Animal abuse??

Question

My neighbors just had the cops called on them for leaving a halter on their horses. Their horses are very well fed and taken care of and very sweet. They get loads of attention from them and my husband and I. They are very healthy. Their halters fit them perfectly. They are not too tight and not harming them in anyway. Do you think leaving halters on them are abuse?

Answer

As a large animal vet halters are not abusive if they're properly fitted for the horse. The fences around their pastures cause significantly more issues than a halter ever will. They can cause issues, but with horses even the good quality grass they eat can cause many serious problems. Some horses are too difficult to catch in pasture without a halter. Halters certainly aren't abusive and anyone that thinks they are doesn't know horses very well.

Answer

Such a tough call I've boarded at facilities that require halters on at all times should their be a emergency such as a fire where they need to grab and go. But now that my horses are home I never leave a halter on. They have access outdoors 24/7 so I'm not concerned of a emergency occurring in the barn and should they get spooked, we live in a very wooded area so I'd rather them not get caught up. I can easily approach with a lead only if need be. I've seen halters rub and create sores but if fitted correctly or worn with padding it's certainly not abuse. We leave our dog's collar on at all times, is that abuse? Some may say yes. It's not a bother to her and fitted correctly.

Answer

I know nothing about horses but isn't a halter just like the same as a dog collar? I can't see it being abusive if it fits correctly

Answer

I wouldnt call it straight up abuse but I dont agree with it if not under constant supervision. Im an equine  vet and have seen multiple cases of horses trying to scratch and get their feet caught in the halter, fall down and not be able to get up again. Below one of my patients that fell, could not get up again, got exertional rhabdomyolisis due to extreme fatigue and exertion and had quite some complications... better safe than sorry Id say. In my clinic its halter off at all times when horses are alone.

Answer

Wouldn't say its abuse but its dangerous to do so

Answer

I'm in the uk my horses live out all year round and they have halters on all the time apart from when being ridden as there both a nightmare to catch

Answer

I said No but leaving a halter on can be very dangerous to leave them on

Answer

This may get better feedback in controversy corner

Animal abuse??

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