I Keep Getting Reported To The RSPCA :(

She's lovely! She would look better with more weight on though. Def get her teeth checked by the vet or an equine dentist - my mare needs hers done every 6 months or she gets sharp edges and can't chew her food properly and it falls out the sides of her mouth and gets wasted. Maybe also get a worm count done by the vet. Can you change the hay to haylage, which is more fattening and give it ad lib? When the spring comes, it might be worth seeing if you can mover her somewhere with really good grass for a month or so because its the most effective way of getting weight on. Lovely mare though.
 
I don't think she looks too bad, a bit thin but its to be expected really with an older TB who lives out.......still, you dont deserve the harassment from these people.
Following on from everyone elses advice i do think it would be a good idea to section her off and give her extra hay.....perhaps a bale in the morning and see how she gets on with it and as mentioned before split her feeds up into 3/4 smaller ones
smile.gif
 
I have to say I think she does look poor. As has already been suggested by others I'd up her forage, she needs at least a small bale to herself. Perhaps get the vet out to do a thorough MOT, and then at least you can throw that back at your neighbours. Good luck
 
Sorry to here your in a rubbish situation.
I have to ditto what others have said re the need for additional hay in the field, ideally adlib if the other horses are ok to be fed this. If not can she be given her own section in the field to be given her own hay until she puts on a bit more weight?
With regards to her feed, when my tb type veteran (hes not a tb just that build) lost weight we did have to try several feeds before we found the ideal one for him. The best we found was a barley based feed, initially was Allen & Page Weight Gain, but we have since changed to the rolled barley as a straight, as it is quite a bit cheaper than weight gain. In additon he get a veteran mix, oils & a digestive supplement.
I would definately get her teeth check as this can be the source of countless problems, mine doesnt have any joining molars left but is still plodding along happily! But by knowing this info we could adjust his diet accordingly. He cant actually eat hay & has issues with certain lengths of grass, so requires a different feed regime to a normal horse.
Good luck with sorting you mare out & dont let this people get to you! If the RSPCA are happy you are clearly doing something right!
 
[ QUOTE ]
ladylou.jpg


to be honest I dont think shes getting enough feed.
how many horses are sharing the 1 bale of hay? is there any chance you could get the large round bales and have say 2 out so the horses have adblib hay and that no one gets kicked off it?

[/ QUOTE ]
well we put out a bale in the morning and one a night, but separate it round so if one gets kicked off theres always like 4 other piles to go to
smile.gif
 
to be fair though even 4 spare piles of hay isnt that much if the same horse is being kicked off the hay - i know this as one of mine was always kicking one of the others off but making sure she never settled for more than one mouthful at a time.

i feed my by the large round bales and they nearly always have 2 bales on the go at any one time (i have 5 in the field sharing)
i would consider moving the mare to her own part of the paddock where she can eat as much as she wants of her hay without running the risk of not getting any or put more out eg large round bales so theres always some for her.
 
Is it good quality hay? I know it can be tough to get good stuff at this time of year. I do think she needs a bit more condition, she is not dreadful and the spring grass will come through soon and help, but ideally you would want more condition on her at this time of year.

I would actually speak to the RSPCA if they come again and see what their advice would be on getting some weight onto her as they may have some ideas, or call somewhere like the WHW Advice Line perhaps? They will not condemn you for asking for advice at all and may have some good ideas
smile.gif
 
before you double rug, check her temperature, it could be shes overheating with the rug shes got on so youd only make her worse if you double rugged.

could she be too warm as she does have a winter coat/not clipped in the pic you put up?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is she wormed up to date? Is she rugged in the cold? Sorry if you've said this, I haven't read the whole thread in depth.

[/ QUOTE ]
yeah she was wormed about a week or 2 ago and i rugged all winter, but next winter i will double rug her to see if that will help
smile.gif
 
Hi

Now I have seen the picture, yes this girl is definitely not getting the nutrition she needs. You said she had lost a foal last year? It could be she is lacking in trace elements too so without wanting to stick an oar in or complicate things, I would follow this path.

1. Ensure she receives a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement (if she is not getting enough feed to give her that, you are ahead of the game if she gets her vits and mins regularly.

2. It is vital to ensure her teeth are up to grinding the hay and feed so please get them checked.

3. Add oil to her feed, a mug a day at least (build up gradually).

4 Check your hay quality - if it is old or poor, all it is doing is providing fibre and bulk and NO nutrients so she will not get anything from it to put weight on.

5. Try to do a worm egg count and look at your worming programme, she may need a change of wormer talk to your vet.

6. Her coat is quite dull which could indicate she is deficient in something. There is a vitamin liquid you can get from your vet which you can fed at 10 ml a day (administer with a needle less syringe) it is called VEtmin. Your vet may want to give her a Vitamin B12 shot too.

7. Older mares do lose a lot of muscle tone which can make them look worse as their stomach muscles droop and their back can also look swayed if they have been broodmares and natural wastage of muscle occurs when they have been broodmares.

