Studies are now showing an association in humans between animal abuse and future acts of violence. In work conducted in the USA, animal abuse is considered a strong predictor of future violent acts among juveniles.
 

In the experience of Save Equus cruelty and neglect takes 3 main forms;

Firstly, cruelty as a means to control. While teaching a dog to heel or teaching a horse to ride requires control, it doesn’t require whips and chains. Painful is the life of a terrified and fearful horse after an owner who knows little about training employs anger, violence and physical abuse as training techniques. Such physical abuse that can permanently injure a horse and most importantly create fear in a horse that dominates their behaviour. Severe and harsh treatment to train animals are not legitimate training techniques. Such treatment is the behaviour of cruelty.

 

Secondly, sometimes lack of knowledge is a critical factor in neglect or abuse. The beautiful pony bought by a family for their child requires a lot of knowledge and care. When that knowledge isn’t there, when the “pleasure” becomes too much work, or the dream of owning a horse is replaced by the realities of ownership, the horse experiences the consequences. Lack of knowledge about the correct food, water and medical care sometimes spells a slow and painful death for the horse.
 

Thirdly, neglect is a behaviour where the horse owner either turns and blind eye or rationalises the neglect of the health and welfare of their horse. Neglect to the care of a horse’s teeth, hooves and general nutrition and hydration has severe and painful consequences.

Neglect; starvation and physical deformity from lack of the proper care and emotional abuse are the most significant complaints Save Equus recieves and intervene’s into.

 

Most of the interventions we work on are obvious, but other cases require evidence from witnesses who are sometimes reluctant to get involved, abuse and neglect goes unreported because, “I didn’t want to bother anyone” is a common response we recieve.