Horse Abused at Big Name Trainer's Barn

Choosing A Trainer

"Basic"
Horse Abused at Big Name Trainer's Barn
Sometimes, the very best may not be what they appear to be
Submitted by Lil Peck, 1/2/2009

11 Associated files:

1mb file, PDF of letter by witness page 1
1mb file, PDF of letter by witness page 2
Karen Adler DVM Sept 4 2008
Larry J McConnell DVM Aug 30 2008
Statement by Nicole Marr

Voicemail from Detective Shaw of the Johnson County Texas Sheriff Department.
"Over the years, I have watched as the AQHA shows have become more and more money driven."
Contact Information of the AQHA Executive Committee
Clinic Participant: "...horrifying experience..."
Slow Lopin Scotch (before injuries) Jan 28 2008

Slow Lopin Scotch on August 15, 2008

Video:

Video:

Video:

UPDATE APRIL 22, 2009
The Executive Committee of the American Quarter Horse Association has revoked Cleve Wells' membership for 1 year and fined him $10,000. For the details, please see the GoHorseShow link grouped with the other links after this article.

UPDATE MARCH 31, 2009
Equine Affaire and Western Horse Expo had each scheduled Cleve Wells as a clinician, but have since removed him from their schedules. I see that Monty Roberts is scheduled to appear at Equine Affaire...he is an alleged liar (see www.horsewhispersandlies.com, and also see the Feb. 1999 Horse & Rider expose of Monty Roberts), and I can't stand his smarmy voice. [Both events have so-called "animal communicator" Lydia Hilby scheduled...(me rolling eyes and sighing). People, if you find the services of a so-called "animal communicator" to be helpful, well, goodie for you. But, they ARE NOT PSYCHIC. There is nothing paranormal about what they do.]

UPDATE FEB. 26, 2009
The following quotes are from a statement that was on Cleve Wells' website as of Feb. 20, 2009:
----
"I want to be clear that I do not tolerate the abuse of any animal."
"I am proud to say that after 35 years of training hundreds of horses, not a single person who has put a horse in my barn has come forward with anything other than a compliment. I want to thank my clients and note that I have not lost a single client as a result of these allegations."
"And, I want everyone to know that they are welcome as always to come ride, come watch, or just come by and visit. Please call me any time that you think I may be able to assist you."
----
The statement was removed from the website soon thereafter. Because of copyright considerations, I am unable to post more than those snippets. In the links section below, there is a link to Jodie Ann Strait's blog, where She offers an analysis of the statement.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 18 2009 11:19 PM

The Professional Horseman's Committee has recommended to the Executive Committee that Cleve Well's membership be revoked.

Here's Rule 479 of the AQHA Rule Book:
"PROFESSIONAL HORSEMEN. Membership in the AQHA
Professional Horsemen is a privilege, not a right, application for
which shall be made by procedures prescribed by AQHA. A member
of the AQHA Professional Horseman must, at all times, act in a professional
manner and adhere to the Professional Horsemen Code of
Ethics. An individual’s conduct as a member of the AQHA Professional
Horsemen is subject to continual review by the Professional
Horsemen’s Council and/or the Executive Committee. Membership
in the Professional Horsemen may be terminated by the Professional
Horsemen’s Council and/or the Executive Committee with or
without notice and formal hearing."

The PHC's Code of Ethics (which may be seen at http://www.aqha.com/forms/pdf/prohorsemenapplication_090904.pdf) reads:

"AQHA PROFESSIONAL HORSEMEN CODE OF ETHICS
We, the members of American Quarter Horse Association of Professional Horsemen, in carrying out our role of
providing service to the American Quarter Horse industry, recognize the need to do so in a professional manner, and to deal
with the public and our colleagues with the highest degree of integrity. Therefore, we have set forth the following creed
which shall govern our endeavors to fulfill our obligations:

•To adhere to the professional standards of the American Quarter Horse Association and to work to further its goals and objectives.
•To ensure that the welfare of the American Quarter Horse is paramount and that every American Quarter Horse shall at all times be treated humanely and with dignity, respect and compassion.
•To conduct all business affairs with integrity, sincerity and accuracy in an open and forthright manner.
•To act with integrity in financial dealings with clients, other professionals and the public. In this regard, any horse shown by my spouse, client or child will be economically owned as prescribed by applicable rules.
•To handle our business and operations in a manner which promotes the image of the American Quarter Horse industry.
•To instill confidence among clients and the public in the American Quarter Horse industry, avoiding any action conducive to discrediting it or membership in the American Quarter Horse Association."

