Horse buyers from hell.....

[Joy in MT]

Hi All,

I don't usually have a lot to say on this board. I love reading it, but, today, I've just got to rant a little!

Scenario: This afternoon, a woman calls me asking whether any of my mules are for sale. Me/ Yes, they are. What are you looking for? Her/ What about the little one? Me/ You mean the baby? She just turns three weeks old tomorrow... she is not ready for sale at this time. Her/ well, I could bottle feed her/ M/ You're joking, right?/ H/ No, I bottle feed babies all the time/ M/ Why would you want a foal thats only three weeks old?/ H/ I want her for my petting zoo/ M/ She is just a baby now, but do you realize this is not a minature? She will grow up into a full sized mule. Then what do you plan to do with her? H/ Well, I want to breed her to my horse stallion/ M/ Explaining that this is not a jenny or a hinny, this is a molly mule, and they are sterile/ H/ Thats ok, I want her anyway... couldn't we at least come and look at her? I saw her from the road, and I'd really like to see her up close/ M/ (against my better judgement), Well, I suppose you could at least come and look at her, I have some others that might suit you better if you're looking for a young mule. M/ BTW, these are all paso fino, gaited mules.

Half hour later, in pulls two trucks, a ratty old trailer and a whole herd of men, women and kids. Spokesman for the group is obviously half drunk. They come up the to corral saying, 'thats the one I want', pointing to the three week old. I told him again she wasn't for sale, especially at that age. He started getting really angry, yanked out his wallet, flipped it open showing me all his money, and stated, heres my money, now I'll just carry her to my truck... I said, no, you won't.... the women are trying to calm him down, and I was cursing myself for not having my cell phone on me. Then he starts screaming in my face and pointing at the others wanting to know, "how much for that one then, or that one, or that one". Babbling about how they have 45 animals in their petting zoo, and never paid over $200. for any of them, not to mention they get most of them as tiny babies and bottle feed them all the time and they turn out great, etc, etc. I told him I wasn't going to put a price on any of them and they were not for sale. He throws his hands up in the air, screams in my face that he just can't believe that, and he just knows I'd try to rip him off anyway... yadda yadda... I told him, if you want a mule so bad, why don't you just go to an auction or something... you might find just what you want.... I was trying my best to keep the situation calm and get them the h--- out of there. Finally a couple of the women convinced him they might just as well leave as I wasn't going to sell them the little molly, but he ranted and raved all the way back to the road. Naturally, I was here alone... husband gone to Texas at the moment. I absolutely could not believe the nerve of these people. If my animals were starving, I would shoot them before selling to someone like that. I probably will be sitting up all night with my shotgun beside me. These people really scared the crap out of me. The man didn't make any personal threats, but I sure felt as though he had the capability. At least now I know who they are and where they came from, and if one of my animals should turn up missing, their's will be the first door the sheriff will be knocking on.
Guess I'm still a little shook up about the whole thing. I hope I never see them again. :evil:

Well, rant is over, and thanks for listening. Anyone else have any horse buyer horror stories to share?

Joy

[swaite]

That is awful - keep an eye out.

[Privatetreaty]

This man sounds like a perfect "Baker Act" candidate.
In Florida, to "Baker Act" a person, is to have them taken in (against their will) for being mentally incompetent, without being declared as such by a Court of Law. Most States have similar laws.

I would file a Police Report immediate and place a "watch" on your property for the next week. You need to document the actions, for your protection.

If anything like this occurs again, be sure to take down a license plate number and vehicle description.

Good luck.

.

[Carol Nelson]

I agree with Helen and Sue...watch out...and yes, I'd file a report.

[Pam M]

Sounds like good advice, but living in FL and living in MT are like being in totally different worlds - I'm with Joy in that I'd be sitting up with my shotgun. I was raised in FL but lived for a while in rural MT and you learn the difference fast. Good luck Joy and be careful. It will probably pass but take care anyway.

[Monty]

Chapter 51 in Wisc -
I agree , call the cops and file a report and have a SAO(Special Attention Order ) placed on your place They are suppose to patrol more and be visible - at least more often ;-)
I woul dput foal in safe place - barn ? Locked at night and when you aren't home ?

