Overreacting???

[Maia]

I am absolutely fuming!!

There is a woman who keeps her horses just down the road from me. Hardly ever see her up there, grazing is appauling but horses are never fed or have any hay put out for them and on the few occasions I've seen them out hacking horses look awful.

The last few days it has been roasting here, 20C + in the sun. My own horses have been out naked for the last 48 hrs and are really struggling with the heat, despite having most of their summer coats through. My youngster is hot and clammy and has has dry sweat on him yesterday evening and both have taken it upon themselves to stand in their stables where it is cool. There is not even a breeze here today and I was hot doing mine this morning in a t-shirt and linen 3/4 length trousers.

So why the F**K are this persons horses still out in HEAVYWEIGHT FULL NECK TURNOUTS!!! They must be roasting

Am I over-reacting of is this totally unfair of the owner? Short of removing the rugs myself, which knowing how this person reacts to people interferring (last time it happened my horse ended up with glass bottles in his field!) I'd rather not do, what else can I do?

 

[HorseS0S]

OK, what are horsey people known for? Yes, butting in! We call a spade a spade!
They cannot talk for themselves. It is perfectly fine to leave a little note pinned to her gate suggesting that the rugs are removed. If you put something like "...if you are not able to get to the yard everyday please call me and I will happily do the rug change for you". This will then seem a little more friendly and she may take you up on the offer.
She maybe naive or unfamiliar with how to properly look after them.
Yes write a little note, but soften it up at the end with offering to help, she may appreciate some advice x x x

 

[DiablosGold]

If it were me I would leave well alone, certainly do not like the sound of glass bottles on my field!

If it's really bad there report to your local horse charity.

 

[Maia]

Unfortunately I don't think that would work

She doesn't work - infact at the moment she is at home watching tv from what I could tell (have to drive past her house going to and fro the yard).

She is also not a new or novice horsewoman, she has had horses for years and is considered by those who she hasn't managed to upset as very knowledgeable and experienced.

She has 2 unclipped youngsters, and two older (early teans) heinz 57 types , all with heavy full neck weatherbeetas on. I caould understand her leaving a lightweight on as I know mine are good doers and I make a point of never overrugging, afterall they cope just fine in the wild without rugs, so I accept that perhaps, given the recent usuallly cold weather my two have held onto their winter woollies for a little longer than usual and are feeling the heat more now but really HEAVYWEIGHT full neck rugs this weather?!

 

[jumpthemoon]

It was about 19 degrees in the sun here yesterday but my TB mare was out in her full neck heavy weight and wasn't hot - she really feels the cold. My WB was out in a rain sheet and he was fine - are you sure the horses are sweating under the rugs? I know I'd be livid if someone had removed my horses rugs...is it not possible it's just her choice and the horses are actually ok?

 

[Marchtime]

Have to agree with jumpthemoon. My TB was out in a medium weight wug yesterday and was nowhere near hot. He's currently in his stable as it was raining first thing and is wearing his heavy weight poly. Whilst this woman might be over rugging maybe she has her reasons. I certainly wouldn't go interfering unless you are certain the horses welfare is at risk.

 

[Maia]

JTM - thats why I asked if I was overreacting as I know what I'm doing with mine (and what the owners of the horses in the surrounding paddocks are doing with theirs) but I just didn't know if I was blowing it out of proportion.

No I do not know if they are sweating under their rugs, tbh, knowing this woman, I don't have the nerve to go into her field and check as if she caught me she would go beserk! But I do feel that given how everyone elses horses seem just fine out naked up my way that perhaps she is just too lazy to go up and check - surely not all 4 of them would need the rugs on, especially unclipped hairy youngsters?

Based on how she looked after them last winter the only reason I can think of for her leaving them rugged is that she is too ashamed for anyone to see them naked as last spring she fed them totally inadequately and were emaciated...

 

[LCobby]

If you are concerned. call a welfare organisation to check up.
Don'tt know where you are to have those temperatures, single fiures, chucking it down with rain for us this morning at 6.30 !

 

[jaynedoc]

I don't think that you are over reacting. Though the beed of horse is a consideration. As you pass her house if she is in and as you say too lazy to check her horses then it's not likely she will turn up. I would hop over the fence and take a closer look at the horses first if they are in a sweat then you know that you are right and the horses are suffering, then you must do something about it. Perhaps the IPLH would be a good start as they are required to asses the horse and if there is action needed they will contact the rspca.

If they are not in a sweat then you will put your mind at rest that the horses are just fine as they are. Either way you cannot make any decision one way or the other until you are sure of the condition of the horses. I would have a story ready in you mind in case she turns up like OHH I thought your horse was limping and I was just making sure it was ok before calling you. Something believable anyway.