Gypsy ponies - WWYD

touchstone said:
Years ago the RSPCA were phoned about a young foal being kep in a storage container, totally enclosed with only a small ventilation grill at the top. It was a boiling hot summer and I honestly don't know how the poor thing survived. It had filthy bedding, dirty water and little food that I could see. The RSPCA did nothing as far as I was aware, the pony wasn't removed or conditions changed.

I doubt that anything will be done with this horse as although it is far from ideal how it is being kept, if is had food, water and a clean bed, then it is a lot better off than many welfare cases. Worth a welfare agency giving the owner advice though.
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I'm afraid touchstone is right, there are plenty of horses being kept in far worse conditions, and the RSPCA doesn't have the resources to deal with every case. If this horse is being fed and watered, they won't be able (or willing) to do anything.

I would carry on giving the poor chap a handful of grass whenever you can, to brighten up his day. It's far from ideal, keeping a horse like this, but it's a fact of life for many and until the law is improved and implemented, not a lot can be done.
 
Llewelyn said:
until the law is improved and implemented, not a lot can be done.
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I'm not a fan of the RSPCA personally, but too many people don't realise they are only able to enforce the law. If the law stinks, what can they do?

Lets get the law sorted first, THEN tackle any crap implementation.
 
xxMozlarxx said:
A horse shut in the dark constantly is acceptable??I don't think so. Of course race horses aren't shut in the dark, and they are trained and exercised, there's no comparison.
There's no reason why a trotter should be anymore of a nutter than any horse, it's the way it's kept that's sending it mad..poor horse
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What you say is correct, obviously, to those who actually give a *****! I wouldn't hold my breath on any agencies getting involved though. We have a very local yard that keeps both horse and dogs locked in a barn for weeks on end without seeing the light of day, or another horse in the stallion's case. The other stallion is stabled 24/7 with turnout for a few hours every 2 weeks so that his stable can be mucked out, it isn't done in between at all. None of the agencies want to know because they are fed and watered and look in good condition. So, as far as I can see you can treat your horse any way you want as long as it looks healthy when they come to check it, if that means weeks on end in the dark then that is fine!
 
Not read all replies so sorry if this has been mentioned but if you are on friendly terms with the owner op could you subtly suggest the boards are replaced by a grill?
 
I think a grille would improve the horses life a lot. I also think that just because the large welfare groups wouldn't be interested doesn't mean you can't improve its lot in life.
 
Sorry - I have been out on site again (feeding the pony grass yet again!) and have only just come back to this :)

Top half is boarded, but with slats so there are gaps for pony to see through probably about 5" wide, but not large enough really to poke nose through. There are no windows, and stable is breeze block, there are 4 other ponies turned out in the same field, so it can see other horses. Pony is probably about 13.2, young ish judging by teeth - and I think its a mare from what I remember from my conversation? Cannot see from outside the stable, and its a sensitive site so I'm not going to cause myself any issues with work by going in. Straw in stable looks cleanish, and its a big size for the size of the pony. Can't see any hay or water in there, but can't get my head over the door to have a proper nosey!

Trouble is, I don't know the owner, only see them sporadically, the other day was the first time in months I've seen this guy. I don't know if anyone knows who the owners area. Police were there 2 weeks ago (asked if the ponies were mine! :eek: ) as there had been reports of one loose on the road, which I can believe given the state of the fencing, but I didn't see anything loose.

There is another really sweet pony thats tethered that I always say hi to to readjust the rug thats far to big for it (has a rug as its clipped) and he always whickers at me :o There's not time in my working day to say hello to the rest, I'd be there all day!
 
leave well alone and accept gypsys do things differently, chances are they are all in decent conditon, its not uncommon for gypsys to use alternitive methods to teach a horse to stay in a stable (be happy horse isnt tied up, or stable door electrified)

a lot of trotters dont do turnout if they are any good they are worth to much money to put in a field, most are normal young and colts so turnout with others will never happen, often they just dont know how to be a horse or to stick a head down and graze hence the being a bit loopy and galloping about.

again you just have to accept it is there ways not yours.
 
and accept gypsys do things differently
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Why does that make it acceptable to lock this pony up 24/7 in a darkened stable?

I very much ope the OP doesn't leave well alone...............
 
Hmm, might give them a call today then.

Luckily being such a public site, the owners are unlikely to know its me..... :o

I just don't know why he can't turn it out with the others in the rubbish fencing - its not ideal, but tbh the other ponies never some to come to any harm from it.
 
If I give the WHW a call, they can go and look without bothering the owner and make their own decision can't they?

The ponies on site are generally well cared for though, and I accept that tethering is not how I'd keep mine, but these seem happy and healthy - and always drop very cute foals (although I'd best not start the indisciminate breeding issue on this post :eek: ) They are hayed (mostly) and watered every day.
 
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