To report these horses to the RSPCA?

[G3entlemanjack]

There's two horses in a field along a path we have started walking a lot. It's fairly hidden away so you don't get lots of people going past. I've noticed the last few evenings that the two horses in the adjacent field seem to be uncared for (I'm an experienced horse owner myself so know what I'm looking out for).

They are turned out in this heat with absolutely no shade at all. The 'grass' is non existent, literally. It's basically soil. There's no hay left out for them so they have nothing to eat. There are no feed bowls or anything to suggest regular feeding. I can't see a water supply anywhere but I'm guessing that there's a bucket somewhere, there must be. These horses are so thin you can see their ribs but with large, distended stomachs which could be worms or malnutrition or both.

I'm on the point of putting some of my hay out for them but I'm slightly hesitant because a) they aren't my horses and b) there might be a reason why they haven't got hay. But I can't bear to see the poor things in such a dreadful field I have no idea who the owners are, there are no houses around there at all. Does anyone else have any ideas how best to help these horses?? Or should I just keep my nose out?

Would the RSPCA even be interested??

[NuffSaidSam]

I would phone the RSPCA. They can at least advise you of who to call if they're not the right people.

[Intelinside57]

If you're an experienced horse owner, as am I, you know what to do. Don't contact the wankers at RSPCA, World Horse Welfare or BHS are probably the best bet.

[QuestionableMouse]

Rspca will probably do fuck all.

www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/welfare/reporting-horses-in-distress might be worth a try. They're not visiting cases but can give some good advice.

[user127819]

Yes, definitely report it to the RSPCA. I don't know why they wouldn't be interested.

I know very little about horses, but if they are starving and unwell I would be worried that feeding them might make something worse. Usually refeeding of a starving animal has to be done slowly. I'd report it to the RSPCA and leave it to their vets, or if they didn't want to know, then I might try feeding them.

[StillCoughingandLaughing]

BHS are probably the best bet.

Nah, they went bust years ago. Maybe if they’d diversified into helping horses instead of desperately trying to sell gift sets at 20% off every Christmas they’d still be going strong.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

I would contact RSPCA. They will definitely be interested, but would probably try giving advice etc in the first place, unless the animals are in actual danger/ suffering etc.

[SpillTheTeaa]

Contact RSPCA. It's nice to know you're looking out for them. My friend once phoned the RSPCA because it was boiling and she said the horse had a jacket on. Turns out it was actually a cooling jacket thing but the RSPCA were glad she raised the concern with them.

[firstpregnancy1]

You could try and identify who the owners are if you use Facebook there might be a local Facebook page for the village/town, chances are someone might know who owns them or how to contact them.

[Tedgy]

A few questions to ask yourself before contacting the rspca:

Is there a cute animal (possibly) in distress?
Is it easy to find the owner?
Does the owner have money to pay a fine?
Can the RSPCA use this for publicity?

[compulsiveliar2019]

Can you see the entire field from the path? If not how do you know there isn't hay out for them? Have you been back at different times of day to see if there still there.

For context you could have just described my horses this evening. On a bare paddock for a few hours to get them off the grass and to allow me to poo pick/ re fence without the ponies 'help'. Big grass bellies from being on grass all day. But looking slim (not too thin though). It could easily look like I'm neglecting them if you only saw them in the evenings.

[Megan2018]

Don’t feed or water them before reported-they need to see them how they are or they can’t act. If there’s food and water there provided by you there’s nothing they can do.

Also you need to make sure there isn’t a reason for it-we have two ponies with metabolic issues on our yard. They have to be kept very light and on bare grazing. It would look cruel to someone not aware that they are being fed and managed. I’m not saying this is the case here, it is probably neglect but feeding them would be wrong.

Definitely BHS or WHW rather than RSPCA, most of the RSPCA inspectors know naff all about horses.

[GetawayfromthatWelshtart]

Good luck with contacting the RSPCA. They are well known for not doing a thing or they will just put a bolt through their heads. There are loads of cases where the RSPCA just leave horses in fields to rot until local people or horse charities rescue them.

Best thing for you to do is to google "local Horse rescue charity in my area". Someone may be able to help. good luck! xx

[clipclop5]

@StillCoughingandLaughing please tell me you’re joking

[MeninSuits]

@StillCoughingandLaughing please tell me you’re joking

It was very funny

(explanation for clipclop5)
BHS was British Home Stores -they went bust and sold 20% off gift sets.
BHS are the British Horse Society charity - they have not gone bust but may sell gift sets at 20% off

[Samtsirch]

There could very well be reasons why the horses are there in those circumstances, let’s hope so, but it’s better to be safe than sorry so I would report to as many agencies as possible in the hopes that some notice and action is taken.
If the animals are fine, no harm done ; if the animals are suffering, you have helped rescue them.

[Disquieted1]

Are you interested in punishing the perps or the welfare of the horses? Clearly it's the welfare of the horses, otherwise you would not have been so concerned.
Don't bother with the RSPCA. They're only interested in high-profile prosecutions which generate donations. Report it to an official government body, not a charity.

[Timinfuckingruislip]

Do you know who owns the horses. I’m loathe to say this but I reported two horses who were tied in the middle of a roundabout day in and day out - tiny amount of water and no shade... however due to who owned them - reply from rspca was just “well that’s how things are done”

[Cherrypies]

RSPCA are a complete waste of time, and don't really give a toss, they prefer the cute small animals, that don't cost a fortune to rescue, that's if they bother at all, just Google or look on trustpilot to see the stories. I would say try the local council, or Google horse charities in your area.

[EmmaC78]

I would agree contact World Horse Welfare instead of the RSPCA.

[Shinesweetfreedom]

@Timinfuckingruislip
Are you saying what I think you are saying
That it doesn’t matter about the state of the horse,as this “section of society” treat their animals like shit

[OutOfHours]

If you was an experienced horse owner, why bother posting here, you would have phoned WHW or another suitable local charity in your area to get them help as soon as you noticed them.

Then if there is a reason they are being kept the way they are, it can be shared with whoever attends and monitored.

[MyBlueMoonbeam]

You could report to your local police

[CSIblonde]

I'd at least see to it they had water as dehydration kills fast if they're already starving, then call RSPCA. They came out within half an hour the two times I've called them in the past, re an abandoned newborn kitten & a neglected dog & puppies with no shelter or food.

[Timinfuckingruislip]

@Shinesweetfreedom - I’m trying not to be inflammatory - but I called the rspca about the horses mentioned and their answer “oh they probably belong to xx” I replied well yes I gathered that but they are in a bad condition and situation. Their reply was “we can’t do anything - it’s how it is”

[squeekums]

Definitely report them, poor horses