J & J Quarter Horses And Paints - Jill Johnston-Yoder Be very careful when purchasing horses from this dealer Dodgeville Wisconsin
I purchased a bred paint mare from Jill Johnston-Yoder (Nov. of 2006) that I feel was misrepresented. Jill stated the horse was a well-broke riding horse that, "neck-reins, backs up, she will lope little circles, has a really nice slow jog, etc. that anyone that can sit in a saddle can ride." I reasoned she must be reputable as she advertises as selling 4-H and family horses.
Jill delivered this horse to my residence with a swollen leg caused from a terrible hoof crack and infection. (I have her admission of the swollen leg in an email as "swelling up a couple of days before we delivered her") She was totally unrideable and now that the hoof has healed, is still (at best) broodmare sound, but not riding horse sound.
I traced her "travels" back and discovered that Jill purchased her at an auction in Iowa earlier last fall. At this sale she was described in the written sale bill as "broodmare sound only" and sold for $400. Jill inflated both her description and price and sold her to me for $2500 plus $300 to deliver her.
When I contacted Jill for any help in defraying medical expense for the hoof injury, she was totally defiant and uncooperative. She even refused to give me the name of her vet so that I could check for medicine allergies. I had to inject her with massive doses of penecillin (30cc) both morning and night for weeks and keep the hoof totally wrapped and clean at all times. My vet tried to prepare me for the strong possibility that I would have to nurse her through her pregnancy long enough for her to foal and then put her down, should the infection reach the bone.
I attempted to take Jill to court but she succeeded in getting the venue changed and then falsely accused me of threatening phone calls and emails and swayed the judge against me at our status conference (where she appeared in person and I was appeared telephonically). I could see no point in traveling there and proceeding with the trial when the judge was biased.
I see that since my transaction with her she now uses a contract. We had no written contract and I had to request she write me a crude bill of sale to include a live foal guarantee. Also on her web-site she now has added a disclaimer not previously stated before our dealings. She learned a lesson too..maybe.
I am sure Jill sells a lot of good, accurately represented horses. I wasn't one of the lucky ones. Use caution and don't do as I did and rely solely on her description. And a pre-purchase vet exam would definitely be a good idea.
Diane
Gillett, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Dew
Gillett,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Still no positive results from J & J Paints and Quarter Horses
#5Author of original report
Tue, July 06, 2010
3 1/2 years into my complaint with this company, I have yet to receive a refund or satisfaction from this dealer.
I have recently filed a complaint with the BBB. I have sent copies of Jill's fraudulent written representation of this horse (where she states that this horse would lope small circles and has a nice slow jog.) I included a copy of a letter (willingly supplied to me by the previous owner) who wrote that she sold my horse to Jill (at auction) represented as a brood mare only, and that the auctioneer specified this, and this horse was not ridden in the sale ring. The previous owner continues on to say: Jill misrepresented this horse by selling her for a riding horse and that this horse should never be made to lope or perform at anything more than a walk, and then only while medicated.
I included copy of Jill's email where she admits the mare's left hind leg swelled up a couple of days before they delivered her, but that she wasn't limping on it so she didn't think it was a big deal. I sent copy of statement of one vet (of several) who examined my mare and stated that the swelling in the left hind leg was a direct symptom of the hoof trauma which presented itself fully in the week following delivery of my horse.
After the BBB sent Jill the notification of the complaint (including my evidence) by email, she initiated phone and email contact with me and threatened to file papers. ????????????
I do not fear that, because I have stated nothing but the honest truth in this situation and I will abide by it. I would update my report in a very positive way should Jill Johnston Yoder offer to reimburse me for this horse and the medical treatment costs I had to pay. She claims to be sorry that this happened to my horse and my family but until I should receive a refund, her words are hollow and meaningless.
Dew
Gillett,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
J & J Paints and Quarter Horses -Jill Johnston will not remedy bad deal....
