Do You Report For Neglect?

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TooHotToTrot

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There is an unfortunate horse on our yard who is generally neglected by his owners. They seem to think he is some sort of toy that only needs to be dealt with when they can be bothered.

He can go for days on end standing in a filthy stable with no sight of these people - luckily other livery owners notice his plight and give him hay and water, but if it wasn't for these horse loving other owners, he would stand there with nothing.

Should these people be reported for neglecting the horse? It is tricky because as the other owners are looking out for him he is not actually suffering, and is therefore technically getting his basic requirements - although he is left standing in a filthy stable. It appears that he is mucked out about every 7-10 days - and no he is not even of deep litter.

The owners are totally rude, so its not worth even trying to talk to them directly. It appears they have no equine knowledge and have just acquired themselves another "accessory".

Does anybody have any thoughts?
 
Surely your yard manager has a duty to speak to the owners if you all have concerns. That would be the first step I would think and if nothing improves then yeah....report them. I wouldn't hesitate if it has been discussed with them and they then choose to do nothing. He is their responsibility and shouldn't have to depend on the charity of other liveries.
 
The answer is YES. Unequivocally, without doubt. I don't even see it as a question - just do it.

No-one has the right to neglect their animal, and everyone who is allowing it to continue is a party to the neglect. The poor horse can't phone anyone, but you can.

I no longer care if I upset people, I decided to stand up and be counted when it comes to animal welfare, no matter what others think.

If possible, tackle the owners next time they come. If they are rude, just stand your ground and say it's not acceptable, quietly but firmly. If you are worried, then get a few people to back you up.

Or ring a welfare organisation. Someone rang the RSPCA about a neglected dog near me, they came and stuck a warning on the gate and came back the following day to speak to the owner. Not sure they are always as good with horses, but worth a try, and then ring others if no response.

You will feel much better once you have done something, even if you are embarrassed.
 
TooHotToTrot said:
The yard owner is totally uninterested in anything that the DIY owners do. They are just left to get on with it.
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They have a duty of care - so can be as uninterested as they like, but are just as liable for action to be taken against them in a case of proven neglect.

Don't hang around - call the BHS welfare line and explain the situation. They can then make a start on getting it sorted.
 
Cases like this make me so incredibly angry! Report them! They don't deserve this horse if thats their attitude!
 
I would speak to them myself, but they are at the stables so infrequently I rarely see them. Even when they do bother to come, they are never there before 11am - when I am already at work, and if they bother to do a pm visit they are long gone by the time I get there at about 5:30.

They are very objectionable people who think they know everything, and consider everybody else (no matter how highly qualified) to be idiots.
 
Keep us posted on how you get on with whichever welfare org you contact. But BHS or WHW would be who I would contact.
 
Yes report them to the RSPCA who have updated their criteria along with their current guidelines which are

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
4. Freedom to behave normally
5. Freedom from fear and distress

New government guidelines on animal welfare in England come into force today – including some new requirements for horse owners.

The requirements come as part of a welfare code of practice, which has the backing of charities including the RSPCA.

For horses the code includes the following points:
• Fields should be kept clear of dangerous objects and poisonous plants.
• Water troughs and containers should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of algae and other debris. Any cleaning substance should not be toxic to horses.
• Stabled horses should receive appropriate exercise daily, unless contrary to veterinary advice.
• Horses prefer to live in social groups and ideally they should be socialised with members of their own species but, where this is not possible, other animals may be used to provide company.
• Saddlery and harness should be correctly fitted, preferably by a qualified saddler or harness fitter.

The RSPCA says it will use the codes mainly to help educate owners. But they can also be used in court to illustrate whether an owner was complying with the Animal Welfare Act.

It seems that at least 2 of the freedom codes are not being met by the owners and it is worth phoning the RSPCA and pointing it out to them.

I feel for you though having to watch people mistreat their horses, it is a horrible situation and lucky horse that you are around to look out for it. Good luck!
 
There were a couple of owners like that on my old yard. Nice horses too, poor things. Yes report and take photographs too in case they do a sudden tidy up before an official visit.
 
Ok, not saying it is right and definitely agree with others that you should contact someone but are you sure they aren't coming down everyday? I only ask as sometimes people schedules just differ, there are some people I never see on my yard. I would keep a written down record of events, including when you think they have/haven't been there, when there was/wasn't food/water, etc. Sometimes when you care so much seems worse than it is.

Does the horse get out of its stable at all, ridden or turnout wise?
 
I'd take photos and get in contact with the WHW (ilph). They are discreet and YO or YM has to keep an eye on things, it wouldn't look good to see an RSPCA or WHW van parked in their yard.
 
LMuirEDT said:
No, just asking some questions... as I said, yes I think u should contact someone but make sure you can give them some firm evidence. Have I said something wrong????
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No, just the situation as described is enough to warrant action now. The only thing I'd like is a bit of back-up from those (also?) doing the mercy-feeding.

I also wouldn't leave a horse knee-deep in sh!t. Never heard of thrush and knackered breathing due to ammonia inhalation? Poor thing.

As for the people on your yard that you never see - do their horses look as if they are never seen to?
 
brighteyes said:
No, just the situation as described is enough to warrant action now. The only thing I'd like is a bit of back-up from those (also?) doing the mercy-feeding.

I also wouldn't leave a horse knee-deep in sh!t. Never heard of thrush and knackered breathing due to ammonia inhalation? Poor thing.

As for the people on your yard that you never see - do their horses look as if they are never seen to?
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As you say if everyone gets together u can have more weight behind you and get more done.
 
Benji1 said:
Cases like this make me so incredibly angry! Report them! They don't deserve this horse if thats their attitude!
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I feel exactly the same. People like this make my blood boil, they don't want to look after it, but will not sell it either. In the meantime, the poor horse suffers :mad:
 
I wish they wouldn't alert us to these cases, ask for our opinion and then disappear leaving us wondering! It upsets me to see even 'well-cared for' animals short of some freedoms and 'competition value' put before essential needs - to hear of abject neglect infuriates me.

I can, however appreciate the nerve it might take others to speak out against someone else on their yard.
 
I can't see if it says on here if the horse has turnout or not? If he's DIY I am imagining not, unless it's assisted DIY, but it says the YO leaves the DIYs to themselves.

So, is he standing in a stable 24/7 with no hay, feed, water or excercise? (apart from being hayed and watered by the other liveries?)

Any news? Also, does he get daily turnout??
 
I am also intrigued by the number of people that start off posts of this nature and then completely dissapear!!!

The yard owner does now have a responsibility for any welfare issues on their yards under current legislation and they can be prosecuted if they are found to have allowed a welfare issue on continue on their yard.

If any of you have Welfare issues regarding horses then please contact:

BHS Welfare line Tel: 01926 707791 08.30 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.

World Horse Welfare Tel: 08000 480180
 
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