----

The original article appears below.

-----

The owner of this horse, her father, and a trainer friend went to visit her horse, unannounced, at Big Name Trainer's barn. Big Name Trainer was away at a horse show at the time. The owner found her horse with swollen legs, swollen lacerated muzzle, broken jaw, and spur scars on his sides. The wound on one side was dripping a nasty pus.

There was water and feed in the horse's stall, but the horse was tied so that he could not reach it.

The owner's veterinarian removed a couple of bone shards from the horse's jaw.

I haved posted photos that I received from the owner, including scans of a letter written by her trainer friend.

I do not know what the Big Name Trainer's role in any of this was, and he is welcome to post his point of view here.

The owner contacted the AQHA Professional Horsemen Association, but as of this date, has not yet gotten a response from them regarding this matter.*

---
Edited by Lil Peck January 6, 2009 to attach the following files to this article:
Statement by Karen Adler DVM
Statement by Larry J McConnell DVM
Statement by co-owner of Slow Lopin Scoth, Nicole Marr
Picture of Slow Lopin Scotch at Cleve Well's in April 2008

If you would like to contact Nicole, you may email me at LilPeck@gmail.com and I will forward your message to her.

---
Edited by Lil Peck January 10, 2009 to add more information.
(Edited again to change County Attorney to District Attorney.)

I heard from Detective Shaw of the Johnson Co TX Sherriff's Dept that there is a case concerning the trainer, that was prepared and is pending before the District Attorney.

Detective Shaw was not at liberty to give details, so we do not know if this case is the same matter as Nicole and Wayne's horse.

Because District Attorneys elsewhere sometimes think that animal abuse cases aren't worth their time, I think perhaps it would be a good idea for folks to contact the DA to let him know that nationwide, we are watching and are very interested.

I received an email Jan. 9 from Kelly Proffitt on behalf of the AQHA Professional Horsemen's Association. The content of that email:
---
Lil,

There is an active investigation regarding Nicole's allegations. AQHA
investigates all reports received. If nobody is willing to write in and
notify us, our hands are tied. With this case, the owners wrote in and
as I mentioned, we are investigating it now.

Sincerely,

Kelly
---
Ms Proffitt's email address is KProffitt@aqha.org

-------------------

Here is the contact information of the District Attorney. I spoke with a receptionist at his office, and she says letters are welcome. I believe that letters would be more effective than telephone calls.

District Attorney
Honorable Dale Hanna
Phone (817) 556-6802
Fax (817) 556-6816
Guinn Justice Center
204 S. Buffalo Ave Room: 209
Cleburne, Texas 76033

------

UPDATE JANUARY 22, 2009
I telephone the DA's office this morning and asked his receptionist if a decision has been made whether to prosecute. She said that no, a decision has not yet been made.

If you haven't yet written to, faxed, or phoned the DA's office, please do so, to let him know that you are interested in his decision regarding this matter.

I received an email from Connie Hill, President Elect of the NSBA (National Snaffle Bit Association). She said that the NSBA is also conducting an investigation.

To sum up:
1. Criminal case pending the Johnson County Texas District Attorney's decision.
2. It appears that a civil case may be filed.
3. The AQHA's Professional Horsemen group is investigating (sometimes seen as asking the fox to guard the henhouse, but there are true professionals in the group also).
4. The NSBA is conducting an investigation.

It is important that we don't let this get swept under the rug or forgotten. Let those various agencies know your opinion.

------
Update January 25, 2009

Found here: http://community.equisearch.com/forums/t/44036.aspx

In response to a reader query, Julie Thorson posted:
>
Thank you for your concern about the article announced in our February issue.

Please be advised that the article announced in the February issue (which went to press before Christmas) is not being published.

Horse&Rider has suspended its involvement with Mr. Wells as a member of Team Horse&Rider.

--The editors of H&R
>

------

Update February 3, 2009

I telephoned the office of the District Attorney again today and spoke with the attorney who was handling the Cleve Wells case. I am typing my report from memory, so please take into account that it is only as complete, correct, and accurate as I can make it.

The attorney said that the office has done a "discretionary rejection" of the case. She said it wasn't that they didn't think that something bad had happened (Please note that such a comment doesn't necessarily imply that Mr. Wells had anything to do with it.), but that most of the information they received was about events that happened outside their jurisdiction. She said they had been in contact with the AQHA. She said, "If anyone has any information about a crime in Johnson County, the District Attorney's office would be very interested." She commented that the office has received a large amount of correspondence from the public about the case.

