Kitei
Well-Known Member
Again, thank you to everyone for their really kind words. I think we're all in a bit of shock, honestly. Yesterday was just supposed to be a routine check on the field horses, and it was such a tragic outcome.
This is the letter I've drafted to post to the local houses.
"Dear Householder,
Following the death of one of our beloved horses on the 27th June, we felt it necessary to write this letter to alert you all of the dangers of feeding or throwing waste into a field where horses reside.
Gem died as a result of colic, caused by botulism, after ingesting garden waste tipped into our field. She suffered a twisted gut due to a build-up of gas in her stomach. Botulism is caused primarily by fermented fruits and grains, including apples and grass cuttings. Gem was a much loved member of our family, and we are heart broken by her loss.
We appreciate that many of you love to see our horses from your gardens, and we love that they are so cared for by the community. For the sake of our remaining horses, we ask that you do not feed or throw anything into their field, including but not limited to:
• Garden waste – grass cuttings, tree clippings, branches, leaves
• Fruit and vegetables – apples in particular are very high in sugar and ferment very quickly
• Rubbish – there was an incident earlier this month in which a large shard of glass was removed from a hoof
In a separate matter, we have had a report of an unknown male entering our field and inspecting our gate and horses. This has been reported to the police and is being treated as a criminal matter. If you notice any suspicious activity around or in the field, we please ask that you call 999 and report it as an incident in progress.
We can be contacted on 01606 351069 if you have any need to do so. Many of you have been very helpful over the past few days in alerting us when Gem was sick, and for that we are very grateful.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter,
-our names-"
This is the letter I've drafted to post to the local houses.
"Dear Householder,
Following the death of one of our beloved horses on the 27th June, we felt it necessary to write this letter to alert you all of the dangers of feeding or throwing waste into a field where horses reside.
Gem died as a result of colic, caused by botulism, after ingesting garden waste tipped into our field. She suffered a twisted gut due to a build-up of gas in her stomach. Botulism is caused primarily by fermented fruits and grains, including apples and grass cuttings. Gem was a much loved member of our family, and we are heart broken by her loss.
We appreciate that many of you love to see our horses from your gardens, and we love that they are so cared for by the community. For the sake of our remaining horses, we ask that you do not feed or throw anything into their field, including but not limited to:
• Garden waste – grass cuttings, tree clippings, branches, leaves
• Fruit and vegetables – apples in particular are very high in sugar and ferment very quickly
• Rubbish – there was an incident earlier this month in which a large shard of glass was removed from a hoof
In a separate matter, we have had a report of an unknown male entering our field and inspecting our gate and horses. This has been reported to the police and is being treated as a criminal matter. If you notice any suspicious activity around or in the field, we please ask that you call 999 and report it as an incident in progress.
We can be contacted on 01606 351069 if you have any need to do so. Many of you have been very helpful over the past few days in alerting us when Gem was sick, and for that we are very grateful.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter,
-our names-"
