My Encounter with a Loose Horse on the Road

Bettyboo1976

Bettyboo1976

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Hi,

I recently encountered a loose horse on a main road last night, My friend who was with me called the local police station to advise that horse was on the road, she was met with the response 'oh we'll call the owner' after about 20 mins we managed to catch the horse and return it to its field, luckily we had the sense to park our cars at either end of the road with hazzard lights on to try and slow oncoming traffic and to alert them that there was an animal on the road.. ( surely this should have ben the responsibility of the local police or roads department and not ours?) once we caught the horse and returned to its field we noticed the poor condition that the horses were kept in (about 7 horses on about 2 acres) . Being a horse owner myself I was disgusted, these poor animals are kept with no water, and no grass ( field is bare) I honestly couldn't blame the poor horse for breaking out of its field, If I were one I'd do the same!

I have since posted on my facebook about my encounter and it has emerged that the RSPCA and police are fully aware of these animals and the conditions they are kept in but seem to be doing nothing about it.

Another friend of mine from the village also pointed out her son regularly puts these animals back in the field, and takes water to them on a regular basis cos he feels sorry for them, and the RSPCA have said that because he his giving them water and the horses 'don't look too bad' then they can't do anything about it..

My main other concern is that these horses are an accident waiting to happen, a horse doesn't just dent cars, they will and can kill the passengers/drivers, i'm also guess that these horse owners don't have public liability so every time the horses escape they will not be insured when they hit a car!! not a bill I'd like to pay! or what if the school bus were to hit one... I'd dread to think the outcome...

I have since spoken with the local police and they have advised me that the horses were last seen by the RSPCA on 18th September... and they were 'in good weight' and have no cause for concern err... I could see the ribs and hips portruding.. and you have to see the state of their field to beleive how bad it really is.

Anyway... whats my next course of action to helps these ponies.. ???
 
The Police should come out if a horse is on the highway.

I've had a fairly simular experience recently and found the BHS to be a great help.

This is from their website:

"The British Horse Society has Welfare Officers throughout England, Wales and Scotland who will investigate reports of equine welfare concerns.


There are many reasons why you may feel that a horse or pony should be reported to the BHS. These include (but are not limited to):


•Significantly underweight or overweight animals

•Lack of water or food

•Overgrown or poorly-kept hooves

•Obviously untreated injury or disease

•Poisonous plants in the field

•Unsafe field or stable conditions

•Abandoned animals

•Incorrect tethering


If you have genuine concerns about a horse or pony, you should report it to the BHS and one of our local Welfare Officers will pay a visit to investigate.


Welfare concerns can be reported on 02476 840571 or 02476 840574. Alternatively, you can e-mail welfare@bhs.org.uk."

Good luck
 
Like everything in this country, someone has to get seriously hurt or die "before" something is done, even though anyone with half a brain can see an accident waiting to happen.

I bet when something happens, the usual verbal diarrhea will be, lessons must be learnt, nation of Hare Soles.
 
The RSPCA came out to us because someone had reported horses from being in a starvation paddock. The paddock has got the right drainage so it doesn't get to wet, horses always have some hay and water yet the RSPCA told us the horses were not fit and if they didn't see changes in a few weeks further measures would be taken. Yet they don't do anything about horses that are not healthy? joke!
 
teamsarazara said:
The RSPCA came out to us because someone had reported horses from being in a starvation paddock. The paddock has got the right drainage so it doesn't get to wet, horses always have some hay and water yet the RSPCA told us the horses were not fit and if they didn't see changes in a few weeks further measures would be taken. Yet they don't do anything about horses that are not healthy? joke!
Click to expand...

^^ to this would it because they have to be in this paddock due to laminitis or weight issue or the fact we had ****** all rain at start of spring/summer?

If it was cause of laminitis/weight issue they would have slapped you on the wrist if they were in field of knee high grass.
 
Where my yard is there is about 3 houses together. The big house has 6 horses living in their back garden. They are all skin and bones with no grass at all. They ate given a small amount of hay each day but not adequate for one horse to live off let alone 6 so the RSPCA won't do anything. They are useless and I tell them that when they shake the bucket at me for donations!
 
Sov-n-Dom said:
RSPCA = Royal Society for the PREVENTION of Cruelty to Animals. So why don't they
Click to expand...

They used to have the excuse that their hands were tied by legislation which meant the animal had to be actually suffering. Not any more!

But unless its a large/high profile case with plenty of cameras or publicity, my experience is that you are on your own. One or two horses, especially if the horses may be owned by the travelling community (most often the case with illegally grazed horses apart from a few specific urban spots where its more widespread), they seem very very reluctant to come out to.

Im afraid the only way to get RSPCA to act is to stop providing the water/feed if doing that and then call them in. If they respond before the horse is dead of course. Personally I would go elsewhere eg BHS or WHW. And so will my money when I peg it!
 
I've phoned the police once about a load of gypsy cons including goals and a stallion loose on a lane which led to a main road on a blind bend. After half an hour I tied my horse to a tree, snapped off a couple of holly bushes and chased them back in the field. It was 8pm, I rang a friend to help block off the many holes in the 'fence' and waited watching for the police for ages as the only way to that lane was past our yard. Nothing. Useless :(
 
HandleyCross said:
^^ to this would it because they have to be in this paddock due to laminitis or weight issue or the fact we had ****** all rain at start of spring/summer?

If it was cause of laminitis/weight issue they would have slapped you on the wrist if they were in field of knee high grass.
Click to expand...

They were in the field due to one of the horses having shivers and he was best kept off grass and the mare that stayed out with him was laminitic.
 
Your local station should have an equine liaison officer.
I called the police one morning around 5am as i was woken to hooves clattering down the main road right passed our house, they sent out a patrol car and the equine liaison officer.
Also near work one day there was a loose pony and one of my lorry drivers rounded the pony into the transport yard so it was no longer on the road. Again the police sent out the local equine liaison officer to deal with the matter.
So i think perhaps a conversation with your local station to find out why no-one came out and to find out who are the equine liaison officers for your area, i think it is worth while knowing.
I would advise you to contact BHS Welfare, i have dealt with them on a few occasions and they have been absolutely brilliant. Whoever you decide to contact do not tell them you have also reported to another welfare organisation as then they will not attend. All the best, i hope you can get something sorted.
 
Friend and I reported some emaciated horses to RSPCA who sent an officer who said that he was not overly concerned ( they had no water or food were emaciated - had access to frozen bog and railway line) - I asked if he could condition score and if so what he would put them at ! He said a 1 !!!!! well if that isnt enough what is ! he basically admitted that unless they were dying on the ground and couldnt get up they wouldnt do anything !
 
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