When bad things happen to good boarders..or "how my farm went bankrupt while I was on holiday".

[Sunshine]

Unfortunately, Sheri is born and bred in Canada. Much to our dismay!!!! There must be a "How To" book somewhere that they all read!!

[Sunshine]

Well, I found out that Sheri Whittaker has gone bankrupt before. How many times can a person go bankrupt????

[Alagirl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sunshine:
Well, I found out that Sheri Whittaker has gone bankrupt before. How many times can a person go bankrupt????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't know about Canada, in the US it's about once every seven to ten years...

[hunterturnedjumper]

Sorry to hear about this situation! Unfortunately things like 'midnight moves' are more common than one would think! Especially in tight economic times. I feel for you - I too have been screwed by my fellow horseperson. I'm glad to hear that the horses are OK and it's nice to see everyone coming together to help. Makes those idiots look even more foolish!


Just thought I'd share what I learned from my own "Ontario Boarding Nightmare" (not far from Cambridge actually). Did you know that an owner/lessee of a farm/stable has every RIGHT to impound or even sell a boarder's horse/tack simply by CLAIMING the boarder owes them money? In other words, if the person taking care of your horse suddenly says you owe them money, whether it is true or not (no proof required), they can deny you access to the farm, your horse and all of your possessions. I am guessing the legalities stem from the Innkeeper's Act which obviously favor the landlord.

This situation happened to me and even with the involvement of the OPP I was helpless. They tried to help, but the officers could not force the landowner to let me remove/see/care for my horses as it was her property. The officers were not interested in seeing any proof of my payments as they had no power over the landowner whether she was lying or not. As long as she said I wasn't allowed on the property I wasn't. Period. I HAD TO pay a HUGE HUGE sum of money to the lying b***h to get my horses off the property that day (with the OPPs as witnesses). BTW I actually had a credit of $24.55 on my account for my 3 horses according to my last bill there, lol. SHE actually owed ME money. My only other option, according to the OPP, was to sue her to get the horses. Yeah, like I was leaving my horses at this woman's property while waiting on the Ontario Court system LMAO. Not likely . I was just lucky I had recently sold a horse so I had some savings to get my other horses out of there. Unfortunately she also stole most of my tack - she wouldn't let me go to the barn to get it - again the police had NO power to help me as a boarder. It was on her property so technically it was in her custody. I later found out through investigation for a suit against her that she had done this before and had actually taken ownership of one woman's horse and SOLD IT before the woman could come up with the 'outstanding money' . Since the boarder had been paying the landowner in cash (board paid in cash was 20% cheaper) she had no proof of payment and no evidence for court. I'm sure there had been others...

Anyways, the moral of the story is be careful, be VERY CAREFUL about the people with whom you leave your horses! This was a woman I had actually known for a couple years before this incident and we were friends, or so I thought.We had never had a problem with eachother as far as I knew and it was definately the most stunning and horrible thing anyone had or has ever done to me. They were going through tough financial times, and money problems can make people do strange things I guess, but that's certainly no excuse to (try to) screw your friends and/or clients! See the warning signs - care going downhill, property not maintained like it was, etc. and get out while the going is good! I knew I needed to leave that place, unfortunately I didn't listen to myself quick enough!

Don't worry, I got even with her Arcadia would be proud!

Good luck to everyone. Trust nobody!

[This message was edited by hunterturnedjumper on Jul. 20, 2003 at 01:16 AM.]

[Sunshine]

Hunterturnedjumper--Where was this place from hell? And who was the person? Since it happened to you, all details can be posted as a warning to other people. How many wackos are out there caring for our horses? I shutter to think!!!

[HossShoer]

Yes, please share that one. PT me if you're concerned about displaying it.
As a dealer I'm always looking out for situations like that. I get so many calls from strangers to buy their horse. That's why I prefer to buy horses at a sale. I figure it gives me some level of protection in a convoluted deal.
Regards John

[Sunshine]

HossShoer--Please don't forget that Sheri took a mare that I had paid for, through an auction!!! I am not sure what would have happened if she sold her. Thank God, I didn't have to find out!!! And John, Sheri moved closer to Toronto!!! Beware.

[Nikita]

Some people will screw you for five dollars given the chance. Through work I have contact with a lot of people and it is just absolutely amazing. One person who is generally in and around the Oakville/Burlington area has outstanding bills all over the countryside. She has screwed vets, farriers, boarding barns, feed stores, shavings suppliers, the hay guy...... you name it. When I heard she was running a barn for someone I couldn't believe it. Luckily, between things he started to hear about her ( ) and her trying to manipulate him, he figured her out and tossed her out the door before she could ruin his business. But a few weeks ago, talking to another fellow while loading up hay, I found out she got him for a few hundred dollars and he asked for any ideas to try and collect. She got my vet for $1500 a couple of years ago.

