NICOLE MCFARLAND C&N STABLES C&N STABLES sold rank horse for a child DILLSBURG, Pennsylvania

My 7yo daughter and I had been taking riding lessons for a year when I began to look on-line at horses for sale.  When our instructor learned I was looking to purchase a horse, she graciously joined the search and began sending me links to potential purchases.  One of those horses was Nicole McFarlands draft cross, Zeus. 
Nicole was very responsive to my initial inquiry.  She answered all my questions and forwarded additional pictures and video.  One of which was her fianc doing a back flip off Zeus saddle!  Nicole was very aware that my main objective was to find a safe horse for my 7yo. 
The weekend after our initial contact, May 19, 2012, my daughter and I drove two hours to meet Zeus.  Upon arrival, Zeus was removed from the field, tacked up, and ridden.  Again, Nicole answered all my questions.  Upon initial glance, it was obvious Zeus was an older guy who was under weight and the scars on his face revealed he had not been treated well at some point in the past.  It was also thought that he had been a cart horse in the past (i.e. stopping at stop signs and responsiveness to driving commands).  He would not take the treats we brought him during our visit.  However, he had the sweetest eyes and was so gentle.  We fell in love and I signed the contract then and there. 
When I informed our instructor of the purchase, her response was, What did you do?  I had been counseled about horse people, warned about seller tactics, and our instructor had offered to look at a horse for us.  However, I could not ask her to drive four hours to check out a horse.
Nicole delivered Zeus to his new home, the farm where we had been taking lessons for a year, on May 24, 2012.  Zeus calmly stepped out of the trailer, looked around a bit, than cautiously went into his new stall.  A few minutes after Nicole left, she text messaged to tell me I had overpaid her by $20 and that she would mail it back to me.  My husband had put the money in the envelope so I had no idea there was an extra $20 in there.  No one can say Nicole is not honest! 
Within three weeks, Zeus started taking treats, had met his new vet, stood beautifully for his new farrier, and performed very well during a six hour trail ride.  He crossed streams, tolerated street traffic with ease, went for a dip in a creek, and grassed as we sat near him eating our lunch at a local restaurant while a large outdoor party was hosted by the restaurant.  Needless-to-say, Zeus has earned several gold stars from our instructor!   
Upon meeting Zeus, Nicole described her trail riding experiences with him.  And he performed for me just as he had performed for her.  In fact, my daughter started out riding with our instructor on a buddy saddle.  After a couple hours, I was comfortable enough to allow my daughter to ride Zeus as I walked.   
We have now had Zeus for just over a month and Zeus has adapted to riding English in indoor and outdoor rings.  He rides in the rings with another horse in the ring at the same time.  He trots, canters, and jumps.   
Nicole even text messaged recently to find out how everything was going!  My experience with Nicole has been wonderful!  As far as I am concerned, she understood and respected my desire to purchase a safe horse for my daughter and I to enjoy on trail rides and in the ring.  She did not try to sell me a horse that was unsuitable for our needs.  My husband has even been on-line looking at other horses she has for sale (hummm). 
While I believe everyone has the right to voice their opinion, I sense those posting negative feedback on Rip-Off Report likely failed in their role as buyer.  The buyer has the responsibility to effectively communicate what they are looking for in a horse, to inspect the horse in-person, and to conduct a pre-purchase vet check if desired.  And let us not forget that this business revolved around animals!  Had it not been for Nicole, who knows where Zeus, and others like him, would have ended up! 
After signing the contract but before delivery, I made Nicole aware I had seen the postings on Rip-Off Report.  She was very upset and immediately wanted to explain each of the three situations.  Interestingly, I was not even interested in hearing more about them.  Nicole shared with me she had placed over 300 horses.  Lets face it, not everyone is going to be happy all of the time and above all, we are dealing with animals who behave differently in different environments.  Lets focus on making the best matches possible. 
Knowing what I know now, I would purchase Zeus all over again.  I am very happy with Nicoles professionalism and her dedication to finding horses forever homes.  If it were not for Nicole, we would not have Zeus and all the happiness he has brought us.
Truly,
Shannon W.  

I have read some of the complaints above and unfortunately when purchasing a horse you truly won't know all there is to know until the horse is in your environment and you have had time to work with him/her.  

My wife and I purchased a horse named Red from her a little over a year ago and he is tremendous!  Nicole sent us videos of him being ridden and we ultimately made the drive up to ride him ourselves.  As it is with all horses, it took him a few weeks to get acclamated to his new home, but after that we realized he is everything that we hoped for!  

