Escaped stallion

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Ok. Dart guns are considered more dangerous than rifles, as the drug used is extremely hazardous to humans - which is why most escaped animals causing problems in populated areas are shot with bullets. You need an additional licence for a dart gun, and a vet needs to be present to provide the drug. Shotguns are really not ideal for taking down large animals. (Ex-husband was a long-time deer stalker and I have had a couple of interesting conversations with both vets and someone licenced to use a tranquiliser gun.)

If you are concerned about the horse causing an accident on the road, the police can close the road while the situation is dealt with as it is a public safety issue. I doubt the stallion will go far from the mare and his love rival if he is as obsessed as you say he is.

As far as not getting anyone else involved, how ridiculous! How the hell are you going to deal with it with only a few people? Police use carbon dioxide fire extinguishers against dogs, might work on a horse too, to keep him back if he gets too close.

I can't believe nothing has been done - it is extremely negligent and something is likely to get seriously injured, if not killed. Not to mention the distress to the horses involved. Good luck getting any money out of the stallion owner - she sounds like she's not exactly a responsible person.
 
Exasperated said:
That’s rather different, because the traveller’s horses WEREN’T loose and therefore a public threat, when the issue was raised. Police are not concerned with the threat to whatever animals, unless specifically addressed by existing legislation, eg. W&C Act, etc.
If this blighter gets into a public space, police will have to react, as above, where the ‘preventative’ aspect reflects the dangers of a loose deer in a built up area. This deer had jumped in and out of a school playground, and was moseying along a 40mph road when shot. Deer are feral, usually unowned. Damage done by this stallion (which has an owner) when it escapes is the liability of that owner, altho sounds like getting paid out will be tricky! If someone deliberately releases the wretched stallion into a public space and endangers the public, that’s another matter altogether.
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identical situation. This stallion isn't in a public place, he is happily in a field, unfortunately just not his field.

In my case the horses weren't loose and no threat unless they got out or someone deliberately released them in which case it would be the liability of the owner just as here.

Plenty of deer running across our main dual carriageway, often one dead as you drive past. Your area is very different to ours I think. The police don't seem to do much with animals on the road.
On motorways I know they close the road if horses get loose they don't immediately shoot them.
 
Goldie's mum said:
@poppetpony
You have already done more than you need to, if you're just a fellow tenant.
It would be safer for all concerned to leave it to the experts. There are 2 horse owners, a farmer and a vets' practise involved. You can be certain they have come across difficult situations before & they will have a much better idea what to do than strangers on-line who don't know the lay of the land.

I think the main thing for you to be doing is to move your sheep somewhere else. They are on a farm with no sheds or handling facilities.
What breed are they? Will you be gearing up for lambing soon?
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Best option, I agree.
 
paddy555 said:
identical situation. This stallion isn't in a public place, he is happily in a field, unfortunately just not his field.

In my case the horses weren't loose and no threat unless they got out or someone deliberately released them in which case it would be the liability of the owner just as here.

Plenty of deer running across our main dual carriageway, often one dead as you drive past. Your area is very different to ours I think. The police don't seem to do much with animals on the road.
On motorways I know they close the road if horses get loose they don't immediately shoot them.
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I believe it’s to do with the perceived level of ‘public threat’. Most deer keep to the moorland / ruralities, some motorway and dual carriageway stretches do have deer fencing across the UK, but as a general rule police don’t intervene and most deer are unowned anyway.
The comment referenced suggestions made to drive this particular stallion out of the field it has broken into, an animal recognised currently as aggressive and uncatchable, close to a National Speed Limit Highway, and I do expect that will constitute a public threat.
 
I wonder if OP meant the father was a landowner rather than a farmer. If there’s no outbuildings, he’s renting land out and wants everything sorted quietly it seems likely.
OP also seems to be getting quite a hard time for not actually being able to make any decisions since none of the horses are theirs and only asked for some help to relay to a friend.
 
I’m sure you can find someone to dart the stallion. If not park a horse box in the gate and block gaps. Catch gelding or mare and lead them close. If the stallion come near try to herd him in to the horse box , if not get the mare/gelding in and keep the stallion away with a barrage of farmers with lunge whips? Just a stupid idea 😣
 
Exasperated said:
I believe it’s to do with the perceived level of ‘public threat’. Most deer keep to the moorland / ruralities, some motorway and dual carriageway stretches do have deer fencing across the UK, but as a general rule police don’t intervene and most deer are unowned anyway.
The comment referenced suggestions made to drive this particular stallion out of the field it has broken into, an animal recognised currently as aggressive and uncatchable, close to a National Speed Limit Highway, and I do expect that will constitute a public threat.
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It is to do with public threat, just had a conversation with Dogs Officer (about something else entirely), who reminded re incident where a commercially-walked dog absconded and killed four local sheep. It then jumped into a popular nature reserve, with numerous public routes, having been reported by the farmer and several walkers.
That triggered the police: four vans, three marksmen, and was shot by one of them. NB, no urgency when the same dog was ripping up sheep in a private field.
Was when we heard that armed response don’t object to live target practice, which Dogs Officer re confirmed.
No, not telling you which force, for obvious reasons.
 
