There is quite a bit of rambling in this post. sorry. but I wrote it in several different sessions and even different days and finally just got tired of rambling and pushed the "publish post" button so here you go.
There have been many dogs and horses rescued around here lately. And a lot of it is making the news too! I am so glad the horses around here are finally getting some respect and help. This is what needs to happen. People have to keep reporting these things when they are unlucky enough to see them, so that other people, those with the authority to act, can then do what they do.
I know for an absolute fact that this is working.
Lately I have been called to assist a Humane Officer with horses in a couple of different situations. The latest was a report of a horse who could barely walk. The report was called in to me, and I always have to explain that I don't have any legal authority but then I always give them the name and number of the right person to call. and I always check to make sure they did call. Well this person did call, right away! And I am so proud of her for following through right away. Then, the person with authority to act, called me and asked me to help. That is exactly how it is supposed to work! The horse owner said he had seen on the internet news all the animals being taken away from people. And there is now a Vet appt. scheduled for the reported lame horse, so its suffering will end, one way or another.
So, it's working. People know that if they don't take care of their horses, there is a good chance they will make the news about it and end up on the wrong side of a legal situation. People know that if they have a sick or injured horse, they need to take it to an equine Vet, or they have a good chance of making the news for it. Not because of the injury, we all know that horses get injured. But because of not dealing with the injury in a humane way. If we own animals, any animals, cows, dogs, cats, horses, we need to expect there will be some Vet needs and Vet bills along the way. And if we don't want to deal with the Vet stuff, then we shouldn't deal with the animals at all. I mean we shouldn't own animals if we aren't going to assume and accept that Vet bills go along with that ownership.
And people also know that if they have too many horses they need to find new homes for them -- before they reach the point of emaciation. And quit breeding so many of them too!
That is why you are not seeing the super skinny horses at the salebarns anymore. Well, that and because the salebarns are telling those people "no."
Because, of course, neglect is neglect. And a person who drops off an emaciated or seriously injured horse at a salebarn should be questioned just as a person anywhere else should be questioned. It used to be that, well, at certain little delapidated salebarns, the owners thought "if I can just make it to the salebarn I won't get in trouble." But this "safe haven" for neglectful horse owners is disappearing too. Which needs to happen.
Horse owners need to not have all of the little excuses and reasons and convenient dumpsites for their unwanted horses. They need to be forced to be responsible horse owners. We have all had plenty of time to become this on our own, just because it's right and because we believe in humane treatment, well, and because a lot of us really do love our horses and we don't want them to be suffering. But others need to be forced to do this. Because they have no heart, they have no compassion.
The person who reported the seriously lame horse told me that she hesitated with her reporting. Many people do. Because, even though they know in their hearts and minds that it is the right thing to do; all of the people telling them "it's none of our business, it's not our horse," makes them think twice. But you know what? It is our business! I told the caller, "you did right, it is our business, anytime we see a living thing suffering, it is our business." I am so proud of this caller for doing what she did. And I am so so so glad we are all starting to understand that horses are horses. They are not "pets" like dogs and cats. And they are not livestock like cows & pigs being raised for slaughter. (The SD Animal Industry Board told me that they know of no one in our state who raises horses for slaughter.) Horses are in a class all their own. Those of us who are fortunate enough to live with horses know this. they are in a class all their own. and it is a very classy class.
I don't know how all the sadness about all the horses around here that need rescuing can possibly bring me happiness. Directly, it doesn't. But the fact that there is so much more help for them now around here, and so many more people understanding the big picture, that makes me happy.
What is the big picture? The big picture is the same as it's been since we started doing rescue 7 years ago. Way back when the slaughterhouses were still open in the US. Way back when you could dump anything off at your little delapidated neighborhood salebarn. Dump them off and drive away, so no one will know it was you that brought them here in that condition. What ever happened to wanting to have the highest selling horse? instead of the lowest selling, skinniest, most neglected horse. The big picture is the same. TOO MANY HORSES. Too many horses being bred & born and then never trained, never dewormed, barely fed, never cared for, never loved, never wanted. Still the same big picture. TOO MANY UNWANTED HORSES!
What has changed is the view and the focus of this big picture. People are getting it, finally!
We cannot continue to empower and encourage people to treat their horses like this and say, "that's okay, it happens."
We have to keep reporting things that look like neglect, people who don't have time and money for horses need to find new homes for them -- before they reach the emaciated state. And people who are breeding their mares and complaining that no one will buy the babies need to quit breeding. WE DO NOT NEED ANYMORE UNWANTED HORSES!
I do not believe there is more neglect going on. How can it be any worse than our cases of Saint Nick and Jack Frost. What I believe is there is more reporting going on and more action being taken. And more people becoming responsible horse owners. More people understanding the Big Picture. Fewer people willing to look the other way, fewer people "bailing out" the irresponsible horse owners, no questions asked. And instead of making it even easier and seemingly ok for these irresponsible owners to treat their horses this way (because that's what we do everytime we bail them out, we empower and encourage them and tell them it's ok), instead of doing that, more people are doing what needs to be done. Looking the neglect straight on, not looking the other way. And telling Authorities there is something wrong, instead of telling the irresponsible owners there is nothing wrong.
It is our business. It is the Earth that we live on, and it is our business.
