Columbia Basin Equine Rescue (CBER) tries to sell themselves to the public as a nonprofit rescue that saves horses from being shipped to slaughter. In reality, they work in coordination with a feedlot in the Yakima Valley and are nothing more than common horse traders.
Recently it's come to light that CBER is selling very sick horses - 19 of which are known to have died either as a direct result of this "lot crud" or from complications due to it. These horses are getting sick while at the feedlot and yet they continue to sell them at 3 or 4 times the price of meat.
CBER is in this rescue business for the money and not for the saving of horses. If they were truly in it to save the horses, they wouldn't be pocketing huge amounts of money while horses they've sold are dying. They would instead be working with their "partner" - the feedlot owner - to clean up the disease infested lot so as not to perpetuate the spread of this disease.
I don't think CBER is an honest rescue at all. They are selling diseased horses, lying about their ages, and doing all they can to make a buck.
In my case they sold me a horse they said was 12 but when he was vetted, we found out he was at least 30. I paid way too much for the horse as I was pulled into their emotional blackmail of “the truck is coming the truck is coming”. Yes, I should have checked the horse over more before taking him home, but honestly, I figured that these volunteers at CBER were knowledgeable as they assess incoming horses quite often and determining ages is something they have to do as part of that assessment. Also, there was a big push to load up and get off the lot ASAP as the feedlot owner was there eyeing the entire operation and we wouldn't want to upset him now would we?
Please take the time to investigate this "rescue" thoroughly before donating or purchasing an animal from them.
Wendy
Brush Prairie, Washington
U.S.A.