I. When does a horse need rescuing? II. Steps to take if the horse needs rescuing.

1
I. When does a horse need rescuing? II. Steps
to take if the horse needs rescuing.
Presented by Nina Bellinger, Director Easy
Street Horse Barnyard Rescue, Inc. Amsterdam,
NY 518-421-0125 www.easystreetrescue.
org
2

• True or False?
• Horses should always be blanketed and kept inside
  during the winter in northern climates.
• Answer
• FALSE!
• Horses are artic animals, and originated in cold,
  snowy climates. They prefer cold over heat.
• Horse will grow a winter coat and, if healthy,
  normally do not need any type of blanket.
• Shelter should always be provided. However,
  healthy horses may not want to stay inside as
  most horses enjoy the snow and cold weather, and
  may even roll in the snow!
• Only horses that are being shown during the
  winter and have their coats shaved off must be
  blanketed and/or stalled and those whom are ill
  or elderly.

3
I. When does a horse need rescuing?

• There are several things to consider when
  deciding if the horse needs help or should be
  removed
• Horse general appearance/health
• Environment shelter, ground, etc
• Other Considerations
• Other animals what condition are they in?
• Owner or caretaker is someone living on the
  premises? If so, are they well or do need help
  themselves? BE A NEIGHBOR OFFER HELP!!!

4
1. Condition of the Horse

• General appearance Are there any sores, cuts or
  injuries? Does the stomach appear bloated?
• Coat condition is it dull or glossy?
• Weight can you see the ribs? How much of the
  ribs? Does the horse have a winter coat?
• Eyes - is there a sparkle or do they appear
  lifeless?
• Hooves are they overgrown, curled? Are they
  cracked? Is the horse able to walk?
• Other horses? Compare the horses. Are they all
  in nearly the same condition or is one horse
  worse than the rest of the horses? Do you see any
  reason why that may be so, such as trapped in
  something and unable to move or eat?

5
2. The Horses Environment

• Water? Is water available for the horse?
• Shelter? Is there a place the horse can get out
  of the sun/snow/wind if needed? If so, is it
  accessible to the horse?
• Food? Is there hay or grass accessible to the
  horse? Or can you determine if food is being
  given to the horse by looking for leftover
  hay/grain?
• How large is the enclosure? Is the horse confined
  to a small area? Can the horse move around?
• What type of ground? Is the horse able to get out
  of muck or wet ground?
• Sanitary? How much manure is in the horses
  enclosure? Is there any evidence of its removal?
  Any other unsanitary items evident?

6
3. Other considerations

• Look for time period of neglect!
• Other Animals
• Look for other animals on the premises and note
  the health condition of those animals.

• Owner/caretaker
• Does someone live on the premises to take care of
  the animals?
• If so, is this person okay? Do they need help
  themselves? Are they able to take care of the
  animals?
• ASK IF THEY NEED ASSISTANCE BEFORE REPORTING TO
  LAW ENFORCEMENT. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR!

7
When does Easy Street Horse Rescue become
involved?

• When contacted by
• Law enforcement
• Humane Society
• SPCA
• Animals owner
• Neighbor/friend of owner with surrender
  permission from owner
• Easy Street Rescue does not have seizure rights,
  they must be given by law enforcement or the
  court system or animals surrendered by owner.
• If the owner is temporarily ill or needs help
  with hay, Easy Street Rescue does deliver or help
  provide hay so the owner can keep their
  horse/horses.

8
II. Steps to take if the Horse needs rescuing

• Take Pictures if possible
• Horses/Animals Take pictures of the
  horses/animals from every angle that you can.
  Take as many pictures as you can of all the
  animals, equine and non-equine.
• Environment Take pictures of the living
  condition of the animals.
• Document everything immediately!
• Dont wait until next week write down
  everything you see NOW, while it is fresh in your
  mind. Even if its just scribbled notes. Write the
  DATE down!
• Then write everything down fully when you are
  home.
• Be prepared to submit a report, with any pictures
  to law enforcement.

9
Steps to take if the Horse needs rescuing

• Contact your local or state police immediately
  and file a formal complaint.
• Provide them with any pictures and the report you
  wrote after seeing the horses.
• Get the name of the officer with whom you spoke,
  and follow-up with a supervisor if you get no
  satisfaction and report the case again. Ask for
  someone to explain the results of the
  investigation and what action was taken and why.
  
• If no results, contact the local SPCA or Humane
  Society and provide them the date you made the
  report and the officers to whom you have spoke.
• Continue to monitor the horses and file another
  report if necessary. If you truly feel that no
  one is doing anything contact the SPCA. If still
  no satisfaction then contact your local news
  stations investigation unit.
• DOCUMENT EVERY ACTION YOU TAKE TO INCLUDE
• THE DATES AND PERSONS YOU SPOKE WITH.

10
Once a Complaint is filed with the Local or State
Police

• An investigation should be conducted by law
  enforcement
• If the police feel it is necessary the SPCA or
  Humane Society will be brought into the
  investigation
• The SPCA or Humane Society will visit the animals
  and owners and ascertain the situation. They will
  utilize a Veterinarian to look at the animals.
  Depending upon the condition of the animals they
  may immediately remove them, or they may try to
  work with the owners to improve the care of the
  animals.
• Seizure by the police and SPCA/Humane Society
  Sometimes this may take up to a year before they
  are legally able to seize the animals. So dont
  expect overnight results.

11
Summary

• II. Steps to take if the Horse needs rescuing
• 1. Take Pictures if possible
• 2. Document immediately
• 3. File a complaint with local or state law
• 4. If no action follow up with SPCA/Humane
  Society
• 5. Continue to monitor horses.

• I. When does a horse need rescuing?
• Examine
• 1. Condition of Horse
• 2. Environment
• 3. Other Considerations
• - Other Animals Health
• - Owner/Caretaker in trouble