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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Travellers' Horse

41 replies

whoopsivechangedagain · 08/05/2020 09:02

Hi,

A close relative has a farm. Two weeks ago he was approached by travellers and asked in their horse could graze on his land for a few days. My relative agreed. He knows that travellers are in a dire situation at the moment and he thought it would be best for the horse and his relationship with the travelling community, if he allowed the animal to graze.

The horse is a beautiful animal. However, on the first day, it escaped and made its way, after bolting several fences, to the cattle feed. Since then, I have been buying horse feed and the horse has shown itself to be a lovely friendly, if spirited, creature.

The problem is that it does not look like the travellers will be taking the horse back in the near future. My brother is concerned because he is not insured for the animal (e.g. if the horse or anyone is injured).

The travellers come every day, and we supplement the feed.

My relative contacted the police after the horse broke out and the police made clear that he had to give an ultimatum, either the animal was taken away or it would be destroyed. Yet, I do not think the travellers have the facilities to keep the horse at the moment and it is a healthy and (frankly) lovely animal which should in no way be destroyed as a result of these unfortunate circumstances.

My relative is loathe to contact animal welfare groups because he thinks their response will be similar to that of the police, and he does not want repercussions (he lives alone with his very elderly mother).

AIBU to advise my relative to keep the horse on the farm until this lock-down relaxes a little and the travellers can reunite with the horse and take it with them?

Sorry for the long post

OP posts:
Original poster
whoopsivechangedagain · 08/05/2020 09:04

Sorry, I inadvertently outed my relative's relationship to me. However, I do not think this is a major problem.

OP posts:
MagnoliaJustice · 08/05/2020 09:07

He should keep the horse. The travellers visit daily, it's not like they've abandoned their animal. At the moment they can't take it back. See what insurance is needed and if it is affordable. Don't get a healthy creature put to sleep. It's not necessary.

PineappleTart · 08/05/2020 09:10

Why are you feeding it? It escaped once. Grass should be plenty, especially at this time of year

Intelinside57 · 08/05/2020 09:10

Is there grass? If there is stop feeding it. You could be feeding the wrong sort of feed for the type of horse. You could even be feeding something that is too high energy and fuelling this behaviour. If it's escaping then it's not safely fenced in. Possibly also does not want to be alone, horses are herd animals. If you look at the BHS website I think you can find advice on abandonment notices. Not all travellers are in a dire situation btw...

Giganticshark · 08/05/2020 09:13

Hahaha they've well and truly had you eh! Charge them, get insurance. Tell them to sort their own flippin horse. You sound terrified! Worried of repurcusions?! Because they're travellers? Stop helping or just continue to be a door mat

Herpesfreesince03 · 08/05/2020 09:17

This reply has been deleted

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user1635482648 · 08/05/2020 09:18

The BHS Helpline
The BHS Helpline has been set up to offer advice and support for anyone who cares for a horse.

You can contact us via telephone on 02476 840517 (calls may be recorded for monitoring purposes) or email us at [email protected].

We’ll be available between 08.35 -17.00 Monday to Saturday, and 08.35 - 16.00 Sunday.

www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19

I think legally your brother is now responsible for that horse's health and wellbeing under the Animal Welfare Act.

Overfeeding a horse or feeding the wrong things can have really serious consequences. Have you taken advice on that, e.g. from one of the feed companies like Dengie, or did you already have the expertise to condition score and plan the horse's feed?

Because again, getting that wrong and causing the horse harm will legally fall on your brother's head.

lovinglavidaloca · 08/05/2020 09:19

This is a very strange situation OP. One I’d be wanting out of ASAP!

