Every year regardless of the season we see new cases of neglect and/or abuse. The terms neglect and abuse appear to be interchangeable. Do they mean the same thing? Should we carefully define each word and place different parameters for education and compliance on each?
According to the on-line version of the Merriam Webster dictionary the definitions are as follows:
Neglect: to give little attention or respect to : disregard ; to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness.
Abuse: a corrupt practice or custom; improper or excessive use or treatment : language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily; physical maltreatment.
What ever you call it the horse or animal suffers.
Many of you are aware I recently moved to a new residence in a different state. If you are acquainted with me personally you know that I abhor both neglect and abuse. I have a soft spot for all animals in particular horses and cats. If you have followed my Facebook posts you will remember that the party I now share a barn with routinely places their two horses in stalls without bedding, food and water. We were in a rainy period at that time and the horses were standing ankle deep in water, urine and manure. The periods of stalled time increased with each stabling and at last incident the horses were in their stalls 36 hours without water.
When the stalled time reached 36 hours, I called the County Sheriff. I made a report over the phone and a Deputy called me back about 30 minutes later. First let me say, the Deputy was courteous, kind, and sympathetic. He recommended that I become familiar with the state laws and regulations. He further recommended I decide (before I did anything) what I hoped to gain from a complaint. He also cautioned me that state laws were vague and allowed for much wiggle room in the areas of neglect and/or abuse.
Based on my description, a case of borderline neglect existed at my barn. While that definition did not negate the impact that this neglect was having on the horses it was based on state law. My concerns would probably not result in any action by the County Attorney. My goal was to change the horses habitat. I felt these particular horse owners lacked education, experience and a desire to treat their horses appropriately. They were not, however, devoid of feelings. Some of you might say that is wrong and it is certainly within your right to disagree.
To say the relationship between the two of us started off on the wrong foot would be an accurate assumption. A few days prior to signing my lease, I walked over and introduced myself. I was told they, the existing renter, would be renting out stalls and later renting the entire facility. As I proceeded to check out the garage which was included in the rental, I was met with several hanging deer carcasses. I was quickly ushered out of the garage and told that the existing renter was using the garage as well as the storage room. You probably think - OMG why is she telling us about a situation she should obviously be discussing with her property manager. You would be right. The situation was discussed and corrected by the property manager. The reason I am providing you with this information is to establish a background. Opinions, education and experience all differ.
I signed my lease, moved my horses in, allowed the existing renter sufficient time to vacate the garage.
Each of us has a different idea of what proper care of an equine consists of. I like to keep my horses in stalls. Others feel pasture is just fine. I like to grain my horses. Others feel natural grass is the way to go. So with differing opinions in mind, we can review the 5 scenarios to see if abuse or neglect exist.
1. Lack of water. Plainly stated and factually documented the two horses owned by the existing renters did not have free access to water. I am not talking about an hour or two of no water because the bucket has frozen. I am talking about hours up to 36 hours of no access, no bucket, no water. So is this abuse or negligence?
2. Pony stallion. A 25 year old Pony Stallion routinely gets out of his pasture and indicates to neighboring horses he is a stallion to be reckoned with. This very same Pony Stallion is regularly used by a 3 year old girl as her riding partner. The 3 year old is allowed to lead, brush, and care for this Pony Stallion. No attempt to restrain the stallion is made. The child’s parents do not see any danger in having their 3 year old interact with a stallion. Is this scenario abuse or neglect?
3. Stall 24/7. A young warmblood mare is stalled 24/7. She is provided with food, water and clean bedding. She is rarely turned out. She soon becomes a stall kicker and a weaver. Keeping her stabled without adequate exercise - does this make for neglect or abuse?
4. Rollkur. It has been determined by the majority of the Dressage community that Rollkur in the extreme sense is abusive. I don’t want to get into a Rollkur debate but suffice to say Rollkur does change the horse's way of going and can cause injury to the horse. However, it is important to remember Rollkur is used in all disciplines, Western riding included, with Dressage being the most singled out. Having said that, I recently over heard a comment by a trainer that was watching me ride my mare. He berated me to his student because my horse was being ridden on the bit with contact. He stated riding on the bit was over flexion; ie Rollkur. Abuse or neglect?
