3.

Are all of the animals on the farm thin? If all of the other horses on the premises appear to be of good weight, I would tend to suspect that the one thin horse is ill or geriatric or both. And, of course, some horses are simply “hard keepers,” who have trouble achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also good to know the average age of horses on the farm. I personally know of one herd owned by an elderly couple in which almost every horse is older than 25. I know these horses receive good care, yet some have difficulty maintaining their weight. But they are not being neglected or abused.

Once you have completed your research, turn it over to the proper authorities to be handled

Be patient with the authorities as they do their work. Remember, investigation and resolution of these cases may take weeks or even months. Just because you do not see action taking place does not mean that nothing is being done. From the investigator’s perspective, the best-case scenario isn’t seizing the animal; it’s educating and/or helping an owner and improving the horse’s life right where he is. These things take time.