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Post by squirly on Feb 22, 2009 20:31:36 GMT
There is a pony i know that i think is being treated dreadfully. When i asked someone (invloved in voluntary horse welfare)whether or not it is a horse welfare issue, they didn't seem to think it would be, seening as the horse is being fed, watered, exercised, sees owners everyday, mucked out and has veterinary attention when necessary, however, i think it is a welfare issue, what do you think? - The pony is severely overweight- the crest is foldind over to one side, and on the BHS weight diagrams, the size of this pony's crest doesn't even compare. In order to try and get the pony to lose weight, the owners only gives very small haynet, but the pony eats straw bed anyway, when it has severe COPD and under the advice of several vets, the pony must be kept on shavings/cardboard etc. The pony's legs also shake and and 6 years, this pony has wind galls on legs and a splint
- The pony has on: an anti rub vest, a lycra body suit, 2 fleece rugs, 1 light weight rug, 3 heavy weight rugs, 3 neck covers and a hood. These rugs are not taken off during the day and the pony is left sweating, only to keep the wet rugs on for a week at a time. The neck covers are on so tight, the pony even breathes strange. The ponies back looks more dipped, like my veteran pony's, and has not rub marks, but sores on the shoulders.
- The pony is only exercised 1-2 days per week
- The pony never goes in the field
- The pony is frequently left all day without water, unless someone else tops bucket up
- The pony has thrush, which is still left untreated
any opinions, i am disgusted, but no-one else seems to bother as much as me. If i say someone to the girl, i get from the parents to stop being so jealous of their pony and to stop bullying their daughter. |
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Post by thecremellosociety on Feb 22, 2009 21:29:31 GMT
That is terrible, but my advice is as it is not what is seen as a welfare issue in the eyes of organisations is, for a quiet life ( an i know its hard) leave them to it, i had an ex horse i sold to what trned out to be less that perfect people, time after time they were told, and then i had threats of violence etc etc when in actual fact it wasnt me writing the crappy notes telling them what they should do ( i found out who it was afterwards!) i had to let go, As a horse lover hardest thing you can do, but seriously for your own health and stressfree life leave them to it, some people will not be told, i guess im cruel as my fully clipped pony ( clipped nov) only has one 1 rug and a small het of hay ! and my new mare is on a smaller ration of hay and eats her blooming bed and looks like a rspca case stable every morning dispite me making it spotless every day, but seriously try not to get stuck in the middle.
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Post by perfect on Feb 22, 2009 22:01:52 GMT
I know how you must feel, but emmajane is right in what she says. I reported a stud a few years ago, as when i visited, there was a dead foal in the feild that was half eaten away, sheep dying all around, crippled brood mares, one that had had a broken leg, that had been l;eft to mend itself. youngsters that had never been caught and trimmed there feet overgrown to the piont they could hardly walk . mares due to foal in shoulder deep secpits with corrugated sheets sticking out of it. i could go on and on. all i was told was they knew about it and had given him advice on what to do. Bullsh.. he should have been prosicuted and had them all taken from him. We broke our hearts when we left there.. the man still has his stud although hes got rid of some at the sales, but it didnt do me anygood trying to help them.
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Post by XXX on Feb 23, 2009 12:30:37 GMT
Try the Blue Cross  Be brave and phone them now if you really want to help that pony. If you can't be bothered.................................. |
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Post by thecremellosociety on Feb 23, 2009 14:36:55 GMT
its not a case of not being bothered in my case i did ring ILPH promised action but nothing would be done and then you get crap and backlash as people arnt daft the soon know whoses done what, do what you can but dont endanger yourself or ponies from back lash x
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Post by bowditchblobs on Feb 23, 2009 16:12:36 GMT
Hmmmmm i agree with Emmajane best leave them too it, if their the type of people to treat a pony like that what would they do to yours? I know that sounds bad but put your own pony first.
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Post by bundle on Feb 23, 2009 17:09:13 GMT
I feel for you squirly = it is terribly sad when you see things like this but I have to agree with EnnaJane too - make sure you look after your own horses as well as you can but keep out of this one. I reported a case of starvation to the RSPCA once and got nothing but grief for sometime afterwards and I am not at all sure I did the horses in question any good at all.
