There is a place on the highway just outside of town that has two horses.  I grew up in this town and have seen the one horse there for many many years.  Probably close to 20 or 25 years.  The other horse was added about five or ten years ago.  The horses are across from the local high school.  They are seen on a daily basis by many many people.  They usually have a round bale of hay in with them and a big water tank.  But the older of the two horses is skin and bones.  I probably fell victim to not seeing it sooner because I always glance but never really look at the two horses.  They have been there for so long.  Now I am just sick everytime I see that poor horse.  It has all this hay and I seen it eating the other day but it is still skin and bones.  I am guessing it needs dental care and different diet considering the age.  It probably has other issues too.  I am so worried for the horse.  I got my counties Humane Officers phone numbers and I am prepared to call.  I am just worried that it will be ignored because the horse has hay and water.  Any tips!  This horse will doubtfully make it thru the winter with out help.  I am angered that they will just let it starve to death cause that is what it looks like.  I am also amazed that it is still there considering the amount of people who see this horse every day.  I just keep thinking 'What do those horse loving high schoolers think of it?'

Karen - Thanks for the tips.  I never thought to call the vet.  I called the Humane Officer because I can't stop thinking about it.  I had to leave a message.  I also emailed my vet to get some info to forward to the officer.  I just can not ignore it cause I think of horses like DJ and my Tardy (rip) who need that special diet to keep weight on.  I hope everything works out for the horses sake.

Regular forum followers know that I came to horses later in life.  Much of my experience and learning is due to MHWF and the three horses I have adopted..Kastahna, Kermit and Apple Jack. I tend to gravitate to older,gray, special needs Arabians.[I tell people that is because the owner..me..is older, alittle gray, and has special needs] It took me a long time to realize that sometimes what I thought was abuse was just plain ignorance and not cruelty. I have seen it at every level.  From back yard  horse owners like me to expensive horses at some class A shows. My immediate thought is what the h   l are you thinking.  I still struggle with that but I am not as quick to judge.  Just like "adoption is the best option" education is also the best option.  

Someone I know just put their horse down in June because a lady stopped by with 2 bales of hay saying I know times are hard an I see your horse is thin. These people had hay an it was being fed beet pulp but I don't know how much of that. It was an older horse 20ish an she felt that since she couldn't afford a lot of vet work an special feed she was better off putting her horse down before someone turned her in for animal abuse. That was a shame. When my horse started losing weight last fall I had the vet out an Chico's teeth were the worse he had ever seen he said. Work was done on them an I got beet pulp which I soak plus he does get senior feed an the weight went back on. Chico who I thought was 21 is closer to 30+. If these people care for their old horse I hope they see why he is losing weight an get it taken care of.