Bad horse owners

[Littlesparrow]

Once again I have had to call in the RSPCA,to some bad horse owners, snow on the ground, no hay, frozen water and one horse with its legs tangled up in barbed wire.
On a second visit today, the barbed wire was off the horse, but still no hay, frozen water and one horse is so lame with a cracked hoof it can't keep up with the others.
How many chances do these idiots get before they can take these horses away from them, I think you can tell I'm a bit angry.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

How many chances do these idiots get before they can take these horses away from them, I think you can tell I'm a bit angry.

I can fully understand your anger. I have six horses/ponies, three of which are 'rescues'. Such animals, unless totally free, rely soley on us for their welfare. Mine are free to roam over 20 or so acres at the moment, (much more in the summer).


I first look at mine at around 7am and last thing at night around midnight. At the moment there is little for them to eat as the grass is under ice and snow and the water troughs and water pipes are frozen. So I am the only thing they can rely on for sustenance. And yet I only have to drive a few miles along our lanes to see horse after horse standing alone in frozen fields with no sign of water of food other than what they can scrape from the frozen ground.
Ponies bought for children long since grown-up, condemmed in many cases to a life alone, when they are herd animals that thrive on having company.

I get as angry as you when I see such a complete lack of any compassion for animals that in no way can fend for themselves.

In these parts we still have many wild ponies up on the high pastures, how on earth they survive is a mystery to me, but they are probably far better off than those confined to a half-acre of muddy paddock for the rest of their lives.
It's an enormous problem and one for which I have no real answer I'm afraid.
Rant over. All the best.
Dorts.

[Meta menardi]

It's called horseyculture, and is often perpetrated on a ring outside towns. Usually seen with 50 gallon drums and some red & white poles.

[fairplay]

I must say I am shocked by these stories - if this neglect is so widespread what on earth are the RSPCA up to? If the government are unwilling to give the RSPCA more money to do their job, then the law needs to be changed to prevent so many people having pets or working animals.

Neil.

[Littlesparrow]

Freezing temperatures tonight in Cheshire, and I'm working most of the day tomorrow so won't be able to look at the horses until late afternoon, I hope something gets sorted, what do you do next, police, newspaper?

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

Freezing temperatures tonight in Cheshire, and I'm working most of the day tomorrow so won't be able to look at the horses until late afternoon, I hope something gets sorted, what do you do next, police, newspaper?

Not being a horse owner, I do not know the legal minimum requirements, but this seriously sounds like neglect to me and would inform the police - that's what they are there for.

Neil.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

Freezing temperatures tonight in Cheshire, and I'm working most of the day tomorrow so won't be able to look at the horses until late afternoon, I hope something gets sorted, what do you do next, police, newspaper?

I think you have to get in touch with the RSPCA. Hopefully they can at least keep an eye on them. Can you get any water to them, or some hay? Even a couple of pounds of carrots would be welcomed.
Dorts.

[Suffolk-Chris]

Are these people repeat offenders, Littlesparrow?

[Johnny Redgate]

I agree that a horse tangled in barbed wire and a lame one with cracked hooves would seem to show signs of neglect, although you say the wire has been removed and could have been a "one-off" sort of problem. Regarding water: water is clearly a problem in freezing weather but a visit twice a day to break the ice and top up the tubs/troughs should suffice, given that it would not immediately re-freeze solid. Are you sure these visits did not occur? Horses would also need more water if they are eating hay. Regarding hay: if there was a reasonable cover of grass in the field before the snow they might not need hay for a short period of snow cover. Horses can dig through shallow snow to get to grass beneath if it's there. Many pony breeds are very hardy. We only had an inch or so of snow recently, did you have more?

There are many views on the best way to keep horses. Ours live out all year at 1000ft or so. Our arabian horses have coats/rugs for much of the winter but the morgan cross is usually fine so long as he is getting adequate food and has some shelter from hedgerows. The amount of hay they eat, even with shallow snow cover and even if the hay is offered, depends on the amount of grass they can get from under the snow. This year they are on a well grazed field so get a lot of hay. Other owners like to molly coddle their horses more or have less ground for them to roam over or have less hardy breeds. Did the horses you saw not have coats/rugs on? Are they thin / sick / in poor condition? Has the field got broken barbed wire fencing and other dangers to the animals in it? If so, you may well be right about neglect.

[Carol ann]

RSPCA and rant are two words I usually put together.
If you going to give the horses any food, and I mean ANY, then don't waste your time ringing the RSPCA, I used to keep 30+ Native Ponies, the stallion and foals were kept at my stables over winter , but my mares and youngster's were run on 50 acre field, I always tied up 2 huge nets of hay so that passers by could see they has food, the field had its own stream so water was no problem,
At the end of winter I would cut the hat down as 9 times out of 10 my ponies wouldn't have even looked at it, I did it purely for the sake of people looking at my ponies.
Back to the RSPCA I was once told about some ponies in a bad way , so took it upon myself to have a look, they wer'nt too thin but a bit lean, they had no hay and were stood in a very muddy patch of ground, not really big enough for the number of ponies. I had some haylage in my car and put them a big pile out.
I then rang the RSPCA and told them about the animals and that I had left some haulage for them, asked could they have a word with the owner.
About 2 wks later I had another call over same ponies, I spoke to RSPCA only to be told that because people were giving the ponies food over the fence there was little they could do.
I wasn't saying take the animals off the owner just give them a kick up the bum to urge them into looking after them better. I know the RSPCA wouldn't want to have to home ponies as the cost for food etc is high.
I am not ashamed to say since that time I have not given a penny to the RSPCA.