The Truth About KZ Equine in Lubbock: Animal Cruelty and Malice
*** HOW IT ALL STARTED***
Aggie came to me in poor condition on May 21, 2023. As I've done with all my rehab cases, I put him on a refeeding plan, which is a necessary and gradual process to help prevent fatal complications. When it was safe, I implemented various other methods to help him regain his health, such as supplements, EMT, exercises, and dewormer. His weight gain was slower, which is not unusual in rehab cases due to numerous influencing factors, especially considering his specific circumstances; however, he was progressing and doing well.
I improved his health to the point where he no longer required specialized care. He still had a journey ahead of him, but all he needed was time to continue gaining. I posted him on Facebook, aiming to find someone to continue his progress, give him a permanent, loving home, and allow him to have a relaxed life. Kylie asked in the comments if I'd consider a trade, so I messaged her to discuss details. We also had discussions over the phone. I gave her an honest and detailed explanation of his situation, sent accurate, current pictures and videos, and explicitly stated what I wanted for him. She addressed everything I said, claimed to have rehab experience and masters degrees in animal health, and assured me he would have an easy job as a “tiny tot” lesson horse, which would have been perfect since he adored kids. I had specific stipulations regarding the trade, and she agreed to all of them. She welcomed us to visit him anytime, promised to provide updates, and agreed to return him if he didn't work out.
Kylie told me numerous positive things about her horse Nugget. She claimed she took him to the vet, had his current shot records, and that he had no health issues. She claimed he lunged, loaded, stood for the farrier, had been roped off, did day work, and went on about how good he'd been, among other commendable traits. She said she didn't want to say he was a kid's horse solely because he had pep that could scare a complete beginner, but kids rode him, including her 4 year old by himself daily. The pictures and videos she sent me of him appeared to have supported her claims. She mentioned a few flaws, none of which I considered dealbreakers, and she knew what my dealbreakers were. She said he pawed, was snorty, and set back once but assured me he wasn't dangerous or harmful. Later, she said he had bucked in a circle around Zac while being saddled but rode off fine, initially attributing this behavior to being fresh after being stalled. She said twice it was the only time he bucked, reassured me he wasn't dangerous, and claimed multiple times she was being completely transparent.
Everything considered, it seemed a good fit, so my husband went to trade on September 25, 2023. He said Nugget was calm and didn't exhibit any concerning behavior during the exchange. He saw Nugget was underweight but assumed he was another rehab case because he didn't know the details then. Kylie had no issues with Aggie and expressed her excitement about having him before, during, and after the trade.
***AFTER THE TRADE***
Unloading Nugget was disastrous. He was terrified, reared up and flipped backwards from the trailer, and was highly reactive. He was underweight, his hooves were in terrible condition, and his face was disfigured, among other issues. We initially thought his behavior was possibly due to the stress of adjusting to a new environment, but it quickly became increasingly evident that Nugget was displaying unmistakable signs of a*use. He was scared of his feed bucket, extremely headshy, prone to severe panic, and snorted constantly due to fear. He became terrified when I asked him to lunge, resulting in him trying to jump over the panels, bucking, and ultimately rearing up and flipping backward onto a panel. He pawed violently while devouring his meals, breaking various containers. He was anxious while stalled, resulting in extreme bucking episodes, among numerous other problems. He was nothing like how Kylie described him or the pictures and videos she sent me. We suspected they d**gged him. Because of Kylie's deceit, I wanted to verify Nugget's vaccination status, so I emailed the vet Kylie claimed she took him to, only to find out she had never taken him. It took us a month to get him to our vet due to his fear of loading, and he had to be sedated for the vet to get close enough to examine him. Our vet informed us that he had ticks in his ears, which explained his constant rubbing, and facial paralysis caused by severe trauma. Our farrier couldn’t touch his back feet or get much done with his front. Throughout the time we had him, he constantly reared and flipped backward, kicked at me, and caused various property damage, among numerous other destructive behaviors. He couldn't handle simple, basic tasks without becoming anxious or panicked, and his response to fear was extremely dangerous. Nugget wanted to be loved, and there were a few times I thought he’d improve; however, he was too traumatized and continued to be a grave danger to himself and everyone around him. Despite our best and various efforts to rehab him, we ultimately had no choice but to euthanize him, following the advice of our vet, an equine behavioral specialist, and other professionals who advised this from the start. He was PTS on February 9, 2024.
Although Kylie was fully aware of Aggie's situation and all I had done for him, she publicly accused me of neglecting him 2 weeks after the trade. She included pictures of him in her post that suggested he declined, along with concerning statements that contradicted what she told me when I asked for updates. For example, on September 26, 2023, she told me he was happy, turned out, and doing well, but claimed in her post that on that day, he had colic from grass hay, refused to get up even after he recovered from colic, and had lost the will to live, among other alarming things. When I confronted her, she became hostile, blamed the condition of both horses on me, among other false accusations, and fabricated evidence in attempts to prove her false claims.