Thanks for all replies. Not been on today as I'm currently ill.
As I said it's not my situation to sort out and it seems as regards to sharing video to prove it's a real situation I'm damned if I do or damned if I don't. I also take onboard comments about not posting without owners permission and I have no wish to further upset my friend by saying I've posted on here for advice and then sent someone a video.
So you can either believe me or not. I used to post on here years ago but haven't for a long time hence new account as couldn't even remember what my user name was.
I was vaguely saying a farm in Wales as not to be outing and also different UK countries can have different rules.

As for farm..friends dad is old and almost died last year in an accident and is still recovering so doesn't want to get involved all guns blazing. Also maybe farm was the wrong word..think small holding with camp site. No out buildings at all. He used to fatten up cattle years ago and sometimes take on tack sheep. Other than that they have the campsite and make hay every summer to sell. My sheep are currently on tack there and the fencing isn't great due to years of neglect so we've provided electric fencing to ensure our sheep are kept in. Her two horses are pretty mellow and kept on restricted grazing year round using electric fencing so farm fencing is adequate enough for that but not to withstand a randy stallion.

There were the 2 vets, 2 neighbours and my friend and her husband there the other day trying to separate stallion and he was getting more riled up and ended up almost running people over so it wasn't safe to continue.
Owner has said she will bring people herself but not til Monday. She said she's owned him for 10 years and he's never done this before. But no where would take her on with a stallion so somehow she's ended up next door.

Friend has said one vet did check her two over 2 days ago while the other 5 tried to keep the stallion at bay for a moment. He was also concerned that the stallion has injured himself and has a deep cut to hind legs and very overgrown hooves.
Her dad is embarrassed and quite private so didn't want anyone to know about the situation let alone ask anyone local for help.
The number one concern is keeping people safe then number two sorting the horses.
No one wants to risk innocent people if he gets onto the road so that just won't be happening.

She has said he's been calmer today (hopefully worn himself out a bit) and she's managed to go into the field with her husband guarding her to check her two horses and they are as ok as can be.
I will post with an update once situation has been sorted. Tbh I think it's best if they shoot it as owner will remove it somewhere and its not really solving the issue. The neighbours where it came from said the first night that owner was unable to do anything with it or get a head collar on it. Apparently the 6 horses turned up loose in a big box and were unloaded straight out to the field.
Vets are bringing a dart legal vet and also a marksman so it will be dealt with then.
 
poppetpony said:
Thanks for all replies. Not been on today as I'm currently ill.
As I said it's not my situation to sort out and it seems as regards to sharing video to prove it's a real situation I'm damned if I do or damned if I don't. I also take onboard comments about not posting without owners permission and I have no wish to further upset my friend by saying I've posted on here for advice and then sent someone a video.
So you can either believe me or not. I used to post on here years ago but haven't for a long time hence new account as couldn't even remember what my user name was.
I was vaguely saying a farm in Wales as not to be outing and also different UK countries can have different rules.

As for farm..friends dad is old and almost died last year in an accident and is still recovering so doesn't want to get involved all guns blazing. Also maybe farm was the wrong word..think small holding with camp site. No out buildings at all. He used to fatten up cattle years ago and sometimes take on tack sheep. Other than that they have the campsite and make hay every summer to sell. My sheep are currently on tack there and the fencing isn't great due to years of neglect so we've provided electric fencing to ensure our sheep are kept in. Her two horses are pretty mellow and kept on restricted grazing year round using electric fencing so farm fencing is adequate enough for that but not to withstand a randy stallion.

There were the 2 vets, 2 neighbours and my friend and her husband there the other day trying to separate stallion and he was getting more riled up and ended up almost running people over so it wasn't safe to continue.
Owner has said she will bring people herself but not til Monday. She said she's owned him for 10 years and he's never done this before. But no where would take her on with a stallion so somehow she's ended up next door.

Friend has said one vet did check her two over 2 days ago while the other 5 tried to keep the stallion at bay for a moment. He was also concerned that the stallion has injured himself and has a deep cut to hind legs and very overgrown hooves.
Her dad is embarrassed and quite private so didn't want anyone to know about the situation let alone ask anyone local for help.
The number one concern is keeping people safe then number two sorting the horses.
No one wants to risk innocent people if he gets onto the road so that just won't be happening.

