First obesity cruelty case goes to court

[Guinness]

Don't you who has seen this yet, but thought it was interesting!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/290530.html

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Saw that yesterday.
That pony is ridiculously massive - I was so shocked.
Good on them for prosecuting.

 

[Spudlet]

Excellent news.

Obesity in horses is a dreadful problem and is still not widely recognsied by the horsey population IMO (some of the showing classes I saw this summer showed that - I can't imagine some of those 'working hunters' lasting a day without having a heart attack, they were so wibbly!)

An obese horse is so much harder to put right than an emaciated one, and its long term prognosis is also much worse.

 

[Guinness]

[ QUOTE ]

An obese horse is so much harder to put right than an emaciated one, and its long term prognosis is also much worse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes thats what I found interesting, and something that not many people know (but should do).

 

[AmyMay]

I think that this has been slightly misrepresented. The case is about the overall cruelty and lack of care of two animals. And just one of the issues was obesity.

 

[QUICKFIRE]

Does anybody know what the 10pm to 6am curfew was imposed for ?

 

[Spudlet]

Makes sense when you think about it - if a horse is emaciated just because it hasn't been given enough to eat that's easy to fix, and so long as it was a fully grown horse it will probably be fine for the rest of its days (emaciated babies are different as of course they needs nutrients to grow properly so can have other problems in later life).

But a former fatty can have joint problems, heart problems, laminitus... the list goes on - and of course they will also always be prone to weight gain so subsequent owners have to watch them like hawks

It also takes much longer to get weight off a horse than to get weight on, so if they end as welfare cases they cost the charities more to rehabilitate

 

[Guinness]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that this has been slightly misrepresented. The case is about the overall cruelty and lack of care of two animals. And just one of the issues was obesity.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe so, but its all good publicity.

 

[Spudlet]

They were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the mare that was PTS, and failing to meet the needs of the obese stallion. So their conviction as it relates to the stallion would seem to be all about obesity.

http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/latest-news?view=show&content_id=3126

 

[brighteyes]

And WHW and The Blue Cross ought to have been at HOYS...

I was disgusted by the number of 'PURPOSELY-CONDITIONED-to-a-state-of-being-horribly-overweight' show pony and horse contenders

Totally out of proportion, no shoulder and hindlimb to body definition, massive crests. Outrageous and just as cruel as these animals were expected to perform - most of them under saddle and many over fences.

 

[Tickles]

I wondered about the curfew too... and agree that it is good publicity. I saw some shocking things when looking for a share horse (probably made worse by lack of exercise, hence being advertised for share...).

 

[Spudlet]

I was so shocked at some of the horses at Dublin Show, really really fat. Such a contrast to the fit showjumpers in the next ring

 

[JadeWisc]

I am wondering what this is supposed to do as punishment foranimal cruelty? Odd

"and given a curfew which forces the couple to remain resident in their home between the hours of 10pm and 6am. "

 

[wildpoppywild]

as someone who has a pony with on going weight issues and that has been obese in the past it's something that is so hard to put right, it take good routine and consistency

unfortunately with pop she wont hack alone wont school alone in the field we have so i'm incredibly limited to what i can do with her but we manage to keep her to a manageable weight with grazing muzzles etc

what a poor wee soul to be allowed to get into that state

looks at the size of its crest

that is gonna take years to get put right. ur looking at 9 months minimum for an overweight pony but that?? its just shocking

 

[brighteyes]

<font color="blue">as someone who has a pony with on going weight issues </font> (etc.,)


But at least you are doing something constructive about it!

 

[Puppy]

Yes, very sadly my vet was saying to me just this evening how she's seeing far, far too many grossly over weight horses and ponies atm

 

[Paula18]

This case was in my area. The story is in my local paper with a lovely pic of the stallion who has now reached his ideal weight and looks fab. He has been well cared for at Penny Farm in Blackpool with the help of a dietician. It should never of happened but it is nice to know that he is now on the mend and being looked after.
I have a cob on loan who was grossly overweight when i got her. she has lost 50 kg in 12 months and still needs to loose more. I totally agree with the comment that it is much harder to get the weight off than get it on it is such a lengthy process. We are getting there slowly but surely = a much happier and healthier horse!!

 

[amandaco2]

too many fat horses about! it is cruel. laminitis alone is a good reason to keep them trim.
i dont get the curfew either. is that incase they sneek out at night under cover of darkness to feed someone elses horse..?!