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Post by Giddie on Feb 23, 2009 18:10:10 GMT
I am amazed to hear all you folks saying you would keep out of it, my god , that is like a vulnerable person being beaten up and you wouldn't report it for fear or recrimination.. How is anything ever solved in this life  I am astounded that you folks would even contemplate that.. If it were me l would be making sure everything was done that l could possibly do for the pony sod the owners...!! Perhaps l am missing something here and perhaps it might be something to do with being male (By the way l am not sexiest) but l certainly would ensure that the welfare of any animal was maintained and l think the only way to do it is to keep reporting and nagging until something is done or the situation has been dealt with to a satisfactory conclusion.. |
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Post by hunter on Feb 23, 2009 18:14:46 GMT
i must say i agree with you giddie
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Feb 23, 2009 18:28:10 GMT
Squirly is this pony on the same yard as you? Would a quiet word with the yard owner do any good? Would they be a bit more willing to listen if the advice was coming from the YO?
IMO it is the yard owners responsibility to make sure that people are doing their ponies properly and advise them accordingly - if they aren't willing to do this then I'd be seriously thinking about moving to a yard where the owner takes a bit more responsibility.
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Post by squirly on Feb 23, 2009 20:22:37 GMT
Squirly is this pony on the same yard as you? Would a quiet word with the yard owner do any good? Would they be a bit more willing to listen if the advice was coming from the YO? IMO it is the yard owners responsibility to make sure that people are doing their ponies properly and advise them accordingly - if they aren't willing to do this then I'd be seriously thinking about moving to a yard where the owner takes a bit more responsibility. the yard that we're at is great. The yard owner goes by the book, however this has made them develop a personality that is after money. unfortunately. we had a similar incident where a pony was not being looked after, when another person had words with owners, and yard owner still nothing was done, so they rang they rspca, the pony even had maggots in its feet. the yard owner was furious and said the rspca looked 'bad for the yard' i'm sure a dead horse would have looked worse. At current, i have no intentions of ringing horse welfare as even though the pony is suffering, it is still alive, i know this makes me cruel, but things may settle down. That's why i had a quick word with a horse welfare (voluntary) representative but she didn't even seem too worried was what bothered me, the owner of this pony plans to take it to shows, fat/unfit/unsafe for both itself and rider. What annoys me is the judges will not send this pony out of the ring, and if it goes ok, gets placed then the owners will think that they are doing someting right, and will continue to tret this pony as they are. apologies for bad spelling/punctuation, but i'm typing quite quickly, |
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Feb 23, 2009 20:31:53 GMT
Squirly is this pony on the same yard as you? Would a quiet word with the yard owner do any good? Would they be a bit more willing to listen if the advice was coming from the YO? IMO it is the yard owners responsibility to make sure that people are doing their ponies properly and advise them accordingly - if they aren't willing to do this then I'd be seriously thinking about moving to a yard where the owner takes a bit more responsibility. the yard that we're at is great. The yard owner goes by the book, however this has made them develop a personality that is after money. unfortunately. we had a similar incident where a pony was not being looked after, when another person had words with owners, and yard owner still nothing was done, so they rang they rspca, the pony even had maggots in its feet. the yard owner was furious and said the rspca looked 'bad for the yard' i'm sure a dead horse would have looked worse. At current, i have no intentions of ringing horse welfare as even though the pony is suffering, it is still alive, i know this makes me cruel, but things may settle down. That's why i had a quick word with a horse welfare (voluntary) representative but she didn't even seem too worried was what bothered me, the owner of this pony plans to take it to shows, fat/unfit/unsafe for both itself and rider. What annoys me is the judges will not send this pony out of the ring, and if it goes ok, gets placed then the owners will think that they are doing someting right, and will continue to tret this pony as they are. apologies for bad spelling/punctuation, but i'm typing quite quickly, Does anyone know what the law is regarding livery owners and their responsibilities towards the animals in their care? I'm appalled to read that there have been other ponies not being cared for properly and this YO hasn't done anything about it? In fact seems more concerned for their own reputation than the welfare of the animal concerned? Disgusting. I can't understand why anyone would think this was a good yard. The yard owner is allowing this to happen and IMO that makes them just as bad. |
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Post by bowditchblobs on Feb 23, 2009 20:40:34 GMT
It'll probably go out and win too, are they trying to sweat weight off it??? A group off us complained about some ill treated horses on a livery yard we were on once [years ago] our lives and our horses were made hell...........so im sorry i would steer clear unless you have another yard to go to. Livery yard politics are some thing else.
