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

CobSunshine

CobSunshine

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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.
 
If he looks well and is cared for, it is nothing to do with anyone else other than the owner

we do not know if the horse hates company or is in fact dangerous to other horses or animals!!

maybe owner cannot afford another horse, even farrier, yearly jabs etc adds up, again nothing to do with anyone else
 
There is a horse next to a major A road I used to use everyday that lives on it's own. It always seemed perfectly happy and I would often see it being mucked out or ridden it never even crossed my mind to report it. I guess if the horse really looked to be suffering eg poor weight etc..then I might think about it but there may be reasons why this horse has to live alone so I'm not sure I would consider it a welfare case.
 
My first pony lived in a small paddock at home - not big enough for two. he survived. Didn't make a fuss either if we met company out riding. Perhaps I really am evil - just posted about chasing after ponies when daughter fell off - not mopping her brow.
 
Its always preferable IMO to keep horses with other equines, but having said that I've had to, in the past, and currently, keep a horse on its own occasionally for e.g. when everyone goes off to a show or hunting or whatever.

My first pony lived on his own for some of the time when I was at school all day; and was fine. The rest of the time in the summer he'd run with a herd of cows - but no other horse, and was fine. Also wasn't silly when encountering other horses which you sometimes get with horses kept on their own.

The horse I've got now is perfectly fine on his own, or in company, he's really not fussed, and if everyone else on the yard goes off in the box to a show or something, he's just not at all worried (i.e. thinks, wow all that grass for MEEEE!!! Yippee).

However the little mare I've got on loan really stresses quite considerably if she's left on her own so we try not to.

I think it depends on the horse really. Agree its probably not ideal as he's liable to get very bored just in a field, whereas in a yard situation there'd be lots going on so he'd be given plenty of stimulus.

A pity, one cannot help feel sorry for him, but don't think there's anything anyone can do really.
 
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I also get upset when I see horses on their own,so I do understand your concern.
However,there are much worse examples of 'cruelty' out there. Like the person who buys a cheap companion but cannot afford to feed/trim/worm/vet care two,so both slide into neglect.
Or the person who buys a shetland or other native as a companion and the lack of exercise+rich grazing leads to obesety or worse.
I have one who cannot cope as an only horse.....The companion I bought for him would be quite happy on her own.
Thankfully it is now generally accepted that horses need companionship,so we see less of the sad pictures you describe.
 
Unfortunately this is one (among many) aspect of the Animal Welfare Act that doesn't seem to be enforced.
I agree with you that ALL equines should have a suitable companion but unfortunately many don't. I loathe individual turnout but many owners of horses at livery seem to think that it is perfectly acceptable. If there was any-one to report this to, that body would be massively overworked trying to police the situation.
It always makes me laugh (wryly) when people say that their horse is quite happy on his own.
We have an elderly cob mare, who to all intents and purposes is quite happy to be left on her own, when the other 2 go out. She has never been particularly friendly with another horse. BUT, if the others are out for longer than she was expecting them to be, she does become anxious, waits by the gate and calls when she sees them along the road. If they have been out for their usual hack, she totally ignores them when they get back.
Many horses put up with the circumstances in which they find themselves but that doesn't mean that those circumstances are ideal.
 
I really hate to see a horse on its own although I would never think to reposrt it. Not being able to afford a companion or to put a horse in livery where it would have companions is not being able to afford a horse IMO. It sickens me the number of people who buy a pony for their child and keep it in a paddock on its own. Really makes me angry. It is completely selfish and thoughtless.
 
Hmmmm...my stallion is in a field on his own, he looks downright miserable sometimes, but he's not.

I also have a gelding in a paddock by himself because he's a **** basically, he'll bully everything else unmercifully, but just passing by each day and not knowing that you'd think "why?" :(:mad:

I'm trying to see this from all ways,

Is it only certain times of day you go past? Maybe he is taken in and exercised, fed etc when you aren't passing.

As someone else said, perhaps he isn't the sociable type, perhaps he is a stallion?

Not a lot you can do unless he is starving or obviously in need of help really.
 
hmm, I posted on this earlier and its not there :o

I have never kept a horse alone, and its not something I would like to do. Im sure there are situations where its necessary and the best or only option, but Im not likely to want to keep a horse that has such restrictions.

(nb. I DO keep horses alone for a quarantine period, but thats a necessary evil, not a management decision)
 
Reg lives on his own, although he can usually see other horses. He's pretty chilled out about it all and soldiers on regardless. He was in a pair, but my horse was PTS last summer and he's been a single pringle since then. He's not any different!
 
If the horse is well looked after. No.

Do not report. Seriously.