**NUGGET’S FORMER OWNER/WITNESSES**
On October 25, 2023, I posted my experience with proof on Facebook. Soon after, I received messages from countless victims who shared their gut wrenching experiences with Kylie and Zac.
Nugget's previous owner, Kimberly, contacted me after seeing my post. She hadn't owned Nugget long, but she knew him and his previous owner for 7 years before purchasing him. She explained that the previous owner, an elderly gentleman, never had problems with him during the 12 years he had him and that a child used to ride him. She described Nugget as kind, gentle, well behaved, and affectionate. She stated he never did any behaviors he started doing at KZ, such as bucking and pawing. She sent receipts proving she had taken him to get his Coggins, pictures and videos proving his physical and mental condition before KZ, and screenshots of Kylie's messages, among other things. Kylie initially sent Kimberly a video of her 4 year old riding Nugget and stated how great he was. At 9:17 PM on the night of the trade, Kylie told me Nugget was a sweet horse, but at 11:17 PM, she messagsd Kimberly out of the blue and admitted to her that he had turned nasty and became mean while in her possession. Kylie not only admitted this to Kimberly while simultaneously lying to me about how great he was, she also provided her with dated evidence of his behavior: one video shows him bucking and throwing a child into the air, and another shows him bucking Zac off on the same day Kylie told me he bucked while being saddled but rode off fine. When Kylie first inquired about Nugget, Kimberly sent her a video of him being saddled, among other media, which Kylie sent to me and claimed was from when she had him. I also had a few other individuals reach out to me who witnessed Nugget's dangerous behavior while he was at KZ and was sent evidence. Nugget was irrefutably a healthy horse with no physical or psychological problems before going to KZ, and Kylie intentionally, wholly lied about him; this was proven by Kimberly, two vets, various witnesses, and Kylie herself.
According to witnesses and Kylie’s posts, Aggie also declined physically and mentally while at KZ. In a video Kylie posted on October 26, 2023, he is shown tied up, with his body obscured, displaying irritability similar to other horses in various KZ videos. In a video I received taken in December 2023, he is shown confined in a tiny stall without shelter, weaving, and in distress. Determining Aggie's actual physical condition was difficult due to Kylie altering pictures; however, based on a video she posted on February 20, 2024, he hadn't gained additional weight in his first five months, possibly only regaining what he lost during his first 2 weeks. This was the last public post that included Aggie. In March 2024, a witness stated that Aggie was fearful, aggressive, and kicked a farrier, behavior he never exhibited before KZ.
***KYLIE AND ZAC’S MALICIOUSNESS***
Despite the evidence against them, along with about 100 people voicing negative opinions and experiences with them, they still endeavored to defend themselves, blame others for their actions, and portray themselves as victims, but all they did was further expose themselves.
In attempts to deflect their a*use of Aggie onto me, they fabricated lies, manipulated his pictures, accused me of doing c*ack, and changed their initial fictitious narrative by claiming I dropped off a *unalived* horse, among other things. In one defamation video, the horse Kylie showed was not Aggie. They took photos of my mini from Facebook to claim I neglected my other horses, intentionally excluding the pictures that show his significant improvement.
In attempts to prove their honesty about Nugget and deflect their a*use onto me, they distorted our conversation by selectively presenting certain parts, altering the context, and intentionally omitting most of what was said. They admitted to putting children on him while simultaneously admitting he was dangerous, repeatedly changed their stories, accused his previous owner of false advertising, and accused me of using m*th to explain his behavior. They posted dated screenshots that only proved he lost weight, got facial paralysis, and overall declined while at KZ, and they intentionally lied about him.
They consistently tried to portray themselves as victims while actively defaming, bullying, and harassing me. They fabricated accusations against me for things I didn’t do. They sent me a bogus cease and desist letter in which they fraudulently misrepresented themselves, among other malicious behavior. I had to involve the police, who instructed them to cease contact three different times. Despite this, Kylie and Zac continued to contact me personally, with fake accounts, blocked calls, and through my friends. Zac tried to file a false police report against me, but no report was filed due to no evidence according to the lady I spoke to at the sheriff's office. Kylie sent me an email that gave the impression it was from an attorney. However, after I spoke with the actual attorney, he was completely unaware of the situation, appeared to have no idea who they were, asserted he wasn't and isn't going to represent them, and confirmed that he did not authorize the sending of any email. Kylie claimed it was an accidental copy and paste, but after reviewing the email from Kylie and the actual attorney, I noticed a logo on her email's letterhead that was absent from the attorney's letterhead. It is my belief she intentionally added the letterhead to help make it appear as if it was sent from a real attorney. Despite her numerous claims of having an attorney for various reasons and everything the attorney was doing, no attorney represented them.
