Rescue horses...

[Bobbly]

In light of the 'Donkey' thread, what are peoples thoughts on the horses and ponies that are rescued by the horse charities? Given that times are hard and so many more horses and ponies are finding themselves in need of rescue and rehabilitation, are the charities right to continue to care for the cases that are going to require long term medication (sometimes lifetime) or veterinary care, i.e. laminitics, deformities, chronic cases etc. Or in these difficult economic times should they be more selective when the animals arrive and decide to help the ones that have a real chance of being re-homed and useful or if not rehomed, do not require any great degree of medical care. An emotive subject, what are your views?

 

[joeanne]

Its down to the charity IMO. If they feel a horse can live a useful life and can afford treatment then why not?
You would never have thought some of the animals from Spindles Farm would ever be classed as useful given the state they were all in, but look at some of them now!

 

[Goldenstar]

It is also complicated by if the animal has been seized and there will be a court case the horse still belongs to the owner and may have to be returned, although they can be PTS if the are suffering an unreasonable amount that can lead to very impaired horses ( ie those with ghasty conformation that will never lead a useful life )surviving but you are then months in with a horse that has fought to live and people who have gone the extra mile to keep it going .These are difficult questions with no right answers but a young donkey emaciated and with an infection is likely to make a full recovery.

 

[joeanne]

Carrot and Spud....another case of two horses who had no use other than eating and spending days snoozing in the sun and my god they were bad. They were very aged, but they tugged on the old heart strings and nobody wanted to consider they might need to be PTS.
They spend a couple of very happy years at Bransby before they passed away.