Photo's of Ellie, reported to the RSPCA

Why are most of these posts madness???:confused:
M.E. is a popular member on here and she has come on to show her horse and get some opinons. M.E. has been posting on here a long time and we all know how much care and attention and love she has given this horse. However just because some of us feel that she does look rather poor and dared to express this - how does this make us mad:confused::confused: I do not think we have picked on her at all. I am very :(:confused: about your reply.

M.E. I hope you don't feel picked on because I really don't believe that is anyones intention who knows you:)
 
I have found allen and paige feeds very good for my oldie.
Fast fibre and ride and rellax are good also readi grass as is spillers senior conditionig mix I know its hard when they get old but she should improve at this time of year.
Some of the feed helplines are very good at giving advice. Also the veteran horse society may be able to advise on feed etc.
 
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I'm more likely to have hovered about to see what's what and checked her feet - tidy feet mean someone is taking care - fresh clean water, tidy field etc.

I think you should definitely put a notice up to the effect that she is 28, on three feeds a day, under the vet, farrier and dentist and before anyone calls the RSPCA or WHW, they should call you on (your number) for a reassurance.
 
Hey MrsElle. Dont get down about it. Oldies are a nightmare to keep weight on. I have been where you are with your girl. I have a lad who has ALWAYS been a nightmare to keep weight on. I haven't been reported, luckily, but have been "threatened" with it...

They do find it very difficult to digest cereal as they get older. My old lad (27) is on: (Morning) A&P Fast fibre and Top Spec Top Chop (lightly coated oil but no molasses) and Equijewel. Eve - Fibregest (slightly higher oil content), Top Chop and Equijewel. He has adlib hay. (Haylage can also be tougher on the digestive system.)

I was very skeptical about Equijewel but decided to give it a try - partly cos of the cost!. "Unfortunately" I got the quantities wrong per feed and couldn't understand why I was getting thru sooooo much. I then "read the instructions" and halved the quantities!!! He did put on a lot of weight VERY quickly though! LOL The advantage is that it is very high calorie without being heating. Con is not one for food, not picky, just wont eat!!! Especially when his day has been upset by a leaf blowing across the yard! :D I have had to reduce his food slightly as he wasn't finishing, but keep the Equijewel in.

Chin up hun, give it a go. You can but do your best. xx
 
Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions, as I said, it is sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees when you can't be objective.

I had decided deep down that this would be Ellie's last summer. It has been so difficult this last year to keep any weight on her, but in herself she is happy. She trots around after the boys and comes up for a cuddle. Actually she has changed slightly, she used to pull some magnificent faces but never does now, she is loving, happy and contented.

So sad that my deepest fears have been aired, I am crying now :(
 
If I didn't know the background, then yes I would have reported her.

Even a horsey person would look at her and think, she needs three feeds a day and maybe her teeth done.

You are doing the best you can for her Mrs Elle, which is great, but unfortunately that's not always bery obviousl when our horses become elderly.

I think it was a fair reporting.
 
MrsElle said:
Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions, as I said, it is sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees when you can't be objective.

I had decided deep down that this would be Ellie's last summer. It has been so difficult this last year to keep any weight on her, but in herself she is happy. She trots around after the boys and comes up for a cuddle. Actually she has changed slightly, she used to pull some magnificent faces but never does now, she is loving, happy and contented.

So sad that my deepest fears have been aired, I am crying now :(
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We cross posted!

It's only June. If she is happy in herself and you can get some covering on her then who knows?
 
misst said:
Why are most of these posts madness???:confused:
M.E. is a popular member on here and she has come on to show her horse and get some opinons. M.E. has been posting on here a long time and we all know how much care and attention and love she has given this horse. However just because some of us feel that she does look rather poor and dared to express this - how does this make us mad:confused::confused: I do not think we have picked on her at all. I am very :(:confused: about your reply.

