VEA ppt extended version

Volunteer Equine Advocates : 

Volunteer Equine Advocates The VEA Officers & Directors Welcome you!

Organized in 2003 : 

Organized in 2003 Assisting Equine in Need In Tennessee

VEA is anIRS approved 501c3 : 

VEA is anIRS approved 501c3 Non-profit Publicly Supported Charity Incorporated in Tennessee

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VEA’s Mission : 

VEA’s Mission To assist law enforcement agencies across Tennessee to provide care for horses, mules, donkeys, and ponies (equine) seized from neglectful or abusive owners   To rehabilitate these seized equine to be placed into adoptive new homes   To assist equine owners during personal or natural disasters   To educate the public on proper equine care

Six years andNearly 250 animals have received assistance from VEA : 

Six years andNearly 250 animals have received assistance from VEA Sumner County Wilson County Robertson County Dickson County Davidson County Macon County Marshall County Trousdale County Giles County Warren County Cheatham County

Valentine had no hope until a concerned neighbor called to say she had no food : 

Valentine had no hope until a concerned neighbor called to say she had no food

She was the first seized horse placed in VEA’s care – Feb ‘05 : 

She was the first seized horse placed in VEA’s care – Feb ‘05

Natural Disaster Assistance : 

Natural Disaster Assistance This horse received lacerations on his face from flying debris during the 08 tornado. He was picked up by VEA as an “at large” animal following the storm and remained in VEA care for 3 weeks until his owner was located and able to care for him.

Annabelle came to VEA in April ‘08 : 

Annabelle came to VEA in April ‘08

Annabelle rehabilitated and adopted 6 months later : 

Annabelle rehabilitated and adopted 6 months later

Slide 13: 

Some have adopted more than one!

VEA provides Equine Education for the Public thru participation in : 

VEA provides Equine Education for the Public thru participation in County Fairs Local Equine Events Statewide Equine Events Online and Video presentations

Animal CrueltyIs itAbuse or Neglect ? : 

Animal CrueltyIs itAbuse or Neglect ? © Volunteer Equine Advocates 2006

The Complaint : 

The Complaint IS IT ABUSE? IS IT NEGLECT?

Slide 17: 

WAS IT INTENTIONAL? WAS IT KNOWINGLY?

Abuseis : 

Abuseis Intentionally inflicted pain or injury or Intentional overworking of the animal

This mare was ridden on pavement barefoot to the point she could barely take another step due to the pain. Her rider was arrested for public intoxication and animal cruelty (which was not his first offense – making it a felony in Tennessee) : 

This mare was ridden on pavement barefoot to the point she could barely take another step due to the pain. Her rider was arrested for public intoxication and animal cruelty (which was not his first offense – making it a felony in Tennessee)

Neglectis : 

Neglectis The withholding of basic needs:

Neglect can be : 

Neglect can be Ignorance Apathy Lifestyle Change Intentional Mental Illness

Ignorance : 

Ignorance Is when the owner doesn’t understand or know how to properly care for the horse

Slide 24: 

The owner of these horses did not provide adequate nutrition for the mares and foals

Apathy : 

Apathy Is when the owner doesn’t care about caring for the horse

Lifestyle Change : 

Lifestyle Change The owner has financial problems Or Is no longer physically able to provide adequate care

Intentional : 

Intentional The owner doesn’t want to provide proper care

Mentally Ill : 

Mentally Ill The owner is a hoarder or collector of animals

Food : 

Food Horses should be fed according to their nutritional needs … based on their individual stage of production or activity. Considerations that may determine nutrient requirements are : Maintenance or Age of the animal Gestation Lactation Growth Work

Slide 37: 

Aged horses often require special “Senior” feeds to maintain an adequate amount of body fat. This requires more effort by the caregiver. Dental care can be another very important factor for good health of the aged horse.

Slide 39: 

The horse being “old” should not be considered an acceptable excuse for low body fat without further evaluation.

Body Condition Scoringis : 

Body Condition Scoringis An objective way of determining the amount of body fat a horse has. The amount of fat can be determined by looking and feeling the horse’s body.

Slide 43: 

The ideal BCS for most horses is 4 - 5 but highly conditioned horses, such as endurance horses, may have very little body fat.

