OMG I'm friends with a horse neglecter.

Clodagh

Clodagh

Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
Joined
17 August 2005
Messages
29,239
Location
Devon
Visit site
We sell hay to a lady who keeps two horses in one of our neighbours fields. I knew she hadn't bought any for a couple of months but fair enough, we don't have a monopoly.
I rode past last week and saw they didn't have any hay. I asked her - shes a good friend - and she said they did but she did need to get more.
I know she has gone away for the weekend - her horses live out and her non horsey OH will check they are still breathing. I went down to see them and looked under their rugs and they are completely emaciated. One is about 28, a tb, and she is definately a case for an RSPCA prosecution. The younger one is very thin but not as bad. I feel so bad for not looking earlier, poor things were cold and so tucked up. I gave them a bale of hay and they are scoffing it, I will take another down tomorrow morning.
I was in tears and am so ashamed - how could she do it? I haven't spoken to her yet as needed to calm down first. I know the owner of the tb, shes on loan as a companion, I am waiting for him to ring me back.
shocked.gif
Appalled, its been hard for us all this hard winter but there is no excuse at all.
frown.gif
 
2 things;
Good for you for interveening (sp) and helping the poor horses.
BUT, if RSPCA got involved, they shouldn't have hay as it might give the wrong picture for a prosocution case - only my thought mind, I might be wrong.
 
OMG! Its not your fault, some people are just unbeliveable. I hope you manage to sort it out with her..
I dont know what else to say. . . just dont blame yourself.
 
[ QUOTE ]
All I can say is have a word to her when she gets back, maybe she hasnt looked under rugs all winter and doesnt realise just how skinny they are
frown.gif
(emphasis on maybe)

But well done for actually doing something about it
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

There is no excuse in the world for not checking regularly under a horses rug. Ever.
mad.gif
 
I'd call your local BHS welfare officer and ask them to give her a stern talking to!

She obviously hasn't been completely neglecting them all winter as she has been buying hay (and presumably feeding it, albeit not enought) so perhaps to some extent it is an ignorance issue????
 
Get WHW (used to be ILPH) on the case. I wonder if she is having financial difficulties hence why she's not bought any more hay? Whatever the reason it isn't fair on her horses and someone in a position of authority needs to intervene IMHO before they deteriorate further.

Well done you for not just turning the other cheek, it isn't easy when it is someone you know but you are doing the right thing for the horses. Who don't have a voice.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
All I can say is have a word to her when she gets back, maybe she hasnt looked under rugs all winter and doesnt realise just how skinny they are
frown.gif
(emphasis on maybe)

But well done for actually doing something about it
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

There is no excuse in the world for not checking regularly under a horses rug. Ever.
mad.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Didnt say there was an excuse just a suggestion
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

The woman in question has no excuse as it sounds like her horses are easy to catch.
I have a pony that i have to chase into a field shelter to even touch him - let alone his rug!
(the fact that his belly looks rather rounds means im not too worried i cant catch him!)
 
I'm afraid I really don't get this -'don't feed them or they can't be siezed' business. The horses need food NOW, they have been denied it and it's not the person responsible who has suddenly chaged tack and begun to care for them again! It's a third party doing it out of concern. The original charge still stands!

Grrrrrrr.

Keep feeding them Clodagh and words need to be said. Is it possible to get pictures?

Contact WHW and the BHS before RSPCA I'd probably say. Well done for taking action and don't worry as it wasn't your fault. At least you have stepped in now.
 
I agree that you are right to keep givinh these horses hay, as much as they can eat.......
I'd be onto the RSPCA personally, it sounds like they are in a dreadful state. Surely ignorance cannot account for this? She must have known what was going on - Anyone can identify a really thin horse.
 
I'm not speaking to the RSPCA (actually wouldn't speak to them if they were the last people on earth, it would be WHW) as then it will drag on and on. I have to decide if I want to be friends with this woman ever again as if I speak to her now it will not be possible.
I had to hay them - they couldn't be left cold and hungry all weekend.
The owner of the old mare is collecting her in the morning and plans are afoot for the younger one to come here for a day or two, at least until the owner gets back. I will certainly be taking pictures. It would be better to leave the younger one there but she gets in such a state on her own you couldn't. Old mare is more critical and needs some intensive care ASAP.
 
Rather than taking the animals away, can you not leave them where they are and provide them with hay/feed/care etc until the owner gets back - she might not react well to them being taken without her consent and you could be prosecuted for theft. I fully inderstand and agree with what you are trying to do but wouldn't want you to get into touble and get yourself a criminal record when they could be looked after where they are, especially if we are only talking for a few days? Think about it first.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Rather than taking the animals away, can you not leave them where they are and provide them with hay/feed/care etc until the owner gets back - she might not react well to them being taken without her consent and you could be prosecuted for theft. I fully inderstand and agree with what you are trying to do but wouldn't want you to get into touble and get yourself a criminal record when they could be looked after where they are, especially if we are only talking for a few days? Think about it first.

[/ QUOTE ]

But one doesn't belong to her? It is on loan? If that were my horse I would be up there with a box as soon as I found out.

As for the youngster, her OH is still available so Clodagh has possibly arranged that with him for the youngster's sake.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not speaking to the RSPCA (actually wouldn't speak to them if they were the last people on earth, it would be WHW) as then it will drag on and on. I have to decide if I want to be friends with this woman ever again as if I speak to her now it will not be possible.
I had to hay them - they couldn't be left cold and hungry all weekend.
The owner of the old mare is collecting her in the morning and plans are afoot for the younger one to come here for a day or two, at least until the owner gets back. I will certainly be taking pictures. It would be better to leave the younger one there but she gets in such a state on her own you couldn't. Old mare is more critical and needs some intensive care ASAP.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm confused ..... so you're not going to report them to any welfare organisation, collect pictorial evidence yourself and remove the remaining one yourself?
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
2 things;
Good for you for interveening (sp) and helping the poor horses.
BUT, if RSPCA got involved, they shouldn't have hay as it might give the wrong picture for a prosocution case - only my thought mind, I might be wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

With the new animal welfare act 2006 the onus is now on the keeper of the animal to prevent unnecessary sufffering,and the act allows for intervention much sooner, rather than when its too late. You no longer have to prove the horse has no feed/water in order to prove suffering or the reasonable potential for the horse to suffer (as i understand it). Would want to check that out with RSPCA before I was quoted on that though!
 
RSPCA not helpful in my experience! HAPPA were wonderful when I reported some neglected horses. However they did say my neighbours & I should not have been giving hay. This was pre 2006 though.
 
No I'm not reporting them, the old mare is going back to her owner and the younger one can stay here in my spare stable until her owner gets back and can decide what to do with her. Pictures will be taken but that will be it. The younger one can't be left on her own when old mare goes. I am picking up the gate key from the OH in the morning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top