Associated links:

Breaking Developments in Horse Abuse Case
GoHorseShow.com spoke with Nicole Marr, owner of Slow Lopin Scotch, and published text message from Cleve Wells.

Big Names Behaving Badly
The Fugly Horse of the Day blogger offers her opinion of this abuse case.

Jodie Ann Strait's Blog
Ms Strait has posted several blog entries about Slow Lopin Scotch. (There are several blogs on the web that also mention this issue, but some of them are too extremist for my taste. )

Young Garrett Meredith of Magnolia Texas Demonstrates Character Worthy of Emulation
Garrett uses sponsorship income from his site to support his horses. Seeing that some sponsors also sponsored Wells, Garrett alerted them that he would not continue accepting their funding. Note 'The Code of the American Cowboy' on his home page.

Candace Wilcox's report of Cleve Wells spurring horse at show. (See her comments below also.)
I personally have seen this man rip the hide off a black horse at an AQHA show in Belton, TX, a few years back, strips of skin hanging down the sides where his spurs were, pink/white skin just shining against that black coat...

Horse & Rider Dropped Cleve Wells
Juli Thorson: Horse&Rider has suspended its involvement with Mr. Wells as a member of Team Horse&Rider.

Transcript of phone conversation with Mr. Wells,

AQHA Releases Official Statement Regarding Meeting Between Professional Horsemen's Council and Cleve
GoHorseShow.com posted the official statement by the AQHA's PHC.

Former page that showed Cleve Wells as a scheduled presenter.
This is google's cache of the page that used to be on horseexpo.com.

Current listing of featured clinicians.

GoHorseShow.com Report of Cleve Wells' Suspension Details
This article broke the news regarding the Executive Committee Decision and contains links to their previous related stories.

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By Julie Moorcroft at 1/11/2009 11:09:49 AM
Injured QH, Slow Slopin Scotch
I am appalled at the pictures posted of the abuse of this animal at the hands of a so called "trainer". Perhaps if the same injuries were inflicted on this person it would change their mind about their techniques. I am also glad to hear that the AQHA has gotten off it's lazy ass and appears to be doing something besides taking money for nothing. I think whoever is responsible for this should be charged criminally, banned from ever owning, training or being associated with ANY animals and banned from all professional or breed horse associations for life. One could only hope that the misery inflicted on this poor beast is inflicted on the perpetrator in kind.

By K King at 1/11/2009 6:57:35 PM
horse abused by trainer
I think this trainers name should be posted so people could know who did this to an animal on purpose. He should pay the owner of the horse money for injuring it on purpose as well. This horse will never be the same if he had this done to him by a person! How can anyone doing this be called a trainer. Other people need to know who this person is. Who knows, he may have had your horse and treated it the same way. WHAT A SHAME. This person can't seriously be a trainer, can he? No animal needs to be treated this way.

By Lil at 1/11/2009 7:42:11 PM
Name of the trainer
In this case, the horse was found in this condition in Cleve Wells' barn. However, Cleve is NOT the only big name trainer to rely on abuse as a training technique. Many of the horse show demigods are guilty of it. Sadly, we all may need to get in the habit of carrying cameras or camcorders with us when we go to shows and so on, so that if we see abuse or neglect, we can document it. Cell phones that can take video as well as pictures are affordable now. You can get a very small digital camcorder at Wal-Mart for about $30. That won't end the abuse, though. The abusers will just get sneakier. At least we don't have to make it easy for them.

By David Brewer at 1/11/2009 7:44:06 PM
Slow Lopin Scotch Abuse
I also agree that it is past due for trainers of this nature to continue in this business! We are fooled by glamour and prestige associated with some of these big name trainers being able to accomplish the impossible and win, win, win!!! Now we know what really happens behind their stall doors! I hope the AQHA does the correct thing and brings this person to justice!

