to call RSPCA-will they do anything ?

[princessparty]

very worried about the horse in a field nearby.It seems to be totally left to its own devices
When we had 8"+ of snow on the ground for a month nobody came to feed it and it started looking thinner .I broke the ice on its tank every day but nobody else came.Eventually I told another horse owner about it and he started bringing it nets of hay when he fed his own horse.the horse sucked down every last morsel very very quickly I know who the field is owned by although it is not their horse.But they are really nasty aggressive farmers.Now I notice its hoof looks damaged and it is limping.If I call the RSPCA would they get involved without saying who called them?

Please phone, and then phone again to make sure they have followed up your complaint, they will keep your name out of it.

They won't say who called them and please, please do so.

That poor horse.

yes do phone. thats terrible.

I would phone the Rspca as soon as possible.They are not allowed to say who contacted them.They would be able to give the horse the help it needs and track down the owners.What a shame,some people are so mean.

I would not be inclined to phone the RSPCA personally - I do not have much faith in them particularly if the horse is owned by people/someone who is know to be unpleasant/nasty/agressive.

You would be better off contacting either World Horse Welfare (formally the ILPH) or the British Horse Society (who have an EXCELLENT welfare department).

WHW number is 01953 498682

BHS is 0844 848 1666

Unfortunately there is very little that any welfare organisation can do if someone is providing the horse with food and water even if it is not the owner, just a concerned citizen. So please ask your friend to stop feeding the horse hay, I know it is really hard but it will help the welfare agencies out a lot.

Please call them.. its anonymous and they also give you an update if you want one... please just make the call and let us know.

I doubt the RSPCA would care. I have never known them to be great, but after reading stuff on here I am at just how imcompetant they are.

Phone the numbers SWW gave above and call into any local equestrian vets/shops you might have, as they will know of any indepndant/smaller horse rescues working in your area.

call the rspca, though in my experience they are not that bothered half the time.Also ring local animal shelter they should have numbers for local horse charities or some advice.Is the horse rugged at all? If he is make sure straps are not undone can cause injury. When you ring rspca emphasise he has no shelter.Because of credit crunch times there has been a big incidence of ponies being dumped. He should be microchipped and have a paasport which should have been issued by DEFRA so technically owner should be easily traced.

What sort of horse is he? I ask this because travelling communities to give them their polite name are reknowned for neglecting horses generally cob/native horse types.

I would call both the RSPCA and those other 2 numbers that SWW posted to be on the safe side. I know someone that phoned the RSPCA to report a similar situation and they were told that 'horses like the cold' and I have had problems with the RSPCA too although I won't go into it (long story!) so I don't have much faith in them either.

Just to add, World Horse Welfare will not act if they are aware that the RSPCA have been contacted as they do not like to tread on each other's toes.

I am glad someone raised the issue of travelling communities as I wasn't sure how to put it respectfully but the RSPCA have a reputation for just not getting involved and doing f-all if they believe this group of people to be the owners. I have heard many stories to corroburate this although obviously it is just a reputation and I am not making a statement of fact. [disclaimer disclaimer!]

thats very dissapointing about the rspca.

It's not a travellers horse.The people who own the field would have it removed quick sharp if a rent wasn't being paid of that I have no doubt !!
Will phone the horse welfare number.

Princess party please keep us updated.

SWW is spot on. Best advice is to call the numbers given and if necessary say that the horse is not being fed to your knowledge. , adding all the other info you have given us here.

Failing that, a post on the Yahoo email group "UK ANIMAL RIGHTS", using a temporary email address to register if you prefer, to protect your anonimity, might be the way forward. There are some very pro-active people on there.

It was some years ago but RSPCA were great when we rang them about a neglected horse. they took the people to court and took the horse and rehomed it.