Guest opinion
Two Winds Ranch attacked unfairly

By Alvin "Bully" Caddin

Two Winds Ranch operator

My name is Bully Caddin. I have operated the Two Winds Ranch in Newbury Park for over 34 years.

During this time, the Two Winds Ranch has become a local landmark. Many generations of local families have come to the ranch to enjoy our country atmosphere and learn about horses.

I have hosted hundreds of public events at the ranch from rodeos and Western barbeques to horsemanship classes. Through our horse rental program, thousands of local children have been able to take a horseback ride and get their first taste of the Western lifestyle.

Today, as in the past, over 60 people trust me to take care of their horses that are boarded at the ranch.

I have operated the ranch to the very best of my ability over all these years. I have always seen to it that the horses and cattle at the ranch were well taken care of. Up until the recent railroading began, I have never once received a complaint that any animal at the ranch was being neglected.

In fact, many neglected horses have been brought to the ranch in order to be better taken of. I can honestly say that other than a few minor squabbles which come with the operation of any public business, I have never once been involved in the likes of what is going on now.

As you probably know from the many articles in this paper, the City Council of Thousand Oaks has recently recommended that my lease of the Two Winds Ranch be terminated and that I be evicted on only 30 days notice. I am being wrongfully and illegally railroaded out of town.

The council has based their decision on a complaint to the Humane Society made by a new ranch boarder named Becky Squire regarding three very old horses being kept at the ranch that Ms. Squire felt were being neglected. Miss Squire never once spoke with me about her concerns. She simply filed her complaint with the authorities. They were not being neglected. The horses were so old (35-40 years of age) that they could not maintain weight no matter the amount or type of feed they were receiving.

The Humane Society has confirmed these facts after their investigation into the situation. The case was closed and no further action was taken.

I am really not sure why Ms. Squire chose to do what she did. If she was truly interested in the well-being of the horses, why didn’t she speak with me or one of the hands? Why cause such public disruption at the ranch?

The other boarders at the ranch come to Two Winds to spend time with their horses, socialize with other horse owners and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere I have always offered. They are not looking for more stress in their lives. Just the opposite is true. Many of the other boarders are not happy about all the problems Ms. Squire has created and do not want any further problems from her.

I do know why I choose to ask Ms. Squire to leave the ranch. I did not "retaliate" against her as the council mentioned. I did what I did in order to prevent further problems for the ranch. Now, I am being evicted for this action.

As I said earlier, this eviction is wrongful and illegal. I am sure it is based on political motivations which have nothing to do with my operation of the ranch. The incident created by Ms. Squire is nothing more than an excuse for the politicians to try to rip the ranch away from me, spend hundreds of thousands of city dollars to replace my ranch equipment and insert some friends of the council into the ranch I have devoted my adult life to.

Never once have I backed down from a fight when I knew I was in the right. I do not intend to do so now. I will fight it in court.