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  Discussion on What can I do for malnourished horses that are not mine??
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2002 - 3:34 pm:

The owner swears she is taking good care of them, however, you can see the spine of both horses, the bones along the rear, as well as prominent ribs. They both have what appear to be hay bellies and are not regularly exercised, however they are in a 1/2 acre pasture with no grass. They are not fed on any type of schedule and rumor has it she has skipped feeding some days.

My trainer has seen them and has asked the owner if she could purchase them and the owner said no, they are not for sale. She asked her vet and said that there is really nothing else one can do until they are on their deathbeds, then we can call the SPCA.

This seems to be unusually cruel to these innocent animals. I thought about feeding them extra myself, however, I would then probably have to do it forever and I think it may pose a legal risk.

Does anyone have any ideas???

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2002 - 9:54 pm:

How sad! And how difficult for you! Do you have a humane agent in your area or an equine rescue? I would call them and continue to call them until I got someone to act. You know what they say about the "squeaky wheel!"

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2002 - 11:01 pm:

Call the ASPCA. Also the town's Animal Control Officer (ask the Board of Health for the ACO).

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2002 - 11:07 pm:

Dear Aileen,

Get photographs of the horses, from different angles. Post them at the vet's office and take them to the local humane shelter. Is the owner financially strapped? There are more cases of animal neglect due to ignorance than due to deliberate cruelty, but that is not a good excuse. Educating the owner about the correct amount of feed per pound of horse, may be all that's necessary. The condition of the horse's feet will be a tell-tale sign, also. Check your state statutes on animal cruelty . . . the laws can change regularly . . . during every legislative session . . . Don't give up. In which state are you located?
Holly

Posted on Thursday, Sep 5, 2002 - 10:31 am:

Thank you all so much for the input...

I and my trainer have asked the vet if it would do any good to call an agency, and he said probably not....but I will and I will become their "sqeaky wheel" (;)

BTW, the horses are an Irish thoroughbred mare who has arthritis (17 years) and an appaloosa (20 years).

Do you think it may be possible that their looks has to do with their ages??? From the looks of them I doubt it...There are horses in their 30's that look like they are 15 who get no exercise and have nice apple butts!!! But I just don't know for sure.

Yes, I hear that the owner is financially strapped, that may be why they haven't gotten the groceries they need; however, my friend has literally told them that the mare needs at least 20 lbs. (To this day, when I do happen to see her feed, she gives maybe 8-10 lbs.) I asked so why won't she sell them? I was told it was a prestige issue. She likes to say she owns two horses....Isn't that just sick!!!!!

I'll get pictures of them from different angles and I'll check our state statutes. I'm in California.

Thanks again...this just breaks my heart
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