HORSES: Here's the final chapter

Horses: The last word…I can’t believe Ms. Muth is still bringing this up. I want to thank everyone in the 4-H/horse community for not putting any weight into what was written about Sparkles and Spurs and myself. And for those of you who still believe everything you read/hear is the God’s honest truth, I hope no one is ever waiting in the wings to slander your good name because you used words they didn’t understand.

I “owned up” to my words in my first response, when I told the story as it happened. I was not in front yelling back. I was right next to my 17-year-old daughter when her horse was being aggressive and kicked my horse repeatedly hitting my leg. That is when I said “Now get off and beat his butt,” not beat the crap out of him. You never talked to me, you talked to another mom out front. Truth is I love this MAJESTIC horse more than you will ever know. I go without medical and dental often myself, so that he can have the best feed, hoof, veterinary, massage and chiropractic care.

Please stop concerning yourself with my horses who are well loved and cared for. Maybe your time, energy and resources would be better spent caring for the hundreds of truly abused and neglected horses in Kootenai County. I know I will not waste one more minute of my life on this. Also if your apology to the club was real, stop using their name in the paper.

COLLEEN RIPATTI

Hayden