Animal Frontline on BBC 1 - now I don't usually condone the RSPCA bashing but.....

Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
You should put in a complaint to the BBC, it's more likely to get somewhere.

I don't think they can allow false information to be broadcast without a disclaimer so it's possible the RSPCA might listen if the BBC has to make an announcement.
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The BBC don't give a toss as long as they get good viewing figures. I joined this forum asking for advice after a severely emaciated and lame horse was ridden on a BBC program purely for entertainment. The BBC's reply was awful and made it quite clear that they had no problem with the situation.
 
MillyMoomie said:
Patterdale forgive me that is not quite what the officer said is it? She said " you should get a stable and field sorted before buying a horse, much like you should have somewhere to put a hamster before buying it. These people have gone a bought a horse for a fiver at the market without having somewhere to put it so they are then just tethered up on public land" sound advice if you ask me.
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that seems more like it! But then we know about 'selective hearing syndrome'!!

It's like all the complaints on here that I read saying "I phoned the RSPCA and they didn't want to know" erm I'm pretty sure that's not what would have been said... but rather the answer you were given wasn't to your liking!!?!
 
When the RSPCA ran head long at the media to increase their profile they ought to have remembered those who live by the sword tend to die by it.
This sounds like an example of that.
But , says quietly, I feed my cob haylage.
 
I'm with MillieMoomie on this. OK so the RSPCA don't give out the exact advice many horse owners would give, but then each horse owner has their own opinion on what is right and wrong. There are far more hamsters, cats, dogs, horses etc helped by the RSPCA's existence so, as indie999 said, if you think you can do a better job with extensive knowledge of every species why don't you get off your own backside and do it.
 
I don't know much about cars - that is why I don't give my mechanic advice regarding repairs...
So how can an RSPCA inspector give advice to people who probably know far more about horses than they do? Not saying all inspectors don't know about horses but why send someone who so obviously doesn't?
 
i am not a fan of tethering but think its prefferable to all the horses i see and hear about on a daily basis that spend the vast majority of their lives in a stable-no one would agree that it would be ok for a dog to spend 23hrs per day in a crate in its own mess but its often how horses live. people do feel its ok to have a dog and keep it on a short lead when outside though thereby restricting the freedom of its movement so why does everyone get so up in arms about tethering when its done properly?

i love that the inspector said about ponies getting there 'nails' cought up in the chain, what nails?
 
Did not see it, although in reply to the poster who said they put money in a collection pot, well done, that is fab :), as long ad they were collecting for a local branch, and not as the organisation!!!

Local branches have to fund themselves :( just donating to the rSPCA seems to just pay the big bosses salary :(
 
Jools2345 from what could see from the TV for the type he is, I would say good body condition. Buts that's exactly the point... From the TV. Not about to have an arguement with you about an animals body condition until I can get my hands on it or see it in in person!
Lastchancer- good and fair point. I would say that regardless of the animal ( and you are never going to get someone who is an expert in every animal ) ( plus I would be wary of someone who thought they knew everything about horses tbh ) an inspector is going to know 1. What is required by law 2. The codes of practice relating to the problem 3. If the animal needs veterinary attention.
Remember RSPCA officers are not claiming to be experts in the specifics, they always say, if in doubt seek vets advice. Also in court they are not considered the expert witness either.
Just like although you are not a mechanic, if you saw someone broken down or your car was belching out black smoke, you would know something was wrong.
 
MillyMoomie said:
Jools2345 from what could see from the TV for the type he is, I would say good body condition. Buts that's exactly the point... From the TV. Not about to have an arguement with you about an animals body condition until I can get my hands on it or see it in in person!
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is no-one else allowed to have an opinion unless they want to argue with you?
 
thats good, things often come across a bit abrupt in writing.

maybe the RSPCA should have experts available via internet to give the officers advice at the scene on things like diet and housing for species they are unsure about?
may reduce somethings like advising feeding that cob haylage
 
Well they couldnt identify a grass snake which was so obvious with its yellow collar, I do worry about how much training they receive, the officer wasnt sure about the snake and picked it up anyway and if it was venomous it could have bitten her.
 
Now I not a fan of tethering but nether am I of the 12X12 lightless boxes that some horses live in 23hrs a day. We have a large traveller community that graze open land, all their ponies are watered, checked moved daily and look in great condition and do not appear to be in any distress.
Up to the 1950's tethering and stableing in stalls was a commen way for working horses to be kept, only the monied had paddocks and loose boxes.
 
Patterdale said:
......it's really winding me up! They know NOTHING about horses.
This woman has just been berating an owner of a tethered horse. The horse was a cob in very good condition, and she was asking him what hes feeding him. The man said 'well, grass!' And she responded by telling him in a very patronising way that horses need haylage because there's not enough goodness in grass.
They seem to be good with the dogs and cats but bloody clueless about the horses!
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I saw that too and couldn't believe she suggested feeding a very well covered cob haylage and supplement with extra feed!!:confused: You would think before they show these things on TV they would actually make sure their advise is correct. Here comes another laminitic case no doubt when the owner follows RSPCA instructions.:mad:
 
I didn't see this programme but have watched a few of this series recently and have thought more than once "what the.........." and not about horses! I wonder how much training these inspectors have about any species.
 
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