She looks like a lovely girl. Please accept that everybody on this board wants to help you and your mare. Although she is light in condition you clearly care very much for her and it has been horrid for you. So I think two things, double check you are doing all you can for your mare's well being, and also do what you need to to get those people off your back. Good luck xx
 
sorry havent ready every reply....

can you swap hay for haylage so she gets more calories per mouthful?

iv had 2 TB's now, one a VERY poor doer and one just your average TB poor doer!!!
whats has worked for them is winergy equilibrium condition, plus charnwood milling linseed meal and speedibeet.
the linseed in particular is good value as a bag should last 2-3 months, as you only need to feed 2 coffee mugs a day.you could just try adding that to the buid up?
 
QR: people like this are so annoying, if you have explained to them you are doing your best and the RSPCA are not worried then they should stop calling, their calls could be taking up the time of a realy rscpa case! grrrr


Having seen your photos, yes she is underweight but not a welfare case.
As has already been suggested try upping her hay and feed and checking her teeth. Also are they grazed on that field all year round as there looks to be little grass growing (it could just be the photo was taken in the muddy part)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is it good quality hay? I know it can be tough to get good stuff at this time of year. I do think she needs a bit more condition, she is not dreadful and the spring grass will come through soon and help, but ideally you would want more condition on her at this time of year.

I would actually speak to the RSPCA if they come again and see what their advice would be on getting some weight onto her as they may have some ideas, or call somewhere like the WHW Advice Line perhaps? They will not condemn you for asking for advice at all and may have some good ideas
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
yeah its good hay
smile.gif
and we got 30 bales delivered last week so theres no shortage lol. and about the RSPCA, its got to the point now where theyre fed up with being called out that they just stand at the gate and say everythings fine because theyve had the same story over and over again, they know the other people well and know theyre just being cruel. i dont really think this is neglect and abuse though, do you?
frown.gif
 
No, I don't think you're abusing her but I know that these resources are there to be used that's all
smile.gif
She does need more condition, so there is no shame in asking for advice on that issue, any more than there would be in asking an instructor if you were having a problem with your riding.
 
[ QUOTE ]
QR: people like this are so annoying, if you have explained to them you are doing your best and the RSPCA are not worried then they should stop calling, their calls could be taking up the time of a realy rscpa case! grrrr


Having seen your photos, yes she is underweight but not a welfare case.
As has already been suggested try upping her hay and feed and checking her teeth. Also are they grazed on that field all year round as there looks to be little grass growing (it could just be the photo was taken in the muddy part)

[/ QUOTE ]
youre right about the muddy field, but thats right by the entrance and feeding shelter where the hay is put out so it gets muddy in the winter times, but the rest of the field is fine
smile.gif

and youre right about the RSPCA! they know my horse very well from the amount of times theyve been called out, so when they come over all the do is stand by the fence and say 'keep feeding her the build up food, in a month or so she will be back to her old self just like every other year'
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi

Now I have seen the picture, yes this girl is definitely not getting the nutrition she needs. You said she had lost a foal last year? It could be she is lacking in trace elements too so without wanting to stick an oar in or complicate things, I would follow this path.

1. Ensure she receives a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement (if she is not getting enough feed to give her that, you are ahead of the game if she gets her vits and mins regularly.

2. It is vital to ensure her teeth are up to grinding the hay and feed so please get them checked.

3. Add oil to her feed, a mug a day at least (build up gradually).

4 Check your hay quality - if it is old or poor, all it is doing is providing fibre and bulk and NO nutrients so she will not get anything from it to put weight on.

5. Try to do a worm egg count and look at your worming programme, she may need a change of wormer talk to your vet.

6. Her coat is quite dull which could indicate she is deficient in something. There is a vitamin liquid you can get from your vet which you can fed at 10 ml a day (administer with a needle less syringe) it is called VEtmin. Your vet may want to give her a Vitamin B12 shot too.

7. Older mares do lose a lot of muscle tone which can make them look worse as their stomach muscles droop and their back can also look swayed if they have been broodmares and natural wastage of muscle occurs when they have been broodmares.

She looks like a lovely girl. Please accept that everybody on this board wants to help you and your mare. Although she is light in condition you clearly care very much for her and it has been horrid for you. So I think two things, double check you are doing all you can for your mare's well being, and also do what you need to to get those people off your back. Good luck xx

[/ QUOTE ]
thank you so much
laugh.gif
youve definately given me loads to think about. ill get her teeth checked soon and the next time the vet it out ill have him take a look at her to suggest the best oils etc to help her
smile.gif
and yes she has lost alot of muscle from her behind from lack of exercise over the past few months from poor weather but as soon as the good weather and good grass comes through im sure she'll improve loads
smile.gif
thank you for your help!! xx
 
qr

to be honest with any poor doer, particularly TB's I would ad lib their hay, she needs to be separated via leccy fence or similar and give her as much as she can tuck away.

