[mftx4]

That's a question I've been asking on some of the other threads on this subject. I've made some suggestions and no one seems to have any answers. Do we ask the county or state where the abuse takes place to step in and pay for the training of AC officers. Should some of our state parks donate land and buildings to house and care for them? Can we get vets to vollenteer time to look over the situations when they happen? I believe even vet techs would be knowledgale enough to tell you when these horses are in poor condition. Laws need to be changed. That doesn't happen over night or by themselves. You can't force people that are not willing to learn, better ways to care for their animals.
I believe some of these situations are honestly happening because of lack of education on the part of some owners. They get a horse or pony for little Mary and have no clue about what it takes to care for it. Ill fitting tack, the animal miss behaves and then she doesn't want the pony or horse anymore. No shots, not hoof care and then they don't pay any attention to it anymore. That's also abuse even if they don't think so.
Are you willing to go educate them, CJ? Are you going to tell them that they are abusing Dobin?
I'm in the process of getting some local vets and farriers to donate some time this fall for some 'Wellness' clinics at a local arena. People will have to bring their horses there with any medical records they have for each animal. Shots and checkups will be at reduced prices and farriers will trim on 'as needed' basis. We have a few volenteers that are willing to donate time and gas to haul for folks that have no way to get horses there. We still have lots of details to work out, but it's a start to help the horses that need care and the people that need help to do that.
We all question how this happens. Now we need to start figuring out some answers.

[CJnBucksMom]

I agree, education is the first step. My question is what do you do to the people who should know better? Those who have been around horses a lifetime and KNOW that this is NOT okay but convince themselves otherwise because either they don't want to be bothered or don't want to spend the money to fix what they've done. I've had those situations, currently actually. Those people, even when it's plainly laid out for them just don't get it or don't care, so how do we deal with those? I'm out of ideas on that one.

I do like your idea of a wellness clinic. If I can steal that idea I'd like to look into putting one on in my area. I know an extension agent for my county who would probably jump in on it as well. I'd like to hear more about the details of it etc.

Anyone else?

[mftx4]

By all means, steal, steal, steal. I'm sure not every detail will work in every area, but you could certainly adapt them to suit the needs of folks in your area. I just started by talking to people I knew. My own vet and farrier, friends that are pinched in this economy. Even the professionals are pinched because some of their regular clients don't have money to spend on their horses regular care. Having it at a central location, it's pretty much a win/win situation. The vets and farriers customers come to them, you can accomidate many animals and owners can get good care for their horses at a lower cost. Major problems can't be solved this way, but purhaps some can be diagnosed and follow up can be worked out on a more personel level between vet or farrier and owner.
Most vets and farriers are busiest in the Spring. We're hoping to set up something during the year when they seem to have bit of 'down' time. To me, it's only a matter of getting the care done, no matter the time of year that's important.
If the horses are on a regular schedual they are better off.
If you have a vet in your area, that's willing to work with, see if he has friends that will volenteer too. Saddle clubs that might help out. The worst any of them can do is tell you no.

[lbhugg]

sound like a good community service for some of the 4-h kids to volunteer I think i willl try and steal that idea also unfortunetly there re people out there that have no clue and don't care to learn or plain don't care. Not trying to start s**t but some of the people that fought the anti-slaughter ruling may be able to help with the laws and clarifing how that got rolling that had to starty somewhere right.
I wish i knew approx. on average how may cruelty abanded ect. cases there are per state

[mftx4]

Your right. People that are indifferent, won't be changed. I just feel that if we can help those that do care, it may not come to the point of neglect or people having to abandon animals because they feel they have no choice.
I feel the if the horse community itself would become involved with some of the things going on, maybe we can make a difference for some horses.

[Beeks]

It's kinda like the snake that eat's itself, but in reverse.

It would help if the fines were stiffer

but that would require people being made to pay for their wrong doing

which would require more man power and education

which would require money

which could be achieved if the penalties were stiffer.

In trying to get a horse seized this winter I had the local authorities (sheriffs dept and AC who ironically enough have the same voice mail) telling me all the things that I could do without getting into trouble. Like, if I find her loose (hint hint) I could take her onto my property and make her all better. I could try and contact the owners directly (DUH! don't you think I already did that??) One gal even went so far as to tell me if someone was feeding her horse because she wasn't, what would be the motivation for her to do so. WHAT??? and you WORK for animal control???

There needs to be a Zorro or Robin Hood for neglected horses. A champion willing to push the envelope and test the system to come to their aid. Maybe by doing so, some of the more ridiculous nuances of the current laws would get a longer and more thoughtful look.

**runs to put on cape and mask**

~Z~