Unimaginable cruelty and neglect :(

If you do ring one of the other charities, don't tell them you have contacted the RSPCA, as they will not involved if another charity is already involved. Not sure I would agree that the RSPCA have that much legal training, as they often give incorrect legal 'advice'. Also be aware that when you ring the RSPCA welfare line that they charge at premium rates.
 
amymay said:
Lee Hackett of the BHS has intervened on mote than one ocassions in situations first raised on this forum (as well as many others that we won't be aware of - its his job...).

OP, I urge you most strongly to call him first thing in the morning.
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I will first thing, has anyone got his direct contact details at all??
 
Btomkins said:
Have to say the guy I spoke to on the phone at the RSPCA did seem to be taking me very seriously, but it did worry me as I could tell he had absolutely no horse knowledge.

I told him that there would be approx 40 + horses and ponies. He then asked me what colours they were....he asked if they were all the same colour eg brown....

I did however leave my number and asked to be contacted with the outcome of the visit. I made it very obvious that there were lives at risk here, and that they should make it a priority so hopefully something will be done very soon.if not I really few for those sweet ponies I learnt to ride n years ago that deserve so much better :/
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OP don't be too alarmed by the person sounding as if they don't have much horsey knowledge - they are just a call taker in a call centre. They take all those details so that they can pass the info to the local inspector.

I hope things get resolved.:)
 
You should be able to get it on the bhs site by searching for him. Or ring the welfare line and ask for him direct.

Keep us posted.
 
Btomkins said:
I will indeed keep you posted - I'm think inking about taking a visit this weekend to see for myself. I know this will be heart wrenching but I think that going and seing if I can help at all, even one little bit, might make me feel better than just sitting thinking about it. I haven't ridden there in years, and the last time I visited was months ago, otherwise this would have been reported much sooner.

I just feel so guilty for leaving my Indie there, even though I know she would never sell a horse and there wasn't much I could do to save him, living 200 miles away :'(
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So you visited months ago but didn't report it then? In your first post you state that their bones are showing and they are standing in muck for weeks - if you haven't visited for months, how can you be sure that this is the case and not just hearsay?
 
Op, have you been to the yard to see this for yourself? If not, I would be doing this and getting the facts before going all guns blazing just in case the truth has been exaggerated (common in the equine world!) Once you have the evidence for yourself then seek help
 
Holly Hocks said:
So you visited months ago but didn't report it then? In your first post you state that their bones are showing and they are standing in muck for weeks - if you haven't visited for months, how can you be sure that this is the case and not just hearsay?
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To cut a long story short, I used to work for a woman who inspected all the local stables and said if they were fit for use etc. She has had them taken off the ABRS register and the first I heard about how bad it had got was from her today. She rang to tell me what was happening and that my indie had died.

The situation was bad a few months ago when I visited, but not nearly as bad as it has got over the past few weeks. There was neglect going on, and some of the horses were not receiving the best of care, but I wasn't there to witness first hand so did not want to report unseen. The horses were not at risk of imminent death then.

I totally believe her report and have no reason to believe she would make this up - she is a very respected horsewoman whom I trust and am great friends with, as well as being an ex employee of 3 years. She is well known in the horsey community and has agreed to testify alongside me, as I have not been there recently, but plan to in the next few days.

Please do not think that I would not have reported them if I had known it was this bad. I just wasn't aware of the situation and am trying to the best I can now that I do know. It's just a shame it's too late for so eof the horses and I feel very guilty about this. I just want to do anything to help now.
 
I would also like to point out that I have had matching reports from other peolple that have attended recently - this is not a one off thing and I would most certainly not make a point of posting this if I was not sure of the facts. I am going myself to make sure in the next few days.

I have not mentioned that yards name for thispecific reason and I am actually secretly hoping that this is the truth and things aren't tha bad. But 4 horses dead in 4 weeks due to malnutrition sounds concerning to me :/
 
Btomkins said:
To cut a long story short, I used to work for a woman who inspected all the local stables and said if they were fit for use etc. She has had them taken off the ABRS register and the first I heard about how bad it had got was from her today. She rang to tell me what was happening and that my indie had died.

The situation was bad a few months ago when I visited, but not nearly as bad as it has got over the past few weeks. There was neglect going on, and some of the horses were not receiving the best of care, but I wasn't there to witness first hand so did not want to report unseen. The horses were not at risk of imminent death then.

