Tethered Horse on a Roundabout in Harlow
Discussion
Driving through Harlow I thought I was seeing things when I spotted a horse/pony on a roundabout.
As I headed to my exit, I expected to see something else, like someone chasing it, or perhaps even a caravan. Nothing. It was chained to a stake in the ground with only a bucket as company. No shelter, no hay, nothing. It was around 9am and it looked like the horse had been there all night. Local residents have raised their concerns but the council aren't interested, and it apparently ticks enough boxes on the RSPCA checklist for them not to take action.
It turns out, it's been there for months and even shows on Google Maps:
There is a statement from the council on 'Your Harlow' but the site is currently borked.
Could this be more to do with who might be the owner(s) of these horses? Just doesn't sit right that this is allowed to carry on.
As I headed to my exit, I expected to see something else, like someone chasing it, or perhaps even a caravan. Nothing. It was chained to a stake in the ground with only a bucket as company. No shelter, no hay, nothing. It was around 9am and it looked like the horse had been there all night. Local residents have raised their concerns but the council aren't interested, and it apparently ticks enough boxes on the RSPCA checklist for them not to take action.
It turns out, it's been there for months and even shows on Google Maps:
There is a statement from the council on 'Your Harlow' but the site is currently borked.
Could this be more to do with who might be the owner(s) of these horses? Just doesn't sit right that this is allowed to carry on.
Fly-grazing. It's quite typical around traveller communities and areas where horse ownership amongst the working classes is common.
Growing up in South Wales there were parts of town where you knew there'd be horses to clear from the football pitch on Saturday mornings.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/dwindli...
Growing up in South Wales there were parts of town where you knew there'd be horses to clear from the football pitch on Saturday mornings.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/dwindli...
Simpo Two said:
If the tether was to break then the police would turn up very quickly.
I'm surprised the local media haven't run a story on it; then some chump from the council would have to go on TV and explain.
I'm surprised people actually think this is news worthy, let alone a police matter I'm surprised the local media haven't run a story on it; then some chump from the council would have to go on TV and explain.
Evanivitch said:
Simpo Two said:
If the tether was to break then the police would turn up very quickly.
I'm surprised the local media haven't run a story on it; then some chump from the council would have to go on TV and explain.
I'm surprised people actually think this is news worthy, let alone a police matter I'm surprised the local media haven't run a story on it; then some chump from the council would have to go on TV and explain.
It's also exactly the sort of thing that local TV likes. Today a Santa's Grotto built without planning permission made national news, twice in two days.
Glassman said:
Interesting link. Whilst seven years old we presume the law hasn't changed.'Tethering of horses is not illegal in this country. The Council’s current policy is that it is forbidden on any public land owned by Harlow Council. However, the Council will only take action and seize a horse where there is a welfare issue or when it does not know who the owners are. This is because for every horse the Council seizes it costs between £600 to £800. The Council ensures owners move horses regularly and that water is provided. Also due to commoners rights the Council can’t stop people tethering horses on both Harlow and Latton commons. These rights mean that residents who live in the surrounding area of common land are allowed to graze their horses on common land without permission and the Council cannot infringe this right.'
Is the horse moved regularly and does it have a water supply?
The article is a little woolly because it says 'forbidden on any public land owned by Harlow Council'. Is the roundabout public land, and is it part of Harlow or Latton Common?
Simpo Two said:
If there's a horse running loose on a public road the police will attend because it's a road safety/public safety issue.
It's also exactly the sort of thing that local TV likes. Today a Santa's Grotto built without planning permission made national news, twice in two days.
But the tether hasn't broken. This isn't new or bizarre activity, horses have done tethered grazing a few thousand years...It's also exactly the sort of thing that local TV likes. Today a Santa's Grotto built without planning permission made national news, twice in two days.
Like I said, it's incredibly common in many parts of the UK. In Cardiff you'll even see horse and cart tethered to street lights, half parked in bus lanes. Police and RSPCA do not care. Drive in via Rover Way and there's horses left and right.
I have a horse.
He is right now in his field, eating the grass, which I have checked is in good supply, and with a supply of water.
He also wears a weatherproof rug, my consideration for his 25 years of age, but this is not strictly necessary.
As a nation we pamper horses far too much.
Don't rug them from September onwards and they grow their own rug.
I do have a stable for him, for when the weather is too s
te, and may well bring him into it this afternoon as high winds and heavy rain are forecast.
But he much prefers being out eating sweet grass rather than in and eating months old hay.
I personally wouldn't tether him on a roundabout, but mainly because I want him safe.
I have already had attempts to steal him from home in the past.
Also I would probabaly keep him with another horse for company - they are herd animals by choice.
As long as they can see another horse they are fine. They don't have the be within touching range.
He is right now in his field, eating the grass, which I have checked is in good supply, and with a supply of water.
He also wears a weatherproof rug, my consideration for his 25 years of age, but this is not strictly necessary.
As a nation we pamper horses far too much.
Don't rug them from September onwards and they grow their own rug.
I do have a stable for him, for when the weather is too s
te, and may well bring him into it this afternoon as high winds and heavy rain are forecast.But he much prefers being out eating sweet grass rather than in and eating months old hay.
I personally wouldn't tether him on a roundabout, but mainly because I want him safe.
I have already had attempts to steal him from home in the past.
Also I would probabaly keep him with another horse for company - they are herd animals by choice.
As long as they can see another horse they are fine. They don't have the be within touching range.
Glassman said:
I'm not sure I'd get many windscreens onto a horse.
I've still got a TVR windscreen that you kindly gave to me a few years ago. One stone chip is all that is wrong with it, just behind where the mirror goes.It was very kind of you and one of these days I will book in with you to swap it with my current screen that has done one too many airfield track days.
Evanivitch said:
QBee said:
As a nation we pamper horses far too much.
Don't rug them from September onwards and they grow their own rug.
Like most animals we've selectively bred, hardiness has been a much lower priority. Don't rug them from September onwards and they grow their own rug.
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