Herpesfreesince03 · 08/05/2020 09:20

And I wonder what he means by that he knows that travellers are in a dire situation right now. The travelling community are generally loaded

Ukholidaysaregreat · 08/05/2020 09:23

Just let the horse eat grass. You do not need insurance as it is not your horse. They are coming every day to sort it out. At the end of lock down if the horse is not removed say you will be charging field rent at however much per week. You don't need to make this into an issue they obviously have not abandoned the horse.

leckford · 08/05/2020 09:23

Has the horse got a passport and been microchipped? Which is the law. I personally would not have agreed to take it in the first place, your relation is being used. However he is correct as they will turn nasty if he wants it removed.

Why does it run through the fences, is it a stallion?

Margotshypotheticaldog · 08/05/2020 09:23

He really needs to get that horse off his land ASAP. The horse being lonely is unlikely to be a problem for long, when they start dropping off more horses....
Seriously. Get rid!

Alicemovedtothecity · 08/05/2020 09:23

So it’s not a secure field that the horse is on?

Are the owners aware of it escaping??

Is there no other fields local and secure for them to put it on? Obviously asking the owner of the field first.

Also why are you feeding it??Hmm

leckford · 08/05/2020 09:31

No one else will be stupid enough to take it, also many more may appear. The owners are irresponsible if they have no where to keep it. They usually have plenty of cash available when they want, look at all the smart vehicles.

lovinglavidaloca · 08/05/2020 09:50

Who would be responsible for vet bills if it was to become injured?

Nottherealslimshady · 08/05/2020 09:53

Keep the horse but dont feed it.

HairOfTheFrog · 08/05/2020 09:54

Why is anyone feeding it? No wonder it's "spirited" if it's being fed nuts as well as grass at this time of year Confused

Herpesfreesince03 · 08/05/2020 10:05

@hairofthefrog I agree. If it’s a typical gypsy cob then they live off air. God knows what she’s feeding it, but it’s doing no one any favours, least of all the horse

avroroad · 08/05/2020 10:07

Why on earth are you feeding it?

Herpesfreesince03 · 08/05/2020 10:10

And there’s no way that animal will be destroyed either. Gypsy horses are worth money. If they don’t have anywhere else to keep it, which I think is bollocks, then they’ll simply sell it. It’s not a case of you’ve either got to loon after it or it’s gonna get killed

Grandmi · 08/05/2020 10:17

They really have taken you for a ride ...pardon the pun !!Travellers are loaded with cash and more than capable of looking after their horse. Their way of life is their choice and I don’t think for a millisecond they would be so kind and accommodating if you needed their help !!

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 08/05/2020 10:21

I hope he isnt feeding it cattle feed

MitziK · 08/05/2020 10:22

I believe that part of the Police response was based upon anti traveller prejudice - 'Just tell them that if they don't take it away it'll go to the knacker's yard' means 'get rid of travellers'.

The owners are doing what they can to keep the horse healthy, including risking somebody selling it/getting the RSPCA to take it away/getting it destroyed. It's in good condition and they're visiting - it's unlikely that they would then allow it to go without treatment if it became ill. What with Appleby being cancelled, there are probably a number of horses in superb condition that are now occupying fields, just like there were in 2001 when it was cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease.

I think that it would be reasonable to allow the horse to stay and keep good relations/communication going, so that it is removed as soon as there is an opportunity to do so.

FabulouslyFab · 08/05/2020 10:25

Do not feed the horse
Do not encourage the travellers
Before you know it they will be living in the field with the horse and a few more!

Vieve1325 · 08/05/2020 10:27

I wouldn’t have taken it in the first place but hey ho.

Can it go in with the cows? A bit company might do it some good.

Agree with those saying don’t feed it- this time of year is tricky for ponies and cobs. I’d even go to far as to say it should probably be on restricted grazing and in a stable / barn for at least half a day to manage its weight and avoid laminitis, especially if it’s not being exercised. Keeping a horse, especially a cob, at this time of year is laborious and shouldn’t be down to the person who’s field it’s been dumped in!

As for insurance, third party and ask them for the cash in case it does break out and do damage.

But I would be planning its exit ASAP.