Would you report and who to? Horse on own for over 6 months

[AmyMay]

All you have to do is pick up the phone.

 

[Cocorules]

Part of the '5 Freedoms', as published by the RSPCA, specifies that:

4. Freedom to behave normally - by making sure animals have enough space, proper facilities and the company of other animals of their own kind.

5. Freedom from fear and distress - by making sure their conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering

It would seem to me, OP, that none of the above have been provided for the horse you are talking about in this thread.

I would therefore report your concerns to the RSPCA.

Agree

 

[Tinseltoes]

All you have to do is pick up the phone.

But if fatpiggy does that she will have to leave the yard and as she says she hasnt anywhere else to move hers too.

 

[jaysh]

I actually thought the OP was being sarcastic until I read on and realised they werent! I honestly can't believe someone would even consider reporting a pony for being on its own if it looks perfectly healthy! I have 8 and there are times they look perfectly miserable!
It's nice for a horse to have company but not always possible depending on circumstances.
I've heard it all now!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

reporting is confidential-just make whoever you are reporting it to knows that it's a delicate situation. anyone or everyone on the yard could've done it. if it's as bad as you make out fatpigy then simply checking it hasn't died already just doesn't cut it.

 

[bensababy]

All you have to do is pick up the phone.

Echo this - do you not have the right to anomity also? I personally couldnt go down that yard every day knowing what i do and seeing something suffer.

Fatpiggy - If you want to PM me details etc ill do it for you. Something needs to be done.

 

[Wagtail]

Whos to say its distressed?? Is it sweating?? Neighing?? Galloping nonstop up and down the fence???

I havent seen any of these references in the thread. So it trotted down the fenceline, my horse follwed my car as it went round his field line at the last place as he knew It meant food, as well as the tractors as they stopped and shared lunch with him.

He still follows the trailer down the fenceline whether my mare is there or not as he LOVES getting out and about. So would you call the RSPCA on that?? Dont think so. Doubtless the RSPCA will do anything anyroads, its got water, grass/feed, in good nick and not in pain so if not ticking all those neglect boxes they have no power.

Horses that are distressed do not always sweat and pace and call. Some just shut down. Some accept it but keep their hopes up with every time someone appears. Quietly accepting does not mean they are happy. If you have horses you should know that.

 

[Wagtail]

I have 1 dog who is not kept with animals of his own kind.

Mmmm.... call the rspca!!

Dogs are kept with humans who they accept as their pack. In fact, many dogs would choose humans over other dogs. Horses would not.

 

[Wagtail]

There are a lot worse things than a horse being kept on its own. Time to face up to reality that not everyone has your fluffy outlook on life I think.

Since when was caring about horse welfare being fluffy?

 

[fatpiggy]

Echo this - do you not have the right to anomity also? I personally couldnt go down that yard every day knowing what i do and seeing something suffer.

Fatpiggy - If you want to PM me details etc ill do it for you. Something needs to be done.

Bensababy, that's kind of you but it would still cause the you know what to hit the fan. Previously the pony was out and anyone using the path along the bottom of the field could have seen its feet (and the others) and reported it. Now it is shut up in a farm building so if a report was made, the YO would be demanding to know who grassed them up basically. When these animals first arrived several liveries made huge complaints about the state of their hooves to the YO, including an ex-livery who has the ear of the YO and she got shouted at for her troubles. They've already threatened to shut the place down before, and then we are all out of a home. The best I can do is ask some ex-liveries who sometimes visit (and know all about the ponies) to report - it could have been one of them who did last time, I just don't know. My own horse is very much in the twilight of her life and I just want her to end her days quietly. Being moved and taken away from her companions suddenly would finish her off. I already have to drive for half an hour from home (an hour from work) and I just can't move her even further away. My monthly petrol bill is higher than my mortgage Can't move her towards home either as the local yards are largely rubbish and I'd be stuck in horrendous traffic jams in the morning. She doesn't box either.