M.E. I hope you don't feel picked on because I really don't believe that is anyones intention who knows you:)
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Certainly not picking on M.E, quite the opposite - obvioulsy not into the clique who post all the time on this forum and can 2nd guess - ever thought of using Face Book instead - you can all chat to your hearts content then - without any of us, who are not a member of the regular gang, putting our foot in it - or possibly disagreeing?
Logging out now - lost the will!
 
Dressedkez, it is nearly July, we are not just coming out of winter. We are well into summer now.

Also, I do not consider that rump well covered, nor do I like to see so much spine on show, and coat condition appears poor.

I am absolutely not picking on the OP who clearly loves her horse dearly, and I hope she can get her sorted, but if she doesn't pick up I don't personally feel another winter would be fair. The horse doesn't even come close to the most emaciated I have seen, but given her age, the stiffness described, and condition despite the feed she gets I feel it must be faced that nothing lasts forever.

ETA I'm sorry ME, hugs from me too. Like I said, this is the poopy end of the stick of owning animals:(
 
So sorry - maybe she will pick up x If not then give her the best summer ever and give yourself some great memories. We may have to put our lad down this autumn if he doesn't become more paddock sound than he is right now:(
I know how you feel x
 
Oh dear, I was planning on posting some pics & vids of Trev the ex-racer, but now I'm scared to as despite having put on a *lot* of weight & muscle in the 3 months I've had him, you can still easily count his ribs. Perhaps I'd better PTS before the winter...??

I don't think the horse looks too bad? My old girl is thinner at 37 but she's still full of cheek & spirit, and while she continues to enjoy being alive, I will continue to do my best for her. I just won't post any incriminating pictures!
 
dressedkez said:
Madness - most of these posts......I have seen lots of forum posts with people asking for critiques of their horses, where the condition is as bad if not worse then that one.......not looking that bad on your beast.
Can you move this horse away from all the oh ah brigade?
Based on most of these comments - I am guessing that you are making difficult decisons? I expect you have had its teeth checked out? I
I am really irritated by the majority of posts
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Most people on this thread have posted honest but fair opinions and nearlly everyone offers support...the fact that you couldn't even be bothered to use the horses name and called it a "Beast" says allot.
People showing they care however misguided is not being part of the "oh, ah brigade".
It has already been mentioned that her teeth had been checked so you couldn't even be bothered to read the OP.
 
Seeing ribs does not concern me, it is the overall picture given by the pictures and supplementary information.
 
Sorry dressedkes but I am not a facebook user:eek::eek:
I do not post that often on here but read a lot. I am certainly not a member of any clique, but I feel you jumped in all guns blazing and did not really trouble to "read" the situation. Please don't go - stay - this is a good place and I hope you will see is full of support and useful advice.:D
 
MrsE, moving away from your original question, basically you put those pics up because you do care so much.

Do be aware that I think people's reactions are different depending on if they are a passer by or if they know a bit more background.

I don't think she looks that bad..... I would like her looking better of course.

You know her best and know how she is in herself which is sometimes more important than her outward appearance, it is very hard for us to see the whole picture through a computer screen :)
 
You are obviously doing your best to help your mare, and I do sympathise with your predicament. Bailey's No1 is fantastic for putting weight on, without the "whizz", and it is made into a gruel/porridge so if those elderly teeth are struggling, it may help. Badminton Feeds do something similar. Enjoy those cuddles with your loving,contented horse! xxx
 
Oldies are always difficult.
spine showing is not so much a lack of weight but overall lack of muscle, which can be expected at that age.
We have had the worst winter in years, now have a lack of grass, I`m not surprised how Elle looks in the photos.

I wouldnt take the fact she (not you) was reported to the RSPCA personally.

All you can do is maybe phone the veteran society for feeding advice as she should probably be putting a bit more weight on having 3 feeds a day.

and lastly, enjoy the time with her.
 
Have you tried fast fibre? I love it. It can be fed as a hay replacement or with hay. My mare (not elderly) lost a lot of weight over the very bad winter it put the weight on very quickly. I know its fed to a lot of oldies. When you feed it you soak it in a way like sugar beet so it does double in size so i think you get a lot of food for your money. Also if teeth are starting to go missing its easy for them to eat

http://www.allenandpage.com/Products/Rest-and-Light-Work/Fast-Fibre.aspx

I dont that you have tried evrything. Horses like to worry you dont they?!!!
 
