Brenda Estes -- Once bitten, twice shy! Brenda sold me a lame horse which I later confirmed with my vet. Unfortunately this was after I gave a $400.00 deposit which she refused to return. Internet

This is the most naive horse owner who has walked the earth. I personally have bought from Brenda and have owned some of the nicest ottbs. Brenda represents the horses very fairly and will find a great shipper. It's people like you who should never purchase a horse. Well, maybe a twenty year old QH.  Don't try to ruin a good, solid reputation with your naive, crazy ways. SHAME on YOU!!!!  The horse needed tlc not, a dingling like you. SHAME SHAME...

Brenda thank you for your effort on all the ottbs you have rehomed!  

I have personally adopted 6 horses from Brenda, she was always very honest and forthcoming about their injuries and condition. One horse Mickey S. did develop some lameness issues about a year after adoption in regular work, however, how is Brenda expected to know what will happen down the road? This is a rescue, she doesn't have the money to vet check each horse, she can only see what is present at the time. This is your job as the buyer to vet check the horse prior to purchase or deposit. If you didn't feel comfortable with the situation then you should have looked elsewhere. If you want a riding horse, make sure you can ride it before you buy. I know Brenda and she is a good person and an animal lover, she didn't scam you on purpose. Be more careful next time and know what you are getting into. Especially with an OTTB, you never know what might come up, especially regarding soundness. 

I was made aware of Brenda when I had three friends (which I hope they will all chime in with their own personal experiences with Brenda) adopted seven horses from her over the last two years. I'm currently looking for an OTTB for myself & have contacted Brenda a few times to see what she has. So far she has been easy to work & straight forward for what I want the horse for. She even made arrangements for shipping an ex-race horse (not one of her hers) across the country for me at a discounted rate.

As far as test riding an Ex-Race Horse it is COMMON practice because of liability/insurance reasons to not allow the horses to be ridden on the farm or at the track without holding a special state license. 

As most people who have OTTB rescues or ex-horse re-homing non-profits have a disclaimer that the horses are sold with no vet guarantees & it is the buyer/adopters responsibility to get a vet check on the horse prior to purchasing/adopting. You almost ALWAYS want to do some kind of basic soundness exam when ever youre purchasing a horse for riding & even than that can not guarantee the horse will remain sound.

From what I have seen & heard Brenda's adoption fees are pretty low normally under 1k so she can place the horses as fast as possible & to be able to rescue more.

In most cases a deposit unless stated otherwise ARE non-refundable, that is the point of a deposit. The fact that she does run an OTTB rescue & most of her horse come off the track or are from the auctions, she probably needs every penny to feed/house those horses plus some.

If approached in a good manner most people are willing to work something out but if approached in an accusing manner that's a whole different story.
 

I really hate confrontation and it never fails to amaze me how heartless people can be and just take advantage of your innocence.  Unfortunately, Brenda saw me coming.  I thought I could trust her for the most part since she's part of a horse rescue; The West Coast Rescue Organization.  Everything that she explained away in her rebuttal is a lie.  I had everything in my arsenol to take her to court:    

neighbor who witnessed the lameness
vet who confirmed the lameness
cancelled check for the deposit
receipt for the deposit
cancelled check for the fuel charges

Brenda is the one who insisted on keeping Luke longer.  I wanted to take him home sooner, but she insisted on keeping him longer to put more weight on him since the previous adopters had starved him. 

The only reason I did not take her to court is because I had pity on her and her situation.  She is a new mother with new expenses.  I chose to forgive her and suffer the wrong.  However, I would prefer that nobody else have to suffer this wrong.

Luke was the perfect horse for her but since she stopped payment on the Balance of Luke we went out and picked him up. We delivered Luke to her home which was 2 hours round trip plus we went back out to pickup luke at her home after she stopped payment which was another 2 hours round trip. Luke had shoes on the fronts and non on his hinds. when we went back to pick him up he would stumble every once in a while on her driveway which was rocky (ON HIS BACK FEET CAUSE HE DIDNT HAVE SHOES ON) when he was on the grass he was fine. We took him back to the barn and the owners of the barn adopted him. They enjoy him everyday. they trail ride and also have him in training for showing. If I could post pics and video of him I would be more then happy to. The reason the lady wasnt refunded any money was due to fuel cost round trip both ways, board while we kept him at our place till she was ready for him. we have placed over 200 horses in homes and have many people that come back to us that adopt. Im not going to let 1 lady out there they to ruin my reputation.

on this one.  Never, EVER buy a horse that you have not ridden or had vet checked.  I have been riding and buying horses since I could walk and I have always insisted on both.  I have never given a deposit on a horse period and if she refused to let you ride him you should have just walked away.

Yep - she sounds like a horse scammer but take some responsibility for your own actions as well.