Buncombe County balks on horse rules
Should horse owners be required to have a shelter for their horses? What types of shelters are best for horses … or do horses need shelters at all? These are the questions being asked after this one county in North Carolina passed sweeping reforms for animal owners. According to an article in The Horse, not much research has been done in this area. Shelter can be essential to old and infirm horses. Places where there is no natural shelter and there is extreme weather – it would seem to make sense to offer a man-made equine shelter. What do you think? ~ HfH
From: Citizens-Times
By: Joel Burgess
A horse shelter
What animal wouldn’t want to come out of the heat or cold? Well, according to a crowd of perturbed horse specialists and owners, that’s not necessarily what horses need — or even want.
Following outcry over recently passed Buncombe County horse shelter requirements, elected officials are now moving to dial back mandates on horse sheltering.
Among those protesting the newly passed requirement for a three-sided shelter are the state’s main horse association, a student who uses donkeys to protect sheep and the county’s own horse veterinarian. The rule puts an unnecessary cost burden on owners and could even result in more horses being abandoned, they said.
Maggie Frazier
I’m sure these people think they are helping the welfare of animals. BUT there are so many other ways to ensure animal welfare than forcing every horse owner to have a run in shed! The welfare of the animal – any animal – is more important. Considering the number of complaints in this area – I doubt that the largest number comes from horses being outside with no shelter! I agree that it would be really nice if EVERY horse could have a runin shed in his pasture – but there are more important problems – chaining dogs out in all kinds of weather – not FEEDING your animals – this is where the animal control people need to be focused!
Sue
People should be educated enough to know that horses can be expensive to maintain, and part of that maintenance should be a run in, minimally.
There is an individual very near where I live who has nearly no shade trees or any other protection from the cold nights or very hot summer days. THAT is not humane.
Maggie Frazier
Sue,
You’re right – people SHOULD be educated enough to know what it costs financially & physically to actually care for a horse. And any animal should have some kind of shelter – whether its shade trees or a run in – if they are out in the weather. Sadly, too many people think its “cool” to have a horse – and have no idea how to take care of them. None!
Education is a big part of the welfare of animals. Too often, its lacking.
Callie Durling
Elderly Horses, Ponies, Mules and Donkeys should have a warm shelter for Winter and a cool shelter for Summer. The animals usually become arthritic and keeping them inside is the best thing to do for our Seniors.
CD
arlene
treat your horse as you want to be treated!!!! gooid rule to follow………………….