How far is too far when it's not YOUR horse?

Question

I keep my three horses on a plot of land owned by my teacher. He has 12 horses of his own including a mare and foal. He doesn't ride them at all just feeds them and goes on his way. A few months back he bought a couple horses from a local auction and a few of the horses there suddenly came down with Strangles.

Now the young foal ( I'm not sure exactly how old she is) has a LARGE amount of firm swelling around her throatlatch/guttural pouches.I She wheezes when she breathes and I can tell that she is having too much of a tough time getting air. She's still nursing and eating hay but today when we saw her, her eyes were bulging and the swelling was worse than before.

I know for a fact that her owner knows that she's sick, and that he SHOULD take her to a vet but he hasn't done a single thing because he can't afford it. Now he's gone out of town when she's at her absolute worse. I know she won't last much longer without help, but she's not MY horse!

What should I do???

Answer 1

First thing you should do is move your horses from this property.  Strangles is contagious.  You don't want your horses getting it.

I'd have her treated at my expense and use the vet bills as proof of animal abuse against the owner.

EDIT TO ADD:

Give the SPCA a little credit.

If you can prove you've been caring for your animals (and you can) there's no problem.

Answer 2

Even though it's not your horse, you still have a responsibility to call animal control to report it. If the animal control in your area doesn't deal with horses I'm sure they can get you a number to someone who will come rescue it. The owner apparently doesn't want to take on the responsibility and would rather make the poor thing suffer.

Animals have rights too, they just need people to speak up for them. So please don't turn your back on this, make sure you call someone!

Answer 3

Well you can't move your horses right now, as the strangles are still spreading, and your WHOLE place should be under quarienteen . About the foal, I would just take the foal to the vet, and request at least half the price from from the owner.

but you have to remember if you do that the owner has the right to press charges as you had no permission to take the foal for the vet, that is where you would have to get Animal control/the state involved. However its the risk you gotta take, and in my opinion its worth it if your helping a horse.

Answer 4

TAKE THE THING TO A VET!!!!!!!!

just say it collapsed or something and you didn't know what else to do. he should understand if he thinks the horse was going to die

Answer 5

Personally I'd get the horse to a vet, regardless of whether it was mine or not seeing as you know the owner is out of town.

I really don't think the animal should have to suffer because it's got a s**+tty owner. Maybe when he returns you can get him to pay you back for the veternary fee. If he's neglecting his horses, maybe you should call the RSPCA or equivilant depending on your country.

Answer 6

You are between a rock and a hard spot; I could not ignore the foal...I'd either take her in to the vet's or have him make a barn call.   If it is strangles, it's only a matter of time before the entire herd may become ill...the older ones should fare pretty well, but it's the younger horses that just get nailed.  

Strangles will be a long time getting rid of it as the spores contaminate the ground and it's a long time before they dissipate.  I think his vet will want to know of the outbreak as to warn other barns and horse owners in the area of this outbreak so they can take needed precautions when dealing with their own equines.

The vet will also have ideas on what to do with the rest of the herd.

I do feel badly for you being stuck in this situation..there are NO easy answers....all you can do is give it your best shot.

Answer 7

i tihnk you should get a vet there immediately.

he would have done something if he could afford it, now he just doesnt know how bad the situation is. im pretty sure he wuld thank you for doing that, adn if he isnt happy, well...i cant help you. it is your call, go with your instincts.

Answer 8

call the rspca or animal welfare you have no right to call a vet for a horse that isn't yours and the cost would be a lot. get your horses off the property asap, even if they are vaccinated, they can sometimes still carry it and give it to other horses.

Answer 9

I'm afraid it is a tough one and i can see your point of view but really this person doesn't deserve to have a woodlice to take care of let alone a horse!!! Speak to your local charity or rspca descreetly and explain your situation and i'm sure something can be resolved. Charities are there to help and i'm sure they will be do something to help. This can't go on!!! I have heard that the best charity to use is the ILPH. They have a great reputation.

Answer 10

Any far you decide!

Answer 11

As sad as this is, you can not call a vet for this animal. No vet is going to treat a horse that you do not own, nor do you have permission to get treatment for.  Thats just asking for a lawsuit.

If this horse has strangles, you cannot move your horses to a new place. They have been exposed and can be carriers. I believe the rule is something like "no new symptoms for 30 days" before you can move them.

Call and report him. Tell them what you said here - I board my horses, the owner is away, one of his new horses is very sick and needs help.  If your horses are healthy and have proper shelter, you have nothing to fear.

Answer 12

Move your horses straight away and contact the rspca, you dont have to leave your name just let them know the foal is in need of urgent assistance

Answer 13

Personally i'd call the vet. Or the spca. But here it would be different ae and you've got to know what the owner would do. But call the vet and be prepared for the worst. From the owner and the foal!