Photo's of Ellie, reported to the RSPCA

I wouldn't go as far as describing that painfully thin by any stretch of the imagination, thin, old and under yes, but not painfully.

Pulling her mane may well do fine for appearance but is personal preferance and not a necessity. I'd much prefer her to keep it with all the flies about now! She's in no need to have it pulled for showing.

But it will be personal preference and opinions like everything else. Same as a nice horse to one person, will be horrible to someone else.
 
MrsElle looks after her mare and no she doesn't look sad what ever. Just remenber the old saying what goes around, comes around. and there will be a lot of horses for sale this winter believe me.
 
Binky01 said:
I wouldn't go as far as describing that painfully thin by any stretch of the imagination, thin, old and under yes, but not painfully.

Pulling her mane may well do fine for appearance but is personal preferance and not a necessity. I'd much prefer her to keep it with all the flies about now! She's in no need to have it pulled for showing.

But it will be personal preference and opinions like everything else. Same as a nice horse to one person, will be horrible to someone else.
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i knew i was asking for trouble putting a post on here, who said anything about showing??our horses manes are kept tidy, in or out- if i had this old mare i would certainy be making bit of a fuss of her- as it is she just looks sad and neglected- my opinion, ok?
 
rosiefronfelen said:
i knew i was asking for trouble putting a post on here, who said anything about showing??our horses manes are kept tidy, in or out- if i had this old mare i would certainy be making bit of a fuss of her- as it is she just looks sad and neglected- my opinion, ok?
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I agree - Im not sure Id have bothered with the RSPCA but I would have made enquiries as to whether she was being looked after - after all a layman can only make decisions based upon what is put in front of them. She is terribly thin and looks unkempt, and - to someone who is just passing, and knows nothing of her background - she looks like she may not be as well cared for as she is. I would like to think that my mare will still look well groomed with a neat mane and tail when she is a pensioner, and I would be seriously concerned if she looked as poor as the mare in the OP. I hope thats not too harsh but opinions were requested - and that's mine.
 
I cannot believe this is STILL going on?

Has OP not had enough of a bashing to last her a lifetime? a very sad time, a very difficult time, so unless there's something constructive or helpful to say maybe time to leave it be??
 
johnrobert said:
So how would you feel if somebody reported you to the RSPCA?? MissElle looks after her mare and to me for a 28year old mare she does look good for her age. I've youngsters thinner than her.
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That is something that I wouldnt be bragging about! I dont know who you are JR but you sound like a plonker to me!
 
I agree itsme, I think MrsElle will have gotten the point now and no more really needs to be said. Judging by the fact she hasn't been back on the thread suggests its a bit of a painful subject and I'm sure she's taken on all the help and advice given.

And pastie2 lol, sometimes I genuinely love you, not for what you said, but your brass neck!
 
itsme123 said:
I cannot believe this is STILL going on?

Has OP not had enough of a bashing to last her a lifetime? a very sad time, a very difficult time, so unless there's something constructive or helpful to say maybe time to leave it be??
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I've only noticed it today, didn't even look at the date on the original post, since I dont come on here that often. I'll be certain to keep my opinion (which was asked for after all) in-date next time. Didn't intend to offend.
 
cripes, some of you are pretty harsh!

i know just how hard it is to keep weight on an oldie who is a poor doer, some come through fine, some take a bit of time to get the weight on and some just dont.

you know your girl and you will know when its her time xx
 
Kitsune said:
I agree itsme, I think MrsElle will have gotten the point now and no more really needs to be said. Judging by the fact she hasn't been back on the thread suggests its a bit of a painful subject and I'm sure she's taken on all the help and advice given.
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Funny that really. I also noticed that she had been on H&H but hasnt returned to comment on this post. It made me think that she doesnt give a hoot about the horse because if it was me I would be asking for advice and letting people know what the outcome of the RSPCA visit was. I wouldnt be ignoring all of the people who have taken the time to reply. I wonder now if this might be what she is doing with her horse, head in the sand type of thing you know?
 
That's a broad accusation to make, be fair. Anyone returning to a 17 page thread with words describing your precious horse as appalling, painfully skinny, etc is going to be harsh on the old heart!

