Neglected horse, what to do!

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Annie&Amy

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At the yard where i keep my horse is a 11year old mare, it moved to our yard at the beginning of may and i have never seen it's owner nor have any of the other liveries. The woman that own's it does leave her livery money once a week according to the yard owner.
This horse has never been broken in so is a bit skitty but i'm getting more and more concerned about the state of her feet (they where long when she came to yard) and now are even longer plus her headcollar is on all the time and has rubbed the hair off her head although not broken skin yet!!
I don't know what to do now, yard owner has tried to call and text her plus i texted her yesterday but received no reply. Should i take headcollar off. The main thing that worries me is what's going to happen when winter comes, she can't be bothered with her now! xxx
 
is she out 24-7 at the mo? maybe try to leave a note for the owner so if they do some up at some obscure time they will know that the problems have been noticed. the other option is to call welfare or vet? although you need to make sure its clear that you do not want to be charged. Hasnt the YO got any address details for the owner?
 
You are quite right to be concerned. The new law that has recently been passed holds the YO equally responsible for the welfare of the horses kept on her yard. Perhaps your YO isnt aware of this - details can be found on the Defra site.

If her feet are in desperate need of a farrier, then I would suggest to the YO that she organises this and bills the owner. I would also remove the headcollar as even though it is leather, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.
 
Under the new Animal Welfare Act 2006, the YO has a duty of care. Why don't you give the ILPH a ring and see what they advise? They are very discreet and will tell you what your best course of action is.
 
Just because you haven't seen the horses owner doesn't mean she hasn't been to visit the horse. We're on a fully DIY yard and I haven't seen ANYONE for well over a couple of weeks, yet these horses DO get checked, water troughs filled etc etc.

With regards the feet, perhaps a note left for the owner stating your concerns is the way to go?
 
i hardly see one of my horses owners but she comes up all the time, just not when im around, so maybe she's up at other times. the headcollar might be left on because the horse is hard to catch?
 
I agree with SD10, just because the owner isn't seen doesn't mean that she doesn't go up, in summertime, especially with horses out, some people just do a "4 legs, no blood and upright" check and go again.

Headcollar: Whip it off and tell her why if/when she asks.

Feet: I'd try the "Farrier is coming next week shall I book your horse in for a trim?" route first, then if that doesn't get a result take a heavier approach.


How is the horse's health otherwise?
 
DONT take this horses headcollar off, if it isnt causing any pain, would you take a cribbing collar off? The head collar may be on for reason.
As for the horses feet do have a word with the YO, it is as the others have said no her responsibility to ensure animals at her premises are well cared for. I really wouldnt be worried that you havent seen her, I have been on livery yards with 90odd liveries and you probably only see the same 20 or so for months on end. Just because there is not somebody cooing over this horse for 2 hours a day does not make it neglected.
 
loosen the headcollar or change it to a larger one but leave something on her as she also needs to be caught and held to have the feet done

I cannot believe YOs that turn a blind eye to this sort of thing and keep taking the rent money - beggars belief - I could not stand by and see this - I'd get the job done and bill the owner
 
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