BCS 9 Extremely fat : 

BCS 9 Extremely fat Obvious inverted crease down the back Patchy fat appears over the ribs Bulging fat around the tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders, and along the neck Fat along inner buttocks may rub together Flank is filled in flush with rest of body

BCS 8 : 

BCS 8

Slide 49: 

Although it may not be neglect, a horse with BCS 9 is in danger of colic, founder and other health issues that could lead to serious, very critical conditions for the horse

BCS 3 Thin : 

BCS 3 Thin Neck is average thin Shoulder is average thin Ribs are easily seen Withers are thin Back – fat is ½ way up vertebrae Tailhead is prominent

BCS 2 Very Thin : 

BCS 2 Very Thin Neck is very thin Shoulder is very thin Ribs are prominent Withers are very thin Back – Vertebrae prominent Tailhead very thin

BCS 1 Poor : 

BCS 1 Poor Neck is extremely thin Shoulders prominent Ribs are very prominent Withers are prominent Back has very prominent vertebrae Tailhead is very prominent

Slide 57: 

Heavy winter coats often mask the true condition of the horse. For this reason an actual hands on inspection should be performed, preferably on both sides of the animal.

Slide 59: 

Popcorn was the first horse to cross the Rainbow Bridge in our care…… She had been with us 7 days when she gave up…. Necropsy showed her body to be severely malnourished…. No body fat at all…. Her organs simply shut down

Slide 61: 

The horse should receive adequate hoof care to allow the horse to stand in a normal posture and move at all gaits without discomfort. Some hoof problems such as founder in horses, particularly those that are longstanding, may not be resolvable, but this should be determined by veterinary exam.

Adequate Shelter : 

Adequate Shelter May be natural - such as trees May be constructed – such as barns

Slide 66: 

Should be of adequate size for the number of horses using the area Should be large enough for the animals to turn around easily

Slide 68: 

The shelter should be tall enough so that the animal’s ears do not touch the ceiling with the horse standing in a normal posture, the head held higher than the withers

Slide 69: 

The shelter should have adequate ventilation and should be free of hazards that might cause injury Shelter should have good footing and be well-drained

DENTAL CHECK : 

DENTAL CHECK A horse’s dental condition should be checked at least one time yearly

Other Care : 

Other Care Horses should be observed for well-being at least once every 24 hours They should receive veterinary care for problems as they arise Most horses should be de-wormed 2 to 4 times per year Vaccinations are indicated to prevent infectious disease

TN Law Requires : 

TN Law Requires All horses over 6 months old in Tennessee must have a negative Coggins report for Equine Infectious Anemia no more than 6 months prior to transfer of ownership and no more than 12 months prior to being taken to a congregation point. All horses co-mingled on a property - owned by more than one owner must have current negative Coggins report.

Veterinary Care : 

Veterinary Care Horses should be free of significant health problems or should be receiving appropriate health care to prevent unnecessary discomfort and promote prompt return to wellbeing.

Water : 

Water Water is the most critical and essential nutrient for horses. Horses should have access to clean, palatable, safe water and be able to drink their fill at least twice daily.

To Report Neglect : 

To Report Neglect Call your local law enforcement Call your county Ag agent Call Volunteer Equine Advocates 615-VEA-3005

Although the appropriate law enforcement agency will ultimately be responsible for issuing citations when warranted, the county Agriculture Agent or an approved Veterinarian must inspect any livestock animal prior to any action being taken : 

Although the appropriate law enforcement agency will ultimately be responsible for issuing citations when warranted, the county Agriculture Agent or an approved Veterinarian must inspect any livestock animal prior to any action being taken

HOW YOU CAN HELP : 

HOW YOU CAN HELP Become a member of VEA Become a VEA foster home Adopt a rehabilitated equine Sponsor a special needs equine Volunteer to assist VEA efforts Donate money, feed, hay, tack or services Attend VEA fundraising events

TN LAW : 

TN LAW TCA 39-14-200 Animal Cruelty Cruelty and Neglect law TCA 44-8-100 Livestock Law Fencing and at-large law TN Dept of Agriculture Rules Chapter 0080-2-10 Coggins requirements

Thank you to: : 

Thank you to: Dr. Fred Hopkins for the University of TN Horse Welfare Minimum Standards For Water, Feed, Care and Shelter in Tennessee AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities Sumner County Co-Op and Tennessee Farmer’s Co-Op Davidson County and Wilson County Farmer’s Co-Op University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service Sumner County office

Slide 83: 

Thanks for caring! Volunteer Equine Advocates, Inc P O Box 112 Gallatin, TN 37066 615-VEA-3005 www.VEA-TnHorseRescue.org admin@vea-TNHorseRescue.org