RANT ALERT!!! Why can't people say goodbye to 'loved' horses???

Demolition_Derby

Demolition_Derby

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I'm sorry, this may turn into a bit of a rant! There are 2 other liveries at the yard where I keep my horses, a woman with a retired eventer and an old(ish) man with his very very old pony. He has owned this pony since it was 2, he is now in his late 30s. He used him for driving mainly but did ride him occassionally (the pony is about 14hh and this man is not light or small by any stretch of the imagination and never was) but that is beside the point. Anyway, this pony is in so much pain and the man just doesn't seem to care
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. First of all at the beginning of the winter he had his NZ on 24/7 (he is stabled at night with a sprinkling of straw on the cold, solid concrete floor) and hadn't had the rug removed for weeks. When he did remove it he noticed he had bald patches and raw sores all over him (surprise surprise) left him 'to air' overnight in freezing cold then put rug back on
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. After a few days I suggested he at least bathes the sores to which he does and scrubs them even rawer. He then calls vet (after wknd as this would mean expensive call out charge) who tells him he has lice and gives him treatment. Lice sorted except we now have to treat all other horses up there at our expense
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He then decided that he would take him for a drive. This poor boy is old, lame (despite being on one sachet of bute a day), arthritic, unfit and deaf. He took him out for about 40 mins and when he came back he was covered in head to toe with sweat. It was literally pouring off him. Man then decides to hose him off (yes in middle of winter) and then puts him in field soaking wet (couldn't find sweat scraper) with no rug on. Wonders why pony gets ill
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. Unfortuantely, this is regular thing.
He was shod in Sept (couldn't walk barefoot on gravel path to field without falling over and refusing to move) and it was only when he lost a shoe LAST WEEK that he called the farrier again. He then picked out his feet the night before he was due (first time since sept) and as he did he dislodged a bit of wood from his frog which was then followed by blood and a lot of pus. He puts pony back in dirty stable, no cleaning of wound. Leaves it 'to air'. Farrier comes in the morning, tells him off and suggests he gets vet as he needs anti-biotics. He puts him back in field and has seemed to have forgotten all about it.
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Im sorry, maybe I am being OTT but he is always telling us how much he loves this pony etc etc but how can he see him suffer so much? I understand its hard to say goodbye after so long but I could never watch my pony being so unhappy. He is so miserablr, he bites if you go near him, always has his ears flat back when anyone is in the yard. He can hardly eat due to his teeth but man insists on feeding hard mix etc as it 'will occupy throughout the night' as the poor pony trys to eat it.
He also has the cheek to take the mickey out of 'how spoilt' my horses are and how they have stable rugs on at night, deep beds, full haynets, daily grooming and correct feeding!!
I'm really sorry, I probably sound really bitchy but I just hate seeing an animal suffering. What can I do
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? report him to the RSPCA?

Well done for getting this far!!
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I'd get onto your local BHS welfare officer first..... they will come out and try and educate this person.... and if they see fit, will involve authorities
 
I would report him to the either the local BHS welface officer or the RSPCA, He sounds like hes old school and thinks its okay to look after his poor horse like that.. It must be heartbreaking to see this everyday.. Poor old horse. Something has to be done before the poor horse falls really ill and ends up in lots of pain.
 
Sorry, got to the pony being in pain and couldn't read any more, just too upsetting.

We had the most wonderful little horse put down yesterday. 12 years old, but with arthritis in its hocks. He went down hill quite rapidly over the last two weeks, and yesterday it was deamed time to say goodbye. His quality of life was diminishing, he was not happy and was increasingly unconfortable.

I wish that every horse could be as lucky as little Taz
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what on earth is wrong with your YO???

are they blind??

how have they allowed this to happen??

i'd be ringing the BHS ASAP, and reporting the owner AND the YO.......

DISGRACEFUL!!!!!
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The YO is a farmer and never goes into the stable block. I have asked him several times to talk to him and each time he says he cant interfere with 'yard politics'. I have speoken to the man himself and he gets really arsey and very defensive. I had threatened to report him to the RSPCA and my YO told me I was being too picky and not everyone has the same standard of care that I do. So this now means that if I do report him they will all know it was me, but then when the welfare of a horse is involved does that really matter??
 
Report to your local BHS welfare!! Or RSPCA....

There is nothing worse seeing a horse inpain, and itwas heartbreaking reading that. But even if the man who owns the pony never speaks to you again and when ever he does he is spiteful atleast the pony will be in a better place- If thats up in heaven, or at a different home, or even where he is now but just being looked after better.

And I bet if the pony could talk, and you did report the man, the pony would be very, very greatful for giving him a better life.

Goodluck
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just tell the YO/Farmer that "yard politics" dont come into the Welfare of Animals" Act...which he, as the owner of the yard, is bound by.

a visit from the BHS should change his mind......
 
