Worried about horses in fields near me

fierystormcloud

Please feel free to tell me I am being over zealous and silly and that I know jack about horses.

I live not far from a bit of a rural area, and I go for walks in that area, and I regularly see 6 ponies (1 set of 4, and a pair; in separate fields.) I don't think they are owned by the same people.

Well these horses are always always always out, in the rain, the cold, the snow, the frost, and the winds, (in the winter,) and the direct sunlight/heat (in the summer.) 2 white ponies near me are sodden to death right now with the immense rain we have had, and they are grey, because they are so saturated.

In addition, they seem to never be groomed and sometimes have several little nicks and sores on their body that had flies stuck to them during summer. The other 4 ponies (1 sandy coloured, 3 brown,) are permanently bedraggled too at the moment. They all have no shelter, no stable, no sheds, no nothing. Just some hay to eat and a 'trough' of water that is often dirty.

A lady who lives by one of the fields (where the 2 white ones are,) said she never sees the owners riding them, or grooming them, and they seem to just drive by once a day and chuck some straw over the fence and then drive off. The 2 white ones in a smallish field seem to be treading in their own poop a lot of the time too, as it's just left there much of the time.

I am no expert, but I think horses need better care and attention than this. They seem like lovely, sweet, social animals, and these 6 in particular seem to have very little interaction from their owners, and as I said, no shelter.

When me and my OH walk past, they BOLT down the field to see us. I think they like the company/attention...

In addition, there are another 2 sets of ponies (a pair and a trio,) about a mile up the road, who seem to be always in the field and never seem to leave, and have no shelter except a tree.

So is this normal practice? Does what I am saying sound acceptable? Are horses meant to be kept in a field like this with no shelter, and barely any interaction from humans? I feel so sorry for them and I can't stop thinking about them in this hard driving freezing rain and high winds and cold weather.

They don't look under nourished or bony or 'ill' per se, but as I said, a few of them look skanky and dirty and rough looking (like not groomed at all...)

Any advice? Reassurance? Anything?

Is anyone on here a 'horse expert?'

SailorSam

I don't know anything about horses either, but i think i'd be calling the nearest Rspca office and asking them do they think someone could come and check them out. We're only at the start of the winter so they're not going to get any better.

meritaten

no, this does not sound right. although some 'breeds' are very hardy and don't need winter coats - they DO need attention. there is a difference between thoroughbred horses and native ponies. do you know which they are? ponies tend to be smaller, stockier and look 'chunky' compared to thoroughbreds which are taller, slimmer and more 'elegant'. thoroughbreds NEED a lot more attention while native ponies usually can manage on much less. but they all need food and water and shelter for very bad weather.
The RSPCA may well think that chucking them a bale of hay now and again, and their water trough being full is enough. contact a 'Horse Rescue Charity' as they will be much more 'au fait' with the horses needs.

McKneff

Defninitely do something and as quickly as possible.


They need food and shelter.

SailorSam

I've read stories in the press saying 'cos horses cost so much to keep, and the downturn in the economy have left people poorer, You can buy a horse for a fiver, nobody wants them, so it's not unusual to see them abandoned

fierystormcloud

meritaten wrote: »

no, this does not sound right. although some 'breeds' are very hardy and don't need winter coats - they DO need attention. there is a difference between thoroughbred horses and native ponies. do you know which they are? ponies tend to be smaller, stockier and look 'chunky' compared to thoroughbreds which are taller, slimmer and more 'elegant'. thoroughbreds NEED a lot more attention while native ponies usually can manage on much less. but they all need food and water and shelter for very bad weather.

The RSPCA may well think that chucking them a bale of hay now and again, and their water trough being full is enough. contact a 'Horse Rescue Charity' as they will be much more 'au fait' with the horses needs.

Thank you.

From what you have said, they are almost certainly 'ponies;' mostly short (ish) quite stocky with short(ish) legs and yes, a bit chunky. Almost certainly not thoroughbreds I would say.

As you said, I think that horses are 'outside' animals, and would probably be a lot worse off being holed up in a stable 8 to 12 hours a day than they would be left out 24/7. But it would just nice if they had like a 'shed' the size of say, a garage (but 3 walls and a roof, like just open...) so at least they would have the choice to move into it if the weather got really awful.

Maybe I should call a horse charity rather than RSPCA then?

Also, I don't want to get anyone into trouble, but I am concerned for the ponies...

Thanks also to Sailor Sam. And McKneff. I will wait for a few more posts on here, but I am leaning towards telling someone about them...

Beckyy

I would contact a charity and ask if they can discreetly go for a look also.

I'd be tempted take them a few carrots on your next walk as a treat.

fierystormcloud

Beckyy wrote: »

I would contact a charity and ask if they can discreetly go for a look also.

I'd be tempted take them a few carrots on your next walk as a treat.

Hi hun.

About twice a week, me and DH take carrots and apples for them. I am not kidding you; they BOLT down the field when they see us, and they are really affectionate and seem to love us being there. I know of several others who take apples and carrots to them too.

fierystormcloud

Are there any particular charities anyone can recommend? Is there a National one?

meritaten

tbh - certain 'breeds' of ponies are very hardy - Welsh Mountain Ponies, Exmoor and Dartmoor Ponies can certainly cope with very bad weather.. BUT, if shelter is available these breeds will take advantage of it. and it increases their survival rates. They are not stupid, and are grateful for any shelter or food provided. and a good owner will make sure this is provided for them.
I personally, wouldn't bother with RSPCA, but would contact a local horse rescue centre for advice.
ponies and horses soon 'recognise' providers of apples and carrots'! and will race down to 'greet' them.
it doesn't always mean the owners are neglecting them - as the horses and ponies are greedy and will ALWAYS devour extra 'treats'.

fierystormcloud

meritaten wrote: »

tbh - certain 'breeds' of ponies are very hardy - Welsh Mountain Ponies, Exmoor and Dartmoor Ponies can certainly cope with very bad weather.. BUT, if shelter is available these breeds will take advantage of it. and it increases their survival rates. They are not stupid, and are grateful for any shelter or food provided. and a good owner will make sure this is provided for them.
I personally, wouldn't bother with RSPCA, but would contact a local horse rescue centre for advice.
ponies and horses soon 'recognise' providers of apples and carrots'! and will race down to 'greet' them.
it doesn't always mean the owners are neglecting them - as the horses and ponies are greedy and will ALWAYS devour extra 'treats'.

Thanks M. You have been very helpful. :T:j:D

Thanks to you all.