3 years ago...

It's been 3 years since situations came about that would change my life forever. It was called the 3 Strikes Mustang Ranch. Three years sometimes seams like yesterday. What this situation did; was open my eyes to what is going on in the real world.



As much as I love animals, I had no idea of what was happening to so many, throughout our entire country. How nice it was to have my own little world going on here at the ranch, with our content and happy dogs, cats, horses, and cows. It was easy to not know about the fate of the unfortunate ones.



I had no idea of the war going on for the horses; and it continues. I hate to admit this, but I had no idea of the slaughter issues (who slaughters a horse?) - or puppy mills, abuse to farm animals, etc etc. Why would I look that up on Google?



Now I know. It's heart-breaking to see. So many stories of rescues gone bad, for whatever reason - that doesn't help the good ones. So many stories, pictures, and videos of animal abuse - horse slaughter in a sick and demented way - calves having their skin peeled from their body while they are still alive - horses being stabbed in the neck over and over with cheers in the background - animals being dumped to fend for themselves, without food or water - BLM rounding up horses (for what reason, really?) while helicopters run them to their death?



I used to think I couldn't do anything to help. That can NEVER be ANYONE'S cop-out reasoning again. There's so much you can do; from writing letters, donating (research for the good and ligit ones), making phone calls to officials, and just pure and simply doing the right thing and standing up, in some way, for the animals that cannot speak for themselves to those who refuse to listen.



A challenge; look in their eyes and tell me they can't speak. They just can't cry out in words we understand; but they cry out. So do something for them, no matter how small a task. One letter can make a difference.



If you're not sure where to start, here's a suggestion: http://www.rtfitchauthor.com/ or http://www.animalsangels.org/ or check out your local animal shelter; I'm sure they could always use help in some way.



And God Bless the people that care for the animals.

One Step Forward....Twenty Leaps Back

Having been away for SSSOOOOO long in the 'horse world' (meaning the online forums and stuff I like to check in on) - if it weren't for R.T. Fitch's writings, posts, etc. or the other friends on FB postings; I would be completely out of touch. For so very long, I have been silently reading about a 'rescue' gone bad in West Virginia. To most of you, I'm sure I don't even need to mention a name, and I choose not to. My heart was just heavy as more and more came out about this story. I had high hopes that it was just a big exaggerated mess.

It bewilders me how things can turn, or maybe the road was never on a curve, but a straight hi-way; with no road signs or speed limits. I must have been on the curb, waving at the traffic zooming by. That doesn't make sense? Well, this whole story doesn't make sense to me. What is weird, is that this person was one of the very FIRST people to offer her help in getting Meduna exposed when all the 3 Strikes stuff was happening. She took hits from people all over the place when she was trying to help 'warn' them about what was going on over there. She defended me whole heartily, and I defended her when people started bashing her about different things.

Then the day came when I became silent....I wanted to sit back and try and figure this out for myself. I DID NOT want to be like one of 'those people who knew nothing of Meduna, but defended him to the gills.' I always thought they were so stupid. I have not wanted to join those ranks, and be blind-sided on that curb. So I read the comments, and then I got busy at the ranch...and then the subject came up again when a friend on FB was mentioning needing to find places to take the horses that were being seized from that certain rescue. My heart fell again. I pushed it all to some distant corner in my brain, and kept doing the work here that needed to be done. Today I got on one of the forums, and it all surfaced again. This time I saw pictures.

I have no idea where things went wrong for her, or if they always were wrong and I didn't realize it, or if really bad circumstances happened and it was a sinking ship - but they did go wrong. I can't deny the pictures though, and I have to admit, that sort of thing doesn't just happen overnight. I just sort of hate thinking about it, to tell you the truth.

I do not like the term, 'he/she just got in over their head' - that's what I heard a lot of about Meduna. I found that hard to believe since people from back east confirmed that his history was long in contributing to the suffering of animals; and not just horses. So when someone claims to be a horse rescue, a sanctuary, whatever.... I do believe they 'should know better'. If you really care about the animals, and have their health, happiness, and best interest in the forefront; you don't just 'oops, have too many' - or 'oops, ran out of food' - or 'oops, no one would help'. Be real, we are supposed to be adults, making adult decisions. These are helpless animals. We know better.

Talk about living a sheltered life; I didn't know there was anything that existed called 'hoarding' until I started reading those forums...and now they have a T.V. show about hoarding. No, I have not tuned in yet; not sure I want to watch that. It's like there's some shows on Animal Planet that I hate to watch. If you have too low of blood pressure, it would be beneficial to watch.

