Sorry if this isn't the right forum.. wasn't sure if it should be here, or maybe horse health.
Okay, here's the situation. I happened to see a horse in a pasture two days ago, (probably 20 or so other horses in the pasture) and this horse was just so extremely skinny. The rest of the horses looked good- shiny, well fed, shed out, etc. This horse, however, was emaciated and had tons of winter coat still on him. His whole spine protrudes, his butt bones are pronounced, and I'm sure you could see all his ribs if it weren't for all the hair covering him.
I instantly wanted to call animal control, but A.all the other horses looked healthy and B.the horses definitely had access to water, and I didn't see hay but there was plenty of grass. I've always heard AC won't do anything if a horse obviously can get to food and water.
I have emailed the president of my humane society and am awaiting reply from her as to the best course of action, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in the situation, and how they handled it. It just is devastating to see a horse in that condition! My mom suggested that maybe the horse has cushings disease, and that is why he's got such a long coat. From what I understand, horses with cushings do lose weight in spite of getting enough food, but isn't there anything you can do (if the horse does indeed have cushings) to keep them from getting so terribly emaciated?
Okay, here's the situation. I happened to see a horse in a pasture two days ago, (probably 20 or so other horses in the pasture) and this horse was just so extremely skinny. The rest of the horses looked good- shiny, well fed, shed out, etc. This horse, however, was emaciated and had tons of winter coat still on him. His whole spine protrudes, his butt bones are pronounced, and I'm sure you could see all his ribs if it weren't for all the hair covering him.
I instantly wanted to call animal control, but A.all the other horses looked healthy and B.the horses definitely had access to water, and I didn't see hay but there was plenty of grass. I've always heard AC won't do anything if a horse obviously can get to food and water.
I have emailed the president of my humane society and am awaiting reply from her as to the best course of action, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in the situation, and how they handled it. It just is devastating to see a horse in that condition! My mom suggested that maybe the horse has cushings disease, and that is why he's got such a long coat. From what I understand, horses with cushings do lose weight in spite of getting enough food, but isn't there anything you can do (if the horse does indeed have cushings) to keep them from getting so terribly emaciated?