So this is they type of person that may be running the barn you go to one day. And if it's a bit out of her general operating area, you may not find out before it's too late. Disgusting isn't it?

I hate to say it, but don't really trust anyone. Don't pay cash, even if it's for a discount, unless you can get a written receipt. It's one thing when it's for an exchange of goods - here is my $3 Mr. Farmer and I'll just take this bale of hay - but when it's prepaying a service..... NO WAY.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

[GuelphGurl]

Don't you wonder about these kinds of barn managers/owners, Nikita? I often ask myself if they're &lt;intentionally&gt; nasty or careless, or if it's just plain stupidity and laziness. As in Nikita's case, this person also owes the feed mill, and a few other individuals who got conned into taking care of the property.

They're quite specific in how they'll take payment and are adament about getting every penny you owe, but when it comes to providing the basic care of this horse that you're paying for (think feeding) .. Forget it! Tinkering around with tractors and sleeping-in over the summer are activities &lt;much&gt; more worthy of their time.

So I found somewhere better for $5/month less, and &lt;with&gt; an indoor arena Moving tomorrow! This barn owner in question went from 7 horses to 4 in a matter of about a month. And he doesn't wonder why?

Have to say, way to go Adelita, on distributing what you did I can guess I'm not the only one wondering if you got any shocked reactions from the people you gave them to?

[HossShoer]

Sunshine, yes I know exactly where she is. There goes the neighborhood.LOL
At auctions, I figure it's the auctioneer's problem, I just return the horse to them and get my money back.
Nikita, I should post my Shoeing No-Pays on my web site. Then again why waste all that space. If someone with TB's from the track wants some work done "at the farm" I hang up instantly.
And as far as selling hay on credit to anyone, FORGET IT.
Regards John

[Nikita]

In this case, she talks a very good story. She's an older lady and for some strange reason, she has been able to talk people into giving her credit. "It's just for a few days - my husband gets his bonus on Friday" "Oh my god I forgot. I don't want you to waste a trip though, so just leave whatever and I will make sure I get the money into your hand tomorrow" And on and on....

Small world though... one day I'm in the feed store close to home - about an hours drive from where this lady was running the barn. The guy that owns the feed store is talking to someone on the phone setting up an account and taking the details of a feed order. Nosy little me, who can read exceptionally well upside down notices that this is being done for this lady! When he got off the phone I told him about her and told him I would give him the names of as many people as he wanted to verify. And as I said to him 'Stop and think about why she's dealing with a feed store so far away when Ren's, Milton COuntry Depot and Sharpe's are all within spitting distance to her'. She can't get credit with them and she has no money!

It really ticked me off though. Here is a young guy with a family, trying to make a go of his feed store, very accomodating and trusting and he would have set up the account for her. Then he would have been ripped off.

Talk to your farriers. Talk to your vets. Talk talk talk.... Chances are if dealing with scum, someone has been ripped off before and can give you the heads up.

And John - I think you should! Bahr's posts their's in the store. I always loved that idea! And I've seen some others in the HorseTrader.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

[Goodyfourshoes!]

Good LORD, Hunterturnedjumper. Just when I think what Sunshine and I are going through is the ultimate, someone can better me, and that story certainly does!

I think posting "no pays" is a great idea. In my looooong barn hunt this week for a suitable facility, it is word of mouth that I am trusting more than anything. We haven't even set foot on several properties because of what we've been told. Why waste our time? If you have a good name, a good reputation, it will follow you. Likewise an ugly one.

The place we've finally chosen wasn't the nicest, the fanciest, etc. but the horses looked well - it has what we need - and most importantly, we haven't heard a single negative thing about the place. That alone is worth it's weight in gold!

[lilblackhorse]

HTJ-that is a frightening story.

The thing that really makes me sit up and say that something is flaky is that the woman offered the discount for cash board payments. That's a huge flashing warning light in my book.

How creepy.

As far as getting the word out about these nasty people-I love the signs, you name it. The horse world is a very small one. My guess is that these vets, feed stores, and farriers all perhaps think they are the only one who was affected. Also, they may be unwilling to to make a stink because, quite frankly, it's a bit embarassing to admit that you were "had" by a smooth talker.