3-4 slices will not be enough for her, my section D is an exceptionally good doer but this time of year and with the rubbish winter we have had, and he comes in at night, he has adlib pretty much of haylage and looks just about right and doesnt do heavy work.

All the other bits that teeth, worming etc, and wouldnt worry about too much riding until she picks up a bit.

Rather than report you it would have been better if these know alls had advised you that a horse like her needs more forage!

Good luck with her she looks lovely! Whereabouts in oxon are you? (pm me if you prefer!)

smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
qr

to be honest with any poor doer, particularly TB's I would ad lib their hay, she needs to be separated via leccy fence or similar and give her as much as she can tuck away.

3-4 slices will not be enough for her, my section D is an exceptionally good doer but this time of year and with the rubbish winter we have had, and he comes in at night, he has adlib pretty much of haylage and looks just about right and doesnt do heavy work.

All the other bits that teeth, worming etc, and wouldnt worry about too much riding until she picks up a bit.

Rather than report you it would have been better if these know alls had advised you that a horse like her needs more forage!

Good luck with her she looks lovely! Whereabouts in oxon are you? (pm me if you prefer!)

smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ] yes you are so right
smile.gif
and its true, if they had any worries or concerns they shouldve came and talked to me instead of getting the RSPCA involved.
my horses are kept in Eynsham/Cassington
smile.gif
 
i would report it to the police and keep evidence of it all and report each 'new' thing as it goes along, which will hopefully not be for long.

i would also get the mares teeth done asap and feed her adib hay so she has free access to it all the time- it may be less wasteful to put it into haynets.
my 16h good doer gets through a bale of hay a day on her own, so i think you could up the fibre intake alot.

and add in a high oil chaff like alfa a oil and feed her as many times a day as possible.

and make sure her worm counts are done and her tape/encysted are covered using equest promax or similar wormer.

and keep her warm and well rugged.

and stay off facebook or change your account.

situation sounds horrid, hope it gets sorted!
 
ditto above really just all thing that have been said
get teeth cheacked or any underlining problems for the reason her being underweight
give more forage
try and divide into three or four feeds to help her digest it more
also there are plenty of feed places that help with making a diet programs based on that horses needs
make sure worming is correct with a worm count
and also i wouldnt ride till she atleast picked up
 
Thanks everyone
smile.gif

and about the riding, ive only ridden her about 2 or 3 times in the past 2 months since the weather has improved a bit, buts its not really working its just a walk around a few fields, thats all
smile.gif
x
 
[ QUOTE ]
How thick is her rug, lightweight, mediumweight, heavyweight?

[/ QUOTE ]
im not too sure tbh, i think a medium or heavy weight. but next winter im going to double rug her to see if it helps
smile.gif
x
 
450g is a HW rug
smile.gif


As for the oil, my horse gets cheapest frying oil (he loves it! rest of horses on yard get veggie oil
tongue.gif
)

I think the first thing you need to do is get her teeth checked, because apart from the feed if the teeth are sharp then the bit would be rather uncomfortable in her mouth when you are riding her
smile.gif


Good luck with the weight, and imo, do a worm count before you worm her, no point pouring chemicals down throat if not needed
smile.gif
 
Read the whole post and nothing new to add that has not already been said by people with far more knowledge than me. I just wanted to say that this is HHO at its best!!! Great advice, OP taking on board everything and no one resorting to name calling.
Today I remembered why i joined!
To the OP-lovely looking mare hope things turn out ok for you both.
 
OK, I wouldn't have any horse of mine in this condition. Not being nasty but she looks a bit rough. Here's what I would do-
1. Book decent equine dentist to some out and do her teeth ASAP if they haven't been done
2. Buy some new rugs, a decent heavy weight (premier equine, fal, rambo or similar) its coming up to spring so you should pick up some bargains in the sales. You can adjust rug layers as need be, but my fully clipped 14.2hh is out all winter wearing his premier equine HW and mark todd under rug duvet thing and is warm and fat as a house and not a great doer.
3. Feed ad lib hay, even better if you can get haylege. Even better if you can buy a round bale feeder (ideally 2) and get two round bales put in. Our group of 4 that live out go through 2 large round bales of hay in a week all through the winter. One bale of hay a day between 4 is a quarter of the amount they need!!!
4. Feed good quality feed at least twice daily, I would suggest alfa a oil, weight gain mix, sugar beet, oil added extra and maybe some sort of all round conditioner or balancer such as top spec. My competition mares are on three largish feeds daily, and still not fat on this!
5. Ensure she has access to a 3 sided shelter out the wind and rain, not all TB's cope well with living out and this is the least you can do for her.
6. Make sure she's up to date with worming. If not ask your vet for some advise.
I hate to say it but if you financially can't afford to hay or feed her you should find her someone who can and get yourself a more native good doer type who will cope better in these conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top