Turn a blind eye or intervene ?

Shysmum

Shysmum

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I'm not on the best yard welfare wise (!),and am actively looking to move asap. My question is, with these people who "have horses but really, truly and honestly should not have horses"........would you turn a blind eye or intervene/offer advice/try and help for the horse's sake ? DIY and yard owner not interested at all.

i hate hate hate to come across as a bossy know it all...... but when horses have gone unwormed for years, no teeth done ever, losing weight and in filthy stables, with pea-soup (and cheddar) water bowls it is very difficult for me to turn a blind eye. I am holding it all in, maybe for a blast if I do move, with the exception of some very poor ponies, another thread........... what would you do, or have you done, and if so, did it work ? SM
 
If you are absolutely sure these animals are suffering then you should report them asap...preferably to WHW
 
I think you've got to say something, either to them or whoever runs the yard - or start secretly washing out their buckets yourself
 
Erm yes is the answer - this particular owner of several horses seemed to think it was quite funny. Till she did worm them,O.M.G... and the vet later came for someone else and ended up doing their teeth. Hmmm.
 
Hi,

I'd definitely intervene - it sounds like the horses are really not cared for properly at all. I have done that before - I 'had a quiet word' with the owner, just saying I'd noticed a couple of things and then gave them the chance to reply. They were pretty ignorant! I then said the way things should be done and they seemed pretty ok with it. They half heartedly 'cared' for their horse but in the end, other yard users just use to pitch in and look after the horse. I'm not sure if it's owner knew we were looking after the horse - they never said, but I think they did and probably thought we were all too soft, but at least we knew it was better off.

If the horses are really not looked after and you feel you can't approach the owners, then I would definitely contact the RSPCA - you don't have to give your name if you're worried about any backlash from the owners but something should be done.

Good luck and sorry for the long reply!

Lara
 
Ok a confession. I did say something to one of the girls and it all went totally out of control. Me talking horses, she talking farm animals (??). Like I say, should not have a horse at all. A horse is a privilege not a right.

I do agree that this whole place needs a welfare visit, and I think it's so hard for me that I used to work in animal welfare. I understand the arguments for and against licensing livery yards, but I have to say I think it would be a good thing for animal welfare. I do have very high standards, and like hubs says, these horses have lasted like this for years and know no different. Urghhhh.

It did all go horribly wrong when I did say something - very nicely but firmly - this horse then left the yard, YO not happy . But surely the YO should be accepting responsibility, not me taking on the responsibility ? How many other livery yards are like this ?
 
what ever you do DONT call RSPCA they will do nothing as usaual call the bhs welfare or whw.
"i agree a horse is a privilege not a right"

just remember animals carnt speak its up to us to do it for them !!!
 
Agreed. They will know it's me, and I'm not moving toooooooo far. I hate this feeling of being a trouble maker and know-it-all (which I most definitely don't!!!!!!!).

It's just common sense, isn't it ? And funny how other peeps complain loudly until the relevant owner walks in, isn't it, lol.
 
pmsl Charlie 13 re RS !!

Maybe time to get the camera out ?
crazy.gif
 
Is it the fact they haven't got the knowledge to care for their horse or they just don't want to?

I did intervere when was at old yard with two girls because i knew they didnt have the knowledge or understanding to care for their horse. They had learning difficulties and yard owner had promised them a place at yard but when they came he wouldnt help them out.

I offered them help and advice as i did really feel sorry for them. They accepted my help and they listened and the horse was alot better for it. Even now after moving yard we still keep intouch if she has a problem she just phones or texts me.

I have also experienced a owner who would be the oppiste from those two girls she was just lazy and not prepared to give the horse the time it needed. I had warned my yard owner about the condition of the horse, that it was loosing weight, that she hadnt came down and brought hay so was feeding him with my own hay and it took him nearly month to pay attention. By that time the horse was really skinny. She was confronted and chucked of the yard, she gave me the horse for free which i later found a nice loving home for him.

I would try and offer advice and help and see if they need it, if they dont affect then would contact a welfare officer.
 
BEVA have been pressing for licensing for years - for the reasons you identify. YO says 'it is nothing to do with me'. If the law changes they won't be able to say that and will have to ensure horses in THEIR yard are properly cared for.

A surprising number of welfare cases are found in DIY yards where other owners turn a blind eye or don't want to interfere.

I would definitely contact BHS or WHW.
 
This is sheer laziness mixed in with ignorance. It makes my blood boil to see a new stable gadget (think stall guards) and expensive feed supplements when the very very basic basics are not done.

However, this is not just one owner. There are three that need a thrashing with a schooling whip if I'm honest. But it all comes back to the YO. He knows, I have spelt it out, he just says he doesn't interfere. Would you allow a horse to be turned out 24/7 without any supervision by the owner, just living off the hay the yo puts out ? God only knows what he's like under his rug. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Promise as soon as I leave, I will make that call. or maybe three, that'd get it sorted... I have been so distressed by what has been going on, it's just been a nightmare.

Please tell me, are many other yards like this ?
 
Would be very interested to hear what can be done when you know a yard is being run right and horses not being looked after to a correct standard?

My old yard sounds like it was ran as bad as the yard your on, i use to end up spending all my time caring for other peoples horses that other people were either incapable of looking after themselves or just couldnt be bothered to.

As would love to have someone go and check the yard but would hate them to find out it was me who sent them there.
 
Exactly, and the YO knows what I used to do.............. but then the horse welfare is more important to me I guess. Although would any other livery yard accept me and my beautiful boy after "the visit" ?
 
we had case on yard and one person called bhs and somone had called rspca well bhs wanted to give owner a stern talkng to but as rspca where called so she could do any thing and rspca sed she got food and looks ok so ...... . i know hw ur felling i said somthing to some 1 last year to do with horse being over weight and feet hadent been done for ages and her hubsand at the time had a good yell at me and she had me in tackroom and wouldt let me out and chucked my tack on floor :Z and then in july 1 ofher horses came in with server lami and is still no better now ! after she found out welfer officer had been out she decided to get the vet out only for the 4 time sine she came in in july .
i found it better to tell welfare officer than say your self but that my experiance.
my yo did nothing and according to bhs the yo has a duty to horse on the yard apparently
 
There shouldnt be any reason why any acceptable yard with a caring YO would not accept you after your yard had had a visit.

Maybe you could find a new yard fast and move and then give the welfare a call?
 
Depend on you, you say you have high standards, we all do in our own way. Mine maybe not up to yours or the other way round. And I must admit, I've received good advice and bad advice when I was in livery, when we bought our own place, the good advice went with me. It's your call.
 
I'd get BHS welfare involved, they can help if it is an educational issue and are generally much better equiped for this sort of situation than RSPCA. It is a bit less confrontational too.
 
God that is terrible, I would definitely make the call, who cares what they think they should be shamed and so should the current yard owner. Fortunately I have never been at a yard where that would be allowed to happen, poor horses.
 
There are quite a few ponies on our yard who are living out and their owners are not coming every day. The ponies are being hayed and they are healthy and happy. When I go down to feed my pony after work I often think how contented and happy they all look.

I think if they are getting enough to eat does it really matter who feeds and checks them? The YO would notice and has said something in the past when she thought a pony or horse was underweight and needed extra food but that has only happened once since I have been there and it was with novice owners who quickly rectified the situation.

As you said you can't see what sort of state the horse is under the rug - he could be absolutely fine - lots of cobs and ponies can live very happily on a fourage only diet. I don't think the living out ponies who are having hay are a serious welfare concern requiring the RSPCA unless their feet are in bad state, they are injured, ill or the hay they are getting is not sufficient.

[ QUOTE ]
Would you allow a horse to be turned out 24/7 without any supervision by the owner, just living off the hay the yo puts out ? God only knows what he's like under his rug. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.


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The living in horses who I presume get some turnout during the day as well - if the only issue is that their water buckets are not sparkling clean but they are healthy probably don't warrent a RSPCA visit either. The horse welfare charities are not going to be interested unless there is evidence of the horse suffering if the horses look healthy they are not going to do tests on them to see if they have a worm burden or their teeth need doing.

People do have different standards of horse care but as long as the horse is healthy and happy that is all that matters. After all having a prestine stable and clean horse does not necessarily mean that the horse is healthy or happy. Over pampering can lead to obsetity which is now becoming a welfare issue and horses that are stuck in 24/7 because their owners don't want to turn out in heavy rain may not be that happy compared to ones living out.

If you know for sure that the horses are unhealthy due to the way that they are being kept then yes intervention is needed. Maybe speak to a welware charity about your concerns and they will tell you if a visit is needed.
 
There is no doubt that there are welfare issues at some yards. However the yard owners are ultimately reponsible for the animals on their yard and can be prosecuted.

Your most positive action would be to ask your local BHS Welfare Officer to visit the yard and talk to the owner of the yard and advise him of his obligations as regards the welfare of the horses on his yard. They could also then view the animals that are causing concern and advise the owners of their duty of care to their animals and what they need to do to improve matters. They will then return un-anounced a number of times to ensure that matters have been attended to and improved standards maintained.
The BHS are a horse charity and are far better equipped for dealing with horses than the RSPCA.
 
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