What to do about a welfare case?!

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Tangaroo

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There is a horse at a local livery yard that is in her late thirties! Up until about 3 years ago she was still ridden gently but she gradually started to go down hill . She now cannot lift her head more than 6 inches from the ground and stands like that continually. When in the field from a distance she looks like she is eating, but she isnt, she is just unable to pick her head up. She cant lie down and has a job coming out of her stable in the morning. Someone on the yard reported the owner to the RSPCA and they looked and sent a vet to inspect her. It is a local vet with a bad reputation and they said she seemed fit and healthy. The local equine physio, when asked by the owner to look at the mare, gave her opinion that the horse was in a lot of pain and ought to be PTS. Otherwise she should be having plenty of bute. The farrier has told her what he thinks of her and various people on the yard have spoken to her about it, but all she does is say the vet said the mare is fine and they should mind their own business. The ILPH have also been to see the horse, due to another complaint.
This horse is genuinely suffering and the yard owner wont get involved. Are there any other people who can do anything about it?
 
Apparently the ILPH said there wasnt a lot they could do. The yard owner buries his head in the sand and as long as hes being paid he wont interfere. The horse has given so much during its life, it shouldnt be allowed to suffer like this! Why do they have to be nearly dead before a charity will act?
 
This is a difficult one as if the horse was really suffering the ILPH and RSPCA would step in. The vet no matter how bad his reputation would also do something in conjunction with the others too.
Old horses do often go skeletal in late old age, look at old people!
Just because it's thin doesn't mean it is in pain.
I have to say were this mine or liveried here I would have it pts well before it got to that stage, but only the owner can assess what it's quality of life is.
For all we know it may love it's grub and eat well, nicker happily to the owner and be happy pottering about slowly.
You can't do more than has been done, the various agencies will now be keeping an eye on how it progresses, possibly the constant critiscism may even be making an already stubborn owner even worse.
I hope they let it go, but I truly think no-one can do more to force them.
 
Cant believe all of those 'professionals' have looked at the horse and not done anything about it!! I would get on to the RSPCA again and tell them how ridiculous it is (if the horse is suffering as much as everyone else says it is) it is so unfair of the owner to keep the horse alive. So many people keep their animals alive for themselves. They dont do it for the animal, it is purely selfish reasons. Doesnt sound like the poor horse has any quality of life, and that is grounds for a pts. Im a vet nurse and if clients ask me, I always say to them that when the animal no longer has quality of life then they need to think about pts. Tell the RSPCA that they NEED to send a different vet out as it needs a second opinion. Hope you get something sorted, the poor horse. maybe you could pm me to let me know what happens? I guess the YO wants to keep out of it?!
 
Its weight isnt the issue, it has such severe arthritis in its neck and joints that it cannot pick its head off the floor and finds it hard to move. I think it is very sad that any owner can let their animal suffer like that. One of the other local vets has seen the horse when treating another on the yard and is horrified, but obviously cant intervene.
 
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One of the other local vets has seen the horse when treating another on the yard and is horrified, but obviously cant intervene.

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Can this vet not ring the ILPH and tell him his concerns, they should take it seriously then?
 
ILPH - this is what we donate our money towards. If they won't don't anything, it is an absolute disgrace. After April, when the new welfare act comes into force, the yard owner can no longer bury his/her head in the sand. If all else fails, contact Trading Standards as this is a Livery Yard. TS have far more power than the RSPCA/ILPH. You are very brave trying to get something done, please don't give up.
 
I'm quite surprised the ILPH won't do anything. My old pony was an ILPH pony and the field officer (who visited every so often to check her) was very good and advised me when he felt the time had come to let her go. He very much stressed that quality of life was the main issue and that is how I made my decision. She might have made another winter but was also very arthritic and stiff. I know my case was different in that she was actually owned by ILPH but if this horse has such a poor quality of life I would try speaking to ILPH again, or as suggested, get the other vet to speak to them.
 
the visiting vet might have been horrified, but believe me when challenged to put that opinion on paper they will backtrack, finding a vet to support a cruelty case is like finding hen's teeth
 
Don't pin your hopes on the new welfare act helping much. Although there are new powers where is the money going to come from to visit and look after these horses. If a qualified vet has sais the horse is not suffering you must accept that. You could ask them to reassess at a later date. Please don't slate ILPH and RSPCA. They do an excellent job with limited resources and legislation, they must however follow the rule of law.

As far as TS goes, the livery yard is offering accomodation, not looking after the welfare of the horse. Livery yard licensing does not come into force in April, as yet there is no set date.
 
Try your local trading standards department, they will have an animal health section who will visit and send in a DEFRA vet if needs be - they won't back track and will put pen to paper, that's what they're paid for.
 
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