Opinions on a horse care issue...
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February 23, 2010 11:00PM
The seizure thread finally got me to post this....
There is a place I drive by daily - the horses (2) are in a small backyard... the fencing is mostly ok (board and I think a strand of electric) but I have noticed a board down for over a week now... obviously the horses have not escaped. There is a barn/run in type building - it appears to be open during the day. Anyway- my concern is one of the horses seems thin - but is blanketed so hard to tell, appears older and quite lame - he has a huge knee. Now the horses have a large round bale all the time - it gets replaced when its done etc - I'm driving by at 80km/h so don't know about water. The old guy (or the one i assume to be) doesn't move around much - and does get picked on a bit by the other horse.
As of now - I check them but really not sure if anything is 'wrong' really. I know how hard it is to keep weight on an oldy - our 26 yr old retiree is holding his own - but I don't see him ever being fat - hell he was ribby in his 3yr old pics too (damn hard keeping TBs  ) and Steve's witch of a mare picks on him too (doesn't keep him from food - and they have 8 acres to get away from each other - she's just a bitchy bully) so I can see a possible other side of it. So I just don't know what to do.... I'm leaning toward nothing - but would appreciate some input
February 24, 2010 01:50AM
Is it possible for you to stop one day and ask, in a non provocative way, how the horses are doing? Just say you have horses and your eyes always seem attracted by horses. Ask how old the old guy is, etc. They obviously have food and probably water. It may be an old horse that they love and are trying to do right by him.
There is a place I drive by when I go to see my mare. They have 3 horses, mostly always in the front paddock which is pretty small. One is very swayed back and thin. The horses have free access to the barn during the day and are in at night. Apparently in the summer, they have a big field in the back, but I have always seen them in the front. My BO used that approach to ask about the horses. Plus, they are next to a QH breeder with big fields and very well cared for horses, along a very busy road. The owners had nothing to hide and were very friendly
February 24, 2010 09:09AM
FI's approach is a good one, if you are comfortable doing it. (I'm pretty sure *I* wouldn't be, but I'm weird that way )
What I believe is that if you have any suspicions or concerns or even gut feelings, you really should call the SPCA and let them go in and look around. At least you know then you've done the bare minimum.
Sometimes in a borderline situation, all it takes for the situation to resolve is one visit from the SPCA, it seems that often once animal owners know others are aware of what's going on, they will clean up their act or disperse the animals they no longer have time for.
Having been on the receiving end of an SPCA call (you know, for my "dead" goats enjoying the sunshine) while I was annoyed that someone couldn't tell the difference between happy goats and dead goats, I was also relieved to know that there are people concerned for the animals they see in their travels. For me, I had nothing to hide, so it wasn't particularly a big deal... mostly gave me the rare opportunity to show off my goats
If in doubt, make the report.
GP
February 24, 2010 09:24AM
I'd do nothing unless the situation deteriorates, then I'd call the spca with my concerns and let them drop in and deal with it. They've got hay, probably water, shelter and perhaps the lame guy is under the care of a vet already.
February 24, 2010 10:23AM
I don't really feel comfortable stopping ( I always have my daughter with me at that point). I think I'll do what Gruffy suggests and just keep an eye on them I guess and call if I think it is deteriorating. In the summer they fence off a section of the neighbors field for pasture too. I don't really gets a sense that they are not being cared for - I just ....'notice' this as I drive by every day. I think even if lame guy is not under active care - I doubt there is much point - it looks to be a huge arthritic knee - he's been the same for a while so it's not a new injury at least.
I was trying to thing how I'd feel if the SPCA showed up on my doorstep (we often have 'dead' sun loving horses too GP )... and yah I don't think it would bother me - but I know it would bother some.
February 24, 2010 10:31AM
Good to keep an eye out 
Being on a busy road, I've experienced both situations... having the SPCA drop by and having individuals stop in to "save my goats" and I WAY prefer the SPCA. I don't appreciate having strangers stop by all in a panic and yelling at me about my "dead" goats. That's a sure fire way for me to order you off my property and threaten you with the police. If I had a gun, that would be the point I'd start waving it around like a maniac
I did have one person stop that didn't yell at me and was genuinely curious about the goats well being and I was happy to explain to her they were ok and in fact were very happy... she still seemed a bit skeptical so I hollered to the goats and they all jumped up and ran over to the fence. She was appropriately embarrassed, I thanked her for her concern and off she went.
