negligence

[dsteve]

In my state recently there have been quite a few stories of people neglecting and mistreating their horses. This is so cruel! How does this sort of thing happen?

[gamecockfan]

Even though it is inexcusable I think that sometimes people just get in over their heads and then they just do not know where to turn. It is everyone's responsibility to keep these things from happening and maintaining resources for people like this to turn to.

[HooverH]

My State actually has rescues that horses have to be rescued from. My riding instructor's wife runs a rescue, and they recently received an 18 year old blind mare, severely underweight, that was seized from a supposed shelter. She's eaten up with rain rot, and was allowed to foal in her skin and bones condition.

Doc, their 24 year old blind cob came from the same place more than three years earlier. He not only is blind, but had been beaten all over with a baseball bat, and has a severe head tilt from neurological damage.

I'm sorry, but I just can't excuse that sort of abuse as someone getting in over their head. My own horse was severely beaten. It took me five months to be able to run my hands down his front legs without him shaking, and he's still very bad about his forehead/ forelock being touched. He was a starvation case on the way to the slaughter. There are people who are simply genuinely cruel.

[maggie]

Let's all be on the look out for mistreatment. As horse lovers we can recognize a horse in trouble more than the average joe. It is therefore our duty to report any questionable activity to the authorities. This can be done anonymously.

[snowski1]

My children are actually a lot more enamoured of horses than my husband and I but we will all do what we need to do to help. What types of things should we all be looking for that would signal neglected animals?

[getawaygal]

i just recently did some research on horse negligence and found out it entails quite a lot. there's different levels that amateurs are held to as opposed to professionals. you have to make sure lots of things are up to code...your barns, equipment, stalls, any medication you may give the horse, etc. you must know that a horse is a big commitment before making the initial investment so you don't have to deal w/ problems down the road b/c you can't keep up w/ all the expenditures required to keep you and your horse happy!

[claudia]

new to the forum. Have had experience with negligence. Had to turn in a neighbor. As you said before, it wasn't cruelty but just getting in over their head. I reported them anonymously and the horses were treated and released on a probationary period. Horses doing well now. Report negligence !!

[upstatesc]

What happened to the neighbors. Did they ever find out who turned them in? Did they have to serve any jail time or pay a fine?

[miriameme]

As with any animal, neglience and abuse is hard to overcome. Animal's natures change. Has anyone had success reintroducing a harmed animal to gentleness?

[patdarb]

Just like people who abuse children . . . I have no remorse saying they should be inflicted with the same abuse. Hammarabi's Code! I just DO NOT understand!!!!