[appyday]

Unreal

[Joy in MT]

Thanks for the good advice everyone. I'm going to take it. Not only that, my 12ga. is handy too. I've just been outside counting noses and they're all still there. Today is the first time I've ever had regrets about imprinting. My little molly just walked right up to these idiots for a cuddle and it seemed to fan the flames of their desire to have her for their so called 'petting zoo'. You can bet I'll be keeping an eagle eye on her from now on.

Joy

[Carol Nelson]

I shudder to think about the animal's lives that they've already got in their "zoo". :(

[Brigitte]

Wth....crazy people

[Minouri]

Joy good luck with it! I'm sure you're already taking all the necessary precautions. Most likely when they sobered up they forgot most of what happened. But be careful anyway.

As I read your story I think I heard your instincts kick in near the beginning about these people. Sometimes we let our modern rational minds talk us out of good old fashioned instincts. Bet your hair was standing on end when you talked to that woman on the phone.

We boarded at a barn once where one of the guys gave me the heebie jeebies. Of course I put those feelings aside because they weren't based on more than a feeling. As time passed he turned out to be one scary drunk who messed with my horses and threatened to do worse.

Sometimes that little voice in your head is right.

[Barbwire]

Gosh, Joy, what a hair raising ordeal. I would be a nervous wreck, if I were you. Yikes!

[CarolU]

Oh Joy, that is scary!!! I do hope they forget you and your baby!!! I had Tongans show up here once wanting to buy a horse. Scared the beejeesus out of me and I couldn't sleep either.

I'd for sure go take a peek at their zoo.

[Barbwire]

Tongans?

[CarolU]

yea, Tonga is a south pacific island near Somoa. They grow BIG there, make good football players and the LDS church converted thousands to beef up BYU's football team (ever notice thier strange names?). Anyway, they love lu-als(sp?) and slaughter animals and cook them right in their back yards. The state had to pass a law against it.

That Tongan was eye-balling Baby! I could see him imagining her covered with pineapple sauce! Grrrrrrrrrrr

[nmcreel]

Joy, What a scary story. I live in Bozeman and the only petting folks I know quit when insurance got too high. The pets she had were very happy and my kids loved going there to visit.

My Paso mare just went to a local friend's mule farm to pay her way in life with mule babies. Do you know Jehnet at DJBar? My kids were able to ride her Jack, Max, in a rope halter bareback. My mare had a very abusive history and I decided that it would be better for her psychologically if she were not ridden for a few years. I'm hoping that a couple of years of breeding and eating good pasture with few demands will help her to get over the past. In the meantime I'm really enjoying her QH cross colt.

Nancy Creel

[motorgypsy]

How terrifying! One thing I've learned in life is to trust your intuition because it knows a lot more than you do. You might want to put up motion sensor lights if you don't have them already and be sure to notify law enforcement. And if you don't have a guard dog I'd sure get one - although if they are animal people (abeit drunk animal people) and really do love animals it probably wouldn't help.

[Joy in MT]

Hi All...

Well, a little follow-up on this situation. I checked in with law-enforcement, and they are very familiar with this man. The zoo is legit, but is not operated in this state. Male has a history of vocally abusive alcoholic behavior and is quite aggressive when drinking. (which is most of the time) No threats made... no crime committed. Nothing can be done unless he does something threatening or physical. He is removed from bars on occasion for being loud and obnoxious... again, not a crime...especially in Montana! Believe me, it takes a lot of really loud and really obnixous behavior to get tossed from a Montana bar! Another person who had knowledge of these people told me they do indeed have dozens of animals of all kinds, but, no one knows what happens to all the ones who suddenly become too big for their " petting zoo" .... They reside just over the state line... I hate to think what it could be. :realmad

At about 11:00 am today, he is slowly trolling by our place again... didn't
drive onto the property... just creeping by looking from the county road...Its just a few yards into the place from the road... nope... no crime there... its a public roadway. I stood in the corral watching him go by. He was nearly stopped he was going so slow. I called on a couple of our gentlemen friends to come by for a while just to be a presence, and I haven't seen him around since then.