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Post by fayeandash on Feb 23, 2009 21:00:19 GMT
I also thought about the fact they might be trying to sweat the weight off, i once got my daughter a lesson with a well know producer, our pony was a little on the large side, but nothing major, he had already been started on a diet, but i was advised to wrap my pony in bin bags and lunge till he was really hot and sweaty, i did neither and never booked another lesson, it's crazy what people do for a quick fix, but back to the thread, it is difficult to try and advise people who already think they know everything, could you not get the volunteer you spoke to to just have a word with the owners, as in nothing official but just a few pointers for them, the owners may not like you interfering but if you are adamant the pony is suffering then you should do what you feel is right for the pony, maybe contact other organisations and see what they say
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Post by ladybird on Feb 24, 2009 12:07:27 GMT
my friend rang the rspca about horses being seriously neglected without food or shelter during bitterly cold winter months on dartmoor. She was made to feel that her intentions were less than honourable (maybe she just didnt like the people?) Nothing was done but during that time one of the older mares slipped into a ditch and was found dead......this man still has horses (traditional cobs) and no, nothing appeared to be done.....long live the rspca...
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Post by squirly on Feb 24, 2009 14:03:30 GMT
I also thought about the fact they might be trying to sweat the weight off, i once got my daughter a lesson with a well know producer, our pony was a little on the large side, but nothing major, he had already been started on a diet, but i was advised to wrap my pony in bin bags and lunge till he was really hot and sweaty, i did neither and never booked another lesson, it's crazy what people do for a quick fix, but back to the thread, it is difficult to try and advise people who already think they know everything, could you not get the volunteer you spoke to to just have a word with the owners, as in nothing official but just a few pointers for them, the owners may not like you interfering but if you are adamant the pony is suffering then you should do what you feel is right for the pony, maybe contact other organisations and see what they say that's what i'm thinking, or at least someone quite respectable, maye even one of their future showing judges, that might convince them |
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Post by adfree on Feb 25, 2009 9:02:01 GMT
I personally would just go take some of the ponies rugs off and hide them ;D
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Post by fayeandash on Feb 25, 2009 10:03:14 GMT
or better still take them off but leave them in the stable, let them think they have a houdini I'm only messing, i don't think it's wise to mess with other peoples ponies when they are not there. |
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Post by hunter on Feb 25, 2009 18:12:34 GMT
Are they trying to sweat the weight off ??
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Post by dun4u on Feb 28, 2009 15:39:25 GMT
This might sound equally as cruel, but, the pony is more likely to lose weight if he is cold this time of the year than trying to sweat it off him. If they were to cut down on the rugs and neck-covers, one by one, then IMO, he should lose weight. As he's wearing so many at the moment, it would be impossible to remove them all in one fell swoop, but if he shivered rather than sweated, I'm sure it would work
You could try suggesting this but I somehow think they probably won't listen. Give it a try and let us know ........
Good Luck!
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Post by thecremellosociety on Mar 1, 2009 20:03:14 GMT
I think sweating weight off is barbaric !, Diet & Exercise, to deliberatly make something sweat for prolong periods of time can lead to a chill, salt inbalance, dehydration and d**n uncorfortableness !!!! Get out there walking it ! A difference between sweating when riding, ( the cooled and dried to make them sweat at a stand still !
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Post by ruby tuesday on Mar 4, 2009 17:35:46 GMT
There is a pony i know that i think is being treated dreadfully. When i asked someone (invloved in voluntary horse welfare)whether or not it is a horse welfare issue, they didn't seem to think it would be, seening as the horse is being fed, watered, exercised, sees owners everyday, mucked out and has veterinary attention when necessary, however, i think it is a welfare issue, what do you think? i am confused as you begin with this satement and then go on to list issues of concern? Just report it to the RSPCA as they will assess the situation. |
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Post by connie4711 on Mar 26, 2009 14:29:32 GMT
HAPPA are much more use than the RSPCA - Horse and Pony Protection Association, but these welfare issues are usually very drawn out and take time to gather evidence, unless of course it is an immediate life and death situation. But all my dealings with the RSPCA have left me bitterly disappointed. HAPPA are horsemen and women who will always act on a complaint and take every welfare issue seriously.
