Rough boarder not taking care of horse properly?

Question

our barn is all rough board(only 4 of us) we got a boarder in a year ago and she has been nothing but problems. me and the other two boarders have been there for years, we are great friends and have similar oppinions on caring for horses. i know its rough board, and what she does with her horse is none of our business... but what should we do if she isnt caring for her horse properly? she barely feeds him anything. the woman who feeds usually steps in and gives him more to eat because she cant stand to leave the barn knowing that somebody is hungry. she has an inch of shavings in the corner of her stall...like the horse is supposed to know to p**p in his little "litterbox" area. i dont care what this chick does, its not my business, i take care of my horse how i want to... but what can we do about this? i feel bad for the horse it isnt his fault =(

Answer 1

Unfortunately, you can't tell someone how to look after their horse, however you can keep dropping little hints on the fact that she can't look after her animal properly, like... 'I read the other day that horses should have this much food and this much bedding! =]' Maybe this will make her realise that she doesn't look after it properly! =]

Answer 2

call animal control. the only problem is here if they can prove that  the horse has been fed in the last week they don't care. but every place is different. i would also confront her about it. when a horse is not properly cared for everyone who sees that should try to do something about it, so yes it is your business. What if because the horse isn't properly cared for it gets a sickness that can travel to your horse? then it is really your business.

Answer 3

This is a rather common problem in boarding situations. And if you do help the horse, the boarder will take advantage and do even less. At least she should pay you to help take care of her animal. Otherwise, you really need to call animal control or whoever handles animal welfare in your area. It can get sticky if you don't as you can be held just as accountable for the horse's condition if you let it go since you are aware of it. The barn owner needs to have a firm set of rules that provide for a horse's care and what happens should a boarder neglect their animal. It needs to be in writing and signed by all boarders. Then, when a situation like this arises, the owner has a leg to stand on as far as the authorities are concerned. She could state that a basic level of care is mandatory or the boarder will be charged for others having to pick up the slack. I hope you can get this bad situation resolved for the benefit of the horse.

Answer 4

It breaks my heart seeing horses not cared for properly and so I can identify with your concerns and I suspect this horse might be on a path to being abandoned. But I am not sure there is much you can do other than speak to the barn owner about the situation if you feel there's a real problem and that the horse is not being properly nourished. And when speaking to the barn owner you should certainly voice your concerns about the lack of adequate shavings in her stall. That is a sanitation issue which can cause health problems for all horses in the barn because exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in the barn can cause serious respiratory tract inflammation resulting in acute bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and long lasting lung disease. The barn owner needs to address that issue immediately and consider charging for services to remedy the situation if the owner of the horse is unwilling or unable to attend to it. So I guess my best advice would be for you to take your concerns and frustrations to the barn owner and hope that he/she can remedy the situation.

Answer 5

First - let's assume the horse's owner just doesn't know any better; and so you should approach her and say something like  "hey, did you know that for the bedding to really work for you guy it has to be X inches think and all around?  Because when I started out, I didn't know and I'd love to help you by sharing what I have learned to keep you from making my mistakes"

In my opinion, it IS your business.   Standing up for what is right is not done enough - it really is the only moral thing to do - speak up for those oppressed - animal or human and speak up when things are not just.    

If she doesn't respond to the helpful try - then go to the barn owner.  If the barn owner only cares about the money - then go to the humane dept or animal control.    Keep at it - but remember, the horse could be pulled out and sent to a WORSE situation - so really try to educate and softly change the owner.  Perhaps she knows & doesn't have the money?  then try to get a way for her to work off the extra feed and shavings or whatever.    Show her you care about HER story & she may be more open to listen to YOUR story about caring for animals.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I think you should talk to her before you ring any animal rescue or anything. First of all drop hints that the horse should be getting more to eat and more bedding. If she doesnt take the hints then talk to her calmly not in front of everone though dont make her feel bad just let her know that what she is doing is wrong and that it should stop. Maybe she thinks she is doing everything right? how long has she had the horse?? Some people might be excellent at horse riding and been around them for years but have never actually owned one so arent sure on how to care for them properly. It might sound like im standing up for her. Im not i think what shes doing is wrong but i dont think theres any point getting in an argument with her and possibly making the situation worse without trying the above first.. After that then try saying it in front of everyone?? She might get embarressed into treating him right?? no?

Answer 7

you sould call the police or law enforcement agency for animlas (ASPCA or Animal Control) there could be hefty fines or even jail time for what she is doing to that horse. animal cruelty isn't thought very highly of any where in the us. and talk to her, if you haven't i'm sure you have but explain that you don't think that they way that she is treating her horse is right. also talk to the person that owns where you have the horses at. she can draw up a lease or look over her previous one, if it says anything about keeping her stalls clean or keeeping a proper amount etc. she can kick her out and call the ASPCA and file a report about her. hope i've helped.

Answer 8

I would talk to the owner of the barn first. Ask if they can do something about it. Then try talking to the boarder and suggest that she feed the horse a little more "because he's looking a little skinny" and that she put some more shavings in his stall so he has a bigger area. If the horse is seriously in danger- talk to Animal Control. Something will work! Good luck! <3

Answer 9

Talk to whoever owns the facility and see how they feel about it.  If the horse is actually being abused, call the ASPCA or animal control.  If the horse is actually underfed and has no bedding, they may be able to step in.  Unfortunately, if the horse is just a little skinny and doesn't have open hocks or any other signs of abuse/neglect, there probably isn't anything you can do.  You could try talking to the woman, but she may just get defensive or angry.  It's a crappy situation--sorry!

Answer 10

I hate to burst your bubble, but you can't call the APCA or any other animal welfare organization about this horse...if the owner is providing shelter, feed and water, and is not physically abusive to the animal then they can't take any action against her. Really it's none of your business as you say, and the only one who has any reason or right to say anything at all is the person that owns/runs the barn....and if she isn't willing to then maybe you should take a clue.  If you choose to approach this other boarder, don't be suprised if she gets nasty with you...it sounds to me like you 3 other boarders are a snotty little clique of barn buddies, and you probably aren't nice to her anyway. Not everybody feels that thier horse has to be a huge unhealthy "halter style" fatty, and for all you know maybe she has a good reason to only bed one corner of her stall...if it's a dirt or rubber matt floor, then the horse has enough cushion without a lot of dusty shavings. My experience with your sort in boarding barns is that people like you and your friends all act like you know it all, and are generally bit*hy little brats to everyone who dosen't do things exactly your way. Mind your own business, and if you don't like how someone else handles thier horse, then maybe you should leave.