Need advice about horse next door

[Nikki]

Hi all,

I am looking for a little advice about a horse that belongs to my neighbor.... I was on my way to the store today and finally saw my neighbors horse (I usually can't see him because there are so many bushes in front) standing out next to the fence. I was in a hurry to get to the store so I told myself that I would stop and give him an apple on my way back. On my way back by I did stop but he wasn't next to the fence, so I stood there making any sound I could trying to coax him towards me. He was very wary at first, so I would turn around and walk away and wait until he took more steps toward me so I could actually give him the apple and check him out.

He ended up stopping about 5 feet from the fence so I decided to climb through to give him the apple and talk to him. Well when I got close enough to check him out I noticed that he was very thin, his back bone was very distinct, and his feet looked pretty long. So I gave him the apple, and he let out a little nicker. I also had some horse treats in my car which I gave him. I hopped back in my car and went home and got 2 flakes of hay and walked it back down to him and threw it in his field, and he dove right in.

My question is. Do I talk to the neighbor? And if so what the heck do I say without coming across like a nosy b**ch? Or do I call the Animal Control, or Humane Society? I really can't afford to feed another animal, but if it came down to it I would do it.

Thanks for reading,

Nikki

[rainydayride]

Hmmm... tough situation.

How well do you know your neighbor? Is the horse an older fellow?

If possible, I'd suggest speaking with your neighbor first.. in the guise of "gee, I see xxxx is a bit thin these days. I've heard some really good tips on putting weight on a hard-to-keep horse" and respond appropriately to his/her answer. Sometimes new horse owners just don't know what to do or what to look for.

[safehorses]

There was a wonderful post on COTH weeks or maybe months ago by RelocatedTexan (or RelocatedTX) about the same dilema. She saw a skinny old gelding down the road from her and was concerned. She drove onto the property one day using the excuse of looking for boarding facilities and struck up a conversation with the old guy who lived on the property. Turns out that the gelding was the property of his recently deceased wife. Once the daughter had appeared on the property with her horses, the old gelding had become somewhat neglected. She chatted with the old man and fussed over the gelding. Went over there a few times to look after both the old man and the gelding. Not sure how that all turned out, but the basic story was that the old man didn't know how to look after his dead wife's horse and the daughter was only concerned about her horses. I guess I tell you this because it might take going up to the property and knocking on the door on some pretext that make sense given your circumstances and then trying to get the story on the horse you saw. You are SO SWEET to have stopped to give him treats. Sometimes that's enough, and it takes a lot of guts to acutally knock on the door, but you are wise to keep an eye on this horse. Good luck!!!

[slackreins]

Nikki,
I think you and that horse may have found your answer. I had some new folks move in on the place next door a couple of years ago. Our first meeting was out in my pasture. The young lady had seen the horses and brought her little kids over (climbed a gate) and brought carrots to feed the horses. Turned out to be very nice people and her son got his first horseback ride in my back yard a few days later. Horses draw attention quite naturally and the owners will understand that. Knock on the door and tell the folks that you saw the horse and wanted to know if it would be OK if you stopped occasionally and gave him an apple. It doesn't signal concern about the horses welfare so they won't be on the defensive. They will appreciate you being considerate enough to ask. There is something about offering a horse a treat that is not as judgmental as offering to drop off a bale of hay. It will create an introduction and, perhaps, an opportunity to talk about what kind of horse he is, do they have kids that ride and how the old guy is getting along now that winter is coming. Who knows? You may meet some good neighbors. We all need those now and then. Good luck. I agree with rainy and safehorses. Good ways to start the conversation. This is very nice of you.

Once you get permission to give him a treat, you are automatically "authorized" to stop and check on him.