Offer on horse refused

[unicorndreams]

Went to look at several horses at a dealers today and was very upset to see them all looking in terrible scrawny condition - every bone in their poor bodies was prominent, no muscle tone, sunken hind quarters and spine like a knife edge. Dealer made it clear that they needed to get rid of the horses as they were costing too much to keep so we made a low offer on one only to have it refused as being an 'insult'.
To be honest it was a 'pity' buy because no horse should look like that so it was a real shock to have the offer refused, even when increasing the offer to the sale price, they now wont sell to us 'on principle'. Feeling slightly sick now at the thought of not being able to help at least one of these poor beasties

 

[Natch]

Bargepole, and a report to a welfare charity methinks.

 

[Gingersmum]

Report the yard to whw RSPCA etc ?

 

[Carojo2010]

Report them to WHW, Redwings etc, poor horses x

 

[AmyMay]

Up your offer amd report.

 

[Tarbs]

If they are that poor that you are concerned for their welfare I really think you need to report it.

 

[showaddy1]

Report to local council animal welfare dept....

 

[Kat]

Don't feel guilty. Pity buys only encourage bin end dealers and breeders. Report them to whw, bhs and trading standards, that will do far more good in the long term.

 

[unicorndreams]

Indeed that is the next step to report them - I've never seen so many horses in such a state - not even worth meat money as no blooming meat on them! All rugged up - suppose that hides the bones and they were putting hay out but clearly not enough for the number of horses they had.

 

[poiuytrewq]

If you buy one it will give them the cash to buy and neglect another so dont feel bad about not buying. I'd not actually up the offer unless it was a horse you really wanted which its not honestly. In a way you saved another. It's like puppy farming- if we buy and support they keep going.
Then report.

 

[weebarney]

Agree with the others, dont buy, just report.

 

[Marydoll]

Theyre hoping you'll up your offer and pay well over the odds to take it, by playing on your wanting to rescue from their circumstances, personally i wouldnt encourage them by doing that
Report them to world horse welfare if the horses are in such a state

 

[zigzag]

How much did you offer? I offered £200 for a pony that was down on his luck and was turned down... they said they get more for meat

 

[smellsofhorse]

report dealer.

by buying one you fund this terrible business.
They just want your pitty.

 

[rowan666]

Name and shame! Area at least! definatly report!

 

[Kat]

Don't name and shame you will get the thread pulled. Report and update us.

 

[unicorndreams]

I won't name and shame publicly (*PM) but will be reporting them to every agency I can, maybe Dominic Littlewood would like to pose as a horse buyer??!!
Its such a shame as their photos on the website just out of racing looked nice -I know transitioning them from racing can cause them the drop a lot of weight but down to condition score 0-1 seems extremely poor management to me.
In a weird way, your responses make me feel a little better (thanks!)- I'm kinda glad the pity-offer was rejected now as it is far better to take action for the good of all these horses than to rescue a single one leaving the rest to suffer