 

[Wagtail]

so according to the 5 freedoms all animals should have company of their own kind? if people are banging on about horses being herd animals, what about dogs being pack animals and cats living in prides/groups? All those people who keep a single hamster had better watch out and get another so they can kill one another Honestly, I do think it's a joke and more time should be spent dealing with ACTUAL cruelty.

There seems to be a fair amount of ignorance about the needs of individual types of animals on here.

 

[NeverSayNever]

There seems to be a fair amount of ignorance about the needs of individual types of animals on here.

i agree,and the 5 freedoms stating every animal should have company of its own kind is the most ignorant of all

 

[luckyoldme]

I pass a field on the way to work everyday which has had a horse on its own for over 6 months.

It makes me sad everyday as it looks out at the traffic for company or sometimes even runs along the side fence as cars go past. Some mornings he stands in the very furtherst corner of field with head down.

The fact hes by himself really bothers me.

Would you report this and who to? Or should I be happy he has a home and a massive patch of grazing to himself. Condition wise he looks healthy.

If it were me id buy an auction horse for £100-£200 or a shetland to keep him company.

right thats it im off to the auction to buy a horse to put in with the minger. Then when it is in bits because the minger has bitten it all over you can ring the rspca and report me for ..
A leaving my horse on his own
or B... putting another horse in the field with him
or you could just mind your own business.

 

[Suzie86]

Is this the one on the M5 near Taunton?

I feel sorry for that one too, it's got all sorts in its field.

Also, there are a load of ponies on M4 near Reading in a field of ragwort. Whose are they I wonder??

those are the lucken's pantomine ponies from lands end aren't they? loads of grey shetties!

 

[Wagtail]

i agree,and the 5 freedoms stating every animal should have company of its own kind is the most ignorant of all

Yes. Some animals such as a cat or a hamster prefer to be an only animal. Dogs need company but they are as happy with human company than their own, and even prefer it. Horses however need company of their own kind.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Horses however need company of their own kind.

not always

 

[Spring Feather]

Okay so where do stallions fit into these 5 Freedoms?

 

[tasel]

I have 1 dog who is not kept with animals of his own kind.

Mmmm.... call the rspca!!

Ha! I have a dog who was kept on his own. He was once a stud (is still entire), so I kept him on his own, until I thought it to be cruel.

So I bought another one - same breed, different gender. Not only has he not bred with her for all these years (obviously not his type), he seems to think it was the worst possible mistake I ever made... oh well, but now, he has to live with her. He probably would like to call the RSPCA because of that!

 

[henryhorn]

I understand your concern and yes, I totally agree horses kept alone are probably unhappy. If you want them when sleeping it's normal for one horse to stay "on guard" so it's not easy for one to live alone.
It isn't however a welfare issue and so long as he is fit and healthy there is nothing you can do at all.
There may also be a good reason it's kept alone, some horses don't thrive with others and some are agressive or overly timid.
I'd try and forget it.

 

[CobSunshine]

Ill not be reporting thanks for replies, will keep an eye on though if we get snow and no grass about.

I actually thought the OP was being sarcastic until I read on and realised they werent! I honestly can't believe someone would even consider reporting a pony for being on its own if it looks perfectly healthy! I have 8 and there are times they look perfectly miserable!
It's nice for a horse to have company but not always possible depending on circumstances.
I've heard it all now!

I agree OP stop putting your nose in where its not wanted. I hope someone reports you one day.
NO HARM IN A HORSE/PONY BEING KEPT ON ITS OWN (BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS) if anything happened to one of mine ,the other one left over will be alone.Thats life,it would have to get used to it and theres no law to say you cant keep it on its own.
Geez you said the animal is healthy.
Mind your own buisiness OP.

ITs none of your business OP if the horse is on its own or not, I kept my gelding on his own for 4/5 years and he was fine.

Hes on his own right now as my mare is elsewhere and hes absolutely fine. Its nobodies business how people keep their horses unless there is obvious suffering of harm going on.

OMG get a grip ladies are you three for real? Over-reaction to an honest question!

Ive no idea if horses as herd animals should be kept on their own so rightly so asked on here instead of blindly ringing the RSPCA!