Maximum Reflections, better known as Max, was taken from his pasture in Flat Rock, Illinois, August 23, 2008, leaving Keith Caughran’s stepdaughter, Kaitlynn, devastated. Since that time, Caughran has done everything possible to help locate the horse, from buying a computer and learning to navigate the Internet, to offering his truck as a reward.
A few days after Max’s theft, Caughran filed a report with Stolen Horse International on their web site, NetPosse.com. This is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to public education regarding stolen and missing horses, and assistance in recovering those horses. After a stolen horse is reported, a personal webpage is posted on NetPosse.com, allowing the public to quickly find contact information and learn of updates in a case. Then, a flyer is created and an IDAHO Alert, the equine version of an AMBER Alert, is issued. NetPosse volunteers network via the Internet with horse owners and equine communities to notify people about the stolen or missing horse.
“We actively work around the clock and follow countless leads for the horses listed on the site,” says Debi Metcalfe, founder of the program. “That one call makes every moment of worry and wonder worth it for the horse owner and for our volunteers. This is why we do what we do.”
A year ago, SHI issued a press release pleading for Max’s return in which Keith said, “Our family is just stunned. We cannot believe he is gone.” Kaitlynn said, “I cannot concentrate in school, focus on homework, watch TV or even go to sleep without thinking about him. He was my best friend and my whole life.”
Since experiencing the loss of Max, the Caughran family never gave up hope that they would one day find Kaitlynn's. The family was at a horse show on Sunday when they received the call.
“We were all crying,” Susan Caughran says. “We just couldn’t believe that after all this time we finally got the call we had been waiting for.”
It turns out that Kim Gully of Springfield, Mo. bought Max about a month ago through an advertisement on Craigslist. Gully’s cousin saw a stolen horse flyer with a picture of Max this weekend at Farmfest, an event at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Gully says she knew that buying a horse over the Internet had its risks, but she never dreamed that she was buying a stolen horse for her 7 year-old daughter MacKenzie. After a brief Internet search, Kim’s fears were confirmed as she found out the rest of the story about her daughter’s new horse.
The Caughran family is so thrilled to be getting Max back that they are giving MacKenzie another horse as a replacement.
“I always thought Max would be found. I personally never gave up and encouraged Susan and Keith to do the same, especially when there seemed to be no hope,” Metcalfe says. “As I would expect, Keith and Susan have a mixture of emotions. It has been 58 weeks and they never gave up, nor did Stolen Horse International.”
However, Metcalfe points out that the Caughran’s aren’t the only victims in this case. The Gully’s are suffering, too, as they prepare to part with Max.
It is estimated that thousands of horses go missing each year. But, with the help of volunteers through NetPosse.com, there is hope for other victims like the Caughran’s.
NetPosse’s Executive Coordinator Angela Kirby says she was astounded to see the rodeo grounds in her hometown of Montgomery, Ala., plastered with Max’s flyers last March.
“I am sometimes amazed by the outpouring of support victims receive from horse owners across the country, but it is so reassuring,” Kirby says. “We always tell these horse owners not to give up no matter how many days or weeks have passed.”
To help reunite other families with their missing and stolen horses you can visit www.netposse.com. Anyone can print a flyer to post in areas like feed or tack stores, auction barns, restaurants or even convenience stores. You don’t have to be a horse owner to help.
A few days after Max’s theft, Caughran filed a report with Stolen Horse International on their web site, NetPosse.com. This is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to public education regarding stolen and missing horses, and assistance in recovering those horses. After a stolen horse is reported, a personal webpage is posted on NetPosse.com, allowing the public to quickly find contact information and learn of updates in a case. Then, a flyer is created and an IDAHO Alert, the equine version of an AMBER Alert, is issued. NetPosse volunteers network via the Internet with horse owners and equine communities to notify people about the stolen or missing horse.
“We actively work around the clock and follow countless leads for the horses listed on the site,” says Debi Metcalfe, founder of the program. “That one call makes every moment of worry and wonder worth it for the horse owner and for our volunteers. This is why we do what we do.”
A year ago, SHI issued a press release pleading for Max’s return in which Keith said, “Our family is just stunned. We cannot believe he is gone.” Kaitlynn said, “I cannot concentrate in school, focus on homework, watch TV or even go to sleep without thinking about him. He was my best friend and my whole life.”
Since experiencing the loss of Max, the Caughran family never gave up hope that they would one day find Kaitlynn's. The family was at a horse show on Sunday when they received the call.
“We were all crying,” Susan Caughran says. “We just couldn’t believe that after all this time we finally got the call we had been waiting for.”
It turns out that Kim Gully of Springfield, Mo. bought Max about a month ago through an advertisement on Craigslist. Gully’s cousin saw a stolen horse flyer with a picture of Max this weekend at Farmfest, an event at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Gully says she knew that buying a horse over the Internet had its risks, but she never dreamed that she was buying a stolen horse for her 7 year-old daughter MacKenzie. After a brief Internet search, Kim’s fears were confirmed as she found out the rest of the story about her daughter’s new horse.
The Caughran family is so thrilled to be getting Max back that they are giving MacKenzie another horse as a replacement.
“I always thought Max would be found. I personally never gave up and encouraged Susan and Keith to do the same, especially when there seemed to be no hope,” Metcalfe says. “As I would expect, Keith and Susan have a mixture of emotions. It has been 58 weeks and they never gave up, nor did Stolen Horse International.”
However, Metcalfe points out that the Caughran’s aren’t the only victims in this case. The Gully’s are suffering, too, as they prepare to part with Max.
It is estimated that thousands of horses go missing each year. But, with the help of volunteers through NetPosse.com, there is hope for other victims like the Caughran’s.
NetPosse’s Executive Coordinator Angela Kirby says she was astounded to see the rodeo grounds in her hometown of Montgomery, Ala., plastered with Max’s flyers last March.
“I am sometimes amazed by the outpouring of support victims receive from horse owners across the country, but it is so reassuring,” Kirby says. “We always tell these horse owners not to give up no matter how many days or weeks have passed.”
To help reunite other families with their missing and stolen horses you can visit www.netposse.com. Anyone can print a flyer to post in areas like feed or tack stores, auction barns, restaurants or even convenience stores. You don’t have to be a horse owner to help.
For more on Max and his homecoming, visit: http://netposse.com/stolenmissing/MaxIL stolenAug08.htm
You can contact Debi Metcalfe for more information at 704-484-2165, PO Box 1341 Shelby, NC 28151, stolenhorse@netposse.com.