***LEGAL ACTION***
I filed a lawsuit against Kylie on April 25, 2024. On July 15, 2024, three days after mediation, Kylie and Zac filed a vexatious lawsuit against me. In short, they continued with their perpetual lies and victim playing schemes. They claimed I was responsible for $10,000 in monthly losses while continuously boasting about their abundant business on social media, even stating they had more success than ever because of me. They claimed I was trying but failing to harm their business, knowing they were solely responsible for losing clients, which had been an ongoing occurrence years before my involvement, and I have evidence directly from them demonstrating their struggles prior to my involvement. They accused me of committing a criminal offense by impersonating Kylie to access their vet records, among other false claims. They explicitly stated twice in their lawsuit that they were doing the very things they were accusing me of. Within 30 minutes after the court hearing ended, which was the first time they saw the extensive evidence I had against them, Kylie made her personal page private and later removed their KZ Equine business page.
The evidence she presented in court was evidence showing she is responsible for Nugget and Aggie's poor conditions, a few screenshots of my posts, photos that were not hers, and alleged statements from people associated with her and Zac. It was confirmed the day of court that one of the statements Kylie brought as evidence had been written by an employee who left KZ a year prior due to how badly they treated her. Screenshots from this employee also show that she directly contradicted not only Kylie's claims but her own claims. This shows that at least one, if not more, of her witness statements were not credible and is yet another example that shows how Kylie's own evidence proves against her. Only a few witnesses actually showed up to court on their behalf, and I have conplaints and statements against them as well.
**IN SHORT**
Regarding Nugget:
I am not responsible for his dangerous behavior, which began during his time at KZ Equine, and that is an indisputable fact that comes directly from Kylie. I have evidence from his former owner and direct evidence from Kylie herself that proves Nugget declined both physically and mentally while he was at KZ Equine. Kylie not only admitted this but also provided evidence of it. In court, the “evidence” she presented of Nugget once again only proved he declined while in her possession and that she lied about him.
Regarding Aggie:
I have witnesses and unaltered documentation of his condition when he first arrived to me versus when he left my care four months later. Kylie claimed in court she sold him before I filed my lawsuit, but I later found out and obtained proof that she sold him after I filed. Despite her claims that he should have gained more weight during the four months he was in my care, Aggie appeared to have made no improvement while in their possession for nine months and declined mentally according to the dated media I was provided with (again, some of which Kylie herself provided). Despite her claims that his health and weight had improved under her care, she failed to provide any evidence to support this claim in court. The only proof Kylie presented of Aggie’s improvement in court was a picture I later learned had been taken from his current owner's Facebook page. Kylie did not present the “improvement” photos she altered and posted on Facebook in her attempts to blame me for his condition. I have dated screenshots showing his condition after he left Kylie and Zac’s possession. The blessing that came out of this is that Aggie is now in a wonderful home and getting the love and care he deserves, and I'm very thankful for that.
Disclaimer: The information shared here reflects my personal experience and is supported by evidence I have collected. It is presented to the best of my knowledge and belief.
***WITNESS STATEMENTS***
(The following is a summary of accounts shared by others. Some are supported by evidence, some are not. Nothing here should be construed as fact, and I assume no responsibility for its accuracy. Additional statements in comments.)
~ ANIMAL CRUELTY ~
Horses arrive at KZ Equine in healthy, happy, and sane conditions but leave with severe physical and psychological problems. Kylie and Zac intentionally and severely a*use, neglect, dr*g, and torture animals in various ways, resulting in injuries, permanent damage, and/or de*th. They tie horses up for 3 days straight, oftentimes with tack on, and deny them food and water. They create handmade devices that cause serious harm to horses and call them training tools despite the severe pain and behavioral issues they create. Examples include a piece of wood with spikes that dig into the horse's belly and a device that forces the horse's jaw out. Horses react negatively to their a*use, which results in a cycle of further mistreatment. They punished a horse in the round pen with a hot shot, repeatedly shocking the horse while its head was tied around to the saddle. They ride horses with medical issues like founder and injuries, then a*use them for negative behaviors caused by pain. They tie horses down to prevent them from moving and leave them for days with a tarp over them. Although clients purchased and provided feed for KZ’s animals due to the lack of feed on site, the animals still did not get fed. Clients were made to pay for goat feed for their children’s goat tying lessons, but the goats still died from starvation. De*d animals were left decaying around the property before many were buried in a pit where they allow their children to play. According to a police report, Kylie and Zac claim to have 17 acres; still, they deliberately confine horses in stalls and tiny pens without food, hay, shelter, or water. They starve horses and claim various sicknesses to cover up the symptoms of starvation. They have instructed employees to deny specific horses, many of which are client horses. They quickly overfeed some of their starved horses to hide that they starved them, which has resulted in various health problems. They bred a malnourished mare, who subsequently passed away. To conceal the behavioral problems they create by a*using them, they dr*g the horses before selling them. Once buyers take the horses home, even after having seen them several times in person, the horses' actual conditions become apparent when the dr*gs wear off. They dr*g horses before lessons and training sessions. They deny animals mandatory medical attention and primary care. Owners are not informed about injuries in a reasonable amount of time, if informed at all, and are lied to about how the injuries occur. They brag about their wealth to claim they care for their animals, yet they don't provide them with the necessities. Despite her many contradictions, Kylie often brags about her and Zac's animal science degrees to validate their expertise in animal health, so they are fully aware of the extensive harm they inflict but continue anyway.
