It’s upsetting if you see horses tethered, often on roundabouts in England. Surprisingly, this is still legal, as long as the horses are not neglected or restricted beyond normal tethering. However, it does raise serious welfare concerns.
Tethering is when horses are tied to fixed points like ropes, to restrict their movements. It’s usually done (especially by people in travelling communities) to enable horses to safely graze, when they don’t have a secure fenced field, like most people who look after horses.
So in a nutshell, tethered horses are nearly always that way, due to the horse guardians not having the money to rent or buy secure fields with access to grass.
Obviously if the horses are suffering (like being tangled, injured or starving, call the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare or The British Horse Society.
But if this is a case of not being able to do anything legally, then the obvious answer is to stay on friendly terms and if the people still wish to keep their horses, to find some secure fenced land nearby for their horses to graze on, and keep safe from traffic.
The other thing people with equine knowledge could do, is to give some friendly advice. Perhaps you have some more comfortable equipment you could donate, to make the areas safer and more comfortable for the horses?
Effects of Tethering on Horses
Tethering horses sometimes is done in good faith, to keep them safe. But tethering can restrict movement that leads to sores and injuries, and of course it’s boring for horses. Some may even get tangled up, and limited access to proper grazing and shelter can leave some horses hungry, dehydrated and affected by extreme weather.
Horses are also sociable herd animals, so tethering them stops them interacting with other horses, and this can lead to distressing psychological problems and depression.
What’s the Law on Tethered Horses?
Although tethering horses is not at present illegal per se, the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006 says that all people looking after animals, must ensure their basic needs:
- Proper food and water
- Proper shelter
- Proper exercise
- Protection from pain and suffering
So while the Act does not ‘ban’ tethering, it does make neglect or mistreatment illegal. Proving neglect is not easy (a bored distressed horse can’t show ‘symptoms’). But councils may be able to change these laws, to bring in more stringent practices.
For instance, some councils require licenses for people to tether animals, so they can check on welfare, and have numbers you can call for concern, and also won’t allow horses to be tethered near busy roads (where they also will get spooked).
Often if you see a tethered horse, when you return it may have been moved, as people tend to move them around for different grazing.
How to Help Tethered Horses Legally
If you do report a horse you’re concerned about to the above organisations, provide them with detailed information such as the horse’s location (before it moves on), location, condition and how long it’s been tethered.
You can’t trespass or move horses yourself legally, but you could try to take photos or videos if it helps build a case for horses you are concerned about.
The biggest helper as stated above, is to find people with land to donate, so that the people without secure land can either hand over horses voluntarily, or have nice secure land (hopelly with stables) for horses to enjoy.
Engage with local councils to bring in better practices, like helplines for concerned local people, and licenses to ensure tethered horses have better welfare. Perhaps write to your local coouncillors and MPS, and ask him or her to get involved.
