Glam to Gorry

Horse abuse in any form is not warranted and being considered a professional is even worse then those that do it unknowing or without merit.  How can we expect to stop abuse if we tolerate those in control to do it without having to be accountable for it. This is not my first run across from extreme abuse in the training world. A well known trainer John Steel was also known for killing horses under his care. Yet people continue today to pay him money to train horses for the show ring. Here is a story that has hit the internet, the newspapers and the American Quarter Horse Association like a bolt of lightening. I can't say its the worst I have known, but it is one to take in hand and have the public aware of. What you are about to read is all true and some of the pictures or graphic so take notes and be aware. We are asking you to stand up and do your part in helping this situation come to a head. Send letters to the AQHA - to the Police Department Looking into the case. Show your discuss and make sure they do what they need to do.

It all started in august but has come full term as of January 10th 2009, the case is pending with a Johnson County Texas District Attorney's office involiving an alleged horse's abuse while in the care of Cleve Wells in Burleson Texas. News is documented as information continues to surface. In a statement Nicole Marr, co-owner of Slow Lopin Scotch, she alleges that her horse was "abused cruelly and unnecessarily while in the care of Cleve Wells Quarter Horses out of Burleson."

An email to Ms. Marr received the following reply:

Dear Hugs:

"Thank you for your inquiry. Many have come to our defense and in doing so have shown their support. As of January 10th there was a case pending with District Attorney's office in Johnson County, the Detective in charge is named Shaw. He was be overseeing our investigation and we had hope that he was the right person for this kind of case.  We have learned through dealing with this matter that the County Attorney handles the misdemeanor charges and all felony charges are handled through the District Attorney's office. With this known were are looking at it being a felony" Unfortunately we were disappointed and our case did not hold merit even in a state like Texas.

“I had watched the Cleve (Wells) tapes before and decided to send my horse for an evaluation. Cleve (Wells) marveled at his good condition for a two year old and how sound he was. He had stated the our horse was a prime contender to become a champion in the show ring. He kept the horse in training and we were always told when we made contact that he (the horse) was doing very well. I was starting to feel like he could end up being a champion and that’s what I wanted. But now knowing what I know if that’s the price of having a world champion, I don’t want it. He has a permanent home now and he will never be sold or sent out for training again.

Mentally, he’s doing great. The injury has mostly healed and his hair is starting to come back, He does have quite a bit of scarring around the shanks and barrel. He still has some swelling in his mouth but even that is considerably better. I had to have his check ligaments cut. He has a tooth coming in that’s basically growing straight forward and the vet said it’s more than likely that the swelling in his mouth caused it. But, he’s still very trusting and  loving.

This is all very disappointing. I feel as though I’m the only person who hadn’t heard all the rumors and have been taken advantage of. I guess you can’t be too careful. I was disillusioned with what I was told I was getting and what I got.  Mostly my horse has suffered for it and I have no one to blame buy myself. I will never be caught off guard again by a big name."  

Ms Marr forwarded us copies of several letter and photos that are public proof to her allegations. The quality of the photos are not all that good because they were taken and had to be resized to fit but you can see that this poor animal suffered extensive abuse under this trainer.

Ms Marr also included the following documents for preview by anyone and everyone that will take a look.

Nicole Marr - Horse Owner Statement
Karen Adler, D.V.M Statement
Larry McConnell, D.V.M Statement
Gary Russ, Witness Statement

---------------- Part Two--------

Being in good standard with the AQHA gives you information you would not normally have so I started my own private investigation that is how I came across so many addresses. With the help of AQHA they supplied me with information and sent out a statement:

Joanna,

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 Proffitt

Ms Proffitt's email address is KProffitt@aqha.org - incase you might want to reach her and offer your opinions.

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

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.

The sad thing is that he is going to get away with it through the legal channel but you can rally up and continue to show your NON-SUPPORT in other ways. 

Some good news ; BIG PLUS - you can send them a thank you for their concern.

Horse and Rider announced: 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.

It also seems like Cleve himself has opted to open it up for us to discuss his membership being revoked from the Professional Horsemens Association. Please read his statement on clevewells.com, if you haven't seen it already. And since this is being referred on to the Executive Committee for more disciplinary action, I think I'd keep my eyes open for more to come....much, MUCH more to come! Keep checking back for more updates in the future, they will be coming!!! ((:

As for HUGS we are promoting Cleve Wells in our HALL OF SHAME - HORSE TRAINER Series. Joanna Goodall