Neglected horses. Refused rider.?

Question

I recently rescued 2 Arabian mares. They are underweight and had swollen knees and cuts on legs.

Yesterday the vet saw them for the first time and gave them their shots, wormer and an assesment. He said that one needs to gain 50 lbs. and the other needs to gain 75 lbs. The swollen knees are better and the cuts are almost healed.

I was suprised when my aunt and a male cousin showed up at the barn for the appointment but my two cousins' (one guy and one girl) have 3 horses out there and they had come down with what looks like a cold. Coughing and running noses. So I just thought they wanted the vet to see their horses too.

Imagine my suprise when my aunt asked the vet if it was ok to ride my horses! He said if it was a short, easy ride. She said to the horse "You're gonna get ridden today!"

The only person I could think of that she could want to ride the horses is the male cousin. He stated he was going to ride them before I even moved them to the barn after buying them.

Answer 1

Is this a family barn or a boarding barn?

I don't know how old you are, but if you are a minor, get your parents involved and if you are an adult, talk to the owner of the barn and let them know what is going on. If it comes down to it....call the cops. If someone tried riding my horse...family or not, without my permission...I'd be kicking some serious a55.

Answer 2

As blunt as it may sound the best thing for you is to move your horses away from these people.  Obviously they are not going to listen to anything you say and I wouldn't trust them to be around your horses without you for even 5 minutes!

Find another place for your horses, even if it costs you more money or if it makes your life more difficult - in the end it will save you and your horses a lot of heartache!

Answer 3

If those were my horses, I'd be looking for somewhere else to board them and NOT tell your aunt and cousins where you moved them to.  They're your horses and they should not be handling them without your permission.  You certainly have the right to not allow your cousin to ride your horses, especially as they are underweight and recovering from abuse.  I'm assuming that your aunt and cousins don't own the place you're keeping your mares?  Talk to the owners of the barn, tell them your cousin has been showing up drunk and handling your horses without permission.  They may be willing to evict them from the barn and make them look for a new stable.  Good luck, it sounds like your aunt and cousins are disrespectful and out of line to me.

Answer 4

Talk to the stable owner and tell them under NO circumstances should anyone but you or the owner (in the event of an emergency) touch your horses. They are your PRIVATE PROPERTY. The barn owner may also be held liable for any injury if unauthorized people use your horses. You pay the stable for this service, just like feeding. Then get locks for your stalls and pens. And warn your relatives that if they move your horses you will file a police report, just as if they had taken your car. The cops won't do much, but it's a good way to put them on notice.

Answer 5

i really don't know but I think you should talk to the barn owner and explain this. Just because he's family it doesn't mean that he has any rights whatsoever over your property. Make this clear when you talk to the barn owner and tell them that he is not covered under your insurance or whatever and does not have permission - last thing you need is for him to get his silly self bucked off and then to try to sue you.

Take care - every family has an asshat lurking somewhere

Answer 6

Inform the barn management that he/she is to call the county sheriff if anyone other than yourself (and barn help) attempts to handle your horses.  Post a notice on the stall that you will prosecute anyone handling your horses without your permission.

This goes beyond barn rules and involves what is legal.  In the US, horses are property, so this would be comparable to theft of property and the sheriff has authority to intervene.  Good luck with your gals....and your relatives!

Answer 7

Well I guess the vet would know but it seems to me that if your horses have somthing going on in their knees your cousin should lay off the riding. It's ok to ride slightly underweight horses but only VERY VERY lightly, if you ride them hard it will only make things worse. Riding thin horses should only be to keep them from getting stocked up. Go by you gut feeling, if you feel that these horses should not be ridden yet then tell your cousin to back off.

Answer 8

Your horses your rules...I have two 1 Arab and a TB who have been here about a week now and they are underweight...If anyone tried to ride them before they were healthy, I'm going to knock them out personally...No one and i mean no one touches, this includes petting unless i allow them to...I have a rescue and some of these horses i have are out of their mind right now.  In fact i just had it out with a relative yesterday...My horses my rules, i made sure they understood this.

Answer 9

Well find a new barn and move but contact the owner and explane the situation and I can guarentee that the man will NOT be on the premisis if its a good boarding stable. PS DONT TELL HIM WHERE THEY ARE

Answer 10

I dont really get what your asking ((sorry! )) :S but they sound downright out of order! XD

Answer 11

If he touches your property without your permission you can have him arrested.  I sincerely do not understand how anybody can make the assumption that they can just come and use your property without your permission unless you have allowed such behavior before.  Remember, you can't be used as a doormat unless you lay down first.  If you have tolerated this behavior before it will be harder to make them understand that you mean business now.

Lay down the law to your aunt and your cousin - make it clear that they are YOUR animals, YOU pay the bills and what YOU say goes.  Also make sure that the barn manager understands your wishes and give him permission to call the law if anyone uses your property without you being there.

Answer 12

first of all, you can get a restraining order stating that he is not to ride your horses. if he breaks that, he will go to jail.

Answer 13

I've gotta agree with Mdolittle on this one...no one, absolutely no one, family, friend, or anything else touches much less rides one of my horses without my express permission as well as my presence. If I found out someone had it would be very bad for them!

If this is a family owned barn then I'd move the horses out, asap. No question about it. It sounds as if the safety of the horses is involved.

If it is a public barn the BO are responsible for the safety and care of your horses while you are not present, it should be covered in the contract you signed when you first put the horses there. Tell them the situation and that not only those people but anyone else is forbidden to ride your horses while you are not present to give your permission at the time. Tell them that if the people come back and attempt to ride your horses that they are to call the police immediatly, not to worry about calling you first.

I know it's hard when dealing with family members but sometimes you just have to take a firm stand and say "NO".

EDIT...After re-reading your post I noticed that they have horses boarded there as well. In that case I'd move the horses if if it isn't a family owned facility. And don't tell them where you moved them to. Just tell them they are at a friends until you decide on a final place to keep them....and then never tell them.

Answer 14

It sounds like you are asking for help with your family?  I presume you are boarding at a facility where your family boards also?  I'm guessing.  Your information is rambling and you sound upset so here goes.  There should be staff at any facility that "knows the rules".  Family member or not, NO ONE has the right to interfere with your horses - you PAY for the services and protection of this facility.  If your addict cousin or enabling aunt interferes while you are not present, you should inform the staff to control the situation or CALL THE POLICE.  Have them arrested.  No one has the right to infringe upon your control over your animals.  You need to gain control over this situation immediately and do whatever it takes to make sure these people have no doubt about your intentions.  These poor horses need to be protected from people like these.  They have had enough problems in their lives and do not need to be exposed to people like your aunt and cousin.  Make sure you leave written instructions for the stable staff.  Make sure you inform your family to stay away from your horses or they will be arrested.  Addicts are not people anymore - they become the drug.  People in an altered state should never be allowed to be around horses, and I won't even get into other obvious limitations.  Calm down.  Get a grip.  Stand your ground.  Be strong.  This is about your horses!!!  Good luck.