Can someone please help me save the horses... please...

[Katiean]

I know that here if someone calls animal control and says there is a problem, they have to investigate. I know this because someone had said my horses had no shelter. I didn't even know shelter was a requirement for horses as the mustangs at the adoption center have none and there are a lot of people that have their horses in 12'x12' pens with no shelter and no one ever says anything about that. Anyway, I took animal control and showed them my stalls ( they could have seen them from the road in the back) and all was fine. I would call animal control again and tell them again the horses are not being cared for. You know it is the squeeky wheel that gets the greese.

 

[bev66]

I have a situation as weill-- I have a small pasture next door owned by local hotel owner and well known person in our small town, In early 2011 there were two horses placed in the pasture a really sweet sorrel mare and a pinto gelding there is no grass and no one every came to feed.. They soon began to loose weight and I called owner and told him they would get in bad shape quickly if he didnt feed them.. The gelding was picked up about 4 months later and the poor mare was left- we had unsually hot Texas heat and noticed mare was dehydrated I once again called owner he said he would put water trough out- his small pond was dry and he hadnt cared enough to check on her.. Few weeks pass and he drops off another horse in with her- this is now Sept of 2011 they still are not being fed or checked on- owner comes over once or twice a month to drop off more junk he is storing in the pasture- I call both local law enforcement- animal control and the owner and ask for someone to get these two horses some help- Im told they will ask him to feed them... during all this time he also has two donkeys in the pasture who get out and wander the neighborhood daily in search of grass - in late September they damage a neighbors yard and owner tells them hes tired of hearing about it that they can keep them. Finally at least they get a home- as neighbor finds someone to take them in.. The mare and gelding are left to beg at my fence and eat the trees- weeds and dirt to survive all winter- No feed- No Hay and nobody to care--- I have called animal control- law enforcement daily- they no longer will take my calls-- dispatch tells me they are busy and will leave them a message- i have called just about every rescue in Texas- and get same old story - they have too many or they wont come into our county to help.. I have called Houston SPCA and Houston Humane Society- they DO NOT come into San Jacinto County.I keep calling yesterday I finally got one of the top people in the SPCA to call me back and I was threatened-insulted and treated like I was just crazy- Let me remind you this man has never seen this mare- never been to this pasture but he told me I needed to get a new hobby and off my soap box and leave this owner alone-- I was told the owner was doing his best--LOL-- he lives 5 minutes from here- just took a 2 week vacation to India with his family and walks around our small town like he is the KING... I was told the mare was old and If i knew anything about horses I would know old horses look like this... Mind you he has never seen her!!! I explained to him I had been around horses all my life--45 years- I have worked for several vets- been raising minis and showing for over 25 years and managed two well known mini farms...and I knew the line he was trying to sell me was crap.. I have two 18 year old mares who both foaled last year and dont look a day older than 10.... Also informed him my vet and equine dentist has both looked at this mare and told me shes between 10 and 12... He just laughed told me to get a new hobby and the law is as long as owner makes an attempt to feed there is nothing that can be done... I told him guess that feeding once every two weeks considered an attempt.. He told me not to call his office again and to butt out...

I didnt sleep well last night so this morning- i rearranged some of my pastures and decided if no one would take the mare that I would see if our idiot animal control officer could convince owner to allow me to take her- I figure since owner wont feed her that if she died he wouldnt bury her and I didnt want to witness that.. --so I called him and he said yes owner would let someone have her-- so i requested an officer be present and I wanted a signed paper stating he was giving her to me permanently... He said yes officer would get paperwork signed and be over by noon... I drop everything run to store to get halter- and other things to get her started on the road back to health.. Then I wait and wait and wait...No one come- no one calls---at 5pm I call again--- Im told she is not a priority and they will get to it when they can.... could be a week or longer as she is not an emergency..LOL-- this mare is a 1 on body weight scale how is this not a priority... She wont last much longer--and no one cares....this is such a sad situation---you think they would jump on someone who has the time and financial means to take her in.... So tomorrow morning I begin my crusade again-- calling calling calling... I have made a decision though-- if owner backs out or law continues to drag their feet I will make it my mission to post pictures of this mare with all info- and owners name and phone number!! I love how all rescues and SPCA preaches how wonderful they are LOL.. there is only a handful that are doing their job-- i will donate to those and the rest can kiss my a@@

 

[Riverrose28]

Oh my this is awful that mare only has a few days left, can you throw some hay over the fence until someone comes out?

 

[HGFarm]

OMG, another lovely case of abuse. Will your local media get involved? Perhaps running a letter in your local papers with this photo would get some action. In your letter I would make an issue of all the times you have tried to get this animal some help. They are that busy? Gosh you must be in a 'high crime rate area' if they can't do that 10 minute job!