I do wonder though, why people always think its an emergency if they spot "dead" goats... hell, if there ARE dead, there's no longer any emergency!!!
GP who is looking forward to having nice enough weather for her goats to appear "dead" again
February 24, 2010 10:52AM
I haven't had anyone come in - but i have noticed a few slow down to check out some 'dead' horses or ponies lol.
I did have a woman drive in and knock on my door and ask to buy a pony LOL - that was a little ...odd - but she was nice about it - said she needed a companion - guess she figured we had enough LOL (we have 5) - or she felt sorry for my poor ponies in their dirt paddock surrounded by grass Nelly's belly wants that grass.... her feet - not so much 
February 24, 2010 12:15PM
Id leave it alone.
They sound fed and fine.
February 24, 2010 03:52PM
We have 2 older horses that have lost weight in there golden years, you'd swear they were straving. They eat well, we soak their feed, teeth have been done regularly. I have pulled blood with 2 different clinics one being Mckee-Pownell, the vets say its just old age as long as they appear comfortable leave them alone. I hate seeing them thin but they appear happy and they are as frisky as the younger ones.
I would be pretty upset if someone accused me of not caring for them, as I have had the vets out many of times to care for those 2.
February 24, 2010 06:48PM
That's what I'm thinking (hoping) the case is and why I haven't done anything - the fact that he is wearing a blanket - makes me think he's just as old as he looks - and while I know old age doesn't = emaciated - sometimes 'fat' just isn't an option.... But it's been nagging at me for a while now - so thank you all for being my sounding board
February 24, 2010 07:17PM
Glad talking it out was useful for you
Freemount, wouldn't you rather someone call the SPCA though if they were unsure about the situation and didn't have all the details about the care yours have received? Obviously someone driving by wouldn't know all the effort you've put into their health and well being.
I would personally rather people call anytime they have concerns... people who are doing right by their animals will have the proof and explanations available for the officers to see... people who are neglecting will maybe get a bit of a wake up call.... I'd much rather err on the side of caution and have someone call on me than do nothing. Yes, its a bit annoying and inconvenient, but as long as you have nothing to hide, its no big deal and you shouldn't take it personally. *shrug*
GP
February 24, 2010 08:52PM
Speaking of government interference, be glad you do not farm in the EU. There, you are told what size of cucumber you have to grown, what shade of green, etc. It was such a big story last spring... so maybe they used the wrong potatoes to make the salad...
February 24, 2010 09:53PM
I would really stop in one day MBRA18,, most people will be very willing to explain if there is a problem, especially if they feel its out of concern of another horse lover and its genuine concern, and I'll tell you why ?? We have had several horses with us here after they were placed from the Humane Society, and most times they were brought to us late evening or night, so to passer's by they would see a horse in the front that clearly looked in trouble. Now most up and down the highway daily are familiar with us and they are used of watching in spring for all the new foals and we have a lot of roadside visitors taking pics of the new babies playing ect. ect. and also know that we are used as fostering for horses in trouble once and awhile, but there have been a few calls to the Humane Society from cell phones telling them there is a horse in trouble and give the address to here !! Now, they are told the horse is in placement here and so on, but I would much rather anyone in concern of a horse, come right in and express their concern to me, I always feel that if you stop when you see an animal looking like its it need of help, that the owners would immediatly react if there was some sort of problem and maybe start taking better care of the horse if they figure people are watching them !!!! Or maybe it too is there under care in a rescue situation, if so they will be very willing to tell you the stroy on the horse, if its a case improper care on their part, they will start to care for it from the time you leave the driveway, in fear the authorities will show up, a win, win for everyone !!!! Good Luck, and Happy there are caring eye's out there watching !!!
February 24, 2010 10:18PM
I am waiting for the day someone stops in to see a new rescue or something... I had my Old Rotten in the front paddock and when he first came he was a horror to behold. However, we have a thick tree line surrounding the wole thing, so un;es you slow to a stop and peer through, you probably would not get any real details of what they look like.
I used to get regular calls about him being "out". He had the run of the farm and would never go further than 3/4 of the way down the driveway. But, to all intents and purposes he WAS out and yeah, calls at 6am from the neighbours were pretty funny. :P I still get calls about "escaped horses" as we have a huge pasture leased off Nav Canada and the horses will occasionally go down to the buildings. Looks like they shoudn't be there at first glance.