~ ENDANGERMENT & BULLYING ~
They put lesson students, including children, on horses they know are unsafe and have a history of bucking people off, which has led to injuries and hospitalizations. They dr*g client horses that are there for training and put lesson kids on them without the owner's knowledge. Kylie bragged about endangering a 12 year old by putting the child on Nugget, stated she hoped Nugget would crow hop, and mocked the child for crying. They allow their children and dogs to run amok and chase horses during lessons and training. They bully, threaten, and attack minors, as well as go out of their way to fight people, damage property, steal, and hurt clients' animals, among other malicious actions. They often speak rudely and inappropriately to and about people, including children. Kylie made ra*ist remarks to a child and attempted to attack her physically. She made an offensive comment about a child with a disability and stated she isn't afraid to hit lesson students. They use various malicious tactics to coerce victims into silence. They resort to desperate and harmful actions to portray themselves as victims and shift blame for their misconduct onto others. To undermine and discredit their victims, they fabricate lies and evidence and rush to social media to accuse their victims of doing the very actions they commit. They quickly delete comments and posts, turned off the ability to post reviews on their page, and use their fake accounts to promote their various businesses positively. They also use their fake pages to harm and defame others, among other things. Employees have been bullied, fired, and denied their earnings for feeding the animals Kylie and Zac were intentionally starving. They expelled clients from their property and refused the clients access to their horses and belongings. Clients have been afraid to leave KZ due to Kylie and Zac's attacks on those who fled or were no longer benefiting them. Though years have passed, some victims continue to be bullied.
~ SCAMS & FRAUD ~
They have a history of lying to and deceiving people about the horses they sell, claiming they are healthy and safe when they're malnourished and have significant physical and behavioral issues. They use photoshopped and outdated pictures to mislead buyers and shift the blame for their abuse onto others. They lie about vaccinations and Coggins and provide false paperwork. Kylie has openly bragged about scamming people. They got a horse under the agreement the original owners would get him back when they no longer needed him for lessons; however, they immediately sold him and lied to the owner for a year, claiming they still had him. To obtain additional income, they invent reasons horses need to stay longer, such as behavioral issues, even though horses did not exhibit any problems before arriving at KZ. As a result, these horses are subjected to further mistreatment. They have stolen from clients, failed to provide services clients paid for, and refused employees their earnings. Clients have paid for full care board, but their horses were not fed or given basic care. Clients have paid for training but found their horses neglected and left in tiny pens and stalls. Zac’s TCOLE lisence was suspended due to his felony forgery where he forged his wife’s signature. They create fraudulent fundraisers and collect donations under false pretenses. They receive donated items for events but fail to distribute them; they claim they are lost and solicit additional donations. They have claimed that donations would be tax-deductible despite being unrecognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. Their LLC was involuntarily revoked due to tax forfeiture.
**FINAL WORDS**
While they claim they have nothing to hide, they have endeavored to conceal the truth over the years, perpetrating even more harm in the process. I could provide much more evidence, but there is too much to cover. I do believe what I’ve provided is more than adequate to demonstrate who these people truly are, especially since so much of it comes directly from them, but I’m happy to provide more evidence or clarify anything further if needed. Public police records, PI findings, court documentation, and any additional evidence that may be needed are available upon request.
I sincerely hope that no one else falls victim, and that those already affected are able to heal, reclaim their lives, and move forward in peace.
View evidence here: Evidence on YouTube (view videos & shorts)
Sign this petition (additional evidence included): Petition
•https://youtube.com/@thetruthaboutkzequine
•https://c.org/cn7vVLt5VW
Kylie Campbell and Zac Dwyer's treatment of people and animals is the worst and most disturbing I have ever seen. They are bullies who lie about everything and have a long history of animal cruelty, scamming people, and putting children in dangerous situations. With over 100 victims over the past decade, the few things I’ve mentioned aren’t even the start of it. I strongly urge everyone to do their own research and not rely on their fake reviews or false portrayals. Anyone considering a business or personal association with either of them should seriously reconsider before more irreparable harm is done.
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