Worse case scenario, hang posters up- or make a blog or internet site with info on the lack of getting help. So what does animal control/SPCA and the rest there do?

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

Sometimes people just disgust me. I'm so sickened that people supposedly "in charge" and in "authority" positions can be so blatantly blase' about a living creature's life. I'm sickened.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

The situations described here are sickening! What is the point of even having Animal Control in your areas if they refuse to investigate possible abuse or help the animals?

I live in the county and our Animal Control has to come from about an hour away. By the time they can get out to my area, it may take several hours but they have always responded.

At this point, I think I'd contact the city and state, providing pictures, and demand to know why Animal Control is not getting involved. Afterall, your taxes are helping to pay for those services.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

At this point, I think I'd contact the city and state, providing pictures, and demand to know why Animal Control is not getting involved. Afterall, your taxes are helping to pay for those services.

An excellent point!

 

[Minimor]

People do disgust me--starving horses to get back at an ex spouse, getting animals for whatever reason and then never bothering to feed them....I don't know what is wrong with people.

Bev--your situation is a little easier--if I were in your place, now that you know the owner of this mare is willing to let her go to someone else--I would go directly to the owner, and arrange with him directly to move the mare to your place. Take along a bill of sale for him to sign, take along a friend as your witness if you prefer. Don't wait for animal control to assist; if you can get the owner to sign the horse over then just go ahead and do it.

Meantime--the mare is right across your fence? Then you can easily throw some hay across for her, and set a pail of water in for her. You may be concerned that if you feed her the authorities will think the owner is feeding her--but you can feed her just after dark--give her what she will eat overnight. Water her 2 or 3 times a day, don't leave the pail, just take it to her, let her drink, and then take it home with you. You can keep her going this way until you can get her moved to your place. That is what I would do. That is what I have done in the past.

 

[Miniv]

I agree with everyone........This is NOT a domestic issue, this is an animal welfare issue. And your mother-in-law could very well be charged since the animals are on her property. Perhaps someone will inform her of that. The more authorities made aware, rescues, AND media the better.

 

[MindyLee]

Meantime--the mare is right across your fence? Then you can easily throw some hay across for her, and set a pail of water in for her. You may be concerned that if you feed her the authorities will think the owner is feeding her--but you can feed her just after dark--give her what she will eat overnight. Water her 2 or 3 times a day, don't leave the pail, just take it to her, let her drink, and then take it home with you. You can keep her going this way until you can get her moved to your place. That is what I would do. That is what I have done in the past.

Problem with this is now the owner can keep his horse cause someones feeding it. And wont give it up cause the weight will get back on, then will feel like he's doing nothing wrong cause now theres no $$$ going twords it and saves him more as he just found a sucker to do is work. It would be hard, but I would'nt feed it and get a hold of him and explain some lie like your kids would love to have her tonight for a b-day present.... And get her asap! As for the aspca in texas or any other animal controls, makes me look at the show on animal planet with shame now!

 

[Minimor]

Yes, if the feeding were to be long term. But, if this guy has already said he will let the mare go to another home, then that "home" needs to act quickly and go talk to him & get a bill of sale signed--should be able to do that and get the horse moved within the week (or considerably less). A week of feeding isn't going to have that mare looking well fed!

It is not in the horse's best interest to leave her without feed and not do anything except annoy the animal control officer--

 

[MindyLee]

I would be leary still about feeding her. Even tho he said he would give her up dosnt mean he truely will as he hasnt yet. I would just be very carefull about doing so because you never know... What if she where to colic and die without finishing her feed that was tossed over the fence? Now the owner can blam her for killing his animal and if he's some big shot, might even get away with sueing for damages. I know it sounds harsh, and its soooo hard not to feed a animal who CLEARLY needs to eat... but just be careful as it could come back to bit ya in the end. I hope you get her, and if so, take lots of pics and once shes all better and fattend up take more pics, THEN post them everywhere for all to see including him!

 

[HGFarm]

I agree, when a horse is that starved and is not getting fed, they can colic easily or go into shock from suddenly getting food. Perhaps giving her a LITTLE food at night after dark, and a pail of water will help her at least hang on until they can get her out of there. But I would get her out a.s.a.p.

 

[ohmt]

I would just give her little hand fulls of alfalfa. Just feed her straight from your hand so there won't be any traces of the hay left on the ground-that will also make sure you don't overfeed her. Alfalfa is proven scientifically to be the best feed to rehabilitate emaciated horses. Little hand fulls through out the day should be ok for now and could help her live to see another day.

