What Would You Do?

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Moobucket

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If there was someone on your yard who was overfeeding their horse until they were obese? Would you try and intervene? It's a DIY yard and generally we work under the policy of own horse, own rules, unless its a welfare issue. There has been lots of general.. your horse it too fat you need to do something about it ..talks but she doesn't seem to accept that there is a problem. WWUD? :(
 
I'd try & get the yard owner/manager to intervene. If its the type of place without a manager then yes I'd probably say something myself. But as you mention they only intervene in welfare cases, I'd point out overweight is as bad, if not worse in some cases, as underweight.
 
It is very difficult to offer advice when it is not asked for. EVERY horse owner will always find they can learn something new when it comes to horses- whether it is tack decisions, work load, riding, feeding- the list is endless.

If it is at serious health risk then i would be inclined to suggest that hard feed isn't required etc. However, I would like to think others see me as a friendly person and not a 'know it all,' therefore such a suggestion wouldn't be seen as offensive. It is likely to fall on deaf ears if comments like 'your horse is fat' are just thrown at said person.

Does the horse owner have another good friend on the yard that they would listen to? I'm not quite sure how anyone could intervene really?

Another suggestion may be if a vet is visiting in the near future to get him to offer his opinion on the horses weight- the owner may be more likely to listen.
 
I like the above idea-a lot of feed companies offer this service and you wont be singling her out.

Otherwise the yard manager could step in. Or maybe you could start a general thing on the yard where you all get together & measure your horses weights & support each other whether under or over weight.

I didnt realise how fat my pony had got until my dentist mentioned it! It creeps up on you! But it is a welfare issue. Try not to be judgmental!

I used to look after a guys horse that was in light work, in at night and WAY overweight. He insisted on 2 big feeds à day & was literally killing it with kindness. In the end i had to lie & just give horse a handful of chop...he didnt catch on... I left soon afterwards.

Good luck, Im sure she doesnt realise what shes doing.
 
The problem is that the YO is relatively young and has only had her horse a year (although she knows alot) so the livery doesn't really take alot of notice of what she has to say. They've also had spats before where the livery essentially decides to do her own thing. The horse is 15hh but weighs over 18hh on the way tape. She has two massive bags of hay at night and has a rug on. You can loose your fingers in her flab. The owner seems concerned because the horse has indiscriminate health issues (on off lympahngitis supposedly/mastitis/swelling and heat in the hocks) YO is convinced its weight related and has tried everything from asking her to muzzle her (it's cruel apparently), offering to lunge/ride her (She'd rather not, one person horse and she's too old apparently...19). YO tried to lead by example with her own horse, muzzling, weight loss plan with weight up on the message board etc, restrictive grazing (the horse is starving apparently). It's like knocking on wood.
 
My friend a yard owner had a cilent like this with two horses nothing she said or did helped so she served notice and got them
Off the yard
 
Sorry but I wouldn't fanny around about it. Tell jer. I would. I HAVE. But I'm THAT livery who is too opinionated for her own good.
 
If the horse is at a condition score of over 4 I would be inclined to report it to WHW or similar if the owner is not inclined to do something about it. Weight is as much of a welfare issue at both ends of the spectrum.
 
Tr0uble said:
Sorry but I wouldn't fanny around about it. Tell jer. I would. I HAVE. But I'm THAT livery who is too opinionated for her own good.
Click to expand...

I think every livery yard needs one of those ;):p. I'm too soft for my own good really but I don't want to stand by when its clear the horse is going down hill rapidly :mad:. I've come to the conclusion its a psychological issue. She's happy to treat the symptoms, like getting the leg bandages out, antibiotics, all that, but she's not up for the long hard slog to get the weight off. Bizarre but there you go.
 
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