My horrible experiences with Texas horse trainer/instructor Ellen Doughty-Hume

[Jenerationx]

There’s a mention that Erin had posted a comment on FB, but it appears the original FB comments from Stormy’s wall prior to the XYZ poster Timeline post by Stormy is no longer available, so we might be missing something that’s since been deleted from FB.

This thread has been one wild ride for sure. I’m interested to see what comes of the lawsuit and what proof is brought into court. It seems to me that Ellen is asking for trouble, because the defense against slander is only going to bring proof of how negligent she appears to be. I can’t believe that many people would come forward against her with that many stories only to have her come out squeaky clean.

[trubandloki]

Yes, but suing the people who did speak out against her might scare others from doing the same.

[Ubu_Goober]

@Jenerationx “This thread has been one wild ride for sure. I’m interested to see what comes of the lawsuit and what proof is brought into court. It seems to me that Ellen is asking for trouble, because the defense against slander is only going to bring proof of how negligent she appears to be. I can’t believe that many people would come forward against her with that many stories only to have her come out squeaky clean.”

It will be interesting to see how many people will come forward - EDH is no stranger to intimidation as a business/client management tool. Think back to the bullet left on a table or counter (I don’t remember which) when she was put out of one barn.

[merrygoround]

Bumped

To remind us that just because someone is an UL rider, that doesn’t mean they are trustworthy.

[Ubu_Goober]

The attorney retained by Erin Walker is a partner at Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst LLP. They just paid the fees that were assessed against Erin - is she done? Did she lose to Ellen? The firm happily toots its horn as a high stakes litigator.

[ThreeBarPocoGal]

I was just about to ask what the results were.

[CleverUserName]

For anyone going to Kentucky…how about a silent protest, for the sake of the horses in her care? Turn your back when she passes where you are on course, no cheering, etc. Otherwise, it will be business as usual in the future. I think it would be pretty powerful to see people turning their backs at a jump. When asked, explain that it’s about the suffering and horrible care her horses receive. Don’t make it about Stormy…she brought it to light, but it’s not about her. Leave her name out, and let Ellen’s actions speak for themselves.

[Salty]

And here she is, being profiled by COTH about her jog outfit, as if she’s someone to emulate.

[runNjump86]

@stormy17

Ellen Doughty-Hume has requested a public apology regarding my reaction to her comment about the passing of my husband’s draftcross gelding Danger Mouse. I’m sorry that I believed the comment Ellen made was meant to be negative. I was wrong. In reciprocation, I would like a public apology from her as well, for the following occurrences in which she is verifiably at fault for:

