Complaint Review: Kathryn Smith Mike Smith The Trail Horse Source. Trail Horse Training.net - Vale Or Cherryville North Carolina

Alan, Some of the people who have been scammed by the Smiths have gone to their place and tried out the horses. One person went there three times and the horses seemed suitable for a beginner. When the horse was delivered it went berserk and couldn't even be touched. It appears that the horse may have been drugged. Three experienced trainers told her that the horse was totally untrained. This horse had to be sold at a huge loss. Alan, the big thing to think about is why have the Smiths over the past four years sold horses under many different farm names and towns - and at times have changed their own names and even denied that they were Kathryn and Mike Smith. They initially started to sell horses as being their very own family's horses. They would say that their daughter had gone to college or that they had lost their job and had to sell their only horse--strange isn't it? To see their first ads go to ABCglobalshopper and check out the four ads for Michael Smith in Cherryville, NC. Be aware that when they wrote these ads they did not have a horse farm and they lived on a very small lot in Cherryville. They are constantly re-inventing themselves. I am happy for you that you got a good horse. Good horses can be found at auctions. My own Smith horse was not a bad horse. She only needed some training and life experiences. Afterall, it takes many years to make a good trail horse. But, I cannot stand by while other innocent people are being ripped off by this con artist team.

Alan- First off: Ihave owned and ridden horses most of my life and know a good one from a bad one. Secondly: I live in Calif. and have no way of "test-ridding" a horse from NC. I asked all the right questions about the horse I bought including calling the first owner who sold him at 18 months. Kathryn told me lie after lie about the horse training (he was absolutely green) and his height, she swore that she sticked him at 15.1 and that her husband (all 6 ft- 300 lbs of him) rode this horse in the mountains. With his shoes (all four different)pulled he stood 13.3 hds.....a pony! She quickly chaqnged her e-mail and phone number and never got back to me. I have bought horses from out of state before from people and had great luck but they were the honest ones. I'm very happy that you lucked out and got a good horse but that does not make these people honest, good law abiding horse traders. Buying a horse from an auction is always a 50/50 shot and that's where Kathryn and Mike get these animals. They don't "raise" them or "have owned them all their lives" like they tell people. Many people who've gotten bad horses haven't even reported to this sight yet but I've had e-mails from them nevertheless. Just remember this women is a professional con-artist and she is GOOD at what she sells.

My experience with the Smith's was nothing like the opinions expressed here and I suspect the difference is that I actually drove a few hours to their home and test rode the horse before purchasing (May 2005). Actually, it was my 12 year old daughter who found the internet ad that led to our visit. When we arrived, I checked out the horse briefly before my daughter and Kathryn set out on a 2-3 hour test trail ride. The horse performed perfectly and we ended up purchasing her almost a year ago. We were never pressured at all by the Smith's and they allowed us to take as long as we wanted to try out the horse. The horse has certainly lived up to all expectations. Although the pics and videos seem a bit over the top, my daughter can stand up in the saddle and so forth without any problems. The horse rides bareback with only a lead rope and halter and without any foolishness. The horse is definitely broke and well trained as advertised. We've put plenty of miles on this horse in the past year (including a few ribbons at local shows) so I can't help wondering if the folks complaining here are A: competent knowledgeable horsemen (or women) and B: Gave their prospective purchases a thorough ride/check out before purchasing. Horses are not commodities to purchase over the internet unseen and untested. "Animal Abusers"? That certainly wasn't my experience with the Smith's. Sorry to disagree with all of the complainants here on Ripoffreport, but the horse we purchased from them was everything they described and more.