Poor pony :(

[MrsElle]

I went to look at some land today, the landowner took me past some already rented out paddocks which contained several horses/ponies.

All looked well fed, but that is probably due to there being lots and lots of grass. None get hard feed or hay at the moment but not sure what happens in winter.

Most of the horses stayed at the bottom of the field but one came over for a fuss.

I was shocked by the state of this poor ponies feet. Now I'm not perfect and know that Blue's feet are a week or two overdue for the farrier (who is coming next week), but this ponies feet were so overgrown they are starting to curl upwards. The poor thing looked as if it was wearing clogs

What can I do? I spoke with the landowner who said he had spoken to the owner who had assured him that a farrier was coming out 'in the next few days'. The land owner doesn't seem to believe this will happen though.

I feel so sad for this lovely little lad who looks pretty healthy other than his feet but not sure what I can do about them. Any ideas?

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Get in touch with World Horse Welfare - if they are so long that the hooves are starting to curl this is a welfare case & needs action. It is a clear case of neglect.

 

[nickslynn]

Could you call in "when passing", with a list of local farriers and numbers and suggest to the owner, that she would be better off getting them done quickly before someone reports her to the authorites!
If nothing has been done in ? aweek ? report her to RSPCA or WHW. At least that way she has had the push she may need and a chance to get it sorted, before it goes on too much longer!

 

[MrsElle]

Could you call in "when passing", with a list of local farriers and numbers and suggest to the owner, that she would be better off getting them done quickly before someone reports her to the authorites!
If nothing has been done in ? aweek ? report her to RSPCA or WHW. At least that way she has had the push she may need and a chance to get it sorted, before it goes on too much longer!

I don't know who the owner is unfortunately and by reporting the pony to WHW it would be blatently obvious who had called them as the herd really is in the middle of nowhere, down a long lane with a padlocked gate at the top. No one would ever see these horses unless they went into the field which is also surrounded by trees and hedging.

I will more than likely be moving my lot up there. Do you think that the way to go is to tell the landowner to tell the herd owner that my three have the farrier booked and does she want hers looking at while he is here?

If the answer to that is 'no' then I would happily report them and tell them I have done so as they would have been given a chance to sort the ponies feet out.

Good idea?

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Hmm see where you're coming from, tricky for you.

I'd be careful you didn't get stuck with payment for your farrier having done the "herd".

If the landowner has already mentioned to her and been told a pack of lies it would seem that the owner of the ponies isn't really taking much notice.

WHW are nice people - they will talk to the owner and offer help, you never know the owner may be struggling and not know where to go for help.

Bottom line though, ponies are neglected and need help.