 

[bev66]

To update everyone-- I finally managed to get the owner to agree to let me take possession of the horse-- and yes I have been feeding tidbits of feed/alfalfa and water for past several months but as I was cautioned by a local rescue and my lawyer I would be held liable if horse should colic or die so i have had to very very careful... We live in a very small East Texas town where good ole boys rule and everyone else has to keep mouths shut and not make waves.. After this ordeal trying to help this girl I dont have alot of fans right now-- but like i told several I really dont care and they can all kiss my *ss.. Even horses have rights- nothing deserves to be starved to death....

My 5 year old granddaughter has named her Pretty Girl and here when we took possession she is so excited-- she has brushed her showered her with hugs and kisses and plans on spoiling her rotten... The owner had to nerve to tell me when we picked her up--(( I will bring you some hay and feed next week-- im so sorry she is in this shape and i just wormed her with CHEWING TOBACCO!!!))) I almost slapped him.... I explained I didnt want anything else from him- she would never want for anything and would never be hungry again....

I plan on taking pics of this mare every month and keeping records- once she is recovered I will be sending a copy of everything to the Houston SPCA - San Jacinto County Animal Control and our local paper to let everyone know how an abused horse can recover...

I know everyone who told me to go away and shut up and not get involved will get the answer for their inhumanity some day... I believe no animal should be abused and starved-- I have no idea what im gonna do with a 15 hand horse --LOL-- but I do know she will never suffer- starve or be abused again!!

 

[chandab]

To update everyone-- I finally managed to get the owner to agree to let me take possession of the horse

Good for you.

My 5 year old granddaughter has named her Pretty Girl and here when we took possession she is so excited-- she has brushed her showered her with hugs and kisses and plans on spoiling her rotten...

Sounds like a good name

I have no idea what im gonna do with a 15 hand horse --LOL

Love her and enjoy her.

 

[MindyLee]

THATS AWESOME NEWS!!! Thank goodness she has you and ur g-daughter now!

 

[HGFarm]

I'm so happy Bev66!! What a tough situation but I am glad you got her out of there!

 

[Chaos Ranch]

Sorry I have not been on here to update ya'll. I moved from my apartment to a house and have been running ragged trying to get everything done and all the stuff hooked up and situated.

I have found out the real story about how my mare died. Turns out, the step-father of my husband seen my mare laying down in the pasture, and getting back up, laying down again, and sweaeting, and panting.. he thought she was dying, so he went in and got a gun and SHOT HER... BUT... it was not a big enough gun (words of the grandson that watched), so he went back in the house and got another gun,a nd SHOT HER AGAIN !!! She was NOT dying..she was in LABOR.. and the moronic fool shot and killed her because he was afraid she was dying (knows NOTHING about horses) and all that poor girl was trying to do was deliver her foal. It's sick..it's horrible, it's not even got a word to really describe it.

I go to mediation tomorrow on the divorce, and I fully intend on addressing every ounce of this, and as soon as I leave mediation, I am going to the county police and going to inform them of the new developments since they went out and checked on them in December, and also inform them that I am going to go straight home, and notify our local news station again and let the news station know that this has been reported to the local police twice now, so they might want to make sure they REALLY look into the matter, and DO something.

 

[Chaos Ranch]

Went to Mediation Monday and worked issues out. I forced the issue of the horses going into rescue, finally after 6 hours of mediation, he agreed to surrender the remaining horses. Now I have to go in front of the judge with the agreement, and hopefully that will happen next week. I now am going to try to locate a rescue that can come in and take in the 9 remaining horses, all of the females are assumed to be heavy in foal as he turned the breeding stallion out with them in late July. Also there is the breeding stallion. It has been confirmed now that yes, the 20 year old mare was in fact in labor, and his step-father assumed she was dying because he does not know what labor looks like in horses, and he did shoot her twice in the head and killed her while she was trying to deliver her foal. It has also now been confirmed that the buckskin filly was also killed, though he claims the 6 month old filly was kicked by another horse and killed, history of neglect, cover ups, and lies cause me to doubt his story. That makes a total of two mares and their two foals dying at delivery time to neglect and ignorance, a gelding dying due to starvation and worms, another filly dying due to neglect and lack of care, and another filly dying of unknown reasons, which is a total of 7 .. all between April 1, 2011 and the first week of March 2012. I am still not being allowed to go photograph the horses, which is very much needed to get a rescue to see the dire need. I intend on contacting the state police and arranging them to escort me out there to photograph and document the condition of the horses, and also ask the officer to pursue charges. It has been established legally that I have made more than resonable efforts to gain access to the horses, to get him to surrender the horses, or to get the horses sold, given away, or temporarily into better homes... with no cooperation from my husband or his mother (the property owner).

So now I need to find a rescue that is not already over-stressed with horses that can come in and save them.