By Andrea Ross at 1/12/2009 12:02:27 AM
Horse Training Abuse
Hello, I am not surprised by this at all, it happens everywhere, there is a trainer here in Idaho who had been kicked out of the major associations because of his abuse, I have seen him in recent shows so he must have "done his time" so to speak. He really has good results with his horses I think because of their fear of him, I've been told by witnesses that his horses heads are so low and slide low because he'll "two by four" them if they don't. I seen him first hand spur a horse just in front of the shoulder in the neck for not spinning fast enough, this guy isn't a great big name trainer but he's kinda well known enough in Idaho. Another pretty big name trainer here in Idaho had to go to Idaho Equine Hospital to have a spur removed from between two ribs of his horse he was training because he wedged it between the ribs and it was caught under a ligament. What a horrible thing to have to surgically remove a spur!!! UNBELIEVEABLE!!! I had a horse go to a trainer and he was a friendly, wonderful colt, two weeks later they thought he might be getting strangles so I had to bring him home, but when I went to get him, I couldn't hardly halter him, he was soooooooo scared to death!!! He wouldn't even let me pet his face, nice!!! I was so mad, we didn't take him back, WHAT IN THE WORLD CAN YOU DO TO A HORSE IN JUST 2 WEEKS!!! It took a year to undo that!!! If anyone wants the names of these trainers I meantioned, just email me...

By Liz at 1/12/2009 6:10:26 AM
abuse
yep, seen it more than once, not just there. He trains the trainers. Sad it is that he knows better. Trainers are frightening to most of us.Wayne should have known, the little people know and don't waist their money with abusers just to win. AQHA knew but chooses to only act after the fact.

By linda at 1/12/2009 8:56:48 AM
horse abuse by big trainer
Yes it is awful the abuse these poor horses get from alot of the trainers I also had a horse that was abused by the trainer with life long results, the abuse must stop reserch watch them at the shows i see rip and tear spur and slice every time I go to the shows if there doing it out in public eye what is going on behind at the private barns??? aghq ,apha aphc, must all stop and mandate the trainers in some way or the abuse will continue and the horses will suffer and Iam so sorry for that poor horse,and the owner......sad sad

By Tired at 1/12/2009 8:58:23 AM
Abuse by alot of trainers
Maybe this case will be different but I highly doubt it as he is such a high profile game player in the quarter horse industry and forunately was brought to light. But really ultimately I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand which is what typically happens in the horse breed associations. One look at the Arabian industry can make anyone throw up in disgust! Many a trainers have been seen and caught surgically altering animals for halter classes and whipping horses so they look "bright and alert" in their classes. It's not bright and alert...it's the look of being scaried out of their mind. But yet because these are big name trainers, the association turns the other cheek. One of the biggest abusers got a five year suspension. Big deal he had other people show his clients horses. Don't think for one minute that the same thing wasn't going on. Breed assocations need to take a stand and forever bar these people from participating in horse events. Maybe and only then will they finally realize that the prize is not worth abusing these animals. I will probably never win a national championship in any breed show but I'm ok with that because I don't believe in the morals, methods, and techniques that many of these "winners" use to achieve these results. My horses will always be happy willing partners that are treated with the upmost respect and that to me will mean more to me than any trophy sitting in a case collecting dust..... Horse owners that send your horses to some of these big name trainers beware this happens more than you ever want to imagine! Maybe not to this extreme but some just have methods to cover it up better. Best advice send your horse to a local trainer where you can be involved with the daily or weekly happenings of your horse.

By Julie Klug at 1/12/2009 9:24:28 AM
Training Abuse
This is sick, but unfortunately, they've been getting away with it forever. IN ALL BREEDS. I breed and love both Arabians and Quarter horses -- there are days I wish/hope that none of them truly "make" it to the showring -- because I realize now, with a sad heart, that there are trainers/owners out there that don't CARE about this abuse -- all they want is a dam ribbon or trophy. I commend this owner for her iniative -- if we as owners do nothing, then we are guilty too!! I also ask the judges to hold these people accountable -- LOOK at the horses. This trainer, although he may not have been the actual person inflicting the damage -- may have been an assistant or something (sometimes they let the dirty work be done by someone else) -- he ought to be SHUT DOWN. Because, ultimately, the Buck stops with HIM!! He ALLOWS it to happen. I tell all these "wanna be"horse owners that someone get a big high off of showing -- BUY a CAR -- You can polish it, adjust it, change it, modify it ANYWAY you want -- take it to a car show -- get your dam blue ribbon and feel like a "big man on campus." Then, when your accountant breaks the news, "Sorry, it's not making any money and actually it's a big sink hole of expenses that you'll never recover -- get rid of "it". You can take your car to an auction, sell it to the highest bidder, that might live in Mexico -- and feel OK about your prized asset that you so coveted last week -- this week is heading Mexico -- for an unknown, but surely miserable future. But, who cares -- IT'S a CAR for Heaven SAKE. NOT a HORSE. Julie Klug Powderhorn Creek Ranch Powderhorn, CO

