Is there anything I can do?

A

Allie5

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 June 2010
Messages
416
Visit site
A bit of background first. Tommy's next door neighbour is a lovely welsh D type youngster who is nearly 3. He is a lovely boy, a bit grabby and pushy but sweet and friendly with it. He just has no concept of personal space! Anyway, his owner has been having some personal problems (broken engagement, lost her car etc etc) and I have been concerned for some time about his care. All the horses were in because of the snow just after christmas, D (the horse in question) ended up out alone(not for long, its a strictly enforced yard rule about no horses out alone) so YO brought him in. Called owner and explained that he was in because every other horse was in so she would need to come up and sort him out. So she did but apparently told YO that they should have just left him out (he was freaking out and dripping in sweat when he came in) and he would have settled eventually. Then we didnt see her for 3 weeks. YO mucked him out (once every 4 or 5 days with sawdust as she had no shavings) and gave him hay when he remembered. Which was just not enough. He was getting dangerous, attacking people over the door for food etc. So I ended up giving him my hay whilst nagging YO to get owner up. He just kept telling me that she's got "issues", no car etc. There is a 15 year old girl on the yard who get 2 buses and walks 1.5miles to get to her horse. Surely she can find some way to get to him. Eventually the horses all went back out and again I havent seen D's owner for about 3 months. Apparently she's up about once a month to check from the field gate that he still has 4 legs etc.

Fast forward to today. Tommy has been coming to call for the past week so I havent actually been down the field for a while but today he was miles away (32 acre winter field) so I walked down to get him. D was lieing down and as I was heading back up the field with Tommy he got up. As soon as he got up I saw that he was tangled in his rug and had his offside hind leg through his surcingle. I tied Tommy's lead rope up and left him (he ambles up to the gate anyway) and went to sort D out. Got to him and loosened his rug off to discover a massive rub that had broken the skin just above his offside hock. The bit that had broken the skin was swollen, puffy, and weeping with yellow ick. The poor boy was crippled and reluctant to put his foot flat on the floor. He was pointing his toe and hobbling. I took Tommy up to the yard and got some help to get D in. He was definately moving better but still I'd say 4 maybe 5/10 lame on that back leg but at least he was putting the foot flat down. Got him in and asked YO to call owner. Took 35 mins to track her down but eventually she said she'd come up. She arrived about an hour later with some friends. I introduced myself (Ive been at that yard for nearly a year and never actually met her) and explained what had happened. I then had to leave as I had promised to take yard kids to watch some showjumping nearby. When I got back about 3.5 hours later D was out in the field. No vet, no fly repellant not even purple spray/wound powder. No vet. Nothing. I am really worried about the poor boy. I think it is infected, there is no telling how long he's had this wound and he is obviously sore. I did say to owner and YO that I thought it needed the vet but I'm so worried about interfering or being the yard nutter! He's not my horse, not my responsibillity but I can see this going so so wrong.

I dont know if I'm asking for practical suggestions or just venting to be honest. I've done everything I can think of but I am dreading watching this poor horse suffering
 
poor horse :(
is there any way the YO can insist on the vet being called?
I would like to think that, if I ever was unreachable, my YM would have the initiative to phone the vet if my horse was injured.

The only other thing you could do, short of phoning the vet yourself, would be to report the owner to the SSPCA or WHW if the injury goes untreated
 
I would be absolutely livid with the owner and even more so with the YO. What a cack situation for you to have to be in. If he's significantly lame on it he probably needs the vet IMO.

I genuinely have no idea on how you should progress. I am very lucky and everyone on my yard and my YM are fantastic so I never have to deal with things like this but I really do sympathise with you.

Could you maybe fetch some hibiscrub and flamazine down to him and do it yourself. Sounds like the owner wouldn't give an eff what you did with him anyway?
 
