Concerned About Eye Issue in "Abandoned" Horse

[trioceros]

Hello all, first time poster so I hope I'm doing this right!
I want to preface this by saying I have not personally seen the horses in question, but have seen photos and have heard from my friend who has seen them. I am planning to go to see them tomorrow as I have worked around horses for most of my life and want to get a better idea of what is going on.
Near where I live (in Surrey, England), there is a small field where three horses live. One is newer, two have been there for longer. I have not personally seen the horses as they aren't on my side of town, but a few of my friends have and have sent me images. The field does not appear to have fresh water very often, haynets are only put in the field once every two weeks, and there doesn't appear to be any shelter.
I am planning on going tomorrow as I have worked with horses for most of my life and have some knowledge of them. The owners were rarely there, and there was never hay in the field, just patchy, thin grass. The horses were a little on the thin side, but they were riding them occasionally and by the way they walked it looked like the horses were a little older, and their weight may just be age-related (I'm no expert or anything, but I've seen lots of older horses who have been super healthy and well looked after, but were still on the skinny side).
The biggest concern is the newest horse. It appears to have an eye infection. Its eyelid looks sunken, the eye is weeping, and there are flies all over it with no fly mask in sight. This is a photo of the eye. From my knowledge, eye infections in horses are very dangerous and need to be looked at and treated ASAP, with daily application of medications, and a fly mask to protect the eye from flies. According to a woman walking past, there had been a note left saying the RSPCA wanted to talk to the owners, but I cannot confirm or deny this. However, I'm very worried about the horse.
I'm planning to walk up myself tomorrow to get a better look. As it's a Saturday, is my best bet just to call the RSPCA once I am there and can confirm the horse appears to be sick? I don't want the poor thing to be hurt in any way! All other organisations seem to be closed on the weekends, and I just want to help as soon as I can.

 

[Shay]

No need to walk up there yourself. The horse is in need of vet attention - although in fairness it may well be under treatment. You can call the RSPCA - but you would probably be better speaking to world horse welfare. RSPCA are OK in some areas but seriously not in others. I'm in Surrey too (although I accept it is a big county and boundary lines cross). But my experience is that WHW have a more effecitive feild officers than RSPCA.

Call both. But do it tonight. You have no reason to wait and go see yourself. Let the specialists sort it out.

 

[trioceros]

No need to walk up there yourself. The horse is in need of vet attention - although in fairness it may well be under treatment. You can call the RSPCA - but you would probably be better speaking to world horse welfare. RSPCA are OK in some areas but seriously not in others. I'm in Surrey too (although I accept it is a big county and boundary lines cross). But my experience is that WHW have a more effecitive feild officers than RSPCA.

Call both. But do it tonight. You have no reason to wait and go see yourself. Let the specialists sort it out.

I saw the WHW are only open office hours Monday-Friday (unless I misread which is entirely possible) so I was unsure if I could call them tonight. I think I have some other photos of the two original horses looking quite skinny which I can send if they have an email. I do hope they're being treated, but the lack of hay, fresh water, and fly mask makes me doubt it unfortunately. I am near to the Staines/Windsor area (won't be too specific but around that location) and since the RSPCA have apparently already been called, was hoping to call someone else. I'll have another look into the WHW now and see if there's any way for me to get through to them sooner rather than later! I don't want the poor baby to lose its eye or suffer any more.

 

[[131452]]

Also try Redwings and the BHS.