By Molly at 1/12/2009 11:50:38 AM
Horse abuse to win!
I don't think there is any prize anywhere that is worth making an animal suffer to win! I have a gelding in retirement that a trainer broke his neck leaving him biited down for 3 1/2 hours in an arena and left for lunch. He rolled trying to get loose and caused cervical damage from the saddle horn. I also had another trainer that hit two of my horses over the head with a two by four to get their heads down. In arrived the next day to find hematomas, swelling and bloody spur marks. I now ride with another trainer! There is so much that goes on at the barns while the clients are away. I hope Cleve or his assistant gets spur marks on their sides and are left with saddles on their backs for days!

By DEE T at 1/12/2009 12:19:15 PM
HORSE ABUSE
I AM SICKENED AND APPALLED BY THIS ARTICLE. IF MR. WELLS IS NOT HUNG OUT TO DRY AND NEVER ALLOWED TO TOUCH ANOTHER HORSE IN HIS LIFE I AM SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT DROPPING MY MEMBERSHIP IN AQHA AND WILL URGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO DO LIKEWISE. AQHA YOU MUST TAKE A STAND AND GIVE HIM THE MOST SERIOUS PUNISHMENT POSSIBLE. GOD PUT US IN CHARGE OF THE ANIMALS ON THE EARTH AS THEY ARE A GIFT FROM HIM. PLEASE TAKE ACTION! I LOVE OWNING AND SHOWING MY QUARTER HORSE BUT I WILL NEVER SHOW AQHA AGAIN IF YOU DON'T DO THE RIGHT THING.

By Tina at 1/12/2009 12:21:21 PM
Training abuse
I am not an advocate of abuse but WHY are we pushing so hard on this. IT is because of Who the trainer is or what? I have seen other trainer do have done way worse abuse to horses and had not had anyone go after them like this. I only know one side of the story, it would be nice to find out the whole situation. Now looking at the legal side of this, pushing the sheriff, the DA and the AQHA will not make things going any faster they need time to DO their jobs. GIVE them the time they need to investigate, do the paper work and get it filed.

By S. Brown at 1/12/2009 2:21:56 PM
Big Time Trainer
One of the first things I was taught when I first started riding, if it seems the ride is going so badly you feel you need to beat the horse to submission, then get off and try again another day. I understand discipline but abuse I can never understand. I don't understand how anyone can work in the horse industry and hate horses to the point they could do something like this. Get out of the industry go work on a machine or something that has no feeling. Whoever did this, along with whoever is responsible for overseeing the functions of this training facility should be shut down and never allowed to work in an animal industry again.

By Trainer at 1/12/2009 3:43:15 PM
Horse abuse
Like AQHA said in their letter they cant do anything about it if people dont write in and have proof, It has been going on long enough . Last year I was in a 3yrold futurity and when we lined up the pretty well known trainer next to me , looked down moved his leg he had some pretty bad spur marks bloody , and he said to me well there going to gate me for sure , and i thought well thats what happens . The judge walked up to back him after he backed he walked to check the hackamore for raw , and he walked around the horse checked its sides and scored his card , and when they announced for that judge this trainer was 1st on that judges card , I couldnt believe it , it was rediculous , So it the judges are not doing their jobs and following AQHAs rules , they are at fault too . It has all came down to money I fortunatly enough dont have to do this to make a living. But all these trainers do and the quicker they can get them broke and into the showring , the more money they make on the haul and the day fees and the showing , and believe it or not there are owners out there , that have told trainers do what it takes to make this happen sad but true ive been in this business a long time .

By bev at 1/12/2009 9:56:13 PM
horse abuse
this is a very sad truth, people like me love the quarter horse and love showing, but was blindsided by the abuse from many trainners ive also come to the realization that one needs a lie detector test done on a big presentage of trainers before you leave your horse and all your hard earned cash in there hands not only in the usa but big time in canada ass well. good for these people for voicing this terrible and tragic abuse

