February 26, 2018
Re: Sick horses and Strangles
HiCaliber Horse Rescue
11223 Calle Oro Verde
Valley Center, CA 92082
To whom this may concern:
HiCaliber is currently aware that they have active Strangles on the property and are not
letting the general public know. At this time, they are sending horses out for adoption
and foster all over Southern CA without making the involved parties aware of the
potential risk. A foster’s personal horse has contracted Strangles from HiCaliber horses
brought to her property. Additionally, recently three horses that we know of, have been
sent to foster homes sick. One was returned and treated (Breeze), one was returned and
euthanized (JacksonMax) and the third is still in her foster home in Lakeside (Squirrel).
We would like to see the horses at HiCaliber be adopted into homes, but do not feel it
should be done at the expense of the horses currently at the homes/boarding facilities that
these horses are being sent to. HiCaliber is not doing proper quarantine or holding any
responsibility in horses getting sick. The below pictures are a sample of some horses
currently sick at the HiCaliber Ranch, but there have been quite a few more in the last
few months.
Attached are also a current map and feed sheet of HiCaliber. The sick horses are all over
the ranch and not in one quarantined area. Although, with the quantity of horses
currently on that property 180 +/- depending on horse movement in and out, proper
quarantine and biosecurity would be nearly impossible.
CDFA, SD County Agriculture or the State Vet need to be brought in to get control of
this situation before it gets even more out of hand. We appreciate any help you can
provide in securing the health of our Southern CA horses.