Overweight horses and welfare issues.

[Ziggy_]

I've just left a yard where all the horses are, at least overweight and most positively obese. (Condition score of 4 or 5, all of them.) The YO refuses to restrict grazing and won't entertain the thought of muzzles. She will not allow horses to kept in during the day/night to get them off the grass, nor will she allow owners to facilitate weight loss over winter by using less rugs/less feed etc. One horse has had several bouts of laminitis this year and even seeing him laid out in his stable in agony hasn't made the others think twice.

I was reading about how overweight horses are becoming more and more of a welfare issue and was wondering if anything could be done. I left on fairly good terms and must emphasise that I don't want to get anyone into trouble but I thought that if someone from one of the welfare organisations could visit and persuade the YO/owners to see the health risks involved they might pay attention and take action?

If I'd left the yard because the horses were all skinny and underfed I'd be reporting them - should this be any different? Who would you get in touch with, and would you do it or leave well alone?

 

[kal40]

IMO the YO's unwillingness to see there is a problem is very worrying.

I wouldn't be worried about 'getting anyone into trouble'. If they won't listen/dont believe you thats their problem. Those poor horses can't remedy this situation on there own. My farrier describes this type of situation as cruelty.

Not sure who you could contact but I'm sure someone on here will suggest something.

 

[chestnut cob]

I'm sorry...the YO *won't allow* muzzles, restricted grazing, or less rugs?!! Do the horses live in a fat concentration camp??!!

What sort of YO dictates to livery clients like that?

I would go up the wall if my YO dared to dictate like that to me. My horse is on part livery (ie everything bar riding) over winter but my YO still does him how I ask, within reason. He lives by her routine, so is in, out and fed when she does them, but he is fed what I say, rugged how I say and has his grazing and/or hay restricted if I say.

Surely it's none of the YO's business if the horses are in during summer. Why don't the liveries have their horses on DIY if YO won't do them?

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

I would be contacting WHW - overfeeding is just as serious as underfeeding and your old YM's attitude, especially in the face as something as serious as laminitus, shows a complete lack of concern for the horses in her care IMHO.
If the lami horse has to be pts because the YM for whatever reason refuses to limit grazing how would you feel? Better to act for the sake of those horses.

 

[NeilM]

The YO (as well as the owner) has a duty of care under the Animal Welfare Act. I would suggest phone calls to DEFRA, WHW and RSPCA.

We have our own land, but if a YO told me that I could not restrict my horses diet, I'd tell them to 'get bent' and start looking elsewhere

 

[muffinino]

Are these livery horses? I'm assuming so from what you've written and am confused as to why an owner would allow their YO to tell them how many rugs their horse wears, how much feed they have or whether they wear a muzzle. If the owners are paying for stables, why are they not allowed to use them as they wish?

I would contact the ILPH/RSPCA and ask them to visit to advise. Sounds like a very odd set up if the YO is controlling everything and you've made the right choice by leaving.

 

[Bozzy]

I'm in a similar case, a gelding I look after is pretty overweight. It's really hard to get through to the owner (not a particularly experienced horse woman) to restrict his diet. She won't have a muzzle on him but thankfully he's in through the day. I also exercise him as much as I can.

I personally don't feel this is any different to underweight horses, I'd definitely be looking at trying to take action in your situation.

 

[Ziggy_]

The YO actually dictated everything down to what we fed and what rugs they wore - thats why I left! Its the only yard in the area that has turnout 365 days a year which is the reason I was there, and the reason people continue to move there- but even I eventually decided to compromise on turnout to have 'my' horse back to being 'mine'.

But lets stay on topic here!

 

[muffinino]

[ QUOTE ]
The YO actually dictated everything down to what we fed and what rugs they wore - thats why I left! Its the only yard in the area that has turnout 365 days a year which is the reason I was there, and the reason people continue to move there- but even I eventually decided to compromise on turnout to have 'my' horse back to being 'mine'.

But lets stay on topic here!

[/ QUOTE ]

I have never heard of a yard that bad

Report it, you never know, it may give the owners the kick up the bum they need to see that something needs to be done about the little Hitler YO!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

[ QUOTE ]
The YO actually dictated everything down to what we fed and what rugs they wore

[/ QUOTE ]

I could never go to a yard that was run by a control freak! For a YO to dictate feed, what rugs, no muzzles etc is absolutely ridiculous. Anyone that allows that to happen to themselves & their horse need to take a step back & have a serious think. All horses are different & have different needs & do different work, you cannot deal with them all the same.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if that YO dictates which farrier is allowed on the yard & which vet you can use?

You did the right thing, vote with your feet, get your horse back under your own control & leave.

 

[dwi]

I've been on a yard where you weren't allowed electric fencing because it "didn't look nice".

 

[Donkeymad]

Obesity IS now seen by equine charities as todays worse cruelty, rather than being underweight, You can report this to them as cruelty. I would contact WHW as they are trying very hard to make people realise that their (the owners) horses are overweight and the harm it will do. They might organise a condition scoring day at the yard if they can. It might be a shocker.

 

[hairycob]

dwi - I've been on a yard where we weren't allowed electric fencng for the same reason. I had to put 2 of mine in grazing muzzles & got told that was cruel. I ignored that & carried on until I found somewhere else.