If you see a horse that you think is not being properly cared for, the first step is to contact your local Animal Control Officer (ACO) or law enforcement office. In Maine, an ACO’s level of experience with horses can vary widely. There are no specific horse handling requirements necessary in becoming an ACO. Therefore, some officers are very experienced, while others may have never even haltered a horse before. The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) is also a valuable resource to contact in this regard. The MSSPA has a long history of working together with ACOs, law enforcement, and the state’s Animal Welfare Program, and can likely answer further questions on how the process works here in Maine.
Maine Standards for the Housing and Care of Horses
When reporting suspected abuse or neglect, have the following information prepared:
- The address or clear description of where the equine is located.
- A description of the abuse/neglect and who witnessed it.
- A description of the horse(s) involved (size, breed, color, markings).
- Photos and videos can be helpful to give clarity to what you’ve observed. Note: do not enter a person’s property to obtain.
Keep in mind, reporting isn’t about getting someone in trouble; it’s about opening up a conversation to educate, locate resources, and get the animals the help they need. Some owners will take responsibility and correct the situation themselves. When that can’t or doesn’t happen, then resources are in place to help the animal.
While it may not be necessary, the investigator may ask for your name, address and telephone number. This information is required in case a warrant is needed to enter the property, the investigator has questions about how to find the horse, or the investigator wants to ask you to monitor the situation in the future.
The Henneke Body Condition Scoring System is a common method of describing a horse’s physical condition. It is based on visually appraising the horse’s body and assessing six major points that are most responsive to changes in body fat:
- neck
- withers
- back
- ribs
- loins
- tail head
The Henneke scoring system uses a 1 – 9 scale to rate a horse’s overall body condition. A horse with a score of 1 is emaciated and in most cases in danger of starving to death, while a horse with a score of 9 is extremely obese.
If you witness a horse in trouble do not hesitate to act. Remember that horses cannot speak for themselves, and rely on humans for all of their needs. It does not take long for a horse to lose weight and become dangerously unhealthy if not being properly fed and housed.
Resources: Days End Farm Horse Rescue
