tethered pony :(

Firehorse

Firehorse

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 September 2008
Messages
1,124
Location
sunny and cold sussex
Visit site
over the weekend a pony has been tethered on some land near where we ride. i saw him today for the first time and he doesnt look happy. its heart breaking to see the strap round his neck. he was agitated before he even saw us coming, not grazing just moving about a lot and looking around. he's all by himself too. i dont suppose the RSPCA will be concerned as long as he water and food. he has no shelter up there either. what would you guys do? i feel if he starts to look thin it would be worth reporting it, but would they take notice at the moment? someone must be checking him as apparently he's been moved since the weekend when my friend first saw him.
 
You can at least notify the RSPCA and just say hey look I've noticed this and I'm concerned about x and y and then at least they are aware of it and can monitor the situation. That's what I would do.
 
If he has food and water and isnt condition score 1/1.5 then they wont be interested but report it anyway if you want to.

Under the new welfare code tethering isnt in itself considered cruel, Im afraid. So tethering of itself isnt any grounds for them doing anything.
 
Is it the behaviour or the teathering that concerns you? If it's the teathering then I wouldn't expect much to come of it.
 
my main concern was that he didnt look happy. he was trotting around long before he could've seen us. and he has no shelter either. i've just phoned and they will pass on the details. whether they will take a look or not i dont know. poor little blighter :(
 
Well done for reporting. I had similar issue a while ago (although the ponies in question were not tethered - just left).
Even if it comes to nothing, at least you haven't ignored the situation.
Let us know if any update to report.
 
I've never had a problem with tethering (so long as the horse is happy) but from what you say this isn't good :/
He could've been upset because he's been moved?
Well done for reporting it anyway :)
 
I'd keep an eye on him and ensure someone is checking him ie his water is available and he is fed etc.

If however he was clearly abandoned and the winter was getting harsher and I knew no-one was attending him i'd encourage him to pull free of whatever is tethering him and help him into my yard. At least that way if there is a genuine owner comes out the woodwork the horse is cared for. He may be stolen, lost, on loan anything really. Once there i'd do everything I could to trace his owners
 
Definately done the right thing for reporting at the end of the day if it has a responsible owner they should be fine as they know people are looking out for ones that are neglected. It's the horses welfare that's most important.
 
I have no problem with tethering if done correctly and horse is moved regulary. Could it be that his mate has been sold or is he a weanling??? (using he I have no idea if hes a girl or now) If hes still like it in a week or so defo report it as the behavious would defo stress him and cause weightloss eventually. If hes on a rope report him as that is dangerous.
 
Perhaps it is worth taking a photo of him in his current condition and then perhaps once a week after that so you can see if he is deteriorating/loosing weight etc.
 
just thought i'd update this. the pony has been moved into the area where the travellers are living and now has a rug on and buckets of water. there's not much grass for him to eat as its a concrete compound he's in, just weeds growing, but he seems a lot happier now :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top