5. Hock injections. A young cutting horse is given hock injections to insure his ability to compete. He is 3 years old. Abuse or neglect?
I have provided 5 different scenarios. If you have read some of my other articles you know the drill. If not, this is how it goes. I will address each incident with comments. For the purposes of this article, I contacted several different people for opinions. Some of those were trainers and others amateurs. I researched different Equine Rescue sites and I asked questions of a couple of Humane Society members. The answers and comments are neither right or wrong. They are merely opinions. So here we go…..
1. Lack of water. Everyone I contacted was saddened by the water issue. While the stabling without bedding in unsanitary conditions was also a concern the lack of water elicited the most comment. Comments were 50/50 as to whether it was abuse or neglect. One comment that stood out for me was whether or not the horse owner was educated in the care of a horse. Would they realize that restricting a horse’s water intake could be detrimental to the horse’s well being? If the answer is no, then lack of water is neglect. But if the person is educated or aware of what the lack of water can do to a horse, the answer would be abuse.
2. Pony Stallion. Comments about this riding partnership ranged from stupidity to carelessness. There no positive comments regarding this relationship. However, some polled individuals admitted to letting their children ride stallions in controlled situations but never in company. When told that the Pony Stallion and the lack of water issue were the same owner, persons who previously indicated this was abusive and a dangerous situation, changed their answer to neglect and ignorance.
3. Stall 24/7. Persons polled had mixed response to this scenario with the majority feeling it was more of a neglect issue than abuse. The reason behind this answer is that horses are stalled continually while showing and may be stalled for medical reasons. Trainers polled indicated there might be a need for additional exercise and would consider hand walks if turnout was unavailable. All parties agreed that safe turnout was ideal for most horses.
4. Rollkur. Interestingly enough I ran across people who did not know what it was until I showed them a picture. One person even thought simple bending was Rollkur. I had two persons indicate that what I called Rollkur was hyperflexion. I smiled. One trainer who wished to remain nameless said he felt it was acceptable provided it was used briefly. Two trainers who followed a similar training theory felt anyone using contact on a horses mouth was abusive. They further stated use of Rollkur was a hanging offense. One trainer who admits to having trained horses in the dinosaur era provided me with comments that I felt summed up the subject. He stated that anything used in excess could be considered abusive if the person training or riding the horse was aware of the consequences of their action. If they were merely simple minded then the result could be considered neglect.
5. Hock Injections. The subject of hock injections seems to be a volatile one. Hock injections in young horses even more of a volatile subject. Apparently in some disciplines the practice of injections in young horses is quite common. And in other disciplines it is more common in older horses. I don’t want to start a firestorm so you can figure out the disciplines on your own. Comments from certain factions felt hock injections were cruel and it made horses work while in pain. Their answer was that hock injections were abuse. Other comments indicated quite the opposite in that horses could continue to be productive and without pain behaviors if given hock injections. Personally I feel if my veterinarian recommends hock injections than I will go for it. I don’t think there is a clear cut answer in this scenario. It is probably best to defer to a qualified medical opinion for answers in the scope of this scenario.
So I provided you with 5 scenarios and I also provided you with background on my neighbors. What do the two have to do with each other? They are a study in neglect vs. abuse. We face these kinds of situations every day when we run across a horse or any animal for that matter who is treated in a fashion differing from our own beliefs. In my opinion my neighbors are neglectful but to date their poor treatment is only affecting their own horses.
While I am here I intend to carefully document their care or lack thereof. I intend to carefully assess each concern I have before making any allegations to the authorities. Should the situation escalate to abuse I will call for immediate assistance. Sadly we can not force anyone to care for the animals they have in their possession. In some states the clarification between acceptable treatment and unacceptable treatment is very muddy making it difficult for the authorities to launch a successful prosecution. We must do what we can within the laws to secure the well being of the horses we revere. Equally sad is the refusal of some individuals to admit to the need for education or advice. We all think we know what is best; however, it is the wise person who admits they do not know everything.
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