Local News
Vernon sheriff defends horse rescue operator
Everhart denies abuse allegations made in anonymous near-viral social media posts.
Amanda Everhart has been called a scammer. A liar. A criminal. She’s at the center of a social media storm.
She’s also now the raison d’etre of a petition directed at state lawmakers to change laws about horse rescue operations.
But the operator of a very controversial horse rescue near Westby, Wis., says she’s doing fine despite all of that and hopes to continue to look after the eight horses in her care.
Vernon County sheriff John Spears has, this week, come to the defense of Everhart and says she’s doing good work.
“She’s trying,” said Spears, “and I guess is that’s the thing is that … it’s a positive thing when you see people stepping up to rescue these animals.”
Everhart said she’s felt threatened by those who have attacked her operation for alleged mistreatment of animals and based on what’s been spread on social media
“It’s just a bunch (of) little horse crazy women that seen a post on a Facebook group with 70,000 people and so half of those 70,000 people started ganging up on somebody,” said Everhart.
Spears, on Monday, sent out a public warning about harassing Everhart and suggested the attacks against her are a social media phenomenon.
“Social media,” Spears said, “is a double-edged sword because you don’t always have to be accurate or truthful and people jump on it so fast … and it spreads so quickly and it’s just the nature of what we live in today as far as the social media world.”
Spears has warned against trespassing on Everhart’s land. Directed, apparently, at those who have either threatened her or have tried to gather visual evidence of horse abuse.
And there has been threats, according to Everhart.
“They actually publically told me to kill myself,” Everhart said of those attacking her horse operation.
Everhart says she’s installed trail cameras on her property for protection.
Spears said a veterinarian checked out the horses this weekend and signed off on the operation.
kayla
June 27, 2017 at 4:41 pm
the sad thing about that she posted a while back she was dating him so yes he is going to back her up. someone needs to get them horses from her
Kristin
June 28, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I am the other side of the story…I surrendered my pony that I could no longer help. After $7000 in vet bills and free choice food for my entire herd she just was losing weight here in Wisconsin. With a broken leg that I chose to repair and save her life. Her herd bound nature kept her running her weight off causing her to be very thin. Amanda offered her a pasture with other ponies that had leg fractures so she would not pace her weight off and have a better quality of life. So yes I surrendered a pony with a broken leg that had been repaired and she is very thin. Everyone else at my farm is at a perfect weight; Despite teeth, worming and lots of love she just wouldn’t gain weight for me. Amanda has her on supplements that I see her eating and hopes for a better life for her. She’s groomed perfectly as all of Amanda’s horses are…they really do look nice in person. I’m not sure how you people think you are helping the situation…let Amanda care and love these animals instead of fighting for her reputation and the facility’s livelihood. Don’t we all have better things to do?
Kristin
June 28, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I am the other side of the story…I surrendered my pony that I could no longer help. After $7000 in vet bills and free choice food for my entire herd she just was losing weight here in Wisconsin. With a broken leg that I chose to repair and save her life. Her herd bound nature kept her running her weight off causing her to be very thin. Amanda offered her a pasture with other ponies that had leg fractures so she would not pace her weight off and have a better quality of life. So yes I surrendered a pony with a broken leg that had been repaired and she is very thin. Everyone else at my farm is at a perfect weight; Despite teeth, worming and lots of love she just wouldn’t gain weight for me. Amanda has her on supplements that I see her eating and hopes for a better life for her. She’s groomed perfectly as all of Amanda’s horses are…they really do look nice in person. I’m not sure how you people think you are helping the situation…let Amanda care and love these animals instead of fighting for her reputation and the facility’s livelihood. Don’t we all have better things to do?
Kristin
June 28, 2017 at 2:13 pm
I am the other side of the story…I surrendered my pony that I could no longer help. After $7000 in vet bills and free choice food for my entire herd she just was losing weight here in Wisconsin. With a broken leg that I chose to repair and save her life. Her herd bound nature kept her running her weight off causing her to be very thin. Amanda offered her a pasture with other ponies that had leg fractures so she would not pace her weight off and have a better quality of life. So yes I surrendered a pony with a broken leg that had been repaired and she is very thin. Everyone else at my farm is at a perfect weight; Despite teeth, worming and lots of love she just wouldn’t gain weight for me. Amanda has her on supplements that I see her eating and hopes for a better life for her. She’s groomed perfectly as all of Amanda’s horses are…they really do look nice in person. I’m not sure how you people think you are helping the situation…let Amanda care and love these animals instead of fighting for her reputation and the facility’s livelihood. Don’t we all have better things to do?
Jamie Edison
July 15, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Leighanne Johnson didn’t you make. Fake website about Amanda and her baby and the cops made you Shut it down. Did your sister also accused Amandas brother Zane of raping her…you and amber Johnson lie so much and make so many stories about Amanda it’s ridiculous you are a pathological liar for one for two nothing out of Amber Johnson’s mouth or Leighanne is true your jealous of AMANDA always have been
Jamie Edison
July 15, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Leighanne Johnson didn’t you make a Fake website about Amanda and her baby and the madison cops made you Shut it down cause u were giving a stalking ticket?!?!? . Did your sister also accused Amandas brother Zane of raping her…you and amber Johnson lie so much and make so many stories about Amanda it’s ridiculous you are a pathological liar for one for two nothing out of Amber Johnson’s mouth or Leighanne is true your jealous of AMANDA always have been