While not ideal, loads of horses have individual turnout. There are horses who NEVER ever get turnout... basically, stuck in the stable, and only get out to be ridden... sometimes, due to insurance stipulations - I knew someone once with really expensive horses whose insurance would not allow for the horses to go out.

Just think about it, if you'd report this horse, you'd have to also report half of the horses that will be participating in the 2012 Olympics. I doubt many of them get turned out, or - if they do - would get turned out with other horses (because if another horse kicks that £1,000,000 horse...)
 
I had kept our pony on its own in a field we rented for nearly 4yrs. He could see another over the hedge but he was in a paddock on his own. Because I can't afford two does that make me cruel?? Tbh I believe it is far crueller to have 2 & not be able to finacially look after them properly.

He was never any bother on his own, when he did stay on livery whilst we were on holiday he never created when leaving, or when he got home.

Now, he is on livery due to daughters exams coming up she was unable to ride as it was dark so we moved to a place with better facilities. He is still in a paddock of his own as I don't want to risk him getting kicked by other horses (he competes national level SJ) but is surrounded by 11 other horses, seperated by just electric fencing . Tbh the is the same old pony he was before we moved. No change in him whatsoever, when we first moved him there he just got his head down to eat & didn't give 2 hoots about the others.

Yes they are herd animals I agree with that, but everyone's circumstances are different & I think people need to respect that. I was a teenage mum that got into allsorts when I was younger & it was a conscious decision to get my daughter into an interest from a young age so that she wouldn't end up like me. Getting that first 1 pony 11yrs ago has set her on a path that I hope will be hers for life. I certainly wouldn't be going around reporting people for giving a good home & a good life for 1 pony only.

T xx
 
There's nothing anyone will do as he looks healthy. I had an old mare who lived alone for a reason - she would kick and bite the hell out of any companion put in with her, yet was a sweetie to ride and handle even with other horses, she just would not share turnout, chasing and harrassing the others for hours, it neither did her nor the others any good so she was kept alone. I would have been very miffed if someone reported her without bothering to find out her story.
 
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.
 
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??
 
It's a real shame as horses should have company by default but in saying that are you sure the horse isnt a stallion for example or a rig? We had a pony on loan years ago who was a rig - he basically jumped into the next door field to try and kill my gelding in order to get to my mare companion (my pony was left with bite marks all over him - was hell trying to get the rig off him). So we had to put him in a totally seperate field with a hedge and a road (!) in between them so he'd stay put. There was absolutely no way this pony could ever go out with other horses. At the end of the day I definately feel its wrong to keep a horse on its own UNLESS there is a very valid reason as to why it must be.
 
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.
 
MagicMelon said:
It's a real shame as horses should have company by default but in saying that are you sure the horse isnt a stallion for example or a rig? We had a pony on loan years ago who was a rig - he basically jumped into the next door field to try and kill my gelding in order to get to my mare companion (my pony was left with bite marks all over him - was hell trying to get the rig off him). So we had to put him in a totally seperate field with a hedge and a road (!) in between them so he'd stay put. There was absolutely no way this pony could ever go out with other horses. At the end of the day I definately feel its wrong to keep a horse on its own UNLESS there is a very valid reason as to why it must be.
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It's almost irrlevevant, though.

Pony is on it's own - and showing signs of distress.

That's what the RSPCA are there for, and once investigated, they can answer all the above.

Let us know how you get on OP.
 
Black Beastie said:
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.
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But this pony appears not to be fine. Hence why a call to the RSPCA is perfectly reasonsable.

Why on earth would you ignore a distressed animal Black Beastie?
 
amymay said:
But this pony appears not to be fine. Hence why a call to the RSPCA is perfectly reasonsable.

Why on earth would you ignore a distressed animal Black Beastie?
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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.
 
Black Beastie said:
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.
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I think we may be getting different vibes off the original post.

The horse doesn't sound happy - and if anyone ever has any concern about any animal then a call to the RSPCA is not remiss. It's what they're there for.
 
And what exactly are the RSPCA going to do? They won't even bother to follow up a call about mares and foals being kept in appalling conditions by a couple who have a lifetime ban on keeping horses due to the RSPCA themselves bringing a case to court!!
If the horse is well fed, healthy and obviously cared for, they won't do anything. To be honest, my old mare was never turned out in company, save for one elderly gelding, as she was bullied as a youngster and therefore was super stressed if anything was in the field with her. Not all horses like company.
 
tinap555 said:
I have 1 dog who is not kept with animals of his own kind.

Mmmm.... call the rspca!!
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I'm not sure that there's any call for snide responses.

Clearly there are differing views on what the OP should do regarding her concerns.

I know what I would do, others clearly feel different.
 
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