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just tell the YO/Farmer that "yard politics" dont come into the Welfare of Animals" Act...which he, as the owner of the yard, is bound by.

a visit from the BHS should change his mind......

[/ QUOTE ]

JMO7 is spot on. The 'farmer' is as responsible for this animal as the owner is.......
 
Oh, and thats not "old school" care, thats just cr*p care. I would get onto the BHS as well, and drop a hint to YO about their duty of care. This man ought to just have his poor pony PTS quietly.
 
This really upset me. I don't think you're being OTT at all, I'd be exactly the same. He's not 'old school', he's ignorant, clueless, and cruel.

I would definitely report him, but I guess you have to be prepared for any possible repercussions - it's always a worry when you're horses are on the yard.

This probably does sound OTT, but I'm not sure I could stay on a yard with people like that, and the YO sounds just as bad. He obviously doesn't give a shxt about this little pony either.
 
i would report him to as many people as possible, at least then someone will come out, personally I don't think I could bare it, and I would probably take maters into my own hands which wouldn't be advisable and I would probably get in trouble! It is also very hard for you as you have your own at the yard and you don't want to lose your place if people think you are trouble making. Problem is that when someone does do something and the horse is pts or taken away everyone will be relieved - but people don't want to be the one that makes a stand! Good luck and keep us updated.
 
How tragic. Under the new Welfare of Animals Act, the YO is ultimately responsible for all animals on his property - so he can't duck the issue by using the "yard politics" excuse. I would contact the ILPH (not the RSPCA) and get them involved. I would guess this man's "love" for this pony is governed by the fact that it will cost a considerable amount of money to have the poor chap PTS. The ILPH will advise him and follow up.
 
How heartbreaking. The thing that upsets me the most in the entire world is animal cruelty whether it be intentional or unintentional. You must do something about it - RSPCA or BHS - and do it soon. The poor, poor pony.
 
Report both owner and YO. - or give me the details and I'll report them to the BHS.

Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Poor horse.
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I have just realised how cruel I have been watching this all go on
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. I was so worried about being chucked out (its the only yard around me) I was not thinking about the pony. You have made me step back and look at it as though I was outside. Thank you. I shall be reporting him and will keep you updated. I don't have much faith tho as I have reported cases before and they 'advised' that the animal was put down but that was all. Thank you and I do feeel very guilty that I have let this continue
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. x
 
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Thank you and I do feeel very guilty that I have let this continue . x


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Don't feel guilty. You are in a very difficult situation.......
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I'm sure the other liveries will be supportive and right behind you, its downright cruelty as far as I'm concerned not just ignorance!

good luck!
 
DD, report to the ILPH, demand and expect a call advising you of progress and dont be intimidated, ask questions and dont give up until you get some answers. The ILPH have to attend if they receive a report. They have been very helpful to me and I would definitely report to them again if necessary.
 

And while you are waiting, do something to improve that poor pony's life.

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What can I do? I cant TELL him how to look after his pony. i make a point of not interfering in any way up there as I don't even let him touch my horses after the way he looks after his and he knows this is the reason. I have my own field because I dont want him near mine. If I start interefing I am being very hypocritical. I will leave it to the ILPH. Im calling them in my lunch hour.
 
Well done for being brave enough to report this. Until the ILPH or whoever do actually come out, could you perhaps add some straw to the poor animal's bed, and maybe treat his sores/poultice his foot - if you can pick a time when the owner won't be around? I don't think that would be hypocritical - the important thing in all this is the pony's welfare. (Take some photos beforehand and make sure you tell the ILPH that you'd 'interfered' so they don't assume the pony's owner had turned over a new leaf.)
 
Thank you Hussar. The photos are a very good idea, however if I do treat the sores or poultice the foot myself teh owner will go ballistic. I may go and speak to the farmer tonight and ask him to do it with me. I doubt he will but I will try.
 
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I wonder if trading standards would also be useful??

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Yes, Trading Standards is the way to go with this, they will firstly try and work with the old chap and his pony to get the required result or will take the stronger approach if he doesn't comply. Your call will be treated in strict confidence I can assure you.

The situation can not continue for the welfare of this pony, who I'm sure has been a good friend the the old chap.
 
brighteyes that is a pretty unpleasant response, imho.

to the op I would suggest bhs and ilph, not for crying out loud the rspca for reasons well documented elsewhere on this board.

do you have a local rescue/welfare place which might get involved?

It's not always easy to pitch in and take action, especially when you have no legal right to do so, so find someone who can talk reasonably, and is good at conflict resolution, to help you out. Remember the desired outcome is helping the pony, not hanging drawing and quartering some poor old man who may well have his own issues.

Do you have any mutual acquaintances with this man, who could maybe help him to see your point of view, and get this pony some help?
 
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