Dog Community

first I know absolutely nothing about horses

Posted : 4/16/2006 9:33:34 AM

but I'm going to assume it's not normal to be able to see shoulder blades protruding from a horse's back along with hip bones jutting out.
And yes I have reported them.
One horse looked good, the other looked pretty bad.
I was asked to report them cause apparently no one in the neighborhood, where this horse resides, will get involved as the owner is a well-known fruit loop.
The shelter is going to do a ride by tomorrow and if they think the horse is in bad shape they'll go directly to the police as this particular town has no animal control.
I was told the horses have been seen eating their own feces and pine needles due to lack of food.
I don't know if the horse is old, as the 2nd one didn't look bad to my novice eye. But best it get checked anyway. I didn't dare stop and take pictures (I did a drive by as I wanted to see for myself before I reported them to the humane society) caue I know the owner's history and I don't want to get shot.

danehaven

Posted : 4/16/2006 2:17:48 PM

Bravo marynh!!![sm=clapping hands smiley.gif]
Usually the tail bone is the first to show. When it gets to be shoulder blades and hip bones it is pretty bad. [:@] My neighbor's horse's tail bone was showing and the vet told her he needed to put on 200 lbs. Granted he is a big horse but can you imagine how much weight they need to gain when the skeleton starts to show!
What is with people? Is it really that hard to throw a bale of hay to the horse??

Sera_J

Posted : 4/18/2006 4:31:18 AM

Good for you Mary! Thanks for doing that. Poor babies, eating their own feces?! Oh, I just get so mad [:@][:@][:@] to hear anyone would let those sweet babies get that hungry.

Grrrrr!

Let us know what happens!

Lindsay- Bernie's Mom

Posted : 4/19/2006 4:55:58 PM

Sounds like something is definitely not right. Could be neglect or could be an illness.

Here is a website with pictures to give you and idea of critical vs. okay:
http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/conditionscore.shtml

tashakota

Posted : 4/24/2006 8:09:30 PM

Wow, just looked at that link clarzoo. My neighbor took in two horses for the local HS because they didn't have facilities for them. One of them was a 1 and the vet didn't think he'd make it. The owners said the horses didn't want to eat. Yet all the bark was gone from trees and no branches, mud in the pasture. This same horse filled out nicely on alfalfa cubes and bran mash and a good field of grass. Done in moderation of course per the vet's instructions. He was a different horse when he and his mare were adopted. I just don't get people...