In my rambling on, I'm just trying to figure out how people can let any of this happen? I'm probably referring more to 3 Strikes now, than anything. I think about the people who supported him; without wanting to know the truth. They must have been in it for their political or listener ratings reasons. So sad. Those people, you probably can't touch, because greed covers their heart.

The whole problem I see is this: there are many, many good rescues. Ones that know their limit on how many animals they can take in, according to accommodations, feed, money, etc. But when the media gets a hold of 'a rescue gone bad' - the forward progress is hurled backwards. Now the question is - just who are the good ones?...what if they don't really spend my donation for the horse's needs?...are they really a good rescue?.... on and on.

So naturally, the good rescues have to be hurt when news gets out about an animal seizure. Wish there was an easy answer. Not everyone can afford to drive/fly all over to visit the place and see if they are legit. I know first hand how an Internet web site can be falsified; and made to look fabulous; at the expense of the horses.

I just hope if you are a rescue place, and really in trouble for whatever reason; stop getting more horses! Stop breeding them, (or whatever animal it is) and get some help. I think it would be better if you are incapable of taking animals in - donate to a place that has the facilities needed. And I guess if you are a person that has only yourself in mind, anything anyone says to help isn't going to matter anyway....then you probably deserve what you get.

I realize, I have been told before I don't know what I'm talking about; as I'm not even involved in horse rescue.....but we do have cattle. We know our limitations of how many animals can be run on our land....and know about land management. We do know the difference in how animals eat.... and how that affects the land. The only 'rescue' animals I have are cats; but along with those and the cattle; there are of course dogs, our own cats, and horses.

If you choose to take care of animals, take care of them. If you can't - get help.
That's just my thoughts on a Saturday night.
And the Huskers did a fine job today!!

By the way..... God bless all you that fight for the helpless animals - for the horses - and that take care of them. I'm sure it seems a thankless job sometimes, I know it's hard work. What you do is amazing.

New Beginnings

We've (well - I should say, 'the guys' mostly)

have worked many hours...days......

in getting the land cleaned up and ready for cattle.

'The land' being the land that Greens purchased from Meduna.

I've said it before, but I don't think I can say it enough....

we are so fortunate to have Dan and Kylie as neighbors.

(and I'm not just saying that because our cows are on their land!)

And I'm also not just saying that just because Kylie is a fantastic cook....

and shares with us!!!!

We fixed some of the fence around the lake,

and changed other parts of it.

I'm driving the loader while Don pulls posts.

(He's way too trust-worthy of his driver....

but he didn't realize I was taking pictures at the same time)

Josh (driving) and Justin (unrolling new wire)

on the south side of the lake.

We spent an unbelievable amount of time just pulling wire out of the ground,

buried in the dirt. There were interior fences, they were just broken up

and on (in) the ground. We've rolled up scads of wire.

There really wasn't too much in the line of boundaries for the horses.

East side, west side; that was about it.

The guys were figuring out what could be fixed on the windmill.

Dan thought best to put in solar.

Windmills might be cool looking, but solar is the ticket.

Nothing like NOT having to hook pump-jacks up.

We're working towards getting more on our place;

it's just a matter of budgeting them in...one at a time.

Josh and Don on 4-wheelers moving our replacement heifers

on to Green's - the pasture they put the solar in.

The hail did not help the grass situation this year.

The grass on the hills is struggling to exist...

hail and hoppers don't help much.

Our heifers at the solar tank; the windmill is gone - but the water is flowing.

This stacker belonged to the Koopers. I sort of like thinking of times gone by, when Glen and Lucille lived here. I imagine Glen put up a lot of hay with this! And then he updated. You know, I'm pretty sure even when Don and I were first married, Glen would hook up the horses to help with the haying. I think he used them to feed, also. The coolest thing was all of his family helping during the summer in the hay field. Some cherished memories were made there.

Times change.

I can't say that I'm not glad they do. Makes our work a whole lot easier.
Makes our time more efficient; makes Don think we should be able to get more done!

The land to the south of us has a new beginning. People who care, and want to do right by the land. To fix it up and make it whole again. Our neighborhood is once again, filled with people who care, are kind, and want to be good neighbors. The whole lot of us!

Now we just have to find the time to all get together!

Left Behind.....

