Advice needed re French horse welfare

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FarriersFriend

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I don't post often on here but I'd really appreciate any advice.

I've just returned from a family holiday at my parents house in Normandy.

I'll try and keep it brief. While there we went to visit ponies belonging to an elderly neighbour which were being grazed on another neighbours property. They're basically nothing short of lawn mowers to keep the grazing down. The property owners are also English but weren't there at the time. They are happy for us to take the children to see the ponies and pick cherries etc, its all very amicable and my parents know them all.

There were 3 ponies in the field 2 little shetland types and another welsh type. The little welsh was laying down when we approached and whinnied to us as we got close. Me and my sister immediately said we didn't like the look of her feet or how overweight she was. She stood up after a few minutes and it became obvious straight away she had laminitus, she could barely stand and her front feet were curling up and her soles were badly dropped, she must be in agony. We didn't expect to find show ponies but we didn't expect this.

We both got quite upset about this but were told by our uncle in no uncertain terms were we to say anything incase we upset the french and 'they do things differently here'.

Unfortunately none of us speak French well enough to speak the the little old guy that owns the ponies and we didn't know if it would perhaps just be best to alert the authorities and let them look into matters.

Afterall maybe he's struggling to cope or he's perhaps getting appropriate advice already(although I'm worried this isnt the case by the state of the pony). I'm also concerned that the other 2 might go the same way as they are also overweight.

I'm determined to do something but I'm not sure which way to tackle it.

So I guess my question is what would you do?

Thanks for reading (hope this all makes sense)
 
The French do NOT do things differently except that they may 'use' the animals differently ie as lawn mowers, but they still care for them, or should. He should be reported. I'm appalled that you were told not to say anything.
 
A number of my British friends over here have been involved in rescues. Even my own vets think a laminitic should be given just straw and water and bute limited because it upsets the stomach!!!

I went to a local agricultural show where a laminitic Percheron with curly toes had been shod with curly shoes to fit.

There are several charities in France who may be able to help.

If you have not found help pm me an email address and I will put you in touch with someone who can help.
 
@Cinamontoast.

I know I was fuming, I tried to explain to my uncle that this is unacceptable anywhere in the world. Like I said I didn't expect show ponies but I expected their basic needs to be met.
 
You must contact the Mairie of the village you were in. They are legally obliged to check on the horse and make sure it is being looked after properly. There are also English speaking rescue centres you can contact. I contacted an English speaking rescue centre near me and they then contacted the Mairie of a village on my behalf regarding a mistreated horse.
 
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