was a large, beautiful, powerful Walking Mule who had been used as a pack mule on hunting trips, and for ten years, allowed to do whatever he pleased. He had no discipline when we bought him and he had a habit of "weaving," which is a common trait with mules. He bolted with my husband on their first trail ride because we were told he was only ridden in a snaffle. We put him in a combination gag/hackamore, worked with him on the trail and in the arena, and he became one of the most awesome saddle mounts we have ever had, always light and responsive, and he never bolted again. He was flawless on the trail, in the mountains and at the beach, unflappable around gunshots, fireworks, etc., and he and I even got a 2-Gait High Point Award at a horse show at the Kitsap Saddle Club. I trusted him more that I did my other horses. He was also, as many equines are, especially mules, anxious in new environments, and he was pushy on the ground unless you gained his respect. Because he was so big and strong, we usually put a stud shank over his nose when he was led and we never had a problem with him. We put him up for sale because he became very attached to one of my mares who was due to foal. I couldn't have him around a new baby, and we didn't have the space to keep him separated.

Patti inquired about Jake because she wanted a mule that had more "go" in order to keep up with her Tennessee Walking Horse mare. She currently had a smaller mule that was "broke to death" but he was very slow and not compatible with her mare. We disclosed everything about Jake's history, which we do with EVERY potential buyer, she visited him several times at our farm, and she rode him at Green Mountain while I rode her mare so she could see him in "the real world" before deciding to buy him. We believed that it would be a good fit because she gave us the impression that she was an experienced "mule person" and an accomplished horsewoman. Jake also seemed to like her. The sale included a new Colorado mule saddle, breast collar, crupper, saddle pad, bridle and the very same bit we used with him on the trail. The bill of sale stated that she had the right to have Jake inspected by a veterinarian of her choice, and the sale could be cancelled if the results of a vet inspection were unsatisfactory to her. She declined a vet inspection, took him home and seemed happy with him.

Within a week or two, Patti called to tell us that someone had broken into her horse trailer and stolen all of her tack so she wouldn't be able to ride Jake for awhile. We offered to loan her another bridle but we didn't have a saddle that fit him. She said she expected that her insurance would allow her to replace her tack before long. I spent months watching ads and spreading the word about her stolen mule saddle, hoping I could help her in some way. In the meantime, Jake was not being ridden and just hung out in the pasture.

Shortly thereafter, she called to say that she had replaced her stolen tack, that Jake was great on the trail, and that even her "non horsey" boyfriend was riding him and loving it, but she was having problems handling him on the ground. She didn't want to use a stud shank and admitted that she preferred to use a "lighter touch." We pointed out that Jake needed a firmer hand and that he would soon take advantage of her if she didn't gain his respect. She agreed to try to be more assertive with him, and implied that she knew what she needed to do. I certainly didn't refuse to go to her place and I don't recall being asked to go there.

Sometime later, Patti called and said she had been seriously injured on a trail ride - her mare, not Jake had almost killed her and she was now REALLY having trouble handling Jake on the ground because she was hurt. She admitted, however, that Jake's lack of manners were entirely her fault and that she had no blame or malice towards us, because she had let him run over her from the beginning. She also stated that she was confident that we had disclosed everything about Jake, and I again confirmed that we had. We felt very bad for her, and wanted to help, but we had no stalls available at our farm at the time and Jake would have had to be outside without shelter, something we are not willing to do with any animal in our care. Further, we were not in a position to refund her money, and had made it clear to her at the time of sale that we could not take him back, because of the foaling situation and our financial situation. We offered to help her find another owner for him, and she said that she would be willing to take less than what she paid, just to get him into the right home. Although we couldn't bring him back to our place, we had discussed that perhaps I could take potential buyers out on test rides and help her sell him that way.

Sometime later, she called and told us that she had found a "mule trainer" in Enumclaw that would work with Jake and consign him for her. That seemed like a good option, since the man dealt with a lot of mule people and would likely have more contacts in the mule world. Patti trailered him over there and called later that evening, and again the next morning to tell us that Jake had "lost it," broke loose from his handler, tried to break through a small window, broke down a stall front and tried to run over the trainer. The trainer indicated that he felt the mule had NEVER been handled or ridden, although Patti certainly knew otherwise. I offered to hook up my trailer immediately (10:00 pm) go over there and bring him back to my place, even though we didn't have room for him. Patti refused, saying she wanted to give the "mule trainer" a chance to work with him. I was in tears, hearing about what had happened to this wonderful but obviously distaught mule. I was later devastated when Patti told me that the "mule trainer" had declared him unsalvageable and took him to the auction. We only hope he went to someone who really understood mules, as that person would've gotten the bargain of the century for $300.00. Regardless, I am not aware that Patti made any attempts to contact us after that.

Patti has had a lot of bad luck, and we feel very badly for everything she has been through. We did not, however, and have never drugged a horse in order to sell it, and I would really like to know how she "has it on good source" that Jake was drugged. We encourage potential owners to go out and catch the horse/mule themselves, groom it, saddle and ride without our help so we can judge if the chemistry is right and if the person can handle the animal. We then encourage a vet check so that any question of drugs or "funny business" can be addressed. The same applied to Patti when she was evaluating Jake. He was calm and quiet at our farm because he knew we were in control, he respected us, he was comfortable with us and we knew how to handle him. We expected that Jake would go through an adjustment period, but that Patti was equally capable of handling him, particularly because of her implied experience with mules. We have never misrepresented a horse or mule, or knowingly sent a horse or mule or any animal to a home where we believed the animal or people would be in danger. We have never refused Patti's calls and tried everything in our power to help her. We wish we could've bought Jake back or at least brought him home to help him recover from his ordeal, but we sold him to her for less that what we put into him, we had expenses that we had to pay with the money she paid for him, and we didn't have the facilities to properly care for him while he waited for a new home. We felt her decision to consign Jake with someone with mule experience was a good one, and when it appeared that that was not going to work out, I offered to drop everything and go get him. Patti refused to let me do that.

We do have one horse currently for sale, and we are sorry that viewing our website triggered a flashback for Patti. Her flashback has triggered the heartbreak we felt when her problems with Jake were happening. Our website hasn't changed much in years because our philosophy hasn't changed, and we stand behind what our website states. We are not horse brokers and we have a very, very small facility, but we also have many good references and a lot of happy horses in forever homes. We wish we could house and care for all of the needy animals that come to our attention, and when we have the resources to take one in, or help rehome one that came from our farm, or help someone find an equine friend, we do so. We also wish we could promise those animals that the people they go to will be perfect in every way. Unfortunately, we didn't have those resources available to us at the time when Patti and Jake needed them, and Patti turned out to be the wrong person for Jake. Although we tried to rescue Jake when he was in crisis, Patti, as his owner, refused to allow us to do so. We regret all of this, but are helpless to change any of it.

We are honest and caring people - otherwise, we would've written off this ripoff report as just another cost of doing business. We are NOT in the business of ripping people off, and we are deeply hurt that Patti would imply to others that we are.