My concern for a horse.

[VVC-Geeza]

There is horse in a field in a village on the outskirts of Derby. The field is next to a main road and contained by a dry stone wall about 4 feet in height.I drive past this field 3-4 times a week and each time this animal has a coat on and a partial hood covering it's eyes. I can't help but think how awful it must be to stand for hours,possibly all week without being able to see anything.Today the poor thing was shaking itself in the hot weather as if trying to dislodge the hood.There may be a good reason for this hood but I can't think what it would
be. It looks well cared for otherwise and the coat and hood match.Have we got any horse riders on here who would like to comment?The road which passes this field is a major A road into Derby,so thousands of people use it every day. I'm sure many others drivers must be thinking the same,but nobody seems to be doing anything.Anyone know of a horse society who I could check this out with?

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

There is horse in a field in a village on the outskirts of Derby. The field is next to a main road and contained by a dry stone wall about 4 feet in height.I drive past this field 3-4 times a week and each time this animal has a coat on and a partial hood covering it's eyes. I can't help but think how awful it must be to stand for hours,possibly all week without being able to see anything.Today the poor thing was shaking itself in the hot weather as if trying to dislodge the hood.There may be a good reason for this hood but I can't think what it would
be. It looks well cared for otherwise and the coat and hood match.Have we got any horse riders on here who would like to comment?The road which passes this field is a major A road into Derby,so thousands of people use it every day. I'm sure many others drivers must be thinking the same,but nobody seems to be doing anything.Anyone know of a horse society who I could check this out with?

It's quite possible its a fly hood to keep the flies away from the horses eyes. All of my daughters have them on when they are out on grass as a rule

[macafee2]

Would the RSPCA be any help?

macafee2

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by Rogue

It's quite possible its a fly hood to keep the flies away from the horses eyes. All of my daughters have them on when they are out on grass as a rule

Yes it's that type of thing but Khaki in colour and looks solid.That looks more of a gauze which can be seen through.


Ian

I had thought of the RSPCA but wondered if a dedicated horse organisation may respond quicker and better more informed.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

Yes it's that type of thing but Khaki in colour and looks solid.That looks more of a gauze which can be seen through.


Ian

I had thought of the RSPCA but wondered if a dedicated horse organisation may respond quicker and better more informed.

There are all sorts of them, i just posted that to see if that is that was the sort of thing you had seen. I doubt anything is wrong in this case especially as you say the animal looks in good condition otherwise but the RSPCA would normally be the first port of call if you have any concerns.

Even ones like below the horse can still see through them with no issues

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by Rogue

There are all sorts of them, i just posted that to see if that is that was the sort of thing you had seen. I doubt anything is wrong in this case especially as you say the animal looks in good condition otherwise but the RSPCA would normally be the first port of call if you have any concerns.

Even ones like below the horse can still see through them with no issues

That looks very similar.It was there again earlier so I stopped for a closer look,there appears to be patch areas where the eyes are but didn't look like gauze.Its head kept going down to eat grass and each time it came back up,it shook it. Looked uncomfortable to say the least.

[Rogue]

They might annoy them a little however i would dare to venture that it is far less than the irritation caused by flies attracted by the moisture around their eyes.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

... each time this animal has a coat on ... Today the poor thing was shaking itself in the hot weather ...

Hi Mick,

The hood has been discussed but not the presence of a coat in yesterday's hot summer temperatures. Isn't that an indicator that the horse isn't receiving the care it deserves?

You asked about a horse society. A quick Google search produced the British Horse Society which says:
"If you have personally seen a horse that you are concerned about, please contact the Welfare team. All reports are fully confidential."

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

I'm sure many others drivers must be thinking the same, but nobody seems to be doing anything.

Gandhi said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world".

Simon

[VVC-Geeza]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Mick,

The hood has been discussed but not the presence of a coat in yesterday's hot summer temperatures. Isn't that an indicator that the horse isn't receiving the care it deserves?

You asked about a horse society. A quick Google search produced the British Horse Society which says:
"If you have personally seen a horse that you are concerned about, please contact the Welfare team. All reports are fully confidential."


Gandhi said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world".

Simon

Hi Simon

thanks for the link,I'll get in touch with them and see what they say.Ghandi was right about leaving things to other people,everyone thinks someone else will do something.The coat looks fairly lightweight but it was wearing it again in yesterdays sunshine.

Pete reassured me to a large degree but it would nice to know for sure it can see through the hood.I didn't like the way it kept shaking it's head when eating grass either.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

Hi Simon

thanks for the link,I'll get in touch with them and see what they say.Ghandi was right about leaving things to other people,everyone thinks someone else will do something.The coat looks fairly lightweight but it was wearing it again in yesterdays sunshine.

Pete reassured me to a large degree but it would nice to know for sure it can see through the hood.I didn't like the way it kept shaking it's head when eating grass either.

If you genuinely think the animal is being mistreated then by all means go ahead and report it however bear in mind horses that are in work will often be rugged up all year as they will likely be clipped out. The situation all sounds very normal to me and especially as my daughters competition horses are pandered and spoilt more than most peoples pets and i can guarantee that if i drove over to her fields right now they would all be out with rugs on and several of hers are 25k plus animals.



Rather than concentrating on the fact the horse is wearing a rug look for the condition of its coat and if it appears underweight at all. It is easy to say it looks uncomfortable therefore i must report it but you wouldn't dream of doing so if you saw someone walking a dog with a cone of shame on however much it looked as though it annoyed the animal for instance.


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