I totally believe her report and have no reason to believe she would make this up - she is a very respected horsewoman whom I trust and am great friends with, as well as being an ex employee of 3 years. She is well known in the horsey community and has agreed to testify alongside me, as I have not been there recently, but plan to in the next few days.

Please do not think that I would not have reported them if I had known it was this bad. I just wasn't aware of the situation and am trying to the best I can now that I do know. It's just a shame it's too late for so eof the horses and I feel very guilty about this. I just want to do anything to help now.
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Ok, I understand, but you must see it for yourself, not just take the word of someone else. Good luck - I hope whichever charity attends is able to take action. :)
 
Good for you for doing something about it!
Agree you will have to nag nag nag them, ring WHW, RSPCA, local authorities etc
Is there any way of getting some local riders/people to call and complain too? They will be more likely to come out if they have numerous calls about it, getting photographs is a good idea.
 
Btomkins said:
To cut a long story short, I used to work for a woman who inspected all the local stables and said if they were fit for use etc. She has had them taken off the ABRS register and the first I heard about how bad it had got was from her today. She rang to tell me what was happening and that my indie had died.

The situation was bad a few months ago when I visited, but not nearly as bad as it has got over the past few weeks. There was neglect going on, and some of the horses were not receiving the best of care, but I wasn't there to witness first hand so did not want to report unseen. The horses were not at risk of imminent death then.

I totally believe her report and have no reason to believe she would make this up - she is a very respected horsewoman whom I trust and am great friends with, as well as being an ex employee of 3 years. She is well known in the horsey community and has agreed to testify alongside me, as I have not been there recently, but plan to in the next few days.

Please do not think that I would not have reported them if I had known it was this bad. I just wasn't aware of the situation and am trying to the best I can now that I do know. It's just a shame it's too late for so eof the horses and I feel very guilty about this. I just want to do anything to help now.
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Has this lady, who took the license, not reported them?
 
amymay said:
Lee Hackett of the BHS has intervened on mote than one ocassions in situations first raised on this forum (as well as many others that we won't be aware of - its his job...).

OP, I urge you most strongly to call him first thing in the morning.
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I second this, his name is often spoken of on here, always seems to be proactive and totally focused on the welfare of the horses.
 
horsesatemychristmasmoney said:
Has this lady, who took the license, not reported them?
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When I called the local rest home for horses, they said they have received a report already just before xmas and they were already on teir radar. I think this was her, but I'm not sure they understood the severity of the situation as they hadn't sent anyone out yet. I made it very obvious that they were in dire need of getting someone out ASAP, and they will be contacting the RSPCA and told me to do so also, to 'bump' the calls. I will be asking lots of people who used o attend there to call if they have seen similar recently.
 
Well done for taking action.

The BHS welfare number is in my sig below if you want to call - action will be quickly taken if you phone & you will be given updates.
Also call local council who licence the RS, and also speak to the animal welfare officer at your council too.

Good luck & if there is anything I can do to help please PM me :)
 
I can understand the difficulties you are facing.

Have you contacted a local councillor? Apart from the obvious horse welfare concerns, it is quite probable that the woman needs psychiatric help. Your local councillors will know who to contact within the local authority and nhs.

If the woman is mentally ill, it isn't really her fault and she needs help, even if only to understand where she is going wrong.
 
I have not read the replies but hope someone has pointed out the local council actually grant them a license to operate which require minimum welfare standards. Get onto them
 
Sarah_Jane said:
I have not read the replies but hope someone has pointed out the local council actually grant them a license to operate which require minimum welfare standards. Get onto them
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Thank you, will be doing this first thing in the morning.

I work at a local council, albeit 200 miles away but hopefully that will put some common friendliness between us :)
 
Well done for reporting, it might offend but if the case is like you say then it's definitely the best thing to do.

Keep us updated, I've got everything crossed for a positive outcome.
 
I reported a riding school that I encountered on holiday once to their local council - they were straight out, found a number of concerns, gave the place a chance to put it right (which to their credit I believe they did, at least in the short term) and then wrote to me with the outcome. It's not necessarily a death knell to the business just because the council become involved.

You do need to go have a look yourself, though. The only caveat I would put on the reports of deaths is that sometimes ***** happens - particularly as riding school horses can be older, and it's been winter. Where you've got livestock, you've got deadstock, and sometimes the boogers just fall over like dominoes and there's nothing you can do about it. It's like buses - you have none for years and years and years and then all of a sudden you could get a loyalty bonus with the equine crem :(
 
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