That's good news TB Even if the field is on the small side they are at least getting extra food. A lot of horses have long, shaggy hair this time of year as it helps to keep them warm without the need for rugs which can get disgusting when they're kept outside

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I didnt know whether to phone as people on here said that some horses are ok outside?? then I was ill and just forgot
They looked happier though!

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It's good to see that you are concerned, but I have fallen foul of a 'helpful' member of the public.

In your situation, what would have concerned me was the fact they were tethered to the ground so they couldn't graze for food or reach water. You did the right thing in calling.

I have 4 horses, all of whom are kept outdoors 24/7. None of them have stables (they do however have field shelters to use as they wish).

Only one is rugged (the thoroughbred) and my welshie, Clydiex and ID are all unrugged and nice and fluffy. They are all checked 3 times daily to make sure they are warm, have enough hay and water has not frozen over. They are also ridden regularly. They also still graze, unrestricted and dig the snow to get to the grass.

Now I realise this is a different situation to the one in the first post, but I was reported due to mistreating my horses. The first time was fine, I would much rather any member of the public who was concerned report something and be reassured, and it was good to know someone was looking in on the horses (in case one ever had an accident).

We had the authorities come out, who recognised me as a horsey person in the area and we had a god chat while I tacked up to ride and the woman explained she had to investigate every call made, but she new my lot were fine.

The same person then made 8 more calls, every time the investigator having to come out to see me. Sadly, wasting the inspectors time when she could have been dealing with real cases. each time she had to come out, check everything then leave again, and no doubt spend time writing a report and then getting back to the person who had called.

The calls finally stopped when the person who had been doing the reporting came down the fields one day while I was there and I had a long chat with them. They didn't know anything about horses, so I explained why one had rugs, and the others didn't and how they grew their coats over the Autumn. How they could dig for grass, but were also getting hay and feed and how that made sure they had enough.

It was a pretty stressful time all round, so while I fully commend people for making a call if they are concerned (better to call than not) There are some instances where it can get a bit out of hand.

sorry to hear that I dont think they were being miss-treated, I was a bit worried due to the snow no stables or shelter and they were tied to the ground.

We went past them last week and they are all looking really good, I think that 2 of them have foals? I think that the grounds bigger than I first thought to, more horses arethere and the feeding thingys look massive they all gather round them lol and no longer tied down.

still no shelter, most of them just seem to stand there and not move!

the trees have been cut and just down the road is another field with the same looking horses and foals in it! same situation as these horses no stable/shelters but they all look nice and have big troff thingys lol

grass all been cut to the other field looks about the same size, dont really know sizes im giuessing both are about 1-2acres and have about 6horses on both

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It really depends on a few things such as the age and breed of the horses, the owners may put hay out (although the horses may have eaten it all by the time you see them), trees and hedges can provide shelter from the wind so even if there is no actual field shelter there may be natural shelters for them.

If the horses looked under-fed or were shivering then I'd certainly worry. If they look healthy, good weight on them and seem happy then I wouldn't worry so much.

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