Overworked horses?

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Padfoot

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Hi, I know a local riding school which uses its ponies for hacks with inexperienced riders!
They are worked on Saturday and Sunday for a total of 13 hours.
There tack doesn't fit as many have saddle sores.
There is no weight limit imposed on these ponies so often they have people on them who are too tall or heavy.
There are also a number of medical issue with these horses that simply aren't being treated. For example, lameness, bad cracked hooves, swollen legs covered in sores, sore eyes with constant discharge, breathing difficulties ect.
I believe that is abuse and was wondering others opinions and what they think I should do?!
 
Yeah, I've looked into it but they aren't actually violated many of the riding establishment act of 1968 and 1970! It also says that these acts are 'guidelines' so it's going to be harder to enforce! Bhs can't do anything because it's a riding school 😔
 
Padfoot said:
Yeah, I've looked into it but they aren't actually violated many of the riding establishment act of 1968 and 1970! It also says that these acts are 'guidelines' so it's going to be harder to enforce! Bhs can't do anything because it's a riding school ��
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WHW and RSPCA can go to investigate the condition of the horses and remove them on those grounds...
 
Padfoot said:
Yeah, I've looked into it but they aren't actually violated many of the riding establishment act of 1968 and 1970! It also says that these acts are 'guidelines' so it's going to be harder to enforce! Bhs can't do anything because it's a riding school ��
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rubbish
 
It should be easier to enforce if they are licenced as they are breaking the guidelines. Id play merry hell until action is taken if I were you.
 
Can you not report to the council, as they'll have their license and annual vetting from them I guess?
 
Padfoot said:
Yeah, I've looked into it but they aren't actually violated many of the riding establishment act of 1968 and 1970! It also says that these acts are 'guidelines' so it's going to be harder to enforce! Bhs can't do anything because it's a riding school ��
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They may be guidelines but the riding school still needs to comply with welfare laws, overworking, saddle sores and other health issues will be in breach of the licence and I think they will have more power to act than anyone else, trading standards may also be interested if things like tack are potentially dangerous to clients.

Some areas will have better councils welfare officers than others, send a pm to Adorable Alice as I think she is involved in her area and may be able to contact your local area with the concerns, coming from her it may get acted upon.
 
Is this RS actually licensed? I doiubt it! The best way forward, IMO, is to contact the licensing officer and express your concerns. If the RS is licensed it needs to comply with the regulations and if it isn't it will have to either get its act together, very quickly, or close down
 
Local Council. I helped a friend set up Pony Trekking, they had to have a licence issued by LA, which meant an annual vet inspection. Vet was hot on everything. Health of horses, access to shade, water, condition of tack and safety on the yard.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Is this RS actually licensed? I doiubt it! The best way forward, IMO, is to contact the licensing officer and express your concerns. If the RS is licensed it needs to comply with the regulations and if it isn't it will have to either get its act together, very quickly, or close down
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Actually I know a yard which is basically as OP described and is somehow BHS approved :rolleyes:

I would contact RSPCA, BHS, maybe ABRS?
 
Damnation said:
Call the RSPCA and WHW/BHS.

RSPCA are useless on their own but are the only ones with power to enter/sieze.
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The RSPCA do not have the power to enter and seize. The police do, if a warrant has been issued.

As previously mentioned, I believe that Adorable Alice on here is involved in monitoring Riding School welfare standards as part of her job.
 
Tiddlypom said:
The RSPCA do not have the power to enter and seize. The police do, if a warrant has been issued.

As previously mentioned, I believe that Adorable Alice on here is involved in monitoring Riding School welfare standards as part of her job.
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Yes of course, brainfart moment. But they have more power than a normal charity. Even if they are useless.
 
Damnation said:
Yes of course, brainfart moment. But they have more power than a normal charity. Even if they are useless.
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They don't have more power, they just act as though they do, they do have more money which means they will prosecute but going by their recent equine "rescue" and what happened in court a week or so ago I would not want them setting foot into a stable yard as they seem to have very little clue as far as horses are concerned, unless they are dead, they either do nothing or totally overreact and end up shooting the healthy horses that they were supposed to be saving.

If the council will not act then WHW are probably the best option to go in and advise on how things can be improved.
 
As awful as it is could you book a ride with friends at this place then take photos of each other on the premises with the horses you ride? So there is some evidence. Some licenced places will hide the sickly horses on another yard when the inspection occurs.
 
OP, please PM me the name and address of the premise. If you don't know the postcode of the premise please also tell me the name of the local authority for the area.

Thank you, I can assure you that as soon as I have this information action will be commenced to investigate the situation.
 
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