abandoned mare about to foal

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BigLebowski

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My ex gf has pretty much abandoned a mare about to foal with me. I am a novice with horses and do not really want to get involved, since she has already fleeced me and I refuse to pay any vet bills. I have in good faith been feeding the horse at my cost and I have advised her she owes me for this, that it is temporary only and not to rely on it. I am not checking it regularly at night :(

I have told her she is totally responsible for the mare's care, ie for checking the mare every 2 hours day and night but she has not done so or visited since 1st April. I have a tad of sympathy for her since she lives 28 miles away. All she does is make vague promises to take it away "asap". It is due sometime this month. Am I legally responsible for the horse's care and what on earth do I do if it starts foaling? It is wandering around with my shire gelding at the moment.

Cheers
Dude
 
I don't want to get into the detail of this other than to say none of this is the mare's fault. She is pregnant and may need supervision and medical treatment and I hope for her sake she gets it.
 
If the mare really is close to her time and you are as novice as you say get someone else to keep an eye on her. I don't know anything about your legal responsibilities but please make it clear to you ex that she is endangering her horses life if she does not get the mare cared for properly. Almost all instances of foaling related deaths are related to the mare owner (or someone else who knows what they're about) not being present to act on problems when they first occur.
 
If you are really worried, I would contact a rescue centre? Is there one near you at all? Tell them your situation, and that the mare is about to foal etc. They may be able to help. Let you ex know that you plan to do this as well, this may kick her butt into gear!!
 
Is this the mare that you've had since last April?

I should think if she hasn't fetched it in a year, she isn't going to turn up any time soon to reclaim her.

I would do the right thing by the mare and maybe try and get her to a stud where she can have a supervised foaling or get an experienced person to look after her.

Maybe you can then sell mare and foal to try and recoup some of your costs.
 
The best thing you can do in these circumstances is to ring a welfare agency, such as BHS/WWH for advice. They will be able to advise about your legal position and the best steps to take in the short term.
 
Dude - I am finding all this a bit hard to believe. A year ago (almost to the day) you posted saying your ex had run off with another younger, richer man and abandoned her pony to you. One minute you say in your posts that you know nothing about horses, then you claim to have shires/donkeys etc.

Now, is this mare that same pony? Is this a new ex that has dumped a horse on you? Are you stupid enough to feed someone else's horse for a year? That smacks a bit of desperation like you don't want to let go of your ex if that is true.

To be honest I have no sympathy - if your ex wont pick the mare up, call around some rescue centres and find a home for her. It is not fair to her to let her foal alone, or to say you will not provide vet cover if something goes wrong. Forget about your ex, and sort this pony out now. You/her/the relationship is not the important thing in this situation - the pony is.
 
Well I vaguely remembered the post last April as funnily enough went through something VERY similar myself at the time and thought it was my ex trying to cause trouble (did not abandon my horses, but were kept on ex's land until I was able to move them a month later, and rent was paid) lmao! I just searched back through OP's posts and read a few of them to remind myself of history.
 
lol thanks zoeshiloh , This is a different ex haha

The ex last January ran off with an older, wealthier man. This one has run off with a violent balding psychopath self-confessed rapist . I do seem pick em!!!

I have experience only of a shire and donkey, nothing of mares. I take your points tho and thank everyone for the feedback.

Dude
 
Tbh i would try and place the mare in a nice home and put the loss of yor money down to experience .. is there any studs near you that would take her .. though this cannot be left too much longer as this poor mare does not need to be put under any stress so close to her foaling, i know you dont want to take on any vets bills but please please do not think of this poor girl as anything to do with your ex, she doesnt deserve it, please please please get her any help she needs.
 
Blimey you know how to pick them! Two horses abandoned with you within a year! OK, if that is the case, contact a welfare organisation, tell them what has happened, and ask for the horse to be removed from your land. If your ex wants the horse back, she can then approach the organisation that removed the horse, but as far as you/they are concerned, she has been abandoned.
 
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