Equine Helpline
The Equine Helpline responds to members of the public that have any concerns regarding an equine (horses, donkeys and mules) that they feel are neglected, abused or in need of help.
We also offer help and advice regarding any equines and if you are looking to offer your home to a donkey or two please contact Carina Penny at HEEHAWS found on the Useful Contacts Page.
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​Neglected Equine Guide
If you believe a horse to be either neglected or abused we have drawn up some guidelines to help you decide what steps you can take to help the animal.
Should you see an equine you believe to be neglected or in need, please consider the following points:-
1. Are the hooves well maintained? – if yes - the owner is probably aware of his responsibilities, but if there are other issues, we can certainly raise them with the owner.
2. Is there sufficient water, grass and/or hay available?
3. Are there signs of illness or recent injuries?
4. Is there any kind of shelter? (N.B. this can be ‘natural’ shelter such as trees or woods) Is the animal kept in inappropriate conditions?
5. What is the ‘condition score’ of the equine?
Please note that in our experience, if a horse is thin but there is plenty of food, it could mean he is just very old.
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Once you’ve established that the equine is in need of help, please send an email to equinehelpline@gmail.com. Please state in your message what the problem is and provide the following information:
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The name and postcode of the village including the location of the animal. (If possible provide the email address of the mairie in that commune or contact details of the nearest mairie).
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Attach photographic evidence - take full body shots and zoom in for close ups. (N.B. As a private individual, you are not entitled to enter on to private property uninvited, or to remove an animal in distress)
A Phoenix volunteer will contact you by email and will then approach the local Maire officially by email regarding the equine. The Maire is responsible under the Code Rural for the welfare of all animals in his commune. When the Maire is informed of the neglect or abuse the DDETSPP-SPA for the department concerned will also be copied into the email to the mairie if it is felt necessary.
For your further information, the following extracts indicate the requirements of the Law regarding animal husbandry in France:-
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The law defines an animal as a sentient being and requires the owner to keep it in conditions consistent with the “biological requirements of its species” ensuring that the living conditions are compatible with the animals’ welfare needs in several respects:
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Food and Water:
The owner must make available...
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appropriate food in sufficient quantity to maintain the animal’s well-being
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a supply of fresh water, refreshed regularly, and protected from freezing, in a properly maintained, clean container
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Shelter:
Adequate space with shelter against the weather should be available - this can include natural shelter from hedges/woodland etc.
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Veterinary Care:
In case of illness or injury to an animal, the owner is obliged to ensure the animal is given the appropriate veterinary treatment.
What are the sanctions for abuse of an animal?
The abuse of animals, whether through negligence, ignorance or premeditated intent, is forbidden by Law. Under the Articles of the Criminal Code there are varying degrees of severity for penalties, from a fine of 450€ for unintentional injury or negligence, to 30,000€, with a temporary or permanent disqualification from owning pets and a prison sentence of up to 2 years for in cases of deliberate and premeditated cruelty.
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Animal Welfare Associations only have the same rights as a private individual – they may not enter property or remove or treat an animal without the consent of the owner. However, they have considerable experience in persuading the local Mairie to take action, in negotiating with owners of animals which are being kept in poor conditions in order to improve those conditions, or ensuring an animal is moved to a place of safety.
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Links to other EQUINE websites
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Le Refuge des Oublies: http://www.le-refuge-des-oublies.com/
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Foundation Brigitte Bardot: http://www.fondationbrigittebardot.fr/
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LFPC Ligue Francaise pour la Protection du Cheval: http://lfpcheval.fr/
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CHEM: http://www.chem.fr/
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Au bonheur des chevaux: http://www.aubonheurdeschevaux.org/
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A.D.A.D.A Association Nationale des Amis Des Ânes: http://www.assoadada.fr/
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Les Sabots de l’Espoir: http://sabotsdelespoir.e-monsite.com/
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Liberté des Anes (82): http://en.libertedesanes.com/
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Œuvre de Pech Petit: http://pech.petit.free.fr/
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Grand Refuge SPA (61): https://www.la-spa.fr/grandrefuge
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Chevale Espoir: http://www.chevalespoir.com/
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Equine Rescue France: http://www.equinerescuefrance.org
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DDETSPP - (Direction départementale de l’emploi, du travail, des solidarités et de la protection des populations) addresses for all departments can be found on the internet at this address:-
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/ddpp-et-ddets-pp-tous-les-contacts-des-services-deconcentres
Overgrown Hooves
One of the most common neglect issues reported to the Equine helpline by members of the public is overgrown hooves.
The Equine helpline will contact the Mairie of the commune where the horses are kept. With the owner of the equine and the Mairie, we are able to bring about the required outcome - trimmed feet! If this doesn't work, we involve the DDETSPP - SPA who can get the gendarmes on the case - usually to great effect !
​This advice guide contains links to other sites which Phoenix provides for the user's information and convenience only. Phoenix does not control or monitor these other sites, their inclusion does not mean that Phoenix recommends or endorses these sites, the organisations or companies that run the sites, or anything contained within the sites. We reserve the right to withdraw any of these links at any time. Websites come and go - if you notice that any of the links on our website are out of date or obsolete please let us know.
