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Kanata reclaims camp's stables from tenant
by Elizabeth Michalka, Wake Weekly Staff Writer
Officials at Camp Kanata are taking back the reins.
They've decided to regain control of their horse stables, instead of leasing it out, said Camp Director David Bell. Sue and Bob Belton, who've run the stables, off N.C. 98 west of Wake Forest for the past six years, have until April 30 to vacate, said Bo Roberts, executive director of Camp Kanata. Arrangements have already been made for the camp to continue its summer equestrian program. Camp Kanata will lease 15 horses from Winstead Farms in South Carolina during the summer. Roberts said a new stable manager, instructors and other staff will be hired locally. Roberts said the Beltons are leaving because of personnel reasons. He also said the camp's long-term renovation plan calls for fewer horses and for transforming some of the land currently used by horses into all-purpose fields. Bell, who was in charge of finding a new horse vendor, added that an audit showed that running the stables internally would also be more cost-effective. "We thought we could do it better in-house," Bell said. But others claim different reasons for the Beltons' exit. Former employees believe the Beltons are leaving Camp Kanata because of complaints about management and treatment of the animals. "I don't think things are being properly cared for out there," said Brittany Tyndall, who worked for the Beltons from 2000-04. "I am concerned (for) their horses," she added. Tyndall, who was fired by the Beltons, said she has not only heard complaints, but has witnessed neglect and mistreatment of horses. Lindsay Johnson, who spent several summers working at the Camp Kanata stables, said she quit because she was fed up with the way animals were treated. "I'd come out to feed in the mornings and there would be no grain," she said. "That's just unprofessional." During last summer, Johnson said the barn ran out of grain three or four times. Tyndall said there were also times when she worked that the stables ran out of hay, grain and even medicine for the horses. She said she called friends a few times to bring hay to the barn. Tyndall and Johnson's greatest concern revolves around the number of horses at Camp Kanata -- they say its overcrowded and there's no pasture. While Sue Belton agrees that there are too many horses at Camp Kanata, she said other allegations are unfounded. "The care that was provided was top-notch," she said. Belton said there are about 30 horses at Camp Kanata, including her own and ones she boards for others -- the Beltons ran their own boarding business under Steppin' Heaven Farm at Camp Kanata. Belton admitted that the pasture is unable to support 30 horses, but she said additional feed, including grain and hay, were provided to make up for the lack of pasture. "There's not a skinny one in the bunch," Belton said of the horses. Roberts estimates that the Beltons use about four to five acres for the horses. The optimal amount of land per horse is one to two acres, said Jennifer Malpass, Triangle Regional Director of the United States Equine Rescue League. But there is no law that limits the number of horses per acre, she added. The limited space at Camp Kanata is one reason the Beltons decided to move, Sue Belton said. "Basically, we need more room. We outgrew it," she said. "We had too many horses for the space." Belton said she and her husband have purchased 90 acres in Franklin County and plan to reopen their stables there in May. Belton said all their current boarders and most of their employees plan on moving to the new farm, which will keep the Steppin' Heaven name. Belton said the decision to leave Camp Kanata was made jointly with camp leaders. "I'm thinking it's one of those situations where it's best for Camp Kanata and it's best for them," Roberts said. Roberts and Bell both said they have not received any complaints about the Beltons. Although Roberts did say he's heard about complaints from others -- he was surprised by the news. "I have felt that the Beltons do a very good job," Roberts said. "I'm not a horse expert by any means ... I see nothing but what seems to me like healthy horses." Tyndall said she never filed a complaint about the alleged mistreatment because she didn't want to have them "run out," and also because she didn't see anything that was really life-threatening to an animal. When Johnson quit, she said she filed a complaint with the YMCA of the Triangle, which runs Camp Kanata -- but she never received a response. Johnson said she didn't file complaints earlier because she didn't want to tarnish her relationship with the Beltons, whom she said she had enjoyed working for. Investigators with the United States Equine Rescue League have received several complaints about Camp Kanata. They would not reveal their sources or details of the complaints, though. Investigator William Walls said investigators, he included, have been to Camp Kanata several times in recent years -- they investigate every complaint they receive. "We didn't see anything wrong," he said. Walls explained that he was bothered by some things he saw at Camp Kanata, like the lack of pasture, but there were no grounds to press charges against the Beltons. He explained that the stables live up to legal standards but don't necessarily meet all of his personal standards. He said his and the rescue league's standards are higher than the law's. In such cases, the league tries to educate stable operators on ways to improve. Malpass said the league recommended to the Beltons that they not take in any more horses. The league did not offer any other training to the Beltons, she said. Malpass said the horses looked healthy and showed no signs of stress, and she was also pleased with the facilities and cleanliness, so there was nothing to really educate the Beltons about. The rescue league has enough confidence in the Beltons that they've boarded two of their own horses at the Camp Kanata stables. One of the horses is still with the Beltons. Malpass explained that when the league boards a horse, they thoroughly examine the facility and its management. Investigators also do annual checks on the stable as long as their horse remains there. Malpass said she is satisfied with the care their horse is receiving and said "he looked wonderful." But Tyndall believes the horses don't receive enough individual attention and are "manhandled." She said the horses are afraid of some handlers because they throw hats to frighten the animals and are too rough with the horses. She said she saw a handler break a horse's bridle after pulling on it, trying to control the horse who had gotten spooked during a ride. Tyndall said she often saw dirty stalls, with manure piled up and attracting flies. She said she also saw water buckets filled with algae. She said she was also instructed not to call in a veterinarian when a horse's hoof was bleeding. She said she's also seen many horses with severe cases of thrush, a bacterial disease. While it's not uncommon for horses to contract thrush, Tyndall said the cases were chronic at Camp Kanata. Tyndall and Johnson lease a barn in Apex with another friend. They board several horses there, including one which they say used to be boarded at Camp Kanata. Johnson said the horse's owners decided to move the horse because they were unhappy with the horse's treatment at Camp Kanata. Johnson said the horse was underfed, but has since gained weight.
Last Updated On: March 23, 2006
Copyright 2006 The Wake Weekly