Like it or not....no-one's under any obligation to reply to an internet forum, it's just a cross button away from not wanting slack from people you don't even know.
 
jaypeebee said:
Funny that really. I also noticed that she had been on H&H but hasnt returned to comment on this post. It made me think that she doesnt give a hoot about the horse because if it was me I would be asking for advice and letting people know what the outcome of the RSPCA visit was. I wouldnt be ignoring all of the people who have taken the time to reply. I wonder now if this might be what she is doing with her horse, head in the sand type of thing you know?
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To be fair, if that was my oldie (and I do own a veteran who struggled last winter) I'd be heartbroken. OP isn't the kind to bury her head in the sand, more likely she's hurt by some of the things said and is just holding some dignity in not replying and is busy looking after her horses.
 
itsme123 said:
To be fair, if that was my oldie (and I do own a veteran who struggled last winter) I'd be heartbroken. OP isn't the kind to bury her head in the sand, more likely she's hurt by some of the things said and is just holding some dignity in not replying and is busy looking after her horses.
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I would feel the same in this situation, I think. I feel very sorry for the OP as it is always heartbreaking to see age catch up with a beloved animal, and I hope that she can get things sorted with her mare, one way or the other. That needs to be her first concern, not responding to threads on the internet, IMO.
 
Kitsune said:
I agree itsme, I think MrsElle will have gotten the point now and no more really needs to be said. Judging by the fact she hasn't been back on the thread suggests its a bit of a painful subject and I'm sure she's taken on all the help and advice given.

And pastie2 lol, sometimes I genuinely love you, not for what you said, but your brass neck!
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You wouldnt have me any other way, I give you something to fight against!
 
I dont know the OP and have never met her and probably am never likely to meet her. It sounds like lots and lots of you on here do know her in real life and know that she does look after the horse?? She asked for opinions and most people said they thought the horse looked uncared for and underweight and only one or two people said they thought it looked fine (what planet they are on I do not know). I hope MrsElle does read this post and it spurs her into phoning some feed companies or getting in touch with nutritionists to help this horse gain some weight.
 
Pastie2. If you had read my other post you would have read bought 2 year old. Also I should have said I've seen thinner youngsters. But yet again the posts are getting nasty. As I said what goes around comes around (Old northern saying)
 
johnrobert said:
Pastie2. If you had read my other post you would have read bought 2 year old. Also I should have said I've seen thinner youngsters. But yet again the posts are getting nasty. As I said what goes around comes around (Old northern saying)
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Sorry JR, I havent read your other post, but I do not want to know about your thin youngsters, whatever the age of a horse there is no need to see thin youngsters or thin oldsters, sorry but I think you are talking rubbish.
 
Tormenta said:
You see I am going to put my neck on the line here and disagree. If this horse is happy within herself and what I mean is shows a good quality of enjoying life then why should she be put down because she looks thinner than is accepted? (Has anyone ever seen how humans age?) I have a friend with a pony who is almost 40 years old, looks similiar, gets well fed as does this horse and all her needs catered to. She is still fit enough to withstand the horrendous Winter we have just had with good care, is as bright as a button, still wants to tease the geldings and is thoroughly enjoying life with a spring in her step. My friend has even had the vet give their opinion, and their opinion is that they would not want her to be much thinner but as she is enjoying life and is cared for then they are fine with that.

I don't think an elderly horse needs to be put down because it can't carry the same weight it used to when it was younger. There are ways and means to catering for elderly horses. As long as they are happy to be alive, are not becoming skeletal due to ailments and are still displaying a healthy attitude to life, food and things in general then I see no just cause to say, 'put it to sleep'.
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I agree totally. I know a few horses this year that look like that. One is 38, the other is a TB and mid 20's. The older they are, the more they struggle to put weight back on after a winter like we've had, but they can often improve slowly over time. My friends TB looks so similar and he is on fantastic grazing. We've just had a nutritionist out and are about to start trying new things.

If the horse is happy and healthy and being looked after, why does it need to be put to sleep. You can see my ribs too !!
 
micramadam said:
Please don't take this the wrong way but, Yes, I would report her. That sounds mean I know but if you saw another horse looking like this wouldn't you report it. Think of all the poor horses that have never been reported until it was already too late. IMHO always better to be safe than sorry.
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Sorry but i would too.

