Animal neglect?

[cyberhiker]

While out walking above El Jaral today, I encountered a pathway into the Barranco de Niagra that was deliberately blocked by a wooden barrier firmly wedged into the rock on either side of the path. Scrambling underneath the barrier, I followed the path into the barranco and it quickly became obvious that it was being 'grazed'. At first, I thought it was probably goats but I then came across some manure, which confirmed that it was certainly something larger and rounding a corner, I came face to face with two horses and a donkey. They seemed surprised to see me but apart from turning to look at me, didn't react at all. It was then that I noticed that one of them, a red/chestnut horse, was to my eyes seriously undernourished with ribs, backbone and hips all clearly visible. I must say I felt sorry for it as I could clearly hear it's stomach 'gurgling', so I gave it the apple out of my rucksack. Is this normal in Tenerife? The wooden barrier was obviously to keep them in the barranco so I assume that someone feeds them but obviously not very often.   

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[Janet]

I'm sure I saw something about this in the press lately ..... will try to dig it out ...

[Briz]

While out walking above El Jaral today, I encountered a pathway into the Barranco de Niagra that was deliberately blocked by a wooden barrier firmly wedged into the rock on either side of the path. Scrambling underneath the barrier, I followed the path into the barranco and it quickly became obvious that it was being 'grazed'. At first, I thought it was probably goats but I then came across some manure, which confirmed that it was certainly something larger and rounding a corner, I came face to face with two horses and a donkey. They seemed surprised to see me but apart from turning to look at me, didn't react at all. It was then that I noticed that one of them, a red/chestnut horse, was to my eyes seriously undernourished with ribs, backbone and hips all clearly visible. I must say I felt sorry for it as I could clearly hear it's stomach 'gurgling', so I gave it the apple out of my rucksack. Is this normal in Tenerife? The wooden barrier was obviously to keep them in the barranco so I assume that someone feeds them but obviously not very often.   

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I would have let them out

the ribs shouldn't show

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Bless you for giving up your apple.  Poor thing.