CLINTON
Complaints prompt probe of horse farm
By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
CLINTON -- Glory will probably never fully heal, but he can be cared for and have a home.
UNDER SCRUTINY: Brett Ingraham stands with one of his horses, Glory, at his Clinton farm this past week. Glory is a former race horse who came to the farm with his two front legs broken and several hundred pounds underweight. Ingraham says his farm has been unfairly targeted by critics who initiated a state investigation into the conditions there.
Staff photo by Scott Monroe
The 11-year-old former race horse from Florida arrived at the Fair Play Farm last November with its front legs broken and was several hundred pounds underweight, according to farm owner Brett Ingraham. Glory has since gained 200 pounds and is walking around with tape wrapped around his front legs for support.
And Glory, Ingraham said, is representative of a misunderstanding of his farm that has in recent months resulted in a bevy of complaints, an inquiry by state animal welfare officials and a criminal investigation.
Ingraham said he and his wife, Alexis, have done nothing wrong at their Tardiff Road farm, despite allegations of mistreatment that have been prominently featured on an equestrian website for months. In fact, the Ingrahams say they been taking in injured or malnourished horses that otherwise would be euthanized. They currently have about 50 horses, he said.
"It takes months to turn horses around," Ingraham said this past week. "We take in unwanted horses."
But even as the Ingrahams continue their work at the horse farm, investigators said this past week that they're still gathering evidence on the complaints and have not yet determined whether any action should be taken against the farm.
"Information is being gathered and we're compiling that, so we're looking at everything and will shortly be meeting with the district attorney to discuss everything, and I'm not sure at that point what will happen," said Christine Fraser, a veterinarian with the state's animal welfare program. "It's still an open case and we'll take the evidence where it goes."
District Attorney Evert Fowle said his office would be meeting soon with animal welfare officials, with whom he has already had "periodic contact" about the case.
"I can't comment until the results of the investigation are complete," Fowle said. "Once we have all the information we'll be in a position" to act. But, he added, "no action has been taken yet."
Even so, Fraser said that her program's investigators have been "out there regularly" during the last several months working on issues of "compliance" with the Ingrahams, though she declined to be more specific because the investigation isn't finished.
"Our first goal in any case is to educate and get compliance and if that fails, then prosecution, so we're still trying to get compliance," Fraser said. "It's safe to say that in most of our cases, if we keep going back there are issues we're trying to work on. There are certainly things we've requested of them and their veterinarian, getting where we need to be with these horses."
The Ingrahams, Fraser said, are "doing what we're requesting and we give everybody every opportunity to comply and hopefully things will happen that way. But if things fail, it will go to the next step."
A flood of complaints started soon after the website NickerNews.net, of Brunswick, began posting photos and articles about the farm, also imploring fellow horse enthusiasts to contact local and state officials to complain.
In the site's first posting, "Starving Horses in Desperate Need," by Maddy B. Gray, the Ingrahams' 40 horses were alleged to be "emaciated, without adequate shelter and in need of immediate medical attention." Gray couldn't be reached for further comment.
"To date, the dozens of horses still have not been seized or surrendered and many continue to stand outside, visible from the roadway," the site claimed. "It is clear this farm has too many horses per acre, not enough shelter and inadequate feed."
Ingraham said the farm is financed by buying, selling and boarding horses, while also offering riding lessons and breeding.
Brett Ingraham said he never paid much attention to the website's allegations because he's too busy working on the farm "and I don't have time for the Internet." Still, the complaints have hurt business -- he used to get five to 10 horses per week, but in recent months that has slowed to five a month -- and he thinks that "people are afraid to give them up now."
Fraser, the state veterinarian, said the NickerNews Web site and people's complaints have helped investigators as they seek information, but they have also spread "misinformation" and allowed the situation to be "portrayed unfairly."
"When people are in a frenzy, that can be a problem," she said.
Ingraham believes his farm has been unfairly targeted by a small group of people who have not come to his farm to see conditions for themselves.
"I'm not going to give in, because I've done nothing wrong," Ingraham said.
Scott Monroe -- 861-9253
smonroe@centralmaine.com
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Copyright ©2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
22 COMMENTS
OldClarkie said...
Often people drive pass a farm and make an observational judgment that animals are too thin or appear sick and assume it is neglect. However, often the real story is much more, like someone taking in a sick horse, a horse with a known problem already under the care of a vet, or such. Before calling the state or town, wish these busy bodies would stop and talk to the owner about the concerns before sicking the attack dogs on them.
April 20, 2010 at 1:33 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
maybe the complainers are just too obese to get up and offer help instead of hurling allegations....no doubt they are too busy stuffing their mouths with donuts and mcd's as they drive by.
