Hi
I just wondered what I should do about something (if anything). I'm expecting to be told it's none of my business and to leave well alone.
So here goes: there are two horses in a field near me - the owners do give them hay and there is a water trough (albeit frozen) on site - the owners do come up once a day to see to them, so they clearly do care.
The problem is that there is a double field shelter in the field (which sounds great). But the horses are locked out of this, day and night, whatever the weather. This is as there is a double gate that runs the whole way across the entrance to both shelter openings on the shelter. I imagine they must use one side for storage. The other side is empty, as when they ride, they put one in the empty side to tack up. So the issue seems to be that due to the very large gate - they can't leave one side open during the day/night. There is nothing to pin the gate back - they once used a plastic garden chair to try to hold it open during the horrendous rain we had about 2 months ago.
Last night when it was horrific outside, snow falling all night these ponies (one with rug, one without, possibly as it might not let the owner put one on??) had to huddle outside the shelters trying to use the overhanging roof line as shelter.
I'd like to offer the owners help.... if they had had any thoughts of removing the massive gate and swapping it for rails - maybe they can't find anyone to help lift it? Or to offer to help them clear the snow with spades and lug the huge gate open but I don't imagine for a second they will accept it - maybe they won't see there is anything wrong...maybe they'll just get abusive. I don't know.
I don't know the owners and they are not known to anyone nearby - I also don't know the land owner.
Any ideas gratefully received - hubby thinks I shouldn't get involved but seeing those ponies with no shelter is really upsetting. At least they have hay I guess....
Thanks for any thoughts..