Neglected horse at barn (question)

So at my barn, in the area that my trainer has her horses, there is this tall bay mare. I've never once seen an owner take her out and the only interaction she seems to get is from me on the weekends from outside her stall and the hired hands mucking and feeding. The area that we are situated at is quite secluded and the only people to really go into our stable area would be my trainer, the stablehands and my trainer's few students so I doubt anyone has taken any real notice of this mare's current situation (being as we are placed on the precipice of a hill).

But I am truly concerned for this mare. First off, her hooves are overgrown (they haven't gotten to the curling stage yet but they are pretty bad and proves that she's been neglected) and she hobbles around within her pipe stall. Her back hooves are more worn down then the front so I believe she tries to overcompensate for the pain in her front hooves. She also didn't have a blanket when it was pouring a few weeks ago and I've yet to see one on her. Her coat is really matted with mud and I'm afraid to know what kind of parasites lie beneath it; our horses are taken out everyday and we still manage to find at least a tick or two on 'em. I started to pick at some crust on her neck from outside her stall and what was beneath looked pretty nasty; She probably has a fungus and a ton of ticks. The mare is also pretty thin, not severely, but definitely below a normal weight.

So, my question is, am I allowed to contact the barn owner about this? My trainer keeps putting off asking about who owns the mare and I'm about ready to call a farrier out myself and pay to have her feet trimmed. My trainer says that we should get the permission of the owner first before taking the mare out, which I completely understand, but I really cannot wait any longer; I'm itching to clean her up. I can't focus on anything; this poor mare has pulled at my heart with her soft look and her sweet nature.

Lastly, I cannot BELIEVE the barn that I am at has let this go on for this long. The stable I ride at is a nice stable and isn't the cheapest to board at so I'm wondering why the owner hasn't payed for a simple trim for so long.

Thanks to whoever reads all of this, and, also, I had no idea what category this fell under so sorry if it is in the wrong forum area.

Legally, you can't touch this mare without the owners permission. You could contact the owner, that is the most you could do. Or you could call a welfare group and organise for them to have a look at her, and you don't have to tell them who you are or if you do, ask them if you can remain anonymous. I personally wouldn't ring the farrier to trim her as she isn't your horse and it could start a big riot.

I guess the most you can do is keep an eye on her, possibly ring the owners and confront him/her about it, ring a welfare group, or ask the yard owner to give the owner of the mare a call.

Hope I have helped.

Yeah I figured it wouldn't be legal to handle the mare without proper permission. So I guess I will call the stable tomorrow and ask if they could relay a message to the owner.

That would be my best bet, I hope this mare will be ok. I am actually pleased you are doing somthing about it, most people will look and just say "Not my problem" But I commend you for having a care for the poor girl.

Good luck!

So I just left the barn a message and my number. I really hope they alert the owner; the mare needs to get her hooves trimmed asap.

We shall see I guess...

So minor update, if anyone cares:

I told my trainer in an email that I notified the barn and now she is telling me to call them back and tell them it is none of my business. She thinks it will get HER in trouble. And that she could care less if the horses leg fell off. I thought she cared about the care of animals. You can't trust anyone.

I'd call your local animal control/humane society and leave that barn - I would not train with any trainer who felt so cold about a living creature that is obviously suffering. I would also tell her exactly why you are leaving, and maybe it will get her thinking.

It sickens me how so many things in the horse world are hushed up.

While I believe that your heart is in the right place, you do need to understand that this really isn't your concern. If you are that upset about the horses condition, let your trainer know that you are uncomfortable training at a barn that would allow a horse to get in such a state.

Your trainers business relies deeply on a barn allowing her to train there. Some barn owners take deep offense to outsiders commenting on boarder horses conditions. I know I would. While you see it as just trying to help, others will feel that it is meddling in someone elses business.

Also, you are not at the barn 24/7. What if this horses owner comes later/earlier than you do. What if this horses owner is sick? What if they are disabled? What if life circumstances have taken them away from horses? While it is hard for us to imagine a life without horses, life happens.

Although I don't condone the trainers attitude, I can understand it. For her, it might mean losing her job if she interferes with any boarder's horse. I bet in her career there have been SOOOO many situations where she saw a horse being neglected or mistreated and her heart ached to do something about it, but ONE she cannot help them all, and TWO, she is dependent on horse owners paying for her services, so she mush keep her mouth in careful control. It is a hard place to be.

On the other hand, I don't see how she thinks that the barn owners will think YOUR emailing them had anything to do with her.
How very distressing for you and for this poor mare. I hope that a solution materializes that works for you guys . I know I would find it hard to walk away.

I DO understand it is HER responsibility as an owner to care for her horse and provide adequate services for it, if she isn't taking care of this mare, I think that action should be taken. If she is disabled, sick ect, wouldn't she have someone caring for the horse for her?
I am not starting an arguement here guys