Would you do this?!

[Moomin1]

I know someone who for the last few months has turned their horse out full time and is not attending for days at a time. Now the horse is to be brought in because the YO has told this person he doesn't want horses out full time in winter. So they are bringing the horse in but because they don't have the money or time they say they are keeping the horse in Mon-Fri 24/7 and only coming up once per day. The horse is then going out at weekends and the owner not coming up because they can't get the bus. What does everyone out there think of this?

 

[Shantara]

I can't give much insight, but all I'm going to say is: This is why I'm making sure I can drive before I start looking.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

YO is a fool if they allow that to happen and the horse only to be attended to once per day. Hay/water need to checked at least.

 

[Tickles]

Clearly not appropriate. If this is DIY then YO should be laying down some sensible guidelines about when horses must be in/out/mucked out etc and if they don't comply then giving notice. If it is a yard with assisted/part livery or similar then again, rules and if they aren't followed by a certain time staff do what is necessary and owner is charged. YO has a duty of care so this is his/her issue...

 

[smellsofhorse]

Agree as tickles says.
The yard owner needs to be more strick, if the owner cant care for the horse then the yard owner should charge for doing it.

People shouldnt have horses and dont deserve them if they cant look after them properly.

 

[Moomin1]

The YO isn't horsey and it's a small yard with only three of us on it. It's quite nice in the fact we, to a certain degree can do our own thing. But I just hate it when people take advantage and don't fulfill their responsibilities and then get away with it! This horse has NEVER had any vaccinations/teeth done/health checks (he's elderly and owner had him for 8 years). He has poor breathing and generally looks under the weather. She has said he loses weight drastically in winter yet she leaves him out for weeks with no hay or hard feed and not even coming up to check him!

 

[Tickles]

If you have genuine welfare concerns then I'd still approach the YO. Explain about the duty of care (which they have even if they aren't horsey...). The threat of potential legal issues makes many people wake up... or maybe get your local BHS/WHW person to have an friendly word?