Concerned for horses on a field

[Shellbell]

Hi all.
I don’t know if this is somewhere I can post about my concerns but I really feel I am running out of ways to try and help these poor horses.
there is a large open field next to my house. In this field are approx ten horses (2 are foals) the horses have no man made shelter and very little in the form of trees and bushes. They have no hay or fresh water they are all living off the grass alone. There are 2 male horses in the field that haven’t been ‘done’ and they have gotten 2 of the mates pregnant last year. They had their babies in the field all alone and no one ever goes to tend to them. The mates are once again pregnant!
the weather here is absolutely horrendous and these poor animals are just stood in the wind and rain eating grass like it’s all they have ever known. I don’t know much about horses so I would really like to know whether someone should help them or if they are actually ok to live in these conditions.? I know they are quite resilient animals but they all look like they have lost the will to live and they just exist now in this field with no one even coming to check on them and give them hay and water.
any info or advice is massively appreciated as rspca aren’t interested in helping at all.

 

[Leo Walker]

If theres grass in the field to eat then they don't need hay. When I've had horses out on a large acreage I've not needed to hay them. Horses can adapt to extreme weather conditions, especially if they are cobby types. They grow huge thick coats and will stand with their bums to the wind and rain to provide their own shelter.

Do they look thin at all? If not I wouldn't worry.

 

[Shellbell]

I don’t know what a cobby type is sorry and I’m not sure if they are considered thin either I can try and get pictures of them and post them if it would help

 

[HeyMich]

I don’t know what a cobby type is sorry and I’m not sure if they are considered thin either I can try and get pictures of them and post them if it would help

Yes, photos would be good, but might be tricky - you don't want to start spreading false claims or rumours on an open web forum - make sure the photos don't identify the property or owners!

Cobby type - chunky, usually have hairy legs/feet and thick-set neck. Designed for living out in all weathers!
Thin - can you see their ribs?
Water - you say there is no fresh water provided - are there deep puddles or a watercourse for them to access at least?
Hay - agree with LW - they don't need hay if there is plenty of grass. Is the field mostly mud or still green from afar?

If you are still concerned, please call World Horse Welfare (WHW) or another local welfare charity, who should be able to advise.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on x

 

[Orangehorse]

OP, telephone the British Horse Society at Stoneleigh. They have welfare people covering all counties. They are experienced horse owners who have contacts if further action is necessary. It certainly sounds as though something needs to be done for their welfare.
Horses don't necessarily need hay, if there is sufficient grass and they are on a large area, and natural shelter of hedges and trees can be sufficient, but it all depends on the actual circumstances and it doesn't sound as these are having much care or supervision.

A BHS person would know if the owners just need advice or if the RSPCA or World Horse Welfare would need to be called in and probably have the correct person to contact.

 

[JFTDWS]

If they have access to food and water, and are not obviously neglected (long, curled up toes, emaciated, lack of veterinary attention), there's not much any organisation will be able to do. You can always contact the British Horse Society, or World Horse Welfare and see if they can send a welfare officer around to give an informed opinion.

Do you actually know that nobody comes to check on them? If they're abandoned, the BHS or WHW can intervene, but I would think they're being checked when you're not watching them (although possibly not sufficiently...).