I would [personally stop in and just say you drive by all the time and wanted to meet the horses! Keep it friendly and civil and you should not have any issues. I don't personally think a board down is any big deal, as it happens and sometimes ya just can't get to it asap. Especially if you know the horses are not likely to go anywhere.
I had a Hanoverian mare with a fused knee and you would swear she was dead lame.... but she just walked funny cause she couldn't bend the knee much. Didn't bother her and in flat arenas she was still quite able to be ridden. Looked odd as heck, but she was far from lame.
Just stop in and chat nicely with the owners... I bet you will find them willing to chat about their horses (as long as no high horses are climbed upon.
Speaking of funny areas though... I drove past a place today where the horse lived in the frint field and his round bale feeder was the BACK OF A PICK UP!! Hole trashy Batman. I will post a link when I upload it.
CHeers!
Reply by xine
February 24, 2010 11:05PM
i had a neighbor with a horse that had a really big knee.
they lived right behind me at the place i used to live. the horses were fed, and the owners were so proud of their arab and couldn't see the knee at all.
at the place i'm at now, i saw a skinny horse in the back yard. i hate dealing with people and left a bag of equine senior at their house as a hint.
i hadn't been nearby in a while, and it looks like new people live there.
i did have the sherriff's animal cruelty guy called on me once for a 'skinny horse and an obese horse'
the guy that took the call caught me at home and said he just had to come in person since he's never had an 'obese horse' call.
i showed him around. 'skinny horse' was an older ottb. i had vet records and all that.
(actually, gronwy was skinnier right before he passed away. i did have the vet out, was feeding him mushy food 4 times a day without weight gain. my vet is not one to do expensive tests for something that can't be fixed. he was very old for a tb here in the desert.)
sheriff guy told me someone in my neighborhood must not like me and he saw no problem here.
they've never been back since.
i had the trash people out with a complaint of a ton of manure. she took pictures, brought her boss to verify. it just wasn't true. same thing. someone doesn't like me. imagine that.
i don't mind dealing with govt officials. would freak out if i wasn't home and they left me a nasty note without me there to 'splain stuff.
in the meantime, psycho neighbor trina lets a horse colic, wouldn't call a vet, and has a dead scraped to the bone from thrashing in his locked concrete stall hauled off horse. go figure.
she did end up in court over that.
i don't like her, but i horse-sat for her when she went out of town. not for her, but for her horses.
their stalls were left nasty. i cleaned them. cleaned her water barrels too.
she thinks she can repay me by horse-sitting. i don't think so. ain't gonna happen.
xine
February 25, 2010 03:07AM
I agree Saving Grace, a warm smile going in will be warmly received, the old saying " anything bitter goes down easier with a spoonful of Honey, then it does with Vinegar , is very true.
February 25, 2010 11:39AM
I agree I wouldnt call the SPCA without knowing the full story
He horse has a blanket on so they must care somewhat, just have a friendly chat, if they rub you the wrong way or something seems off then take the next step
February 25, 2010 02:01PM
Xine, your toooo funny " she thinks she can repay me by horse sitting " LOLO
your neighbor sounds like one of mine, who's favorite quote everytime he walks out and finds another dead animal is " well if yer gonna have livestock, by God yer gonna have dead stock " !!!!!! all the while with his thumbs hooked in his 4 sizes too big overall's..
February 25, 2010 05:51PM
[ www.facebook.com]
Here is the link to the horse in the driveway with his er....feeder....
February 25, 2010 06:36PM
well at least hes being fed...
February 25, 2010 07:31PM
is that skid his gate?
February 25, 2010 09:25PM
No silly - I think that's how he climbs in to use the washroom!
I think the 'disc-er' laying there might be his gate...
February 25, 2010 10:33PM
lol - that's the most expensive hay feeder I've ever seen - LOL - That's not a very old truck - and a dually at that.... I agree that is rather trashy
February 25, 2010 10:51PM
Heehee... the whole place was a mess. The horse was right in the driveway with the front yard "fenced" off. I am sure had they seen me hanging out of the window taking pictures they would not have been too impressed. Bloody odd though! I chuckled though as it WOULD be a handy feeder for a round bale if you didn't have a tractor!
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