This is just so creepy! I feel like he's stalking one of my children or something! Minouri and MG's, you are both so right about intuition... I didn't have a good feeling when the woman first called me... the first clue was about taking a three week old baby off its MOTHER to BOTTLE FEED! WTH ! I should have listened to my gut. We have had many many farm visitors, and never anything like this. I am seriously considering getting a second dog... my dog is just a wee bit too friendly with everyone. I do have motion sensor lights on the house as well as a driveway alarm.... I fault myself for 99% of this for allowing them to come on the place in the first place. You can't imagine how I've been kicking myself :evil: It will never happen again. Hubby won't get home for a week yet... don't think I'll be sleeping much till then. I guess I can see why he would want the little molly mule. She is extremely petite and fine boned, not to mention friendly. Imprinted from birth. Much smaller than the john mules at that age. She is also a blonde/dun, so doesn't have traditional mule coloring. Cameras gone belly-up so don't have any good photos. I do have one of her brother, but, I don't know how to post them. Oh well.

Nancy, I'm afraid I don't know the people you mentioned @ DJBar. Are you going to keep any of the mules bred from your mare?

Carol, I bet your instincts were right on the mark about the Tongans too. Did they try very hard to get you to sell something to them?

Thanks everyone for listening and for the encouragement and suggestions. I really appreciate it. I'll keep you posted if anything else transpires from this.

Joy

[RVF_Pasos]

That is an amazingly terrible story! How very nerve-racking that must have been.
Where in Montana are you located? (Do you know where the “petting zoo” was located?) I know of a small petting zoo in Helena, but the animals seemed well taken care of.
Your story is almost horror movie quality. :shock: :lol:
I hope things go better for you.

By the way, how many Paso Finos do you own? Do you need any more Paso broodmares? We have a few for sale... ;-)

[Palomino_Lover]

I had Tongans show up here once wanting to buy a horse. Scared the beejeesus out of me and I couldn't sleep either.


Who or what are Tongans?

Edited to say in best Rosann Rosannadana voice: "Ooooooooo, Nevermind!"

[pnalley]

Joy,
Do you have a friend that could board the Momma & molly for you for a week or so?
I don't think it will take the nut-case too long to loose interest, especially if the object of his desire is out of sight.
Or do you have a back (off the road) pasture to put her in?

I hope you know how to use that shotgun, and are not afraid to do so.

When the nut-case was trolling/stalking was it the same day and drunken episode? Or was this a different day and a new drunken episode? If it was a different day I would most definitely have the heebie-jeebies.

Good luck. You are in are prayers.

[Joy in MT]

Creep drove by just one time today, and I haven't seen him since. Hopefully, he's gotten the message by now that he isn't getting an animal of any kind from me! I'm still watching though and will continue to do so.
I don't really have anywhere to take mama and molly, but they are being kept up in the corral which is only about 50ft from my door and lots of windows facing it. Actually, I'm keeping them all up at the moment because of this. I also have a 2-month old 'john' paso foal who is also extremely friendly.
As for this "zoo", I think its just a gathering of animals they throw in trucks and haul around during the summer to small fairs and carnivals. Its not an established zoo in the usual sense. At least thats my understanding of it.

RVF, we have three breeding stock paso mares. We did have four, but we had one of them spayed last November, and I must say, I have been extremely happy with the result. I might consider doing one more. Also have two 3-yo paso geldings starting under saddle, and 2-yearling paso mules (gelded johns). The two new paso-mule babies make 10 total. I'm afraid thats our limit for the moment but thanks for asking. Did I see that you are from Montana also?

Joy
I am in eastern Montana.

[Cathy]

Joy, A while back when my sister and I were looking at property to buy.
One of the places we looked at had some type of video surveilance set up that photographed people driving into the property. A sign was posted notifying you of this. I think this is a great deterrent for idiots like this and I don't think it's very expensive. You might want to check into something like that.
Hope everything turns out ok!
Cathy

[Jasfino]

This is horrible. I feel so sad for you having to deal with this nightmare.. especially since your husband is away. (((hugs)))

I would get another dog... one that barks at anything that moves and looks mean. I have a doberman that everyone respects and just having him around makes me feel much safer.