By lsu1992 at 1/13/2009 8:43:26 AM
Plenty of Blame to go around for horse abuse
In my opinion--there's plenty of blame to go around. That is, except for the horse who was victimized here. Associations--As long as the sanctioned events are not policed for excessive spur marks, mouth soreness, etc. this will continue. This goes for every breed association. Judges--If you continue to pin horses which are clearly abused you are no better than the person in top of horse with rock-grinders on. Your card should be revoked. Trainers--If the focus becomes 'winning' at all costs--you've sold your soul. What happened here is indeed excessive--and it's probably not an isolated incident. The most appalling photo was the bone fragments on the bars of the mouth. What torture was this poor animal subjected to that resulted in an injury like that? What could this little 2 YO have done to deserve such treatment? Owners--The owner of Slow Lopin Scotch is the exception--but many others will look away and continue to send horses to abusive trainers--all for the sake of winning 'the World' or whatever the desired prize is. Moreover--they pay big $$ for this. Aren't you embarrassed? Bystanders--We've all seen it but we've chosen to 'stay out of it' or to mind our own business for fear of being ostracized by the horse community. We've got the means to make a difference.

By Cheri Runyon at 1/13/2009 9:15:57 AM
Abusive Trainers
Hi Lil, I think we all need to join together and petition AQHA to change their ruling on abuse and enforce a more severe punishment for an act of this type ,including revoking of AQHA judges card, suspension from showing in any AQHA/ Breed event for a set amount of time and fines. This has happened time and time again and AQHA continues to look the other way. I feel we should also include all breeds as well as NSBA in this petition. Scotch needs justice as well as all the other horses that have been subject to these barbaric training methods. Would you consider addressing this petition as I find you a wonderful spokesperson for all of us. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/?s_kwcid=petition%20site|1067471370 Cheri Runyon REPLY from Lil: I have an idea about how to set up an online petition perhaps even more effectively than the site you mentioned--I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, if someone would like to start a petition at the URL Cheri gave, let me know and I'll add it to the links above.

By Laurie G at 1/13/2009 10:02:40 AM
Cruelty
It is trainers like him we need to put out of business. We need to break the cycle of abuse that is becoming more and more common.I have been to shows and watched so called trainers just yanking and cranking and spurring constantly, and I am amazed that owners will set and watch this being done to their horses and approve, believing this trainer is some sort of god and that no matter what he or she says is the gospel and knows better than anyone. We trust our horses and our youth to people like Cleve Wells fully thinking because they are who they are that were doing the right thing. Obviously not. Usually I have always bought older horses, I've only owned a couple young horses and my daughter at the time was only 13 when I bought her a green broke 3 year old, and after getting her home some of the things we encountered made me wonder if I did the right thing by buying such a young horse. But with time and patience the things she accomplished with the trust built and the bond that was created was amazing. This horse now, is an amazing and as responsve as any horse that a professional might have trained. People ask her who trained her and she's proud to say she did it all on her own. It wasn't with harsh spurs and the yanking and cranking I've seen, it was with a soft hand and patience. So I hope with this coming to the forefront that people will look a little closer to the tactics and means that a trainer uses. Their is no excuse for abuse, no matter how rank a horse may be.

By patricia at 1/13/2009 10:27:40 AM
Seen and experienced
I agree with most of these posts. I've seen it--had it done to one of my horses. Since then, I haven't brought a horse to another trainer. I won't go into details here (unless someone insists) It was a long time ago. My mare was never the same. She didn't deserve this. I was heart broken.

By Sorrel at 1/13/2009 10:43:34 AM
Better know your horse transporter too!
You'd better know your horse transporter too!! Such abuse is NOT limited to trainers. I came home to discover that the horse I had tied up awaiting the arrival of a nationally owned horse transport business just out of Colorado Springs was being "rope cranked" up the tall ramp into their semi-trailer. They had NO business handling the horse without me being there. The sensitive 3 y/o filly had welt marks from whip beatings all over her body, belly, forearms, legs, hips, and face. Her nose was swollen. A chain had dug into the top of her nose and ripped into the gums under her lips. This filly was sopping wet and shaking so bad she could scarcely stand up. I'm not a "patsy" when it comes to working with horses, but there's a vast difference in giving the crop to the butt end of a "know better" stubborn horse that refuses to load and one that's just plain scared and/or untrained to travel. I'd used this company several times with no complaints, so I thought the manager would want to know that his employees had truly abused my horse. Not so. He stood behind them, telling me that "they'd never handle a horse the way I described." How sad. Do what research you can and if you use a horse transporter, ask the receiver of your horse what condition it arrived in. Be nosy!!! Let them see you take photos of your horse (body, head, and legs) so their inclination to abuse YOUR horse is reduced. Just do the best you can...and add a prayer for your horse buddy's sake.

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