1. My horses were turned out in a field known to flood in the past, after repeatedly asking for them not to be down there, resulting in my Irish Draught gelding Bailey drowning and other gelding, Mouse, spending a week in the hospital with water in his lungs. (In full disclosure, I was paid HALF of Bailey’s value by Ellen’s insurance company). Unfortunately, no lessons were learned from my horse’s death, since horses are still being turned out in this same pasture.
2. Ellen waited over 8 hours to notify me that my daughter’s pony, Fella, was colicking. Instead Ellen chose to leave him in a stall to thrash while she went home, forbidding the staff/working students from calling me, the horse’s owner. I’m grateful to the one working student who disobeyed Ellen’s cruelty. Thankfully, my friend arrived with her horse trailer in time to get Fella to the clinic for colic surgery in the middle of the night.
3. My Oldenburg gelding, Ziggy, was turned out in a hail storm which resulted in a career ending injury. (All area horse owners knew that storm was coming, in fact Ellen had time to stop and photograph the clouds rolling in to the barn, and post them on social media.)
4. I was not informed that my Thoroughbred gelding, Buzz, was non weight-bearing with cellulitis for 2 days, and no vet was called. Ellen chose to diagnose and treat him herself without giving me the option of veterinary care.
5. I found out Buzz had been colicky via a Banamine charge on my bill almost THREE WEEKS after the fact.
6. Ellen allowed other people to ride my horses without my permission, including taking one over state lines to go cross country schooling without my approval or my requested written agreement from the rider. (Found this out via photos online, and confirmed by asking the rider who had no idea I hadn’t given permission.)
7. Changing my horses’ farrier without asking me.
8. Changing my horses’ feed without asking or telling me.
9. Running out of alfalfa numerous times without telling boarders (but still charging alfalfa fee for those days).
10. Feeding low-quality hay that most of my horses refused to eat.
11. Galli, my older Hanoverian who had been at a good weight previously, lost over 200lbs in the span of a few months, leaving him with a skeletal appearance.
12. Billing for coaching at shows but usually hardly receiving any (common complaint from others).
13. Not being welcome at local Area 5 show venues due to Ellen’s previous behavior at said venues.
14. Ellen’s students (including myself) were threatened with eliminaion at Fleur de Leap Horse Trials because she argued with a Technical Delegate about her dogs being on a “verbal invisible leash.” Her loose dogs at show venues is also a common compliant.
15. Ellen entered the dressage ring in Florida on Buzz when he was head bobbing lame, which later required surgery, resulting in that he now has an elimination on his USEA recordin DRESSAGE.
16. Leaving the barn of 60+ horses in the care eight-year-old child, to do all morning chores by herself. (Although a fantastic kid, it is wildly inappropriate to leave her alone to go in stalls with no adult present.)
17. Overworking / jumping my 3 year old higher than I had given permission for when I wasn’t there, causing stress in his joints that required treatment and 4 months off. He was also taken to a show (I was not present) and competed while sore.
18. Myself and other students were kicked off a cross country course for jumping after the course was closedthen Ellen argued with the owner, almost resulting in us being banned from showing the next day in the schooling show.
    These are just my personal experiences. I travel regularly for work, and entrusted Ellen to care for and train my horses as a professional. Unfortunately, her poor decision making regularly came at the expense of the horses in her care. I cannot even begin to list how many other people I saw get ripped off or screwed over in addition to myself. Hopefully this post encourages them to speak up. By keeping quiet, they are enabling Ellen to continue being a negligent and dangerous disgrace to horses, riders (mostly with parents who don’t know any better), and the entire sport of eventing. I could keep going, but I don’t think I need to. In ONE year I had 1 horse die, 1 horse permanently crippled, and 5 horses require surgery/hospital stays.
    Sharing your personal experiences publicly is NOT slander if it is TRUE. I have photos, videos, vet statements, witnesses, etc to back up EVERY SINGLE CLAIM.
    I wanted to ride off in the sunset and be happy with my ponies, but my conscience would not let me. I’m taking a stand for those who don’t have a voice. My only regret is that I waited so long.

So for some reason, the first post appears as having been edited to the point where the post was removed. However, I hit “quote” so I could share my shock and disappointment that it was gone, yet it appeared? WTH?

[Salty]

Thank you for quoting the initial post.

[cloudyandcallie]

@stormy17

Ellen Doughty-Hume has requested a public apology regarding my reaction to her comment about the passing of my husband’s draftcross gelding Danger Mouse. I’m sorry that I believed the comment Ellen made was meant to be negative. I was wrong. In reciprocation, I would like a public apology from her as well, for the following occurrences in which she is verifiably at fault for:

