Neglected horses next door :(

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, ive been feeding ( just hay) these two poor little ponies in the field next to ours for a while now as they have no grass, and they are wearing rugs that don't fit and rub and today after having a closer look ive seen they are riddled with lice! I thought they'd been scratching a lot which is why i had a look.

My horses can just about touch noses with them so im going to treat mine just incase, but im not sure on how to approach the owner, they apparently rescued these ponies but they dont seem to be able to look after them them selves. I also think they are very wormy as they have very bloated bellies.

Ive called the RSPCA before back in the summer as they left rugs on them in the boiling hot weather and there is no running water in the field, just what they bring up, and the RSPCA lady said they looked ok at the moment.

Any advise on how I approach this owner or shall I just call the RSPCA again?

Thanks
 
You've probably not helped things by feeding them - however hard it is to leave them without. I couldn't stand by and see them starve either, but the welfare charities won't intervene unless they're half dead and you've stopped them getting into that state.

Maybe you should just tell the owners that the ponies have lice, look wormy and you're sick of feeding them, pointing out they have nothing to eat or drink apart from what you give them. If these people have a concience, they'll be embarrassed enough to do something about it
 
They (the Owners) possibly need some proper guidance, it could be misdirected kindness. WHW could send someone out to advise them on how to look after them adequately and also keep an eye. However, could you not talk to them and offer to help give advice?
 
Tormenta said:
They (the Owners) possibly need some proper guidance, it could be misdirected kindness. WHW could send someone out to advise them on how to look after them adequately and also keep an eye. However, could you not talk to them and offer to help give advice?
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I would try world horse welfare who I have a lot of respect for, if you are feeding them it does make it difficult for welfare organisations to act but they should approach the owner and advise and this may be enough to get the owners into action.
I have no idea why people 'save' horses to neglect them again it leaves me completly flummoxed.
 
Thanks, Im not feeding them enough to make much difference, only a section of hay between them, I cant afford to feed someone elses horses properly!
The other thing that annoys me about the owner is that they have another horse at a yard which is properly looked after, ( i guess as its a massive yard!) so they cant be completely stupid, they must see that the ponies are suffering.
 
Signs in the field like trodden in hay will make it difficult to act.
As I said this thought of thing leaves me flummoxed I have seen thin hungry horses literally around the corner from beauifully kept ones it just has me beat to understand it.
 
I would leave a note to advice them that there ponies have lice and need to be treated also rugs are rubbing. If no action taken WHW will be contacted. This way you are getting your point across and advising that further action will be taken if they dont buck up!!
 
Report them to the BHS Welfare Officer. Ring up the BHS at Stoneleigh and ask them to put it through the local person. They can advise the owners on welfare, and also know the ropes if it is a more serious issue to get it reported to the appropriate authorities.
 
Orangehorse said:
Report them to the BHS Welfare Officer. Ring up the BHS at Stoneleigh and ask them to put it through the local person. They can advise the owners on welfare, and also know the ropes if it is a more serious issue to get it reported to the appropriate authorities.
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This ^

BHS welfare officers will go out & help owners to manage their horses, they can give impartial advice and try to help the owners every way they can.
Call the welfare dept on: 02476 840517 and have as much info as you can - location/postcode, approx type/size/colour of horses/ponies etc.

Remember, the BHS is a charity & they try to do all they can :)

Good luck, hope you get help soon
 
SNORKEY said:
Thanks, Im not feeding them enough to make much difference, only a section of hay between them, I cant afford to feed someone elses horses properly!
The other thing that annoys me about the owner is that they have another horse at a yard which is properly looked after, ( i guess as its a massive yard!) so they cant be completely stupid, they must see that the ponies are suffering.
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Okay, so this was not mentioned in your first statement, that they are horse owners who know what they are doing? So why not mention that?

I'm shrugging my shoulders and walking off.................YOU must know what to do if it is serious :rolleyes:
 
I would advise you to maintain a low profile these people know who you are and caution is important in these situations neither the BHB WHW or the RSPCA will tell the owners who has reported them, its probably completly unnecessary but better safe than sorry the fact you have not just approached them shows you have a natural caution already I think you should listen to it.
 
I am afraid I reported someone for neglecting horses to WHW last year. Poor things were in a right state - lice, no grass, overgrown feet, bones protruding, filthy. But as I couldn't give my name I don't know what happened, all I do know is that the horses remained in the sorry state they were in til one day the poorest one was nowhere to be seen :( the others are still there.
 
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