I was in the market for a horse and found Brenda Estes site through Equine.com. This site directed me to Brenda's Facebook link which promoted her organization; West Coast Race Horse Rescue. I contacted her via Facebook and explained that I was interested in "Our Man Luke." She sent me a couple of videos of him that showed him in very good condition. He was very young and running around his corral looking very cute and handsome.

Naturally, I fell in love with him and wanted to see him as soon as possible. When I asked Brenda for an appointment, we were able to get together right away. I had to meet her at a friend's house since her house was 'under water", as she put it. I noticed that "Our Man Luke" did not look as young as he did in the video and when I asked Brenda when the video was made that she sent me, she said it was only done a year ago. It didn't seem right, but I am inexperienced at buying horses so I didn't push it.

When we were walking across the pasture with "Our Man Luke", I asked Brenda if I could ride him to see how he rode and make sure I liked him. She told me that the people they were staying with didn't allow other people to ride their horses there. She didn't offer any other alternative. She quickly added that the owner's wife wanted "Our Man Luke" and that I might want to jump on the opportunity to get him before she did.

Being naive, anxious and way too trusting of Brenda, I let what she said about "Out Man Luke" being a steal, being sweet-natured, being a good riding horse all influence me into buying a horse that may have been sweet, but was not a good riding horse. She allowed me to groom him in the stall and I noticed that he was favoring his left, back hoof. She simply said that he was recovering from an abcess.

I gave a deposit of $400.00 that day to hold him. She insisted that she keep him another month to put weight on him since they "had to take him back from the previous adopters." I agreed. When she delivered him, I thought everything was fine. However, when I went on my first ride with him I found out about his leg and hoof problems. I took him down my road and when I tried to get him to come back to the house, he simply refused.

At first I thought he was just being stubbord. I had my neighbor take a look at him who has a lot more experience with horses. He explained to me that my horse is showing blatant signs of lameness. Upon learning this, I immediately called my vet who examined him and confirmed that my horse has difinate signs of lameness in both hind legs and recommends xrays in order to assess the extent of the damage to the hind legs.

I reported this back to Brenda Estes. I was extremely troubled and upset to know that this woman had knowingly sold me a lame horse. Brenda has 25 years of experience in the horse business and I only have a few years of which none include owning a horse! She clearly took advantage of my good nature and good will. She was furious when I told her I had stopped payment on the balance of the payment for "Our Man Luke." I ask you this, was I to add insult to injury and let her rip me off all the way?"

I have since asked Brenda to return the money and make things right. I have offered to give her proof from my vet to show her that the horse is lame, which she already knows with her 25 years of experience. She absolutely refuses to call me back even though I have repeatedly attempted to contact her. I would hope I could get my money back since I have nothing to show for the $400.00 I gave her and I also hope no one else ever gets ripped off by this woman.

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6 Updates & Rebuttals

Prechinatlolo

Elizabeth,
Colorado,
USA

5 Star Horse Seller

#2Consumer Comment

Sat, October 24, 2015

This is the most naive horse owner who has walked the earth. I personally have bought from Brenda and have owned some of the nicest ottbs. Brenda represents the horses very fairly and will find a great shipper. It's people like you who should never purchase a horse. Well, maybe a twenty year old QH. Don't try to ruin a good, solid reputation with your naive, crazy ways. SHAME on YOU!!!! The horse needed tlc not, a dingling like you. SHAME SHAME...

Brenda thank you for your effort on all the ottbs you have rehomed!

Brittany Wright

falconqq,
Colorado,
United States of America

I've adopted from Brenda before....

#3Consumer Comment

Fri, January 04, 2013

I have personally adopted 6 horses from Brenda, she was always very honest and forthcoming about their injuries and condition. One horse Mickey S. did develop some lameness issues about a year after adoption in regular work, however, how is Brenda expected to know what will happen down the road? This is a rescue, she doesn't have the money to vet check each horse, she can only see what is present at the time. This is your job as the buyer to vet check the horse prior to purchase or deposit. If you didn't feel comfortable with the situation then you should have looked elsewhere. If you want a riding horse, make sure you can ride it before you buy. I know Brenda and she is a good person and an animal lover, she didn't scam you on purpose. Be more careful next time and know what you are getting into. Especially with an OTTB, you never know what might come up, especially regarding soundness.