Caution: a bad word at the end... (forgive me, but I didn't write it, it's just a picture)




Left behind....





Many questions have been asked about the whole 3 Strikes ordeal. Mainly, 'what kind of person does this to so many animals?' We certainly don't have the answers, not many people do. I wonder what kind of person does this - continually? Mudna stated often in emails, 'this wasn't his first rodeo' (in talking about dealing with Vicki Freiberger to his former supporters). Seriously. I have the emails-written by Mudna, and by some others: about the Freibergers. Blows me away. It's probably what I've read in the emails, and what I had read throughout on the forums; that keep me hungry to tell the truth - or just tell. Hungry- granted; it's more like throwing cups of gas on a burning fire; every once and awhile - there's a burst of flame.

**

As I sit and ponder what pictures I should, or shouldn't include; the many thoughts circle in my mind of the lies they've told; some just purely stupid, and some a little more on the vicious side. Mudna told different people that my husband forced his dad and mom to move to town, and that he hated his dad. Now Mudna followers: do you think after living 30 years in the same yard, going up to your mom's house (my mother-in-law) for coffee nearly every morning (that's why we called it 'The Coffee Shop' - even our good neighbors new that) and we remodeled my mother-in-law's home - and this has been her family's heritage since she was born - and my husband is 4th generation (which I've probably mentioned) and our 2 sons are 5th generation to continue in this family ranch surroundings - take a breath Vic - and the decision was totally theirs to move in to town. But for Jason to say otherwise, when he didn't know squat.... and to be believed?!!! Yikes. I realize it was his way to get people to believe his lies of how bad we were because......

**

Or... how about the story that Don (my husband) got in a fight with Don (my dad) and kicked him off of the ranch! (Here's another, 'if you don't believe me; call any one of our neighbors'.) Mudna invented lies that I can't even figure out how it would have been a thought process in ones' mind, to even think of the lie to begin with. I could put a huge photo album of pics of my dad coming out here to help us. He loves to come out and help, and we love having him out here. So there's some fuel on the fire.

**

It's like a friend of ours, Pastor Jim, said to Don many, many years ago: "Don, Vic is like a mamma grizzly bear. You stay clear of her, you'll probably be alright; but mess with one of her cubs, she'll tear you up." Now really, I don't write that to sound all 'your mamma - tough stuff'; or to portray that I think I'm tough- but it is how I feel. I might go down swinging, but at least I'll be swinging. I'm really a nice, mild-mannered person!

***

The following is some of what was left behind. Someone told me they saw a moving van in the night. I guess they didn't want to be noticed.

Must have dreamed of being a 'cowboy'.

A cowboy who had saddles on fences, even one on top of the garage.

Of course when I saw this, I thought,

"Dang, that's kinda cool..why would he leave that?"

What ever.

**

This is hanging on the wall. Someone made it.

Seems a shame to leave it behind.

**

Guess since they bought land in Wyoming,

they'll be able to get a new license plate.

**

There's a lot I wanted to write, but-

**

This is my favorite 'left behind' thing.

It is a wonderful 16 x 24 photograph by Pam Nickoles.

***

The 'joke' if you want to call it that; between Dan and I:

"Oh good, at least you saved the picture,

who cares about the basement!"

*

Explanation: when I was going over every day feeding the birds, and checking on the house and trailer (remember how terribly cold it was?) - everything was fine. I removed the photograph so no one could come in and take it, or destroy it. (I'm safe-keeping it for the Greens). I always said "Wow, made it through another cold spell." after I would check all the rooms in the house and trailer for leaks, etc.

*

Nobody told me pipes break when it warms up!!!!!

**

Luckily they were there that weekend.

*

That would be the same Friday of the last day of Meduna's trial. I did make it home in time that evening to talk them into coming over for supper, (Dan didn't want to impose) so we could discuss my saving of the photo! If it would have been warmer, we could have went for a swim in their basement after our meal settled.

*****

And sadly, as everyone knows.....

left behind are the many, many animals - who perished.

***

Last, but not least:

this was in his pickup when the kids were cleaning up the big stuff.

It's probably their favorite find...

Mudna's Ranch Tour ...

Once all the problems came to light at 3 Strikes,

many of the lies told there - were exposed.

I was recently given the question,

"How long will you write about this person?"

***
There is something in me that desires

to expose each and every one

of the lies Jason and Anissa

have spewed from their mouths.

And yes, maybe somewhat of a desire

to make known our side of the story.

In every aspect.