If i saw a horse like that and didnt know the full story i would also be concerned.
Is there nothing more the vet can do?
I know you said he is happy with her but is there anything else going on?
Can you speak to a feed expert and get their advice on the best feed for her?
 
johnrobert said:
So how would you feel if somebody reported you to the RSPCA?? MissElle looks after her mare and to me for a 28year old mare she does look good for her age. I've youngsters thinner than her.
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I'd be mortified if I was reported to any welfare organisation - any of us would. However, these things are very rarely done meliciously, so common sense would tell me that there was a reason for it. The OP recognises that the mare looks poor and can understand people's concerns.

This horse does not look good - for any age. Anno Domini catches up eventually - and this is exactly what has happened to this horse. I have no doubt that she is given the absolute best of care.

JR - if you think it's acceptable for any horse to look like this, you need to step back and look at your own management.

As for your ridiculous comments about London cabby horses - how on earth is it relevant here - and do you know what a horse in good and fit condition should actually look like????
 
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MrsElle said:
I haven't read all of the replies but don't get upset, you know deep down that you are doing your best for her, we have a 38 year, 17hh, ISH here, he looks ok ish but I always keep a fly rug on him when he is out in the field, he does get bitten by flies but also no one can see his body - can you put a mesh rug on her - keep the uneducated from looking :rolleyes:
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Are you still concerned for the horse after reading everything MissElle has written here?

I understand what she is saying.

I just feel for her now after all of these replies, what is the point - she is doing the best she can - the horse is looked after and cared for, she is old and won't last another winter.

I'm not concerned for the horse after reading her replies.
 
Lollii said:
Are you still concerned for the horse after reading everything MissElle has written here?
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No - not for a minute.

However your comment about the uneducated intimates that anyone with equine knowledge would not be concerned about this horse - if they did not know its history. And as someone who is educated - I would be concerned if I did not know the horse or the owner.
 
Wow this post has certainly provoked a response.

OP, I wouldn't take it personally that your horse has been reported to the RSPCA as this actually happens quite a lot for a variety of reasons. As your mare is under vet care and well looked after nothing will come of it.

I don't think your pictures are the best; she would probably look quite a bit better if she had been stood up, but frankly I think those who have said she looks sad are anthropomorphising a bit too much. Also it is impossible to judge condition accurately from a photo. You are best placed to judge her quality of life and provided she is able to mooch around and do normal horse things then I don't think being lean is a reason to have her PTS. Being thin is not painful.

I would get your vet to check her over and run a blood profile to check that there is no obvious reason for her weightloss (liver/kidney problems etc) and if nothing shows up I would consider adding oil to her diet to up the calories cheaply without increasing the bulk.

I know how difficult this situation is, having dealt with it both on a personal level and professionally. There are lots of thin elderly horses out there, but provided you are prepared to accept a high lecvel of supportive care and are realistic about the long term then I see no reason to rush to a decision on her future in light of someone phoning the RSPCA.
 
Ive kept quiet till now.I am going to have my say!! The pics do not do the horse any justice.Just because shes lost weight IS NOT A REASON TO PTS. Remember she is a old lady and old horses DO tend to lose weight! LET YOUR VET BE THE JUDGE AS TO WHEN ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!
Ive seen a tb in worse condition than that and his owner did everything she could for him ,but eventually at 36,his kidneys were failing,and had to be pts. RIP Marvel!!
I would pop a fly rug on him too,just to keep the pesky flies off her!!
BOL hope she gains the weight back!!
 
Am I the only person who doesn't think she looks THAT bad for an oldie out of work? Not all horses carry thier weight the same nor look good all the time. My tb is alot younger and can look quite rough when out of work.
Why are we all so obsessed with how we want them to look? There should be alot more to whether a horse is neglected than just how they look ie how they appear in themselves.
I have a laminitic who I have been advised (by my vet and farrier) to keep to a weight whereby we can see his ribs. Both have said that if anyone has a problem with that then to refer them to them.

Tbh...I would have no qualms about being reported to the rspca...people are often wittering about how I keep my horses ie not pampered, because they are happy and healthy regardless of whether they fit into the 'how a horse should look' mould.
 
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