RSPCA

[exracehorse]

Local to me. Sudbury. Suffolk. Five emaciated horses.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Rspca are useless I wouldn't even bother with them anymore.

Poor horses look in a right state

 

[Mynstrel]

Well doesn't that just sum that organisation up to a T if the guy isn't lying and they did actually show up. The poor things.

 

[dorsetladette]

I'd suggest that RSPCA haven't been as the poster would have written evidence of the visit and if the inspector was'happy with all 5' they would have written so and they would posted that as proof too.

WHW are probably better to call if you wanted to report yourself.

 

[exracehorse]

Well doesn't that just sum that organisation up to a T if the guy isn't lying and they did actually show up. The poor things.

They turned up.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thing is alot of the inspectors know nothing about horses although an absolute idiot can see those are starving

 

[exracehorse]

I'd suggest that RSPCA haven't been as the poster would have written evidence of the visit and if the inspector was'happy with all 5' they would have written so and they would posted that as proof too.

WHW are probably better to call if you wanted to report yourself.

 

[meleeka]

A horse in a similar state not far from me was declared ok by WHW a few months ago. The next thing is they’ll be appealing for information when one is found dead and dumped, or they’ll be very proud of themselves when they prosecute the owner because they are found either dying or dead.

The 5 freedoms are apparently ‘advisory’ according to the RSPCA. Of course they could always get a vet to state they are ‘in a situation likely to cause suffering’ then it would be perfectly legal for the police to seize, but that would cost them more than the publicity it would generate.

 

[LEC]

Ultimately, even if laws are broken it’s private prosecution by RSPCA and is a massive hole in animal welfare. Horses would be better off being declared as agricultural as then there are slightly more protections, but even then it’s problematic with going to court.

 

[Mynstrel]

They turned up.

And they paint themselves the great protector. Mind you, I'd expect nothing more from them than that.

 

[dorsetladette]

Not great!

 

[Nonjumper]

Strange they are so stick thin in what looks like a fairly sizable field of decent grass though

 

[Snowfilly]

RSPCA won’t do anything, they’ve got grass and freedom to move and they’re still standing.

It ought to be a crime but I can easily believe they’ve turned up and passed them all as fit enough.

WHE might do something but as RSPCA have come out and found them ok, probably not.

Press campaign is probably the best chance.

 

[Timelyattraction]

Agree with the poster above. They look terrible but the field they're in looks decent. Cant see how they are so poor

 

[ycbm]

They are very thin but he's probably only just moved them onto that grass, and therefore they are not being ill treated right now. For the RSPCA to do anything, they needed to have been caught while still in the barn or the mud patch where they over wintered with insufficient food.
.

 

[SEL]

I had to get shouty when a RS were using horses with not much more weight on than that. One of the RSPCA team let slip it wasn't the first complaint.

They only got their backsides over there when I said I'd phone the council first thing Monday and find out who their licencing vet was.

I've found BHS / WHW as first point of call more helpful but I'm guessing those horses have just been moved onto grass because the rest of us are struggling to keep weight off now spring has sprung.

 

[exracehorse]

Strange they are so stick thin in what looks like a fairly sizable field of decent grass though

They knew RSPCA were coming. Moved them from a bald mud pit enclosure into another field.

 

[nagblagger]

Maybe a photo sent to your local paper. The rspca won't want bad publicity.
Either way, at least they are now in a decent field and hopefully the inspectors will return. (I can live in hope)

 

[Smitty]

Totally awful. On enlarging the pics, there are loads of weeds and a large patch of stingers. The one whose body is viewed through the gate seems to have some scabs, rainscald?

I think they are in a shocking state and would be surprised if they have received any supplementary feed or hay at all unless all 3 have internal problems or all need their teeth doing very very badly

I don't know how the person responsible for them sleeps at night. I doubt they go without food!

Years ago I got my mare back from stud June/July time and a passing officer from one of the welfare organisations passing when I was in the yard with her stopped to ask about some horses further down the lane. He was immediately interested in her, first asking if she was a stallion and then issuing me with dire warnings about what would happen if he came back in 3 weeks and she was still fat. He wasn't bothered by the fact she had got back from stud, where she had been for a year, a couple of days previously.

 

[splashgirl45]

Typical RSPCA they are useless where horses are concerned. BHS Welfare might be a good idea

 

[Kaylum]

I don't know the story behind these but maybe they are rescue themselves? The welfare law for horses is absolutely terrible. Unless they are abandoned or literally on the floor there is not much you can do but try and get them signed over.

 

[exracehorse]

Maybe a photo sent to your local paper. The rspca won't want bad publicity.
Either way, at least they are now in a decent field and hopefully the inspectors will return. (I can live in hope)

It’s been ongoing for years. Last year they did exactly the same. Moved them before authorities arrived. One died of colic. Five have passed in three years One dies. It gets replaced.

 

[exracehorse]

I don't know the story behind these but maybe they are rescue themselves? The welfare law for horses is absolutely terrible. Unless they are abandoned or literally on the floor there is not much you can do but try and get them signed over.

They are at a livery yard. Not rescued horses. Just starved horses.

 

[exracehorse]

Totally awful. On enlarging the pics, there are loads of weeds and a large patch of stingers. The one whose body is viewed through the gate seems to have some scabs, rainscald?

I think they are in a shocking state and would be surprised if they have received any supplementary feed or hay at all unless all 3 have internal problems or all need their teeth doing very very badly

I don't know how the person responsible for them sleeps at night. I doubt they go without food!

Years ago I got my mare back from stud June/July time and a passing officer from one of the welfare organisations passing when I was in the yard with her stopped to ask about some horses further down the lane. He was immediately interested in her, first asking if she was a stallion and then issuing me with dire warnings about what would happen if he came back in 3 weeks and she was still fat. He wasn't bothered by the fact she had got back from stud, where she had been for a year, a couple of days previously.

Zero feed. Hay. Or water through the wet winter.

 

[Kaylum]

They are at a livery yard. Not rescued horses. Just starved horses.

Oh right couldn't see the full story

 

[exracehorse]

Typical RSPCA they are useless where horses are concerned. BHS Welfare might be a good idea

They are at Brundon. Off Melford Road. Sudbury. You can walk past them with your dogs. Locals are furious with outcome. And they are at a livery yard too ! Not a hidden up field

 

[Glitter's fun]

Last time I had concerns about a very thin horse I contacted WHW & they were excellent. I would suggest you send them the location (they asked me for What Three Words) & some photos and a knowledgeable description of their appearance and condition score.

 

[webble]

Well doesn't that just sum that organisation up to a T if the guy isn't lying and they did actually show up. The poor things.

Exactly. And what do we know with regards to context? Did he tell them he has had them for a week and is feeding them up and getting them sorted (even if it isnt true) It bothers me the way people criticise the RSPCA when they are often tied by the complexities and inadequacy of the law

 

[ycbm]

The RSPCA can't do anything legally about thin, but clearly fully alive, horses with no obvious issues apart from having been short of food, who are stood in a field full of grass. Nobody can prove at this stage why they are thin.

If this was reported when they had no food, to WHW, then I think you might get a result.

I doubt the RSPCA told him they were fine, that's just his story, but there's absolutely zero they can do about it now they've been moved if they continue to have enough grass in the field.
.

 

[Sealine]

In the distant past I've known the RSPCA to get worm counts done on underweight horses to prove they're not being properly cared for. Especially when they appear to have food but are still underweight.