***

That being the case,

I think it might be that I

should not live as long as needed;

naturally or otherwise.

***

The ranch was called '3 Strikes Mustang Outpost'

according to the sign shown above,

which was erected at the entrance

of the 3 Strikes Ranch.

***

During the onset of the

'horrible neighbors poisoning horses'

there became a great debate

(it was a great debate to me,

because I began reading on certain

Internet 'horse' forums... all the lies that were being

relayed by Jason and Anissa, about us)

The great debate was that so many

were insistent that I was just trying

to cause problems for poor Jason.

***

He allowed a few people on to the ranch,

and when they had the privilege

of touring the ranch - he took them;

and that tour consisted of

seeing what he wanted them to see.

They saw only what he allowed them to see.

***

No, I take that back....

had they truly opened their minds and eyes,

they too would have seen the truth.

But they CHOSE to believe the lie.

***

I have been on the path that their tour guide traveled.

The amazing thing, if those people

would have just ventured over the hill along the way,

anywhere along the way....

they would have discovered the bones also.

But I doubt 'venturing over the hill'

was part of the tour agenda.

***

In reality, it would have been fruitless.

I contacted a few people and tried

to get them to 'see the light' - or at

the very least, to keep an open mind and

ask some specific questions that should have

naturally sparked some doubt in ones' mind.

***

I must admit, looking back at that whole mess,

I have to chuckle at myself as to

just how naive and gullible I am,

thinking I could make people realize the truth,

when they really didn't want to know the truth,

and some of them still have that brain fizz to this day.

***

***

In the above picture, the lake and foreground belong to our good neighbors, the Gilroys. The land on the other side of the lake, and hills in the far background belonged to Meduna. The fence line came quite close to the lake. This picture was taken July 2, 2009. Keep in mind, Jason said himself that the horses were removed from this area in February of 2009 (safety reasons he claimed, so he could keep a careful eye on them, and protect them against 'the neighbors'). Consequently, no animals (besides coyotes looking for easy feed) .... I should say; no horses were on that ground for approximately 5 months, and then they were removed to the Bridgeport fair grounds.

***

***

A little closer view, the 'trail' road shows in the center of the picture. They must have merrily driven along, looking at the scenery (?), popped up over the hill and there was the beautiful lake and delightful little cabin across the way. Doesn't that just make you all tingly and your heart skip a beat?

***

***

This is a building on Gilroys' property that the following statements are about. It is almost directly across from where Meduna's tour guide road comes out on the opposite side of the lake. Fancy that. I later found out that besides Jason claiming we had Rayu in a barn, he also was suggesting that Gilroys had Rayu hidden in this 'building'. I think it was told that we were taking Rayu back and forth between our 'hiding places'. He (Mudna) even had people planted in various places, taking pictures the day the Sheriff came out to question our family and Gilroys, and search for the stolen Rayu. (Isn't FALSE REPORTING a crime?) But more about Rayu later....

***

Before you view the next pictures, keep in mind they had binoculars and high powered lens on cameras...talk about not letting your mind think for itself!!!! (Granted, some people know they were manipulated, deceived, and lied to; that's not who I'm talking about in this blog because they're now the smart ones). It's the ones that see all the evidence, and still believe everything he says.

***

***

The following is from a Jason follower....and I do mean follower, that emailed me about stuff I was putting on the board-that I should take it off to not hurt the case. And I shouldn't say anything about Mudna. The paragraph is in my words-so as not to copy her email (but I have it)..... Little had I known when we were emailing back and forth, that she was on Mudna's team the whole time! I remember why we were writing back and forth about it; she had it posted with other 3 Strikes pictures- and I was asking her if she knew that was not Jason's property........

***

There is a picture of a beautiful, serene setting......it appears to be a building nestled in some trees with a beautiful lake in front. (Anissa told her that the land belongs to the Gilroys and the picture was taken from Jason's side of the fence.) She thought it looked like such a beautiful and peaceful area that she wanted a picture of it. She said if she owned that property, she would fix up the building (if it needed it) and picnic on it every weekend. Also she would bring friends there to enjoy the place. She would also let guests stay there. She mentioned what a picture postcard perfect place it was, and that Mr. Gilroy was very lucky to own it.

***

WOW....

(I do realize, it might have all just been a joke what she said, to somehow get even with me for trying to alert the human species what was going on at 3 Strikes Ranch.)

Now I doubt anybody will be staying here....even fixed up.