I would be calling SSPCA shes breaking one of the five freedoms and thats reason enough with the evidence you and YO could give to get horse taken away and rehomed to someone who would actually appreciate it.

xxxxx
 
I probably didn't explain very well as I was a bit upset yesterday. Our yard is pure DIY and YO is a farmer who really knows nothing about horses. When he mucked out D or gave him hay it was because he's too soft. He couldn't see the horse uncomfortable anymore while still trying to give the owner the benefit of the doubt with her "issues" However YO doesn't understand about thrush, capped hocks or ulcers! So I ended up doing more for D during the winter than I really should have. I know I should have pushed YO more to force her to take responsibillity. Now I think about it I should not have left yesterday but stayed and pushed for the vet. I'm heading back up now and we have a laminated livery contract in the yard kitchen which I will be checking. I'm pretty sure it does say YO can call the vet if needed so I will check on D and insist that they call the vet.
 
Problem with any form of neglect on a livery yard is interference! (I don't mean that nastily!) but if the animals needs are being met (albeit by you or another livery and not the owner) there is nothing a welfare organisation can really do. Check your yard rules about the owner of the yard calling a vet etc, if this is the case and the horse is still lame etc then certainly you can go down this route. Otherwise I would say as hard as it is to back away from the situation, leave the owner to be responsible and therefore held accountable, and if the horse doesn't receive the treatment it needs then call a welfare organisation/animal health etc.
 
CompetitionDiva, that's something I'm worried about. I don't WANT to interfere. He is in good body condition and although it's not how I would keep a horse I was content to close my eyes. Until this thing with the wound. I just have to try to help him.
 
You have to get the YO to call the vet, you can't (read my post from yesterday about doing what's right for the horse)
I know that where I am if a horse is neglected the YO is also held responsible for any welfare issues that come up. Inform him of this and then get him to bill the owner for any treatment needed. PLEASE do not get any more involved than this or you will be setting yourself up for a whole lot of trouble.
 
that's awful, poor, poor horse!! :eek: :mad: if i was the YO i would phone up the owner and say if she doesn't get the vet out and get her act together then she has to leave. because not only is it not fair on the horse but it might even leave a bad name on the yard!!
 
O I see about YO, that changes things rather a lot. Poor you.

Here is a tale for you. I have pretty much been in the situation you're in (less extreme, girl on my yard had a 4yo she didn't like and although he was backed he wasn't ridden. he was fed but the bare minimum and had rugs that rubbed him bald)

I borrowed him as a field companion, started riding him and now he lives with me as my own. I have him on loan from the owner and he is a star although I really can't afford two or have time for him either. Try not to get attached as you'll end up pouring money and time in to him just like me.

Let us know how the little chap is today.
 
good for you having the compassion to give help where needed, sod the politics,the horse comes first, just make sure he has a anti-tetanus
 
Quick update for everyone who replied. I went back up early sat morning and D's owner was there, waiting for the vet. Apparently she couldnt get the vet on friday night because she had a party to go to and couldnt hang about and wait! We had a chat and she said thanks for getting him in etc etc. My OH is always telling me I have a glass face and I think she was a bit shocked at my angry expression! I summoned every ounce of proffesional training I have and calmly explained that I will NOT be responsible for him again. She chose to have him and she needs to care for him. I talked to YO who was genuinely upset that it had come to this and I think a bit shocked that he could be held responsible for his welfare. He is adamant that he wont mollycoddle her anymore. I might also have offered to take him off her hands as I've always had a bit of a soft spot for him
Fingers crossed she will actually start to care for him now (she has a new boyfriend to drive her about so hopefully we will see her about more!)

Oh and vet gave a course of antibiotics, bute as the poor boy is so sore and flamazene (SP?)
 
Why on earth is it wearing a rug? There aren't many flies yet - well not where I am anyway so no fly repellant should be OK.
 
Allie5 said:
Apparently she couldnt get the vet on friday night because she had a party to go to and couldnt hang about and wait! (SP?)
Click to expand...

i would suggest cutting her leg with a rusty knife, rub something really dirty in it then tell her you can't take her to AnE as you are having your hair done and you will be back if/when you can be arsed!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top