Is This Neglect?

Blaiz889 · 07-28-2009, 03:07 PM

I Recently went down to visit some relatives in the south. Along the way we stopped at my cousin's house in Alabama. She, her husband, and their two young kids live on this beautiful property surrounded by just a few other houses, all on 3-5 acre lots. Their closest neighbor has three arabians and a shetland. The kids were really excited to show us the horses, and how they would come up to the fence to be pet. Well we went over and what I saw was almost heartbreaking. The horses have huge hay-bellies. I've never seen such fat horses. But I'm pretty sure that these horses have never been trained, seen a vet or farrier, never had their pasture cleaned out, and never been groomed. Two of them had runny noses and a cough. The other trotted with a slight limp. The shetland had diarrhea and was covered in mud. All of them had horrible hooves that where overgrown, cracked, splayed, and had chunks missing.
When we were eating dinner my cousin's husband told us how it's such a shame to just see those horses practically wasting away. I completely agree.
Is there anything they can do? I'm not sure if you could call this abuse or neglect. It just really bugs me to see irresponsible people owning horses and leaving them to sit in a pasture.
Could this be considered neglect/abuse?

pippy · 07-28-2009, 03:10 PM

I'd consider it a form of neglet for sure.

Cowgirl1 · 07-28-2009, 03:19 PM

yes neglet i say to

N. Divina · 07-28-2009, 04:08 PM

With the hooves, dirt, and runny nose- yeah probably neglect. Oh the world and it's inhabitants!

Ransomsgurl · 07-28-2009, 04:10 PM

yes definatly neglect, you should call the local animal control and see if they can connect you to the A.C. in that area....

crayon · 07-28-2009, 04:23 PM

I'd consider it neglect, definately.

mftx4 · 07-28-2009, 05:07 PM

The horses just may be their to look 'pretty' and for them to be able to say they own them. It could be a matter of just getting someone there that can give them information on care. If you have the ability to just sound them out. A friendly, Hi, I have horses to so just came over to look and pet yours. Hope you don't mind.' Start a conversation. You'll know very quickly if they have any knowledge and decide from there what you think should be done.

magoo320mj · 07-28-2009, 08:57 PM

I would definitely call that neglectful.

firelight27 · 07-28-2009, 10:07 PM

I've seen animal control take horses away because of really bad hooves. They'll come out, give a warning, and if it isn't fixed in a timely matter take the horses. Different states are different, and it all depends on the personality of the officers who come out as well. Some might say...well, they aren't starved and have water...they are taken care of and its natural, but others would freak out over the slightest thing. It all depends, but lack of hoof care can be crippling and the officers should know that.

Haas Horse Farm · 07-28-2009, 10:09 PM

I wonder if the owners even have a clue. I would think it would be in the best interest of the horses to have someone attempt to educate them.

07-28-2009, 03:07 PM	#1
Blaiz889 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central MN Posts: 572 Images: 2	Is This Neglect? I Recently went down to visit some relatives in the south. Along the way we stopped at my cousin's house in Alabama. She, her husband, and their two young kids live on this beautiful property surrounded by just a few other houses, all on 3-5 acre lots. Their closest neighbor has three arabians and a shetland. The kids were really excited to show us the horses, and how they would come up to the fence to be pet. Well we went over and what I saw was almost heartbreaking. The horses have huge hay-bellies. I've never seen such fat horses. But I'm pretty sure that these horses have never been trained, seen a vet or farrier, never had their pasture cleaned out, and never been groomed. Two of them had runny noses and a cough. The other trotted with a slight limp. The shetland had diarrhea and was covered in mud. All of them had horrible hooves that where overgrown, cracked, splayed, and had chunks missing. When we were eating dinner my cousin's husband told us how it's such a shame to just see those horses practically wasting away. I completely agree. Is there anything they can do? I'm not sure if you could call this abuse or neglect. It just really bugs me to see irresponsible people owning horses and leaving them to sit in a pasture. Could this be considered neglect/abuse? __________________ He is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He is indeed a horse: and all other jades you may call beasts.

07-28-2009, 03:10 PM	#2
pippy Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,842 Images: 128 Blog Entries: 7	I'd consider it a form of neglet for sure. __________________ Pip + Turbo Living A healthy lifestyle only deprives you of fat and lethargy. Always remember that using your hands BEFORE your driving aids is the same as picking up the telephone before it rings. Why would you pick up the phone? No one is there!

07-28-2009, 04:08 PM	#4
N. Divina Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Middle of nowhere.... Posts: 344 Images: 25 Blog Entries: 2	With the hooves, dirt, and runny nose- yeah probably neglect. Oh the world and it's inhabitants! __________________ CRAZY! Yes that's me! Random too make you laugh

07-28-2009, 04:10 PM	#5
Ransomsgurl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: In the Hay in Barn with my Horses Posts: 1,159 Images: 112	yes definatly neglect, you should call the local animal control and see if they can connect you to the A.C. in that area.... __________________ You Know You're A Horse Person When your boyfriend complains that you love your horse more than you love him and you say: "And your point is?" Vice President of the Purple Sheep's Club! ~Ransom and Cherry, the lights of my world~

07-28-2009, 04:23 PM	#6
crayon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MA Posts: 3,434 Images: 40	I'd consider it neglect, definately. __________________ Crayon is my baby! Crayon's Corner Store & Etsy shop coming soon!

07-28-2009, 03:19 PM	#3
Cowgirl1 Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Country in Pennsylvania Posts: 64 Images: 7	yes neglet i say to

07-28-2009, 05:07 PM	#7
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	The horses just may be their to look 'pretty' and for them to be able to say they own them. It could be a matter of just getting someone there that can give them information on care. If you have the ability to just sound them out. A friendly, Hi, I have horses to so just came over to look and pet yours. Hope you don't mind.' Start a conversation. You'll know very quickly if they have any knowledge and decide from there what you think should be done.

07-28-2009, 08:57 PM	#8
magoo320mj Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bonanza, OR Posts: 283 Images: 2	I would definitely call that neglectful.

07-28-2009, 10:07 PM	#9
firelight27 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,114 Images: 121	I've seen animal control take horses away because of really bad hooves. They'll come out, give a warning, and if it isn't fixed in a timely matter take the horses. Different states are different, and it all depends on the personality of the officers who come out as well. Some might say...well, they aren't starved and have water...they are taken care of and its natural, but others would freak out over the slightest thing. It all depends, but lack of hoof care can be crippling and the officers should know that.

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