I think it more of them got together and found out how many of them had gotten steamrolled, these nasty people would have nowhere to run to anymore Serves them bloody well right too.

Elippses Users Clique........Co-Founder Occularly Challenged Equine Support Group, and the new "I own an accident prone horse clique"


"And how's that working for ya?" Dr. Phil

[lilblackhorse]

added to say that no one really wants to admit that they were a poor judge of character in the first place to get taken. It sounds like this lady is good...

I say sing it loud and spread it everywhere. Everyone needs to know about her and what her game is. She'll never be able to get away from her own past if you all do it right. (she deserves to rot for what she did imo)

Elippses Users Clique........Co-Founder Occularly Challenged Equine Support Group, and the new "I own an accident prone horse clique"


"And how's that working for ya?" Dr. Phil

[Nikita]

hunterturnedjumper - I forgot to ask... did you take her to court afterwards? I hope so!

Caution: I can go from 0 to b*tch in 2.1 seconds.

[hunterturnedjumper]

Thanks everyone. Can you believe my luck?? In 25 years in the horse industry I have never had anyone even try to screw me that bad! In fact, that has to be the worst thing anyone has ever done to me, period. If you think the 'short story' version of the incident is outrageous, you should hear the details! This woman's behaviour and that of her family was like something out of Jerry Springer the 'morning of' (apparently she took exception to me bringing the OPP to her farm - guess she shouldn't have tried to steal my horses. ). Enough to make one wonder about the human race, even enough to never trust a friend again!

Luckily I do have proof of payment, the history of the other woman's problems as well as the officers as witnesses, but the case is still pending due to various stalling tactics by the defense (which is why I can't give out names at this time). Like I said yesterday, good thing I didn't wait on the Ont court system to get the horses out of there! If so, they technically could still be there, or sold, almost 1 1/2 years later (although I would have done my own version of the midnight move before that would have ever happened!). I am looking forward to winning in court, but truthfully I already got my revenge in another, very satisfying way! (no, I am not promoting illegal activity! lol)

All I can say is that the woman lives north of the Caledon W area, is middle-aged and weighs in the neighbourhood of 300 pounds

Subsequently I decided to buy a farm and my horses are now at home


P.S. HossShoer/John, if you're "John the Blacksmith", I bet you have come across her at some time or another - you also buy/sell lower-end horses, no? Oh, BTW, I find your CRACK about TB people offensive. I'll remember NOT to call you! Thanks for the heads up!

[Beck]

You know, I cannot help but wonder...a woman named Sheri was leasing a facility I boarded at about twenty years ago, in the Stouffville area. She and her then husband pulled almost the same stunt...took off with our board money and left all of us boarders high and dry...and declared bankruptcy.

I guess this happens more often than we think. I have to agree: get the word out and never forget.

[Sunshine]

Beck--Sheri Whittaker is approxiamtely 28 years old so I doubt it is the one that you are thinking about. TO think at such a young age and to have gone bankrupt two times. What does the rest of her life hold????? Glad I won't be around her to find out!!!!

[sascha]

be careful everywhere. There is another place near London (not the one you might suspect!!!) that pulls the cash discount/you owe us money when you want to leave scam.
Is southern Ontario just a bad place to board or what?

[mmaurer]

Hey Sasha
they wouldn't happen to breed warmbloods would they..man I am so glad mine are in the back yard, after years of people pulling stunts.

let's see, I had the pay me cash and I will give the check back..never got it back and it was cashed about 3 months after I moved..asked the police who said.."did you get a receipt for the cash?" ahh no..lesson learned only once(cost 450)

People feeding my hay and grain( and even my supplements - 90 day supply lasting less than 30..grumble)

and I also had the renting the barn-move out and suddenly I owed $$$$, and they paddlocked one of my horses in a stall and called police--they were no help, so I couldn't get him...I also came up with the large amount of cash, and got a small claims judgement to get my money back..they were self employed and I ended up with a lein on their property..now if they ever die or sell I get my money...almost 15 years have past though sigh...

OPP were no help, but I did have an retired officer boarding with me who REALLY wanted to do the night time break out..people were mad, I moved in, fixed up and then after almost a year of constant rent hikes moved out with notice, and they went to all my boarders and asked them to stay..no one wanted to stay..soooo...

I swear horses can bring out the worst behaviour in people.

Leslie Maurer
Jump The Moon Sporthorses
Home of Echo Shea (arab sporthorse RPSI Book I) and Outrageous Fortune(overo Pinto RPSI)
http://www.jtmsporthorses.com