April 20, 2010 at 7:21 AM Report abuse
rmatts said...
Never been to the farm but ya know I agree that people should not jump to conclusions. and apparently the owners know what they are doing and are being humane in offering the help, if they and the animals are comfortable with the size of the place then so be it long as the animals are maintained and it sounds as though they are!!! Kudos to the Ingrahams for reaching out and putting up with the nonsense caused by others.
April 20, 2010 at 7:59 AM Report abuse
mungo said...
I smell a law suit cooking.
April 20, 2010 at 9:13 AM Report abuse
beanebaby said...
Sounds like they are taking in bad horses and trying to make it better. One horse has gained 200 lbs sounds like they are doing something right. Keep your head held high and keep up the good work. Maybe the people complaining should stop by and give them a hand to make the farm the way they think it should be.
April 20, 2010 at 9:22 AM Report abuse
SweetPea said...
Murphy's Law states that, "No good deed goes unpunished." Don't let that deter you from doing good deeds.
April 20, 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse
Solo said...
This place was a dump before the whistle was blown on these two. Grounds were a mess, shelters were falling down 9eventually fell down), too many horses for site and poor horsemanship. The previous owner allowed this place to deteriorate around her for years. Yes, I am guilty of looking the other way for 16 years waiting for someone else to pull the plug, but now is the time to get it under control or gone.
April 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
Jazz11 said...
I hope the Ingrahams are in fact doing a wonderful thing for these unfortunate animals. They should be considered innocent unless proven otherwise. Let's not unfairly jump to conclusions. I think the world needs a lot more good people like the Ingrahams. Please do a followup story.
April 20, 2010 at 10:09 AM Report abuse
Plenti said...
Well lets see horses have lived outdoors for a long time & wow they lived! I was on the farm when the previous had it the horses were well fed & taken care of, the barns clean. I know they had hay & water. The person that wrote negative comments why don,t you tell us all how to run a farm?To all the people out there making these complaints ,put upor shut up! Why doesn,t the money being wasted on all this crap get donated to the Ingrahams to help them build up not be torn down? They seem to be trying to do a good thing so instead of condeming them BLESS THEM:) Why not start a fund drive or something nice instead of all the nastiness? Don,t judge unless you are GOD.Don,t critize until you have walked in their moccasins!
April 20, 2010 at 1:00 PM Report abuse
Solo said...
I would NEVER keep one horse in these conditions. The place was not in a professional state prior to this lease/sale. I do have a professional equestrian background (35 yrs.) and know exactly how to run a barn. Unfortunately, there seems to be a level of horse managers/trainers in Maine that have NO business ever owning a horse and running a barn. I don't know these people they may have inherited an already dysfunctional operation that continued to get away from them. The property was on the real estate market, Cabela's and locally, for a lengthy period of time w/no buyers, evidence that once they toured the site they decided that there was no hope. I am saddened at the sight of these animals as I pass by, let's go State and clean it up.
April 20, 2010 at 3:27 PM Report abuse
beckyj said...
The Ingrahams are involved with a whole group of dealers/traders/"rescuers" that are using these poor skinny, abused, neglected horses (often with untreatable broken bones) to make a few bucks. All they care about is the dollar signs people, don't be fooled by the stories that they are helping these animals. I have seen these people and the way that they treat the horses and they need to be reported and I commend the people that are making the reports! The state needs to do something about all these people that think they can buy a horse at an auction for $100 and care for it the way it needs to be cared for. There are real equine rescuers in the state. Support the legitimate ones!! I have had horses all my life and understand the amount of care that a horse takes---If they can't afford to care for them all---don't "rescue" so many. 50 horses on 10-15 acres of land is over-populated. Look at the history of these people and why they are really under investigation--LACK OF VET CARE!
April 20, 2010 at 10:01 PM Report abuse
SlowMoe said...
I know these people. God bless them. I have known Brett since he was a little tyke, and his parents as well. They are animal lovers of a rare breed. A lot of horse owners are in it for the money and the glory and the prestige. None of this is true with Brett and his family. I just wish that people like the ones that have been driving by and phoning in their complaints would take the time to see maybe if there's any way they could help or lend a hand or find out what is actually going on. Sad. Very sad indeed. I too smell a lawsuit. This is a travesty to say the least.
April 21, 2010 at 5:24 AM Report abuse
Solo said...
Lawsuit for bad business practices?
April 21, 2010 at 9:00 AM Report abuse
luvshrses said...