Especially Rayu!

And so it goes without saying...how people can be so swayed to believe anything......if they want to. It is a dangerous thing, one wonders how much money a person can con others out of? It is pride that keeps a person from letting all the facts and the evidence in? Or just sheer desire for something else in life. Who knows.

***

In a very short time...

after all the horses were gone;

it went from...

3 Strikes Ranch Mustang Outpost

to

The Brands Ranch...

to

The Beef State

The one thing I can't help but wonder....

If he had put as much time in the horses

as he did his signs, erecting giant posts, and

hanging skulls over his fences.....

how much better would the horses have been?

Obstacle Course Training

Welcome to 3 Strike-Out

Obstacle Course

Horse Endurance Club

A picture perfect post card.

The perfect place for your horse...

***

(I wonder if the horses

Jason Meduna acquired -

after the rescue and removal

of the 'Nebraska 200'-

ever sensed the death of

those left behind?)

***

The Obstacle Course?

Here's the 3-Strikes-Your-Out

Sign-Up Requirements

***

Strike 1: (self-explanatory)

Strike 2: Arrive healthy,

preferably with good

eye sight and agility.

Strike 3: Do not run around

and play after dark.

It could be

hazzardous to your health.

I joke about the obstacle course here, but it was really no laughing matter. How many times did Ray Field, or Jim Lambley brag about Jason Meduna? Mr. Lambley fully supported Meduna throughout the trial. Lambley said he has been to 3-Strikes Ranch. I wonder if he covered the whole thing? This is the stuff left behind by Meduna, in the very pasture these horses are in.

Directly after entering the former 3 Strikes Ranch, right over the hill - where no one sees; scattered throughout the low spots in the area - are windmill parts, tires, wood, iron pieces of all sizes, wheels, sharp objects, tin, wire, etc. etc. This is not a very big pasture.

We will go back over as soon as the snow melts and walk the pasture, to make sure there aren't any small objects still sticking out of the ground. Is this how someone who thinks of the horses and their needs, before his own takes care of the very ground they run on?

Justin and Josh are helping the Greens clean up the land. The kids gathered the junk up, and with the loader - put it on trailers to remove from the pasture. Ray Field mentioned the Freibergers quite often on his web site; (calling us the Freillebergers, etc.) mentioning many times how we did not take care of our land or our animals. He claimed Jason did such a good job caring for the horses; and yet he admitted that he has never been to the 3 Strikes Ranch. For whatever reason he continued to support Jason Meduna; is beyond me. I will always question how someone can run a good rescue for horses; and fully support the Medunas.

The 3 Freiberger horses: Buck, Barney, and Buddy.

Ray Field said they were longing to go to 3 Strikes. I'm pretty sure they were smarter than that.

In fact I think they are pretty content just being where they are.

FOR THE BIRDS.....

Have I gone clucking crazy?

By the time you get to the end of this blog,

you will think I am;

or that I'm on a chicken campaign!

(Your idea, Britt!)

Actually, these are birds that

Jason Meduna left behind.

At first, I went over every day

(the Medunas were gone)

and fed the chickens, ducks, and peacocks.

These two were Don's favorites.

It took awhile before they came to me.

I've never had pet chickens!

or ducks, or peacocks.

But some were given names...

I loved the peacocks.

I never was able to get real close.

At least they quit running from me

when I brought food.

They stayed at the barn,

and the trailer.

This lone chicken liked to

hang out at the barn

with the peacocks.

Me, feeding my feathered friends.

Once and awhile, Josh or Justin

came over with me.

I had to get them over there,

so they would go along with

helping me getting them caught

to bring to our house.

Cadence, looking for birds.

"There e-is!"

Then Cadence and I would back off,

and watch them eat

the food she gave them.

They loved it when

the snow was gone.

One day, there were feathers.

Too many.

Cadence didn't realize where

all the chickens were.

I loved watching her...

out of the vehicle with delight;

she slapped her hand on her knee,

"Chick - chick- chick!"

I had a plan....

but when birds are abandoned...

in the country....

their chance of survival is slim.

So for a short time

I enjoyed having feathered friends.



Cadence will remember feeding
the 'chicks' from the stories
and the pictures.





The following link is for the birds:
the chickens, the ducks, the peacocks;
and the kitties, dogs, burros and horses.


http://dcs-inmatesearch.ne.gov/Corrections/InmateDisplayServlet?DcsId=71105&showInmateImage=true