Unless you raise the horse and have had a large part in breaking it, you can only expect so much info from someone who is reselling.  Therefore, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence prior to purchasing.  Just know that with your investment also comes risk.  That's just how it is.

Red ended up replacing a horse that I had bought at auction all the way out in Oregon.  That horse on the day of sale looked like the brokest of broke...both saddled and bareback.  When I had him transported to VA it was like his evil twin showed up.  I spent more money in transporting and multiple months of training...but I realized that was the risk when buying him.  

The natural reaction is to be upset with the seller, but that is the nature of the business.  

Nicole is a business person and I am sure she knows that failed partnerships between horse and purchaser is not good for business.  Therefore, I trust that she is NOT in business to make people unhappy about their decision.

We are thankful for all she did in providing us with a wonderful riding partner!!!!!

The reason why we are going to court is because you bought this horse and signed a contract. And then immediately you stop payment on the check. That's why we are taking you to court.

Kim Noll yes we have court in april because we are sueing you.
Kathy's report is about a total different horse than yours.
She has bought a bay tall QH gelding named buddy as well

Kathy thank you for sharing your story about buying "Buddy" from Nicole McFarland on September 2011. We too tried to purchase "BUDDY" from Nicole McFarland in Feburary 2012 for the purpose to teach Special Needs Riders how to ride and compete at Special Olympics.



Our stories are very similar.  My Attorney and I have a court date in April. I am not going to let one person keep me form moving forward with teaching special needs kids how to enjoy riding horses.  Shame on her!!!

Do NOT buy a horse from Nicole Mcfarland.  I bought a horse "Buddy" from her in September, 2011.  She claimed he was bomb proof, had NEVER been unsound,  My contract with her specifically says "The horse is healthy and sound, There are no lameness or health issues at the time of sale". She did NOT tell me he had arthritis!! Nicole said she trained him herself and he would be "perfect for a child".  She said he was an accomplished jumper.  

I brought my daughter and her trainer to test ride. The horse appeared to be perfectly fine.  I had him vet checked, he passed.    Two days after we bought him, he went lame.  After  xrays and vet evaluations, we were told by our vet that if this horse passed a lameness exam, he must have been drugged.  Nicole Mcfarland is the lowest level horse trader.

He has severe arthritis and joint effusion in his hocks.  He has stifle  issues, he is not suitable for a child. The vet said he would need hock injections and joint suppliments and MAYBE, if it was successful,  he could be ridden. 

Then I discovered that Nicole KNEW he was lame.  Less than a week before I bought him, another person had him vetted.  He failed the lameness exam.  This was confirmed by both the potential buyer and the vet who checked the horse.   I have proof that Nicole knew.  The vet told those buyers not to purchase him, because his lameness was severe.  They did not. 

Then I inquired about the horse. Nicole told me, on several occasions that he had NEVER been lame. She said she had owned him for a year and a half.  She said she had to sell him because she couldnt afford his board... she said "I just want my baby to go to a good home".

Then I found out that Nicole had purchased the horse from an auction in Thurmont, just 9 days before I bought him.  9 DAYS!  She didnt train this horse... she didn't know if he was suitable for a child, but she certainly knew he was severely lame. Yet she sold this horse to me knowing he was for a 12 year old girl who would be eventing.  She put my child at risk!  She lied about EVERYTHING.  She seems to be a very nice person.... but DO NOT TRUST HER.  If you need more information, respond to this rebuttal.

Do NOT buy a horse from Nicole Mcfarland.  I bought a horse "Buddy" from her in September, 2011.  She claimed he was bomb proof, had NEVER been unsound,  My contract with her specifically says "The horse is healthy and sound, There are no lameness or health issues at the time of sale". She did NOT tell me he had arthritis!! Nicole said she trained him herself and he would be "perfect for a child".  She said he was an accomplished jumper.  

I brought my daughter and her trainer to test ride. The horse appeared to be perfectly fine.  I had him vet checked, he passed.    Two days after we bought him, he went lame.  After  xrays and vet evaluations, we were told by our vet that if this horse passed a lameness exam, he must have been drugged.  Nicole Mcfarland is the lowest level horse trader.

He has severe arthritis and joint effusion in his hocks.  He has stifle  issues, he is not suitable for a child. The vet said he would need hock injections and joint suppliments and MAYBE, if it was successful,  he could be ridden. 

