[vlbisme]

My neighbor is "boarding" two horses for a man that lives out of the area. The horses are not starving but they are in a round pen & the poop is never cleaned out and she throws them a chunk of hay once a day then they go hours without anything to eat but their own poop. They never have salt. I try to sneak a chunk of salt in their pen but I think she takes it away becuase it is gone in a day or two and I know they didn't lick it that fast.My husband says stay out of it don't get involved they are not your horses but I can't not care. I do throw them hay when I see she has not bothered to feed them that day becuase she left for the weekend and I sneak them some hay occasionally in the evenings becuase I can't stand to see their sad faces. I am not on good terms with this neighbor.The man that owns them obviously doesn't care he comes up once a year but since they are not starving I guess he thinks they are ok.I am sure the sheriff would think I am crazy if I called because to look at them they don't look abused but as a horse owner, I know.I am going to buy them another salt block today and try to hide near a pile of poop so maybe she won't take it again they have been months without salt.

[County]

Your trespassing which is illegal if you came on my property and fed my livestock I'd have you aressted. If you feel somethings being done thats illegal report it then let the law handle it.

[Lou3]

salt is not an essential thing for horses, dont know why that should be an issue at all. None of my horses have ever had salt blocks, I personally dont like them and if anyone gave them to my horses I would be VERY annoyed. Some horses can eat a whole salt block in a single night - there is NO evidence whatsoever for horses displaying nutritional wisdom as cows do and therefore salt blocks are an unecessary expense.
Are the horses in good weight? are their feet trimmed and their teeth floated? Do they recieve appropriate treatment for injuries?

If the answer is yes then leave well alone.
If the answer is no then call animal control.

[LindaMM]

I agree. Salt is not a huge issue, especially as it does not appear these horses are working at all, thus salt is not a huge issue. Think about it.... where in the wild do horses get salt? Just from their feed.

Feeding once a day would be more worrisome. But... if they are in good flesh, then there isn't anything you can do. Heck, some people might be upset at feeding just twice daily... as horses are grazers, and really should be fed more often than that.

Again... if a stranger came around, saw the horses just as they are, and without knowing anything else, would they say.. "OMG, those horses are abused!"? If not, then you can't do anything.

[2horsestoride]

Lou - salt is essential for horses. Feed often supplies the required amount and no salt block is needed, however, it doesn't sound as if these horses are getting any thing other than hay.

[Lou3]

Originally Posted by 2horsestoride

Lou - salt is essential for horses. Feed often supplies the required amount and no salt block is needed, however, it doesn't sound as if these horses are getting any thing other than hay.

Horses get all the salt they need from their natural diet - hay and grass will supply plenty. How do you think feral horses cope? If the horse isnt in hard work it will manage just fine without any electrolyte supplements.

[2horsestoride]

Originally Posted by Lou3

Horses get all the salt they need from their natural diet - hay and grass will supply plenty. How do you think feral horses cope? If the horse isnt in hard work it will manage just fine without any electrolyte supplements.

Sorry but I disagree. These horses are in a small pen with a limited amount of hay. Just don't see how they could possibly be getting what they need.

Also, I was responding to your statement that salt is not essential to horses. I read that as not needed, not that they are getting what they needed elsewhere. I, too, said in many cases horses get what they need from their feeds so I think we're saying the same thing.

But I reiterate, salt is essential to horses and they need to meet the proper requirements for it as with other dietary necessities.

[Lou3]

Originally Posted by 2horsestoride

Sorry but I disagree. These horses are in a small pen with a limited amount of hay. Just don't see how they could possibly be getting what they need.

Also, I was responding to your statement that salt is not essential to horses. I read that as not needed, not that they are getting what they needed elsewhere. I, too, said in many cases horses get what they need from their feeds so I think we're saying the same thing.

But I reiterate, salt is essential to horses and they need to meet the proper requirements for it as with other dietary necessities.

Some for of electrolyte is essential yes, however for horses that are not in work they will lose very little salt and therefore will need very little, any they DO need will be in their hay. Salt is the last nutrient I would be worried about in this case.
Salt BLOCKS are not essential for horses - no way no how.

[2horsestoride]

Originally Posted by Lou3

Some for of electrolyte is essential yes, however for horses that are not in work they will lose very little salt and therefore will need very little, any they DO need will be in their hay. Salt is the last nutrient I would be worried about in this case.
Salt BLOCKS are not essential for horses - no way no how.

Then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[LindaMM]

Remember, the OP was asking about abuse.

If not giving salt supplement is considered abuse, then there must be hundreds of thousands of fat, sassy, healthy horses in this country that are also abused.