Are these horses healthy? (large images)

Trojan

Are these horses healthy/safe?

Teyla Emmagan

Well I wouldn't imagine so as you can see their ribs and there doesn't seem to be any grass underfoot. So I would go for "no, neglected".

andreac

The first one looks a little light and could do with some more condition. The second one looks fine.

Their hooves also look in good condition, so i wouldn't be overly concerned. But might do no harm to look in to who owns them etc. Are they there long?

Trojan

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's the situation. I know very little about animals. I was walking on the Greenway and noticed these two. The ribs showing so clearly like that seems to me to be indicative of a lack of food. Where they are is a wooded area with little to no grass.

Due to my lack of knowledge, I figured I'd take some photos and send them to someone who knows about these things, so I contacted the ISPCA with the photos. I got this reply:

ISPCA reply wrote:

Due to our very limited resources the ISPCA is unable to provide an Inspectorate presence in all parts of the country and Co. Mayo is, unfortunately, one of those areas in which we do not have an ISPCA Inspector operating.

You will need to contact the Department of Agriculture on 076 1064408 or email on animalwelfare AT agriculture.gov.ie. You can also contact the local Garda? Station who are authorised officers under the new Animal Health and Welfare act 2013 that came into force in March 2014.

I was hoping that they could at least look at the pictures and figure out if this situation requires further action. So now I'm not sure what to do - continue with it to one of those authorities, and which? Is it serious enough to do so? Hence asking on here from folks who might know better.

Next step? Maybe an enquiry from the Gardai would get the owner sorting out proper grazing quicker than the slow moving wheels of bureaucracy in a government department.... but do I want to be the guy who gets AGS involved in a very small community? If it's very serious, then I'm ok with it, but if it's borderline that changes the situation. All suggestions appreciated.

Cherry Blossom

The first one could be doing with a little more condition but it's nothing I would panic about. I wouldn't be concerned about lack of grazing as long as they have sufficient hay or haylage brought to them. Is there any sign of fodder being left in the area they are enclosed in?

ganmo

Trojan wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's the situation. I know very little about animals. I was walking on the Greenway and noticed these two. The ribs showing so clearly like that seems to me to be indicative of a lack of food. Where they are is a wooded area with little to no grass.

Due to my lack of knowledge, I figured I'd take some photos and send them to someone who knows about these things, so I contacted the ISPCA with the photos. I got this reply:



I was hoping that they could at least look at the pictures and figure out if this situation requires further action. So now I'm not sure what to do - continue with it to one of those authorities, and which? Is it serious enough to do so? Hence asking on here from folks who might know better.

Next step? Maybe an enquiry from the Gardai would get the owner sorting out proper grazing quicker than the slow moving wheels of bureaucracy in a government department.... but do I want to be the guy who gets AGS involved in a very small community? If it's very serious, then I'm ok with it, but if it's borderline that changes the situation. All suggestions appreciated.

Animal welfare ultimately falls to the dept of ag.

I'm not that familiar with horses but having ribs showing is not a sign of poor condition, the 'sharp' back would be a better sign to go by.

Ms Doubtfire1

would agree - but could point to worm burden. There is a horse rescue in mayo - if she sees the pictures she'd be more able to tell you. I can pm you the name but only tomorrow- no interwebs at home currently

fits

It might be an old horse. Their hooves are in good nick and that's a good indication that they are being minded.

taytobreath

No source of food, the first horse looks undernourished, the second horse is borderline. I'd definitely be following up on it. You can be anonymous when reporting cases like this.

celica00

Guys, the first horse definitely is not well fed. If you see the ribs, its not a good sign. The 2nd one just about looks ok. hard to judge the hoofes due the moody ground.
1) Fair play for keeping an eye out on animals even though you dont know much about them! we need more people like you
2) as mentioned already, see if you can see a hay/water source. If not, this is concerning. There is a good possibility that local-ish rescues know the horses or owner and if not they will be able to help better. You could search "horse rescue" or something within your county and email them the pictures too.
Better be worried and proofen wrong than saying "they are fine" and find them on a rescues page 2 weeks after (lying on the ground unable to get up or even dead)