I have just completed reviewing the online information regarding the Cleve Wells case. I am appalled but not surprised! I have owned quarter horses for 40 years plus, and I have seen it all. Early on, I observed Cliff Hartman bloody the sides of a pleasure horse at a show. Many of the participants complained. The show secretary excused the horse from being shown, but let Cliff continue to show other entries. I have seen $65,000 pleasure horses crippled mentally and physically by the time they are 5.  I have seen 2 year olds saddled with their heads tied up and left standing in the hot sun unable to reach the water.  It makes me sick. I no longer wish to participate at AQHA or NSBA events. I have an appendix hunt seat mare that I now either show at open or hunter shows. I no longer ride western. It is not natural for a horse to canter sideways down the rail.

My son refuses to let his daughter show because of his own observations. It took a long time just to convince him to let her ride.

Over the years, I have watched as the AQHA shows have become more and more money driven.  The animals are a means to make a buck and winning the purse is everything. Western horses and reining horses suffer the most. Push them till they break. Make these 2 year olds perfect. Do whatever it takes! I remember a trainer using a chain saw blade for a bit on a two year old futurity horse just before a class to improve its headset. Keep in mind that a two year old colt or filly is the equivalent of a 6 year old child. How much perfection would we expect out of a child. All the new rules passed have done nothing to make things better. The influx of prize money has made things worse. I have a friend that has a really nice yearling pleasure filly. She is looking at trainers. She went to the 2008 Congress and walked the barns at 3 and 4 in the morning to observe what trainers were doing. Guess what, she saw plenty.

Take note that Grand Prix horses don’t get really good until they are 10, not to mention that they are still sound and showing at the age of 18 and 20. I am talking about jumpers not hunters.

Cleve Wells should be suspended for life from AQHA, NSBA, NRHA, and any and all other associations. I hope that there is a civil suit, and I hope he pays a heavy price. How may other horses have suffered at his hands that we don’t know about? I am sure that his training fees are not cheap, and they paid this man to train and take care of their horse. There are no excuses for what he did to this animal. Please send a message to these trainers that this treatment will not be tolerated.