does this horse look neglected?

I would be mortified if our 31 yr old looked like that - it isn't just lack of muscle - it's lack of feed. That horse should have been having ad-lib hay/lage and high-fibre feeds. It is perfectly possible to bring a horse successfully through the winter, unless there is an underlying problem. As for waiting for the grass to grow! Stupidity like that makes me very cross.
 
I wouldn't have a horse looking that poor on my yard.

Just going off that picture & FB comments about not feeding I'm going to say that this is a borderline neglect case. The animals needs are not being met either by feeding or vet care.

I certainly wouldn't be not feeding it because the spring grass is coming!
Even if there was an underlying condition (teeth, worms, virus) whilst I was getting to the bottom of it I would be pouring calories into it like there was no tomorrow not bragging on FB that it didn't need feed.

I think if there must be more to this story than meets the eye. The initial posting of the picture on FB sounds like they have been reported to the RSPCA & offered advice. If they really have commented that the horse doesn't need feeding then yes, I can understand why the horse has been seized.
 
Certainly doesn't look like a case for the RSPCA! A bit light yes but by no means awful. Imagine if it was that far away from perfect weight the other way- would people even notice it was fat? ;)
 
rara007 said:
Certainly doesn't look like a case for the RSPCA! A bit light yes but by no means awful. Imagine if it was that far away from perfect weight the other way- would people even notice it was fat? ;)
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Ooh, you took the words out of my mouth!

Skinny, possibly, lacking muscle, definitely. RSPCA case, no. Better 50kgs under than 50kgs over, in my book and yet as rara says, if it were this far off in the other direction, half the horsey community would think it spot on :rolleyes:
 
I really dislike seeing poor horses, and I think there's no excuse for it. This works the other way as well- fatties are just as bad.

I wouldn't say this was neglect, unless the owner thinks it looks fine. I would be embarrassed to let anyone see the horse (photos or otherwise) until it was looking better though. The same applies for fat horses though- the horse is an advertisement of how well you care for them, so when they're not in correct condition then it reflects poorly on you even if you know there's a good reason for it to look poor.
 
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