#5Author of original report
Wed, October 17, 2007
As Jill states in her rebuttal, she chooses to concentrate on her "good" customers. And that IS absolutely how she conducts business. She will refuse to communicate with you if you have any sort of complaint.
I am the one who chose to drop our court case, because of what I sensed was prejudice on the part of the judge, therefore I did NOT receive satisfaction.
Jill bought this horse advertised strictly as brood mare sound ONLY !!! Therefore she, in turn, should have also presented her as such. As I found out after the sale, this mare is not able to perform as Jill said she would ie: "lope small circles, etc. etc." She is not safe for a riding horse. Not light riding, not riding period. While she is a kind, beautiful and well-bred mare, I did not wish to purchase a horse for use as a brood mare. Additionally, the injury she had (upon delivery) was horrific.
I know, caveat emptor. I just hope my situation will drive home several points......never listen to the "puffing" and the lingo that an experienced horse dealer is so adept at delivering. If anything seems out of order, don't be intimidated into silence. Speak up and demand answers.
Since Jill has been unwilling (since day one) to address the complaints I've had, I am thankful for this forum to be able to educate others and save them from the heartache and financial loss this has caused my family.
Thank you very much,
D.W.
Dew
Gillett,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
J&J Quarter Horses & Paints -Jill Johnston-Yoder Category:Horse Trader
#5Author of original report
Thu, October 04, 2007
I realize there are many more satisfied customers of J & J than non. If everyone had had an experience such as mine, there would be no J & J by now. The owner, Jill Johnston-Yoder understandably likes to concentrate on their GOOD customers. (And undoubtedly wishes I'd get run down by a truck I'm sure.)
In Jill's opinion, a horse is still "sound" even with a leg swollen double it's normal size!? A vet (or anyone) agrees that swelling is a definite symptom of infection. (I shouldn't have let her take her off her trailer like that, but I did.) Jill told me the leg had swelled up a couple of days earlier at her place but she wasn't limping on it. (yet) And as I found out, the infection was all ready deep-seated. The crack was not immediately visible (dirty hooves) till later that day. It was hairline at the time, and opened wider as the week progressed.
She had hauled this pregnant mare four hours on a Wisconsin December day with NO blanket or leg wraps. I was stunned that a "professional" would haul a horse this way.
As for Ms. Johnston-Yoder's statement that I "did nothing" to treat my horse and that I let her leg become infected . I am apalled and very resentful she should make that statement. (I will reiterate and say that when I contacted Jill for the number of her vet in order to check with him for any treatment allergies, she was completely uncooperative and absolutely refused to tell me.) I was in immediate contact with MY vet as well as my friend and neighbor who is a recent farrier school graduate. I myself am a 1977 horseshoeing school , short course graduate. It was most inappropriate for Ms. Johnston-Yoder to say that, and again not true.
Jill is trying to "save face" and I can't blame her for that. Horse trading is her livelihood. She needs to understand that ALL her customers are to be treated with respect, not only the "GOOD" ones.
Respectfully,
Diane
J & J
Dodgeville,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Customer should have had a vet look at horse before it got infected..was not like that when we sold the horse.
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, October 04, 2007
I sent her an email before she gave me a deposit saying that this mare had an old knee injury and might need bute if ridden on longer rides. She was well aware that this mare should be ridden lightly (I have an email to prove this). I did not sway the judge...Diane is using this as an excuse. Mare got off trailer sound...8 days later Diane says she has a crack in hoof....Diane does nothing about this..no vet or farrier to look at it...about 20 days later (which now is infected) ...mare is now lame.. I have emails from Diane saying she is not lame until 20 days after purchasing.
I could go on and on but I'm not going to ..this case was closed many months ago and I will not respond any more to this. In a business...many people can say many things...I am going to concentrate on all the GOOD customers I have... I sold many youth rider's horses that placed at state 4-h this year and one even won top 10 and Championships at State...that is what I like to hear and that is what will keep us selling good horses to good people. People who read these reports will understand that a couple unhappy customers is nothing compaired to all the happy ones. Sincerely Jill