1. My horses were turned out in a field known to flood in the past, after repeatedly asking for them not to be down there, resulting in my Irish Draught gelding Bailey drowning and other gelding, Mouse, spending a week in the hospital with water in his lungs. (In full disclosure, I was paid HALF of Bailey’s value by Ellen’s insurance company). Unfortunately, no lessons were learned from my horse’s death, since horses are still being turned out in this same pasture.
2. Ellen waited over 8 hours to notify me that my daughter’s pony, Fella, was colicking. Instead Ellen chose to leave him in a stall to thrash while she went home, forbidding the staff/working students from calling me, the horse’s owner. I’m grateful to the one working student who disobeyed Ellen’s cruelty. Thankfully, my friend arrived with her horse trailer in time to get Fella to the clinic for colic surgery in the middle of the night.
3. My Oldenburg gelding, Ziggy, was turned out in a hail storm which resulted in a career ending injury. (All area horse owners knew that storm was coming, in fact Ellen had time to stop and photograph the clouds rolling in to the barn, and post them on social media.)
4. I was not informed that my Thoroughbred gelding, Buzz, was non weight-bearing with cellulitis for 2 days, and no vet was called. Ellen chose to diagnose and treat him herself without giving me the option of veterinary care.
5. I found out Buzz had been colicky via a Banamine charge on my bill almost THREE WEEKS after the fact.
6. Ellen allowed other people to ride my horses without my permission, including taking one over state lines to go cross country schooling without my approval or my requested written agreement from the rider. (Found this out via photos online, and confirmed by asking the rider who had no idea I hadn’t given permission.)
7. Changing my horses’ farrier without asking me.
8. Changing my horses’ feed without asking or telling me.
9. Running out of alfalfa numerous times without telling boarders (but still charging alfalfa fee for those days).
10. Feeding low-quality hay that most of my horses refused to eat.
11. Galli, my older Hanoverian who had been at a good weight previously, lost over 200lbs in the span of a few months, leaving him with a skeletal appearance.
12. Billing for coaching at shows but usually hardly receiving any (common complaint from others).
13. Not being welcome at local Area 5 show venues due to Ellen’s previous behavior at said venues.
14. Ellen’s students (including myself) were threatened with eliminaion at Fleur de Leap Horse Trials because she argued with a Technical Delegate about her dogs being on a “verbal invisible leash.” Her loose dogs at show venues is also a common compliant.
15. Ellen entered the dressage ring in Florida on Buzz when he was head bobbing lame, which later required surgery, resulting in that he now has an elimination on his USEA recordin DRESSAGE.
16. Leaving the barn of 60+ horses in the care eight-year-old child, to do all morning chores by herself. (Although a fantastic kid, it is wildly inappropriate to leave her alone to go in stalls with no adult present.)
17. Overworking / jumping my 3 year old higher than I had given permission for when I wasn’t there, causing stress in his joints that required treatment and 4 months off. He was also taken to a show (I was not present) and competed while sore.
18. Myself and other students were kicked off a cross country course for jumping after the course was closedthen Ellen argued with the owner, almost resulting in us being banned from showing the next day in the schooling show.
    These are just my personal experiences. I travel regularly for work, and entrusted Ellen to care for and train my horses as a professional. Unfortunately, her poor decision making regularly came at the expense of the horses in her care. I cannot even begin to list how many other people I saw get ripped off or screwed over in addition to myself. Hopefully this post encourages them to speak up. By keeping quiet, they are enabling Ellen to continue being a negligent and dangerous disgrace to horses, riders (mostly with parents who don’t know any better), and the entire sport of eventing. I could keep going, but I don’t think I need to. In ONE year I had 1 horse die, 1 horse permanently crippled, and 5 horses require surgery/hospital stays.
    Sharing your personal experiences publicly is NOT slander if it is TRUE. I have photos, videos, vet statements, witnesses, etc to back up EVERY SINGLE CLAIM.
    I wanted to ride off in the sunset and be happy with my ponies, but my conscience would not let me. I’m taking a stand for those who don’t have a voice. My only regret is that I waited so long.

[LovieBird]

@Salty

And here she is, being profiled by COTH about her jog outfit, as if she’s someone to emulate.

I was perusing the jog photos and bam! There she was, the beast. Bless her horse.

[trubandloki]

@runNjump86

So for some reason, the first post appears as having been edited to the point where the post was removed. However, I hit “quote” so I could share my shock and disappointment that it was gone, yet it appeared? WTH?

I wonder if it is one of the posts missing because of some issues the forum had with some recent upgrades?

@Salty

And here she is, being profiled by COTH about her jog outfit, as if she’s someone to emulate.

I do find it amusing that it seems like she is proud of the fact that she is not prepared.

[TPF_Hunter]

Perhaps her sponsors are not aware of her awful horsemanship and behavior. That would hit her where it hurts.

[rockonxox]

Oh, I’m sure they are aware. If you can get results that sponsors like then they stick by you (just check out some of the hunter controversy).

[runNjump86]

@TPF Hunter

Perhaps her sponsors are not aware of her awful horsemanship and behavior. That would hit her where it hurts.

I know somewhere on this thread people reached out to her sponsors, and I believe she did lose one or two. Sadly not many people care.

[runNjump86]

@trubandloki

I do find it amusing that it seems like she is proud of the fact that she is not prepared.

She is definitely proud of it, and the line about “her trusty Pony Club pin” made me want to throw up. I find it obscene that PC hasn’t disgraced her. But, given my own experiences with reporting unfit and dangerous trainers, they too don’t seem to care.

[RainWeasley]

Obie looked pretty lame today too in the trot parts of dressage.

[LovieBird]

@RainWeasley

Obie looked pretty lame today too in the trot parts of dressage.

I totally agree

[Ubu_Goober]

Maybe she will be eliminated after dressage is scored as occurred at AEC (I think that was the competition). Best of both worlds for Obie - he doesn’t have to go on and I am assuming/hoping that since she started the competition, she would not be able to go back and enter him in the Advanced division as someone said happened in the past when he was spun from Rolex at the first jog up.