Then I discovered that Nicole KNEW he was lame.  Less than a week before I bought him, another person had him vetted.  He failed the lameness exam.  This was confirmed by both the potential buyer and the vet who checked the horse.   I have proof that Nicole knew.  The vet told those buyers not to purchase him, because his lameness was severe.  They did not. 

Then I inquired about the horse. Nicole told me, on several occasions that he had NEVER been lame. She said she had owned him for a year and a half.  She said she had to sell him because she couldnt afford his board... she said "I just want my baby to go to a good home".

Then I found out that Nicole had purchased the horse from an auction in Thurmont, just 9 days before I bought him.  9 DAYS!  She didnt train this horse... she didn't know if he was suitable for a child, but she certainly knew he was severely lame. Yet she sold this horse to me knowing he was for a 12 year old girl who would be eventing.  She put my child at risk!  She lied about EVERYTHING.  She seems to be a very nice person.... but DO NOT TRUST HER.  If you need more information, respond to this rebuttal.

The Horse Buddy has left the Farm Healthy and Sound of the day of Sale
I did not just offer 25%, i offered over 50% of  the purchase price of the horse back!

The Buyers Vet had passed him on the day of Sale when Pre Purchase Exam was done!
Buyer hat the Opinion of a Vet before she agreed to purchase the Horse.

I was asked if I had ever had any lameness issues with him what i did not have, we also did not push this horse to his limit. We have rode him every day and never had Problems.
I told the Buyer that there is some Arthritis going on in this horse because he seemed stiff but alway rode out of it

I am sorry but i am  not a Vet and when you have your Vet out to check the horse for you and your Vet tells you the horse is good then why is it the Sellers fault and not the Vets fault?
I am not telling anybody not to have a Vet Check done before Purchasing the Horse.....

Nicole McFarland sold me a horse for my 12 year daughter.  Buddy is an 8 year old bay quarterhorse. We bought him Sept. 2011. Nicole said several times, even in writing that this horse was sound... had NEVER been lame. We had a vet check him, he passed the lameness test.  We bought him, took him to our farm.

As soon as daughter started practicing hunter/jumper with him, we knew he had a serious problem.  At first we gave Nicole the benefit of the doubt, she seemed so nice after all.  She said she didn't know! But then we found out that she KNEW about Buddy's lameness all along.  In fact, she had almost sold him to another consumer just two weeks before we bought him.  He had failed the spavin test. 

He is cronically lame.  He has severe arthritis and joing effusion issues.  Two vets have reviewed the horses xrays.  We were told he is and will be lame.  Do not jump, eventing is out.   Nicole knew about this horses issues, yet she sold him to me knowing he was for a child!!!  I asked Nicole to return the money I have invested in this horse, she refused. She offered 25%  I have now turned it over to my attorney.

This Woman is not out to scam anybody
I have bought many horses from her, she represents her horses to the best of her knowledge!
Everybody knows that nobody can predict an animals behavior in the future

Its your job as a Buyer to make sure the horse suits you, if you buy the horse sight on seen and you will have Problems after the Sale is final then its your own fault and you should take your loss. As a Buyer you make your decision about the animal.

No matter what the animals history is, you are buying the product not the story/history

I have only heard good things about her, the horses are well taken care of, healthy and sound and you buy the horse like she will tell you. Again, if the horse will come up sick or is misbehaving it is not the Sellers fault! This is Life.

Dont blame the Seller!
You have your change to look at the horse, get a Vet check done, ask for references etc...if you dont do those things you are on your own!

She is not out to scam anybody!
Very positive Experience!

I would like to say a few things about that since the add has not been removed Yes i sold this horse, everybody knows that nobody can predict an animals future. The horse was bought without seeing videos or test ride her after offering that i will send videos. I had no trouble with the horse what so ever.

I offered to trade for a different horse and i offered to send some money back, what i did on the end. I have talked to the attorney and he kinda settled it, we did have an agreement that the add will be removed after i sent the money but the add is still up.

I am not a bad person,  i have sold many horses to people they have not seen the horse before or did test ride it and everyone was happy with what i have sold them. I am sorry what happened but again, the horse was perfectly fine at my place and again nobody can predict an animals future! I did not scam anybody and i dont want to scam anybody.

I  HAVE ASKED FOR THIS TO BE DELETED AS I RECEIVED SOME MONEY BACK.

AFTER SPEAKING TO MY ATTORNEY, NICOLE AGREED TO GIVE SOME MONEY BACK. I HAVE AGREED TO EXCEPT WHAT SHE HAS OFFERED AND PUT THIS TO REST. I AM SUPPOST TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM HER THIS WEEK.