I live in rural Utah. Near my rural ranch is a 5 acre parcel where people
keep two horses. They visit very infrequently possibly once a week.
Once, my wife commented on all the cockleburrs in their manes, and the man
said he had dealt with horses for 35 years, and she should mind her
business.
They had the local kids come and water their horses. Then that stopped when
whatever agreement they had ended, or they had a falling out.
For days and days they would only eat forage grass and not be given any hay
or supplement. My other neighbor said there was a type of weed in the field
that causes mouth anesthetization that should be removed, but it was not.
They brought in a bale of hay the size of a Volkswagen and just left it
there. The horses can eat as much as they want. I go and water them when I
go by and see them standing at their water tank. Every time, it is empty.
I am not a horse person. But I do recall that it is not proper to let a
horse eat all it wants. Am I right? From what I have said, are these
horses being neglected? They appear healthy. They have no shade or wind
protection, and it gets pretty cold here, and hot in the summer.
Thanks
Steve