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catembi said:
Oh dear, I was planning on posting some pics & vids of Trev the ex-racer, but now I'm scared to as despite having put on a *lot* of weight & muscle in the 3 months I've had him, you can still easily count his ribs. Perhaps I'd better PTS before the winter...??
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A skinny TB is a lot different though, this horse doesn't look like a full blood fit ex racer. It looks like a skinny horse - and in answer to the OP, I would report it if I didn't know the history and didn't know horses.

The fact that I know horses and the history means that I judge it differently, but I don't think this was the jist of ME's post.
 
Yes she does look poor and I would possibly report her if I didn't know she was well cared for and loved. I had an oldie who at 34 started losing condition and struggling with her arthritis (not lame just stiff). She was an ILPH pony and with guidance from their Field Officer she had a last summer and was pts in the October.:( I woudl recommend Rowan Barbary Soft n Soak to try and put some weight on her, I use it for my old donkey who was struggling to eat coarse mixes etc and he loves it and is doing really well.
 
She does look poor and I can understand why someone might report her to the RSCPA if they dd not know you or the situation. It sounds as though you are trying to your best for her. Just one thing though how good is your grazing?
 
My hubby's old TB had very poor teeth (from a lifetime of crib-biting), and for his last 3 ish years he would have maintained very little condition and looked fairly similar to this mare in terms of ribs/cover over his bum etc.

He was still a happy horse though, and we would never have thought of having him PTS (he eventually had to be PTS due to a completely unrelated field injury).

He gained a little weight during the summer, and lost a little in the winter but was still healthy and this would have been supported by our vet.

Don't panic yet MrsElle - its only June.

Hugs

Fiona
 
I concider that the horse is failing, she is old, and the time has come to make the most heart wrenching decision that eventually comes to us all. Please realise that the time has come. Its late june and she will never ever look any better than she does now.
 
Im with Fiona on this, to me she looks like a bigger version of a lot of cared for but very old ponies who live happy lives even tho their owners tear their hair out trying to stuff them with food so they will look as happy as they are and not like a neglect case.

As she is a bigger model, she looks worse as you dont see so many very old horses as you do ponies as they tend not to make old bones so often. So bony skinny horses are more often welfare cases than bony skinny ponies, and peeps are more likely to report.

Try the other diets, talk to the vet horse soc, think about whether she is still enjoying life, think about the point of skinniness/weight below which you really dont want her to go. Then go with that. Dont worry about whether well meaning strangers in real life or on H&H would report her condition, they are just doing what they should which is to make sure all is ok, noone wants another spindles farm.

If she doesnt get thinner than she is now, and you get a diet in place that gets more weight on, and she is happy, with cared for teeth hooves and rugs and a loving mum, then there is no reason she shouldnt have more time with you. But you might not want to risk a winter, only you can decide and whenever you decide the time is right will be the right time.
all best wishes
 
Anyone remember Boodle on here? And the truly heartbreaking decline of her beloved Trixie? She did everything in her power for Trix (who was slowly fading away) and regularly posted pictures *lots* and asked for advice. She knew, and we knew, that it was getting close to Trixie's 'time' and had Trixie not made the call herself, Boodle was facing up to her responsibilities as every great horse owner does.

I take my hat off to you for braving the forum's responses. I do not condemn you. While she is relatively happy, eating and managing the day to day things important to her without too much effort, then let her be.

I look at it this way - the people who called in on her behalf, were checking to make sure someone was looking after her. And you are. So that's OK. Are horses not allowed retirement and a few years mooching about for fear the 'ribs police' will strike? She may well be healthier than these lardy creatures waddling about in fields and the showring. Let's face it - she has got to 28! I wish you and her a lovely summer. She'll let you know if and when she's had enough and you will do right by her. I have no worries on that score.

Chin up x
 
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