They will always treat complaints confidentially and with respect to avoid the person complaining coming into conflict with the animal owner.
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Post by Flyingbuck on Mar 26, 2009 16:06:48 GMT
I am not surprised the poor pony's legs are shaky under the weight of that clothing!  It seems to me that the RSPCA are at best toothless and at worst hopeless when it comes to welfare cases - I would donate my cash elsewhere. But even if the ponies die from starvation through neglect, the courts also seem to be very lenient on the perpetrators if a recent Scottish case is anything to go by - it's nothing short of a disgrace and I am not sure how we go about changing things when the establishment and folk as a whole don't seem to care.  |
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Post by drenrowstud on Mar 26, 2009 23:58:52 GMT
well i would be tempted to find out who there vet is and go and see them with photograpic evidence if possible , the rspca are useless we have called them to horses in the past and they came saw and went again no action , one example was an old horse out in knee deep mud with very bad weeping sarcroids down his leg poor old chap had been so say rescued he was lame in pain and living a miserable existance in a very boggy field but because the owner could produce a tube of ointment from her tack room and the trough was working and hay in the field they did nothing , the poor horse later went down with septecimia and had to be pts
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jj
Full Member
*smile and make some-one else happy*
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Post by jj on Apr 2, 2009 16:37:37 GMT
pm me details i'm a welfare officer i will investegate.
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Post by sapphie on Apr 15, 2009 6:32:50 GMT
Why do some peole think that wrapping up a pony in 10 rugs to sweat weight off works if it was as easy as that i'd try it myself.it might lose a few pounds but as soon as they drink the weight is back and as for having over weight ponies showing you would not dream of entering a 20stone man or woman in the london marathon. Until judges penalise obese ponies some people will continue to over feed
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Post by nativeponies on May 2, 2009 19:03:26 GMT
I cant believe some of the things i just read, i for one would be reporting it, time and time again until something was done, the YO needs to sort priorities out, if nothing was done by YO i would be looking for somewhere else for my horse!! and then i would be making sure others knew the YO didnt give a monkeys!!!
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Post by fox111 on May 3, 2009 19:44:48 GMT
I NEVER DONATE TO THE RSPCA I THINK THEIR A WASTE OF TIME I ALSO KNOW OF OVERFED, LAMINTIC, NOT SEEN A FARRIER IN YEARS ETC AND UNFORUTNATELY THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO UNLESS THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT ONE HAS DIED BUT THEN IF DISPOSED OF NO EVIDENCE.
WASTE OF VERY NICE PONIES.
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Post by yes there is on May 3, 2009 20:22:42 GMT
I NEVER DONATE TO THE RSPCA I THINK THEIR A WASTE OF TIME I ALSO KNOW OF OVERFED, LAMINTIC, NOT SEEN A FARRIER IN YEARS ETC AND UNFORUTNATELY THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO UNLESS THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT ONE HAS DIED BUT THEN IF DISPOSED OF NO EVIDENCE. WASTE OF VERY NICE PONIES. Under the new animal welfare act ponies can be removed into care if a vet feels those animals likely to suffer if things don't change, this is the new 'tool' the RSPCA are using and hence why so many horse and ponies are being removed and put into already massively over flowing centres for often very little reason other than making numbers look good! It really time the RSPCA were accountable to someone other than just the charities commission for monetary issues but currently they are accountable to nobody in any other way at all which is ridiculous considering they are a charity! Please be aware they have no 'new powers' but as the new animal welafre act is so open to interpreation and their extensive use of RSPCA payroll Vets they are very much bending already flexible laws for their own gain so please please be vigilant as they can remove without warning or contact aslong as a vet or other expert agrees with them!! |
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I am astounded that you folks would even contemplate that.. If it were me l would be making sure everything was done that l could possibly do for the pony sod the owners...!! Perhaps l am missing something here and perhaps it might be something to do with being male (By the way l am not sexiest) but l certainly would ensure that the welfare of any animal was maintained and l think the only way to do it is to keep reporting and nagging until something is done or the situation has been dealt with to a satisfactory conclusion..
