What would you do?

[FlyingCircus]

Young girl on the yard with hands off but sort of horsey mum. They have pony out during day 8 - 7pm in literally a 20x20 mid bog. No hay or other feed.

Spoke to girl, tried friendly conversation to see if there was a reason. Seems not, just how they manage their field. Mum has been spoken to, but not by me. Yard owner aware.

Do I just keep out of it!? Poor thing looks miserable everyday when I see him

 

[The Xmas Furry]

YO needs to act, if they won't then get WHW or BHS involved as they will dispense balanced advice. This isn't on, as you are well aware.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Yeah best person to say anything is the YM/Owner. Its not your place and even though some people are entirely reasonable, others are not.

 

[AmyMay]

Yep, this is a matter for the YO to resolve. Presumably there’s an alternative field that can be offered?

 

[be positive]

What would I do? as a YO I would have done something to prevent it, novice owners need experienced YO's to set a good example and not leave them to 'manage' their field to the detriment of the pony, a 20x20 patch is going to be trashed in a day or two.

 

[Leo Walker]

I kept mine in that sort of space one summer. He was on a very strict diet, and he still had forage 24/7, the pen was just to keep him moving a bit. I cant imagine what sort of state it must be in this weather!

 

[FlyingCircus]

No free fields to move pony to - however they have the rest of their field (about an acre!!) which has a reasonable covering of grass as never turned out there.

Have spoken to YO. If he had forage I could try and look past the mud as may be diet constraints but no food for that long is bound to cause issues Hopefully will be resolved as pony generally well looked after i just don't think they realise how much food a pony needs!

 

[AmyMay]

Hopefully YO will put them straight in the morning. I’m amazed they (YO) have allowed the situation to arise ??‍??‍

 

[stormox]

Does the pony look well, feel ok under the coat? If its in good condition I think you should leave things be. It is in at night and that might be enough food. If its thin speak to YO.

 

[PeterNatt]

If not resolved then contact the BHS Welfare officer for your area. BHS Headquarters can give you their contact details.

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

Does the pony look well, feel ok under the coat? If its in good condition I think you should leave things be. It is in at night and that might be enough food. If its thin speak to YO.

The OP says the pony is out for 11 hours in mud. Equines should be grazing pretty much constantly whilst awake. They’re begging for ulcers at this rate. Maybe the OP could print off a leaflet re how much time equines should spend eating and the consequences of not doing so. YO ought to be dealing, tho.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

The OP says the pony is out for 11 hours in mud. Equines should be grazing pretty much constantly whilst awake. They’re begging for ulcers at this rate.

Exactly, and likely to be incubating mud fever, cracked heels, and more if just standing in deep mud

 

[stormox]

Is OP sure the pony isnt being fed at lunchtime? Surely the YO is the one to talk to if talking to the owner has had no result rather than posting on FB?

 

[Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls]

I would be extremely careful what you are accusing fellow liveries of - I know you mean well but are you there between 8 am and 7pm?

I only bring this up because very often when we are out and about my OH points to a few equines standing in the corner of very wet and muddy field, heads low, bums against the wind and rain looking desperately pissed off and neglected, and the silly old fool rants about how unhappy they look ,no food to be seen etc. etc.

I point out to him if our little herd wasn't tucked away in the arse end of nowhere, there is a very good chance that passers by would possibly spot them loafing around in the wet and mud looking thoroughly neglected and hungry in the opinion of an uninformed passer by starved and neglected! If they visited at other times of the day after we have just been down, they would see them munching bucket feeds and then moving onto their generous piles of hay and then ambling off to the further end and grazing happily on winter hay on the hoof.

The same applies for one of my laminitic donkeys in the summer months, you can very often find him and his little companion standing forlornly in a very muddy and bare little paddock in the summer - again if you happen along at the right time you will see them happily munching on their carefully monitored low feed value rations that keep them sound and healthy.

Not attacking you and your concerns OP - just that I think we do need to sometimes take into account there could very probably be circumstances and reasons for care we are not aware of - might not be ours but quite possibly it is best for that particular equine.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Not accusing anyone of anything, nor have I posted anything in FB so not sure where that has come from?

I'm pretty sure he doesn't get fed apart from when he is first put out.My trips to the yard vary in times and I've not seen him with food any time other than first thing in the morning.

I've spoken to YO about it, so ball is in their court. If pony is getting more food than I'm seeing, that's a good thing! If not, hopefully YO can sort.

Edited to add: he does get fed hard feed and forage when in though. So he isn't skin and bones or an abuse case. I simply think owner is inexperienced and doesnt know about things like ulcers, hence being unsure if I should try and highlight it. Which I now have with YO

 

[stormox]

Sorry OP I didnt mean FB I meant 'the internet'... 'a public forum' or 'whatever this is'. Its just that I dont agree with posting in public before you speak to people. Its a bit like going behind someones back. I am glad you have spoken to YO.