You can get one of those cameras and that might help deter them. I would put up no trespassing signs where they could see them on their next trip by, so they would know that you are on to them and what they may be planning.

When someone was messing around our barn one yr, we made a police report. The officer that came out said the two things that detered criminals the most were good lighting, and a barking dog.

Oh.. and my brother had a little silcian? donkey. That donkey would keep anyone out of the barn lot! Farmers around here get them to keep with their livestock to keep the coyotes away. They are extremely protective/territorial. My brother finally had to get rid of his though as it got to where he couldnt go into the barn lot because of it. :shock:

I wish I could offer more help somehow. I pray they will leave you alone.

[lisa l aka marci]

I would also get the license plate of the truck (binoculars!) just in case. And, definitely keep all animals close to the house.

If he keeps driving by, I'd also call the sheriffs' office again - then it could start to amount to stalking......or even ask if they can make a few extra patrols by the place.

[PASOFAN]

This is scary! I will be thinking of you. What a nut case, he had better not try anything.. :evil: I wold keep a tally of times you see him and how many, stalking could definatly be something you could charge him with and keep him away,, Tell the cops I guess.

Stay strong and ALERT!

[britzlove]

Joy,

I am glad you are taking this seriously, and you've had great advice. I know it's harder in more rural situations. Hopefully it will end soon and he will crawl back under his rock.

I am really interested to hear more about your paso mules. I have a video with some on it. A good friend of mine has been a mule breeder for decades, and has bred gaited mules for the last couple years. He's looking at getting a paso mare right now. I am wondering about the quality of gait, how gaited do you think they fair between full-blood? Is your jack also gaited? Anything you want to tell me about them would be cool, we could start a new thread if you want, or feel free to PM me as well.

Keeping you in my thoughts, hope it all works out fine.

Brittany

[SandyMM]

For cheap protection - see if you can find a pawn shop or classified ads and pick up half-dozen broken surveillance cameras.... Nail them up around your property and at the entrance in plain site... dangle a wire from them that makes them appear connected (bury the ends underground so it looks like the wires run back up to the house and post several signs that say property is protected by video surveillance, police have been notified, tresspassers will be prosecuted, and most important - owner has a gun and will not hesitate to defend property! If they can read or see (I know - questionable! ;-) ), they should get the idea you ain't foolin'....

[Privatetreaty]

Hey Sandy,

You remind me of a friend, tired of constant speeders, racing their cars down her street. The Police didn't seem to care, so she took matters into her own hands:

During rush hour, she'd park her car by the side of the road.
Everytime a speeder came by, she'd hold up a small black
hair blow dryer, as if it were a radar detector and she tied
the cord to the steering wheel. :shock:

People caught on, so she resorted to pretending to photograph
speeders using a camera with no film. :roll:

If you'd like sweetie, I can hook you up with her.
I'm sure both of you would make great friends. :lol:

.

[lisa l aka marci]

Hehehe.....PT - I just called up the Sheriff's office and had a deputy (finally!) stop by the other night.....told them to run radar from my driveway any time - people are used to seeing marked cars in the driveway anyway.....well, he sat there for not even 5 minutes before someone blew by.....still waiting for the #%^&&$% who lives around the corner to either get caught or crash.....and that's one I'll LAUGH at - no sympathy here!.....tries to get his car airborne in front of the neighbors house, regularly runs stop sign at end of the road .......

Back to the original thread.....I'd keep an extra eye out even for a couple of WEEKS - not days - if this guy is really serious he could lay low for a few days then come back when everyones' guard is down!

[greyhorsewoman]

I'd be feeling pretty vunerable, too. You can also buy fake surveillance cameras at a reasonable price: here is one link.

http://www.security2020.com/

[Moniece Dickerson]

OH WOW,UNREAL!!I'm sure you know to keep a CLOSE eye on your animal babies.Grrrrrrr!Your friend,Moniece