Trainer

United States of America

OTTB Rescues/ Rehoming

#4General Comment

Fri, January 04, 2013

I was made aware of Brenda when I had three friends (which I hope they will all chime in with their own personal experiences with Brenda) adopted seven horses from her over the last two years. I'm currently looking for an OTTB for myself & have contacted Brenda a few times to see what she has. So far she has been easy to work & straight forward for what I want the horse for. She even made arrangements for shipping an ex-race horse (not one of her hers) across the country for me at a discounted rate.

As far as test riding an Ex-Race Horse it is COMMON practice because of liability/insurance reasons to not allow the horses to be ridden on the farm or at the track without holding a special state license.

As most people who have OTTB rescues or ex-horse re-homing non-profits have a disclaimer that the horses are sold with no vet guarantees & it is the buyer/adopters responsibility to get a vet check on the horse prior to purchasing/adopting. You almost ALWAYS want to do some kind of basic soundness exam when ever youre purchasing a horse for riding & even than that can not guarantee the horse will remain sound.

From what I have seen & heard Brenda's adoption fees are pretty low normally under 1k so she can place the horses as fast as possible & to be able to rescue more.

In most cases a deposit unless stated otherwise ARE non-refundable, that is the point of a deposit. The fact that she does run an OTTB rescue & most of her horse come off the track or are from the auctions, she probably needs every penny to feed/house those horses plus some.

If approached in a good manner most people are willing to work something out but if approached in an accusing manner that's a whole different story.

Sherry

Kerby,
Oregon,
United States of America

The Truth Shall Set You Free

#5Author of original report

Mon, September 24, 2012

I really hate confrontation and it never fails to amaze me how heartless people can be and just take advantage of your innocence. Unfortunately, Brenda saw me coming. I thought I could trust her for the most part since she's part of a horse rescue; The West Coast Rescue Organization. Everything that she explained away in her rebuttal is a lie. I had everything in my arsenol to take her to court:

neighbor who witnessed the lameness
vet who confirmed the lameness
cancelled check for the deposit
receipt for the deposit
cancelled check for the fuel charges

Brenda is the one who insisted on keeping Luke longer. I wanted to take him home sooner, but she insisted on keeping him longer to put more weight on him since the previous adopters had starved him.

The only reason I did not take her to court is because I had pity on her and her situation. She is a new mother with new expenses. I chose to forgive her and suffer the wrong. However, I would prefer that nobody else have to suffer this wrong.

brenda

grants pass,
Oregon,
United States of America

Our Man Luke has a great home.

#6REBUTTAL Individual responds

Mon, September 24, 2012

Luke was the perfect horse for her but since she stopped payment on the Balance of Luke we went out and picked him up. We delivered Luke to her home which was 2 hours round trip plus we went back out to pickup luke at her home after she stopped payment which was another 2 hours round trip. Luke had shoes on the fronts and non on his hinds. when we went back to pick him up he would stumble every once in a while on her driveway which was rocky (ON HIS BACK FEET CAUSE HE DIDNT HAVE SHOES ON) when he was on the grass he was fine. We took him back to the barn and the owners of the barn adopted him. They enjoy him everyday. they trail ride and also have him in training for showing. If I could post pics and video of him I would be more then happy to. The reason the lady wasnt refunded any money was due to fuel cost round trip both ways, board while we kept him at our place till she was ready for him. we have placed over 200 horses in homes and have many people that come back to us that adopt. Im not going to let 1 lady out there they to ruin my reputation.

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luke training for his western pleasure show

Stacey

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

You shot yourself in the foot

#7Consumer Comment

Fri, June 01, 2012

on this one. Never, EVER buy a horse that you have not ridden or had vet checked. I have been riding and buying horses since I could walk and I have always insisted on both. I have never given a deposit on a horse period and if she refused to let you ride him you should have just walked away.

Yep - she sounds like a horse scammer but take some responsibility for your own actions as well.

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