Brent and Alexis are nothing more than horse dealers. Taking on unwanted horses that they can make money on any way they can. Alexis herself has stated she doesn't use a vet, so what kind of care do you think these horses get? People are having trouble giving horses away in this economy, so where do you think these horses are winding up? They do ship to slaughter. They are trying to make money with horses any way they can and it isn't always in the best interest of the horses...wake up people!!!
April 21, 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse
null said...
I strongly suggest that Mr. Monroe does his homework before attempting a follow-up to this story. This is a classic example of " believe half of what you see and none of what you read". there are more inaccuracies, than accuracies, in the article. At least he got Alexis and Brett's names correct. NicekerNews was NEVER contacted for comment. The only travesty and unfairness here is how these magnificent creatures suffer at the hands of Alexis Pelletier Ingraham. In an earlier interview (not this publication) Brett said they had 70 horses. Now they have 50. Where are the other 20, in an economy that you can't GIVE horses away? Where is the foal, that was sick and lying in the ice in February? The one they were going to pick up with a tractor, when you could have done it one handed? Research, Mr. Monroe. You just made a fool out of yourself to those that know better, and have known better for decades, as far as this family is concerned.
April 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM Report abuse
OldClarkie said...
People outside the horse business do not understand there is TWO BREEDS to horsemen, One is like the reader who professes 35 years of professional equine knowledge. Which often means the money, people who do pander a horse with the best barns and care money can buy. They often down anyone who has a horse that is not registered breed. Yep... Then there is the average person who has all they can do to feed the animal, but out of love and dedication provides maybe a less perfect lifestyle to some for the horse, but also loves the horse and gives more care for it in time. These are often the people who deal with the horse on a daily basis and not presented like a trophy to the polo club friends. The down the nose view some people have of others shows that money can not buy everything.
April 22, 2010 at 4:05 AM Report abuse
Fabelhaft2 said...
The truth is probably somewhere in between. I boarded at the farm with the previous owner and just after the sale for a short time. I moved my horse out because I had my own place ready to go. Everything was fine when I was there - but again, that was at the very beginning before there were very many horses. We have too many horse experts out there. One person complained because there were dead horses on the ground. She knew that horses only slept standing up so they had to be dead. Come on!
April 23, 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse
Fabelhaft2 said...
The truth is probably somewhere in between. I boarded at the farm with the previous owner and just after the sale for a short time. I moved my horse out because I had my own place ready to go. Everything was fine when I was there - but again, that was at the very beginning before there were very many horses. We have too many horse experts out there. One person complained because there were dead horses on the ground. She knew that horses only slept standing up so they had to be dead. Come on!
April 23, 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse
aG9yc2VtYW4%3D said...
Well Beckyj what do you constituted as a rescue? Perhaps a friend giving an old mare to a friend? This whole thing is driven by politics. Horses are livestock not pets like a cat or dog. Nickernews has an agenda and will not print comments from people who write positive comments about this farm or are trying to clarify misinformation give on her website. I too think there is a lawsuit in the mist. The owners do know what they are doing. They have a good support group who are giving them good advice like from Tufts and Cornell. And this farm has a very good vet.
April 30, 2010 at 1:44 PM Report abuse
aG9yc2VtYW4%3D said...
Hey null, you're right. There are more inaccuracy then accuracy with all the articles in Nickernews. Isn't it funny how the shoe is on the other foot and Nickernews wasn't contacted for a comment? People have tried to give accurate information to Nickernews given out by those misinformed but Nickernews has a censorship and won't print most of it. You'll be happy to know that the colt is alive and well. And no one that is pregnant or has a torn ACL is going to pick an injured horse up off the ground if they have any brains in their head. And lets be clear, perhaps you ought to do some research yourself and stop making a fool of yourself as this family has been in business for less than a year (Sept. 2009) and not a decade.
April 30, 2010 at 4:55 PM Report abuse
aG9yc2VtYW4%3D said...
Luvshrses -- if you want to state facts OK but its Brett not Brent. Accurate: They do not ship to slaughter. As to the difference between 70 horses to 50 horses (I can't say whether it was 70 or 68.) This couple is in business of selling horses. If you don't think people aren't buying because of the economic times you are mistaken. To educate: Some people buy horses that they can't afford. Once the winter heat bill comes in that person knows something has got to give and usually its the animal. That person tries to recover the purchase money for that horse and during that time the horse goes down hill because the person can't afford its care. So they dump that animal in poor condition any way they can. My question to you is...do you want that horse to go to auction/slaughter or to a place where a good home can be found for it?
April 30, 2010 at 5:32 PM Report abuse
aG9yc2VtYW4%3D said...
It would be interesting to know how many readers wrote comments to correct misinformation giving about this stable to Nickernews and their comments were lost or not published.
April 30, 2010 at 6:30 PM Report abuse