Neighbor has problems! - Health & Supplements - Health & Supplements - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Iggy

Posted : 1/2/2011 3:07:25 AM

    Hello everyone, I've joined this forum simply in worry about the health of four horses living down the hill from me. I live in Northern Montana, and right now it's nice outside- four degrees above zero. It's been clearing negative ten and it only gets colder from there (not counting the wind chill factor!) These horses have no shelter. Their water is a frozen brick, which he comes down to break ONCE in a while, and they are expected to live off frozen prairie grass.
    Before, they didn't even have a salt block! I left him a note that politely explained that each of those 4 horses needs at least 10 gallons of water a day, access to a salt block, and hay (which generates heat when digested), especially since they have no shelter. I also informed him they will develop colic from living off frozen prairie grass and snow. Further I explained the need for crisco/petroleum jelly to insulate their hooves. Thus far, a salt block is the only change he has made.
    I've been filling a cooler with warm water and transporting it down the hill every day and they fight over it (so sometimes i go get more) but we all know that isn't enough. I've informed the authorities and NOTHING has changed! in TWO WEEKS! I am pregnant and unemployed, my old man is working two jobs- we can't afford to feed them, but who's going to? Does anyone know of any non profit organization I can contact or any free hay programs- anything of that sort? I've googled it but there seems to be no options, because normal people love their horses enough to at least feed them. Thank you all for your considerations and prayers.

-Iggy

walkinthewalk

Posted : 1/2/2011 2:30:30 PM

Sometimes the best way to get action out of anyone is to call the news media. Do you have a TV station that might be interested in making the trip out?

News coverage might also up the chances of someone donating a round bale or two but some thing needs done about the water "five minutes ago". Contrary to what some people think, horses can NOT survive on snow. They should try living off ice cubes and see how far they get.

Good luck and please stay out of the pasture - I know it's difficult but you can't take a chance on falling, getting kicked, or even getting accidentally "round housed" if a horse were to turn quickly turn, while it's near you, and knock you over.

2manyhorses

Posted : 1/2/2011 5:36:45 PM

Unfortunately, most welfare authorities will not get involved until the horses have a BCS of 2-3. If an agent drives by and the horses are munching on a bale of hay that you tossed them, there isn't a problem. Does Montana have laws on the book regarding shelter? Everything you've pointed out are valid concerns however, you're dealing with an area that most likely sees horses as just a tool and disposable livestock. Are these first time owners or have these horses muddled through before? I'd talk down at the co-op and see what advice they can give you. Find out who the sypathetic sheriffs officer is in the area and ask him to go talk to them. Any chance that even one horse is a BLM horse? I'm sure they'd have a say in how they're being managed.

The more you get involved, the less apt the owner is to make any changes. The media angle can be powerful in an urban area but tends to fall on deaf ears on the range.

Iggy

Posted : 1/4/2011 12:51:48 AM

[quote=walkinthewalk]

Sometimes the best way to get action out of anyone is to call the news media. Do you have a TV station that might be interested in making the trip out?

News coverage might also up the chances of someone donating a round bale or two but some thing needs done about the water "five minutes ago". Contrary to what some people think, horses can NOT survive on snow. They should try living off ice cubes and see how far they get.

Good luck and please stay out of the pasture - I know it's difficult but you can't take a chance on falling, getting kicked, or even getting accidentally "round housed" if a horse were to turn quickly turn, while it's near you, and knock you over.

I haven't thought to call the news, though I suppose it makes a little sense. Somehow I doubt they would do anything. As far as I know there aren't laws regarding shelter, though I'm about to google it just in case. Sadly, as 2manyhorses said, people do look at horses as disposable livestock. All I know about this guy is that the guy before him died, and I'm guessing he inherited the land and dumped the horses there- for all I know he could've inherited the horses too. You're right about involvement too, it's a lose-lose scenario.

earln7

Posted : 1/5/2011 7:37:29 AM

He doesn't have any problem with his neighboring horses, he is really cute and good, I love him to much.
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Earl Nunes

Emilliana Kitt

Posted : 1/13/2011 10:18:32 PM

Somehow I am not surprised about the lack of response from the authorities, and I understand how you can't afford to feed someone else's horses! It is a long short, but if you have a computer, or access to a computer you could video the horses and post it on youtube or something and if enough people see it, and the public outrage is great enough the owner may feel pressured into changing. I don't know, its a long but, but it may be worth trying.

jameshood

Posted : 1/20/2011 11:51:35 AM

I have a new horse and he has can not adjust for my old horse then, what will I do?
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James Hood

face

Posted : 1/21/2011 10:21:34 AM

HUH?

[quote=jameshood]

I have a new horse and he has can not adjust for my old horse then, what will I do?
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James Hood

CrookedPostQH

Posted : 1/21/2011 9:42:44 PM

Suggestion for anyone when documenting with photographs or video. Have the front page of a local "daily" newspaper visible to provide proof of a timeline.

I have known of others trying to prove how long horses have been neglected and they took photographs, but did not have a way to prove when the different images were taken. Date and time on most newer cameras can be set to whatever you wish, but the daily paper comes out only on that specific date. With funds a concern, maybe a weekly advertisment flier would work so long as it identifies time changing. And, keep the newspaper and/or fliers.

Bless your heart for trying to help, but be careful to not get hurt.