Arizona Central reports that Paint breeder Bob Eggers of Chandler AZ is getting tired of calls from worried city folk telling him that his horses are dead when really, they’re just stretched out snoozing:
Ed Hermes, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, said the agency receives two or three calls a month about the Arizona Avenue horses and sends an inspector to the site after each complaint “to certify that the owner is treating them well.” Inspectors have never found evidence of abuse or neglect in the herd, Hermes said.
It’s nice that people are concerned, but they also tie up a lot of resources with their well-meaning (if ill-placed) fears which could be better spent helping horses which really are in trouble. For a humourous take on the whole thing, check out this classic: Your Horses Are On Fire!
Related posts:
The sequel to “Dances with Wolves”: Snoozes with Foals
Prior to owning a horse, I was unaware that they rested in the prone position. I thought horses slept standing all the time.
We had the SPCA out here once because someone saw a rescue horse we’d acquired and thought that was how we treat our horses. Kind of annoying, but re-assuring at the same time that they do investigate these things
My horses lay down all the time. I’ve gotten past the panic point now and realize that they lay down and sleep. I used think they were collicking.
Even tho Ive been a horse owner my entire life, I still occassionally whistle at Scooter when hes snoozing just to make sure he is okay.
Then I feel badly about interrupting his sleep, he is elderly in horse years!
I always have to do a double take when I see any of mine resting like that, just to be sure. lol