Interview with Sue Wells

Partial Transcript: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Your full name, your birthplace and birthdate, and your occupation, and your current position or involvement with horses?

Segment Synopsis: Sue Wells, born in Prestonsburg, started being involved with horses in her 30s in the year of 1982. She met with and talked to Tim Clemens, Rea Smith, Wendell Johnson, and a lot more of the old-timers.

Keywords: Rea Smith; Rocky Mountain Horses; Tim Clemens; Wendell Johnson

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In terms of those first days and first encounters with some of the old-timers of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed, could you share some stories?

Segment Synopsis: Sue shares the story of breeding her mare to Sam Clemens' stallion named Clemens' Tim. She also talks about meeting with Clemens to discuss what to do with two-year-olds.

Keywords: Clemens' Tim; Sam Clemens

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you share some stories about Ray Smith and the Smith family?

Segment Synopsis: Wells talks about showing her mare, Emma Susie Lady, against Ray's mare, Queen. This started a long friendship between the two trainers. Wells bred with Ray's Sambo and tried to get Ray to breed Queen. Wells wanted a red colored mare and would try every way she could.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: A man walked in one evening.

Segment Synopsis: John Grobel visits Sue and asks to buy the baby that Sue's mare was carrying. Sue learned the lesson of not putting a price on a horse you don't want to sell.

Keywords: Old Time Hershey Boy

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clifford, he let me ride Nick.

Segment Synopsis: Sue was the first lady to ride Cilfford Clemens' horse, Nick. She tells about what it was like to ride this horse and her friendship with Clifford.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Could you share your thoughts on our mountain horses? Their conformation, their gait, their disposition?

Segment Synopsis: Sue discusses the changes in the breed from the start with Tobe. At her farm they try and breed as close as they can to the original breed. The old horses were stockier and they traveled differently. The people were very proud of what they had. Sue tells about how the shows have changed what breeders breed for in the horses.

Keywords: Tobe

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you talk a little bit about the gait of the mountain horses?

Segment Synopsis: Sue talks about the beginning classes of the show, based upon the gait of the horses. Upon the start of the United Mountain Horse Association, the classes changed from the sex of the sex of the horses to the gait of the horse. She also tells the different types of gaits mountain horses have. Above all else, the horse's gait should be natural and the horse should grow into this gait. Wells shares the sound of the cadence and tips on how to train horses for that cadence.

Keywords: United Mountain Horse

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: I had a Sunday school class at church.

Segment Synopsis: Sue talks about using her horses as an incentive for her Sunday school class to learn their Bible verses and lessons. This evolved into Sue getting the association to open up youth classes.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you share a little bit more about the disposition of the horse?

Segment Synopsis: Sue talks about breaking horses and getting them in the correct temperament and accustomed to trains and other distractions. She also talks about keeping that fiery temperament out of the breed, and instead making that fiery horse a gelding or trail riding horse. Sue shares a story about riding in Yellowstone and how her horse took care of her.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Wendell retired, he was just here at lunch occasionally. He was not here every day.

Segment Synopsis: After Sue's husband named Wendell retired, he decided to look at the inventory of horses and cut down. Sue talks about how she hated cutting down and how she collects the horses. Sue still collects horses if they are from the older blood line to see what that baby will do.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In terms of just talking about the breeding of our mountain horses and your comment in terms of most of the breeders within the Rocky Mountain Horse are responsible breeders.

Segment Synopsis: The breeding of the mountain horse has changed with breeders learning how to breed. Breeders have learned to breed for the gentle nature of the mountain horse. They now breed the good and the quiet, instead of the "fire breathing dragons," because no one will like it. Now it is a pleasure to breed horses instead of a nervous adventure.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Some say that we learn the most from difficult horses. What are your thoughts on that?

Segment Synopsis: In the beginning, people had to learn from difficult horses in order to make the breed what it is today. You have to find ways to make the difficult horses useful. Sue compares training difficult horses with teaching an autistic child in that you have to learn new ways to teach them.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Do you think that your own relationship or connection to horses has changed over the years?

Segment Synopsis: Sue believes that the horses now are prettier than the old horses. The connection with the horses has improved because the horses now are being bred to the liking of the breeder. Sue also mentions that she doesn't often breed outside of her farm because she likes what they have.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you comment about Prince Albert Stables and what it means to the community or how important it's been to Emma, Kentucky and the surrounding area?

Segment Synopsis: Sue talks about how she never really had a plan with Prince Albert Stables and how she would pray for the Lord to show her where to go with this stable. Sue uses this stable to share the gospel and has had kids converted here. The stables started with Sue's love for the horses and has grown from this as well. Prince Albert Stables has been a place for the community to ride horses that they would not otherwise be able to.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Can you talk a little bit more about the growing international range or popularity of our horses?

Segment Synopsis: Sue talks about her first international show, a one day show where they showed out of the trailer. She talks about what it was like to meet some of the old timers like Rea Swan. In 1998-1999 there was no standing room in the auditorium.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Just in terms of comments in terms of advice for people who might be listening to this oral history, for the future breeders and fans of the Rocky Mountain Horse, any guidance or tips that you could give?

Segment Synopsis: Sue tells the importance of paying attention to what you want in a horse and not the show records. Future breeders need to do their homework on the breed before getting into breeding. She also mentions that the association should help to grow the breed, but breeding should not be based on the show ring.

Keywords:

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Any other thoughts that you want to share for the record?

Segment Synopsis: Sue remembers more memories of the old timers and the friendships she has built during her time in the mountain horse community. The old timers knew their horses and were very careful with what they bred to and for. The horses will want to be with you after you spend time with them.

Keywords:

Subjects: