Unimaginable cruelty and neglect :(

amymay said:
What update op?
Click to expand...

I managed to contact Lee Hackett and he has been very helpful :) The only issue is that a lot of the horses there are not technically in the riding school and she claims to privately own them. This makes it more difficult when welfare issues are concerned unfortunatly. I know that occasionally the riders are riding them however, and have been keen to point this out. I also find out today that the death toll is higher than I thought :( keeping an open mind for now but really want to get there myself to check it out.

Unfortunately due to work committments I can't get there until Saturday - its approx 200 miles away from where I live now. I am also in two minds about this, as I don't particularly want the owner to know it's me that reported her, which seems likely if she has people inspecting just before/after I visit. I don't want things to turn nasty between us as I just want to help, but I know she will see it as the ultmate betrayal. But, if it's best for he horses I will persevere.

I got all emotional over Indi (my old favourite horse) dying there a few days ago and just couldn't control myself last night :'( I just wish she'd have listened to me in the spring when I offered to buy him for any amount....

RIP Indi, you were one in a million.
 
Last edited:
Can't the people who have given you the information call the RSPCA or other source direct therefore giving the info first hand. The fact that the horses aren't officially riding school horses shouldn't have any affect on a visit except if the council was doing a licencing visit.
 
Now I know that these pics are not as bad as the conditions I have mentioned, but these were taken a while ago and I have found them via social networking sites. I have been told that the are now 10 x worse.

The below pic is of an ex racehorse. In this pic he about to ndertake ABRS test 10 - which includes movements such as half pass, travers and an advanced jumping option. This horse is in no condition to do this, let alone is he sound. His hind leg you can see resting is swollen to 3 times the size it should be (sorry its such bad quality you can barely see). It is difficult to see this from the pic, but you can see his discomfort in the way he's holding it.





This is my old favourite horse, Indi, who died 2 days ago looking like a skeleton. He's not in bad condition here for him, but just look at his front feet. He had the most awful action and was lame 24/7 yet still ridden on a hard surface (they have no proper schooling surface) having never seen a proper vet and never give pain relief and very irregular visits from the farrier.

Many of the horses feet have been even worse than this.



Please please please do not think that I am making these complaints based on these photos. I know that they are not as bad as what I have put in my earlier post. These were taken some time ago before things got worse. I just wanted to point out that if they are 10 x worse than these pics above, then I really am worried.

Thank you for everyone's support, it's just making me want to sort out the situation even more and offer any help I can give.
 
so sad OP :(

This is just a thought, maybe I'm wrong, but if you're reporting her, or planning to go and take pictures, maybe don't post it on here for a while- no only in case the owner gets wind of it, but in case it does ever go to court or anything. I'm no expert in these kind of things, but if the school owner gets wind of this, it could go wrong?
 
horsesatemychristmasmoney said:
so sad OP :(

This is just a thought, maybe I'm wrong, but if you're reporting her, or planning to go and take pictures, maybe don't post it on here for a while- no only in case the owner gets wind of it, but in case it does ever go to court or anything. I'm no expert in these kind of things, but if the school owner gets wind of this, it could go wrong?
Click to expand...

I know and I did think very carefully before doing this. However, I really don't think that anyone who attends there will be on this forum as she probably only has approx 30 clients lef now, mostly young children/teenagers. It is not what you would consider a 'proper' riding school. If she does get wind of it, I'm hoping that this might kick them not sme sort of action. Even if I am no longer able to speak to her, at least I will know that something's being done. Also, it's does get taken any further, I will most likely delete the thread so as not to interfere with any court proceedings. I just felt the need to post all of the facts so I could get the best advise from some very knowledgeable people on here.

I have specifically not mentioned the yards whereabouts and will not reveal an names/identities due to the sensitive subject.
 
Btomkins said:
I know and I did think very carefully before doing this. However, I really don't think that anyone who attends there will be on this forum as she probably only has approx 30 clients lef now, mostly young children/teenagers. It is not what you would consider a 'proper' riding school. If she does get wind of it, I'm hoping that this might kick them not sme sort of action. Even if I am no longer able to speak to her, at least I will know that something's being done. Also, it's does get taken any further, I will most likely delete the thread so as not to interfere with any court proceedings. I just felt the need to post all of the facts so I could get the best advise from some very knowledgeable people on here.

I have specifically not mentioned the yards whereabouts and will not reveal an names/identities due to the sensitive subject.
Click to expand...

Hopefully if she does see it, it will shock her into action. The sad thing is, people would problably help if she was able to admit defeat
 
B_2_B said:
How sad :(

If you get nowhere with the RSPCA, please try your local Trading Standards (they might also have a specific animal health and welfare department). They can take to court and enforce animal welfare legislation.
The RSPCA don't have the powers they like to think they have, there are other options :)
Click to expand...
The RSPCA do have greater powers to act before things become fatal (they used to have to wait until an animal was in iminent danger of death.) but having the powers and finding the time and inclination to use them is another matter.

IIRC if you report it to the police they have to deal with it - usually in cahoots with one of the welfare organisations. Always get a reference number when reporting anything to the police as this means the report has been logged and it can't be filed in the waste paper bin.
 
Ellen Durow said:
The RSPCA do have greater powers to act before things become fatal (they used to have to wait until an animal was in iminent danger of death.) but having the powers and finding the time and inclination to use them is another matter.

IIRC if you report it to the police they have to deal with it - usually in cahoots with one of the welfare organisations. Always get a reference number when reporting anything to the police as this means the report has been logged and it can't be filed in the waste paper bin.
Click to expand...

The RSPCA don't actually have any powers whatsoever. They rely on police to use powers afforded by PACE and Animal Welfare Act 2006.

I think people just need to wait now.
 
Btomkins said:
I managed to contact Lee Hackett and he has been very helpful :) The only issue is that a lot of the horses there are not technically in the riding school and she claims to privately own them. This makes it more difficult when welfare issues are concerned unfortunatly. I know that occasionally the riders are riding them however, and have been keen to point this out. I also find out today that the death toll is higher than I thought :( keeping an open mind for now but really want to get there myself to check it out.

Unfortunately due to work committments I can't get there until Saturday - its approx 200 miles away from where I live now. I am also in two minds about this, as I don't particularly want the owner to know it's me that reported her, which seems likely if she has people inspecting just before/after I visit. I don't want things to turn nasty between us as I just want to help, but I know she will see it as the ultmate betrayal. But, if it's best for he horses I will persevere.

I got all emotional over Indi (my old favourite horse) dying there a few days ago and just couldn't control myself last night :'( I just wish she'd have listened to me in the spring when I offered to buy him for any amount....

RIP Indi, you were one in a million.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I would just ring up the RSPCA/whw and ask them to do a site visit express your concerns... I would not go there yourself, if there is a report, they should follow up with a visit, you do not need to visit yourself. I understand you feel loyalty to these people but to be fair... Firstly don't, not if they are causing such neglect and suffering, secondly, if these horses are taken from their care I suspect they will actually end up benefiting from more money in their pockets not less. I don't know you and I don't know them, and I'm not judging you, but if I was in the position you are knowing what I know... I'd not be worried about loyalty, or letting the people down, or betraying them... I'd be furious that the horses were in this situation and thinking I'd do whatever to get the horses cared for and to hell with the owners feelings or repercussions. Again, I am not knocking you but in your situation, by now I'd have no regard for the owners welfare whatsoever. Do feel for you though op, it is evidently difficult for you x
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top