12/17/2025
I need to post a formal apology. I haven't been able to sleep tonight so seems like now is as good of a time as any. Yesterday a few people made comments on one of our happy update posts that the photos of before and after were not the same horse. I took it very personally and posted several photos and responses. Through the argument that ensued some of my responses were less than professional. I was called childish, an ego maniac, and told I should cater more to the people who are questioning my honesty as we are an organization dependent on donations. Truthfully from my view this was bullying. Clearly we would never post a fake update, and whomever would post a fake one would surely not use mismatched paint horses. Oddly years ago we had a similar situation with a palomino paint horse that arrived emaciated and hairy and looked very different fat and healthy with a slick coat. A few facts about this horse, she arrived from the deep south with terrible allergies that left her nearly bald. If you haven't seen severe photosensitive skin reactions from allergies the horses feel almost velveteen. They have stubble hairs and you can see their skin color underneath. This mare went on to thrive here in the dry climate and rebounded quickly. She grew a good healthy coat for winter and like many horses do, her coat color changed a bit. Another fun fact, her veterinarian is a follower of CHRN and sings our praises regularly. She was more than happy to see her update pics. There mare left for a refresher and to get in shape with one of our TRP trainers. I bragged on her with a comparison post. It was a very popular post until last night when a few folks commented that it wasn't the same horse. Trust me folks, we rescue 200+ horses a year. There is absolutely no need for me to fake updates, not to mention my integrity wouldn't allow it. I took these comments as insults and took it way too personally. I've been with CHRN for 12 years now. I've never drawn a pay check. I am not doing this for any reason other than I have no choice in the matter. I am driven to do this with every bit of my being. I've dragged my husband, daughter, family and friends into it with me. Some willing, some less so. I felt I was being bullied and responded with high emotions. Cyber Bullying is rampant, particularly with animal based non profits. Multiple rescuers have fallen into depression and even su***de over it. After just a few comments cost me a night's sleep I can see how that's possible. You give something your all and it's just not enough for someone. They truly think you're not trustworthy or worth a little faith. There's so many better ways to go about this with a rescue you follow. Have a legitimate concern or question? Send a message! "Hey are you sure you posted the right pic? Just making sure it's not an accident!" Feel the need to make a public comment? Say something like "holy cow, she looks so good she looks like a different horse! Are you sure it is?" Or "post more pics of this pretty girl!". So many KIND options that don't become a lynch mob of nay- sayers. Telling an organization that it owes you a kind response to your indirectly accusing them of lying because you've donated seems crazy, especially when this isn't an organization who's care is in question. This is just a couple pictures of two sides of a paint horse (one with a brand to boot!). There are far greater issues out there like truly illegitimate rescues. You should always be able to ask questions of an organization you support, but please do it as kindly as possible. Go easy on us. This job is hard enough from day to day without people flat out commenting they do not trust you to post real stories. Today was ugly for me and it felt like my thanks was "be nicer when we question your integrity ". I started out writing this feeling sorry for myself. Fortunately A Wonderful Life is on, one of my holiday favorites. So I'm back to feeling some inner peace. Believe me, no one is harder on me than me. All the time I'm questioning if I'm making the right call. Am I doing right by the rescue. By my family. You sure don't need to do it unless you've got an honest concern about what we're doing. Those conversations are tough but I will always answer. Just please don't drop this on me over a picture you don't think matches your vision of what a horse should look like. I promise to work on my emotions getting the best of me. My passion for horses is deep, so please forgive my indiscretions. Now I'm going to try to catch an hour or two of sleep before we need to feed. Thank you for your consideration, and as always, your support.
