What if I have to call a vet for someone else's horse?

[Damba]

I am I a tricky situation atm where my horses field mate has kind of been ditched and I've been trying my best to look after him and get his owner to at least pay for his needs (which hasn't been very successful). Now he's gone very lame and he clearly needs medical care but I really cannot afford to pay a vet for someone else's horse, I can barely afford my own boy. I don't even know where I'd stand regarding getting a vet. Can I call out for an animal that's not mine without being responsible for the bill? Hope this isn't a stupid question. I'm so stressed about this situation!

 

[windand rain]

If you call the vet you will be responsible for the bill. Best call a welfare charity they may well call a vet but also may remove the horse for its welfare. If it is your horse's companion that might be a problem for you

 

[AmyMay]

Is this on a livery yard, or do you own the field and they pay you rent?

 

[Damba]

It's a field we share, both rent

 

[AmyMay]

It's a field we share, both rent

Have you spoken to the person who you rent off about your concerns?

 

[Damba]

If you call the vet you will be responsible for the bill. Best call a welfare charity they may well call a vet but also may remove the horse for its welfare. If it is your horse's companion that might be a problem for you

That's what I feared, thanks for answering

 

[Damba]

Have you spoken to the person who you rent off about your concerns?

Yes, he was unfortunately more concerned about her paying her share of the rent atm, as she's apparently fallen behind since her vanishing act. Sounds like he's thinking he will end up having to kick her out if she doesn't catch up soon, which is another worry I have. I know he's not my horse but he's my horses bestie for years and I would hate anything to happen to him. So as far as his current lameness, I'm the only one who seems.to be concerned but he's really hopping

 

[AmyMay]

I’d phone the RSPCA.

 

[[153312]]

Sounds like a welfare charity needs to get involved. Legally speaking he's been abandoned.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think I would be having a serious chat with the horses owner are you in any sort of contact with them? Do you know where they live? I would bang on their front door if they were ignoring my texts or phone calls.

 

[Damba]

I’d phone the RSPCA.

Yes, this is really is starting to feel like my only option sadly. Poor horse. Thank you!

 

[Equi]

She clearly either is going through something bad or doesn’t care. Either way she can’t look after this horse anymore. Call a charity.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

If you call the vet you will be responsible for the bill. Best call a welfare charity they may well call a vet but also may remove the horse for its welfare. If it is your horse's companion that might be a problem for you

This.

Also OP, do try and get a back up plan in place, its blooming hard if a long term companion leaves, gets pts etc x

 

[Damba]

Sounds like a welfare charity needs to get involved. Legally speaking he's been abandoned.

Yes, from these answers I thinking I have no other options left. I wish I could just pay myself but I just can't. Poor thing!

 

[Bellaboo18]

Been there, awful situation to be in. I think your only option is to report it to a welfare charity.

 

[Gloi]

The field owner could put up an abandonment notice about the horse if the owner can't be contacted.
I think I would speak to WHW.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

What a horrible situation to be in.

You say you "rent" the field - have you spoken with the landowner and expressed your concerns to them?? Because IF there is an animal on their land which is in need of veterinary attention and isn't getting it, then the legal position is that THEY are deemed to be responsible and they are the ones who can be prosecuted if the RSPCA does pay a visit. I know that as many years ago the RSPCA rocked up to my place as I had two old horses on my land at that time who were being cossetted by the vet and their owner practically every day, but they did look a bit poor, and someone had obviously complained to the RSPCA (like they do!!). It was ME they came out to, not the owner!!

So I think you need to get the landowner involved; as they are at risk of being prosecuted for animal cruelty basically. One option then for the landowner would be to issue a Notice of Abandonment which gives the landowner certain rights one of which is to sell the horse in lieu of lack of livery/rental.

But I rather think you are fond of this horse and don't wish this to happen?? But - even if you could pay the vets bill (which you cannot) you quite rightly don't see why you should for someone else's horse.

Frankly the owner needs to be shot, but that doesn't help your present predicament. If they were contactable then my inclination would be to ask them to perhaps gift the horse over to you? Or "sell" it to you for £1. At least that way you'd have some control over the situation, but yes you then would be responsible for the vets bill....... you don't say how old this horse is?? If he were an oldie then you would obviously have the PTS option (failing all else and if you really couldn't afford any veterinary at all) and a licensed knackerman will do the job quickly and efficiently and won't charge anything like the vets (or even the hunt) would........ sorry, sounding very brutal here but just going through possible options.

But really my best suggestion at this stage of the game would be to give BHS Welfare a ring and/or WHW and see what they say and what can be done.

So sorry you're involved in this, how sad.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yes, from these answers I thinking I have no other options left. I wish I could just pay myself but I just can't. Poor thing!

I know it's not really your responsibility but have you had a look at the horse can you see any visible injury or cause for the lameness? What are the hooves like it could be an abcess or something pretty treatable.

I totally agree that if the owner is not contactable or not responding your only option is to contact the rspca.

 

[SEL]

You might find the charities aren't as helpful as you hope. I got advice when it was pretty obvious I was going to be left with a semi feral pony on fields I was buying. So long as it was being fed and watered they didn't want to get involved.

I got ownership handed over to me so I had control of its destiny - but that does mean you are responsible for costs ?

Could the lameness be an abscess?

 

[Limit]

Perhaps you could ask your farrier to look at the horse ?. Always a good place to start if the cause isn't obvious ( imo) .
Poor horse, thank you for your concern.

 

[Gloi]

Op how is the horse now?

 

[Orangehorse]

Contact the BHS, they ave local welfare advisors, but they are also practical horse owners too, so would understand that the horse is also your horse's companion.

If you telephone the head office at Stoneleigh, they get in touch with the nearest person, I don't think you can contact them direct.

They don't have the same powers of, say the RSPCA, but they would know what to do if that was needed.
You need the horse treated but you can't afford the vet.

 

[BronsonNutter]

Could the lameness be an abscess?

I'd hope that in a field kept retired horse at this time of year it might 'just' be an abscess (unless there's a previous history of something else?). If money is tight I'd ask your farrier if they can have a look whenever they're passing for you.

Is the owner of the other horse contactable? Another route might be to phone their vets for advice, see if they can phone the owner for you and take payment from them beforehand? Even if you have to be the person holding the horse for them.