Cob left in worst field ever

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Whizzon

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On the windswept saltmarshes in Norfolk less than 500 yards from the sea on a small piece of barren wastland (wetland) is a cordoned off raggedy field , thistles and weeds, access to stream water, covered in Goose crap, and there stands a dejected scruffy black and white cob.no hay, no rug, no companions...

The 'owner' has supplied an old 'freestanding' trailer for him to take shelter in (as in walk in and reverse down) You have to see this horrific situation to believe it.

My husband and I drove past yesterday and we were physically sickened - how can people leave horses like this - why?

The horse is on the tourist trail - right on the road, where the ice cream van parks... opposite popular pubs...

are we so dumbed down we dont notice suffering.."ah look at the pretty horsey" while we buy ice creams...

I and a friend reported this horse to RSPCA/WHW 2 years ago...and again last yr...nothing

I forgot to say sometimes he gets a treat he is hobbled on the grass verge of the busy road.. or hidden on allotments with other 'fowl' but 90% of the time he is in his open prison

In all weathers... I am not opposed for horses living out - I promote living out -but with the 5 freedoms. This is just pitiful.. one is left feeling so helpless... and sad.

ANY SUGGESTIONS ?
 
The RSPCA are unlikely to do anything assuming the cob isn't skin and bones or obsese as the horse has access to grass, water and shelter.
We have a travellers site near us a lot of their ponies are kept in similar conditions or hobbled and tethered next to the road side in all weathers. They are rugged if the weather is bad, as long as they are in good health and have access to food and water none of the welfare organisations will do anything.
 
So the horse has access to fresh water; shelter (he won't go in the trailer but use it as a windbreak - that's what mine have to do); rough grass - so do mine, they LOVE the thistles, I deduce from the fact that there is goose crap everywhere there is plenty of grass - there wouldn't be geese there if there weren't!; no hay - no nor do mine at the moment, one is a laminitic barrel, the other is just too good a doer and you don't say this horse is thin; no rug - nor do mine unless it is very cold, which it certainly isn't at the moment; no companions - ah, well mine do have each other and the sheep for company.

The horse is "dejected" - so were my two yesterday when I went to see them, standing backs to the wind, heads down, ears flopped, eyes part shut - oh no, hang on they were asleep. However it was a pretty gross day yesterday and all the horses I can see from my window, mine and others, looked less than ecstatically happy.

The horse has been reported before but no action taken. I wonder why that might be? My horses have been reported too, for being too thin and having no hay. Luckily no-one's time was wasted by coming out to visit because when I showed the vet who happened to be over for something else he practically fell over laughing, they were fat as butter under their rugs. I assume it was the same person who wanted to report them for being too thin who takes the grazing muzzle off the laminitic pony, has let it out into the hayfield (instant laminitis) and who leaves it food parcels of bread and cakes.

By all means report your concerns to whichever authority you feel should do something but as for the five freedoms - he's only lacking companionship and as you don't know his history you don't know whether he's one of those horses who gets picked on by everything else and would be dreadfully stressed by being turned out with others.
 
Definately speak with the BHS Welfare line. Events that have unfolded on here tell us how fantastic they are.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Mmmm... is that on the coast road in North Norfolk? I've seen two black & white cobs in a field of Ragwort somewhere along there. They were still there the following summer. Both appeared well covered & healthy (for now) though.

At least he has shelter of some sort - maybe his hay's in there? Also agree that he probably doesn't need a rug. If it were a TB it might be a different story.
 
Sensible reply. If the horses have been reported and nothing done the chances are nothing needs doing. Just think how most native horses are designed to live. Much more cruel in my opnion to have a horse caged in a 12x12 box for 20 odd hours a day.

I too have had food parcels of burger buns left for my two natives, I have resorted to putting a laminated notice on my summer field gate asking people not to feed and explaining they are on strict diets other wise they could DIE (written in red) of laminitus - bit extreme but I dont know what else to do
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If the horses have been reported and nothing done the chances are nothing needs doing

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I'm not sure you can assume that if it were the RSPCA only that have been involved
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If hes the one at Salthouses he looks pretty well, although the amount of ragwort in the field is an issue.
He has water, food and shelter, many horses would give their eye teeth for all that.
 
If you have any concerns about a horse then contact the World Horse Welfare on their welfare telepnone number or the BHS Welfare Department. World Horse Welfare will ring you back after the site visit and update you so you will know if they are doing anything or the reason why they will take no further action.
 
thanks guys

Firstly he is the cob - much slimmed since I last saw him - 6 months ago in saltmarsh opposite the fish and chip shop, unkempt, dirty and alone.

I own a small herd of horses - all live out a mile from the sea.. so I do understand the 5 freedoms and the need for movement/rug free and natural living - I endorse it. But not contrary to welfare, my old horses have rugs! and a roam in dutch barn and hay and short feeds accordingly... they play and interact in EVERY WEATHER they never look dejected - NEVER!

He doesnt have enough grass... its the lenght of the soil -the saltmarshes are open to the sea - no windbreaks - it is harsh on some days. a trailer is not shelter. there is no adequate food. The birds fly in because the fresh water supply - the ditch is a danger in terms of sinking.

IMO

This is a horse who lives in solitary confinement from his co-specifics, and is denied many of the welfare freedoms we should endorse in a modern society.

I will wait for a kind offer of another view this week/ and then contact BHS welfare.

thanks for responding... one and all -at least I have tried again to help him.
 
thank you Jemima two - I hope that others that may raise a welfare issue dont feel intimidated and bullied by the tone or the comments of your posts. Fortunatly I have kept horses in a natural herd (more than 2 horses) for 25 yrs, so I do understand your points. I have never had a reported incident that my horses were, cold, fat, hungry, starved, injured etc.,, I hope I never do. I work to acheive BEST PRACTICE standard.

please think before you post there is no need for point scoring - it isnt really very helpful - nor is the opposing arguement for arguements sake.
 
Good grief - how am I bullying or intimidating anyone? I pointed out that the horse in question has the five freedoms, by what you say in your post, with the possible exception of companionship which may or may not be in his best interests.

The only bullying or intimidating here is the tone of your response to my post, point scoring is being done only by you.
 
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