She has said he's been calmer today (hopefully worn himself out a bit) and she's managed to go into the field with her husband guarding her to check her two horses and they are as ok as can be.
I will post with an update once situation has been sorted. Tbh I think it's best if they shoot it as owner will remove it somewhere and its not really solving the issue. The neighbours where it came from said the first night that owner was unable to do anything with it or get a head collar on it. Apparently the 6 horses turned up loose in a big box and were unloaded straight out to the field.
Vets are bringing a dart legal vet and also a marksman so it will be dealt with then.
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Has the owner of the Stallion actually consented for its destruction as up thread you stated she was not. However as you say it is something the two owners have to sort out between themselves.
 
You get a lorry and you remove your friends horses asap drive them down the road and away somewhere safe.
I would have done that at once.
The stallion will probably return to the other horses .
Get a solicitor letter to the owner of the stallion saying your friend is going to seek to recover her costs from the stallion owner .
The owner of the field will get rid of stallions owner if they have half a brain .
Awful situation .
 
Can’t believe this is still ongoing, nor that the vets are happy for this to continue. I thought the vet that could dart was coming Thursday? What happened to him? To say they can’t dart when other horses are in the field is ridiculous as if the others could be removed this situation would not be happening. Surely your friend’s family know others in the farming community who would be willing to help - at the very least to get your friend’s horses out and I’m sure one of them would offer a safe haven until the stallion is dealt with. Everyone involved seems to be incompetent.
 
poppetpony said:
Vets are bringing a dart legal vet and also a marksman so it will be dealt with then.
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I'm throughly confused now. The owner is coming on Monday and bringing people with her to sort things out. When is the vet coming? Are the dart legal vet and marksman two separate people who can each shoot? If so, what's the marksman for, because nobody has the right to shoot this horse dead at the moment?
 
This situation is exceptionally confusing and has grown arms & legs as it’s continued. No reason why the stallion can’t be darted and gelded at the same time although it would still need somewhere to live afterwards. My concern would be about the other ponies who apparently are all geldings, what’s there future or does the owner just collect colt foals because they’re cheap to buy?
If l was involved l would be beyond furious that someone was trying to ‘help’ by posting on an open forum especially as this seems to have moved to ‘he said, she said and then ……..’
I hope the horses are removed tomorrow and the fencing is sorted to a functional standard. It would be good to know the situation has been resolved.
 
poppetpony said:
Friend has said one vet did check her two over 2 days ago while the other 5 tried to keep the stallion at bay for a moment.
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If it's possible "to keep the stallion at bay" long enough for the vet to examine the mare, it might be possible to load her into a lorry if she's a good loader under normal circumstances.
 
Keith_Beef said:
If it's possible "to keep the stallion at bay" long enough for the vet to examine the mare, it might be possible to load her into a lorry if she's a good loader under normal circumstances.
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It's the stallion I feel sorry for in all this tbh. And now he's been injured.

It's not his fault, it's almost easy to vilify him, and I'd undoubtedly feel different if it was my mare and gelding but he's just doing what comes naturally.

If I read it correctly (and my brain was frying at that point) he was thrown in a field with others in the field adjoining the mare and gelding and jumped/crashed into the other field. Poor horse. I hope he finds peace and isn't too traumatised at what lies ahead for him. RIP boy, by the person who let you down.

Abd I'm sorry about the mare and gelding too.
 
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Birker2020 said:
It's the stallion I feel sorry for in all this tbh.

It's not his fault, it's almost easy to vilify him, and I'd undoubtedly feel different if it was my mare and gelding but he's just doing what comes naturally.
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I'm deliberately not vilifying the stallion, just suggesting that what had already been proposed by others up-thread (i.e. remove the mare from the situation) might be less impossible than some of OP's statements imply.
 
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Keith_Beef said:
I'm deliberately not vilifying the stallion, just suggesting that what head already been proposed by others up-thread (i.e. remove the mare from the situation) might be less impossible than some of OP's statements imply.
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Aoologies, I wasn't picking/accusing anyone but it's just so sad for all involved and so preventable with a bit of common sense.
 
Birker2020 said:
It's the stallion I feel sorry for in all this tbh. And now he's been injured.

It's not his fault, it's almost easy to vilify him, and I'd undoubtedly feel different if it was my mare and gelding but he's just doing what comes naturally.

If I read it correctly (and my brain was frying at that point) he was thrown in a field with others in the field ajoining the mare and gelding and jumoed/crashed into the other field. Poor horse. I hope he finds peace and isn't too traumatised at what lies ahead for him.

Abd I'm sorry about the mare and gelding too.
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I think he arrived in a field 2 fields away from mare and gelding with 5 other horses (all geldings) loose in a box. It appears the mare in this situation is the only one around and he's made a beeline for her.

I feel sorry for him too. Owned for 10 years so has to be at least 10/11 now and never handled (I'm guessing older as if owned from a foal it would have been handled on some way when small). That's 10 years of no farrier attention or checking over and now he's injured and owner won't be able to treat without darting every time.

And my next question- once separated what's being put in place to stop it happening again? Once used/covered I'd doubt gelding will calm his hormones very much short term.
 
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