New Kentucky study on abandoned horses reveals the size of the problem

Dec. 20, 2010 The Journal of American Sciences has issued a study on unwanted horses and their outcomes. The researchers investigated the effect of closing equine slaughter facilities in the U.S. in 2007. The tough economy also has contributed to a sharp increase in the number of unwanted horses throughout the United States, with estimates totaling 100,000 horses per year, according to the report. One hundred forty-four organizations in 37 states accepted almost 8,000 horses from 2007 to 2009. The cost of caring for one of these horses averages $3,648 a year. From the report: “The estimated maximum capacity for the 326 eligible registered nonprofit equine rescue facilities of 13,400 is well below the widely published estimate of 100,000 horses that become unwanted in the United States every year. Nonprofit equine rescue and sanctuary facilities have historically played an important role in safeguarding the welfare of horses in society, but funding and capacity are limiting factors to their potential expansion in continuing to care for the current population of unwanted and neglected horses in the United States.” Herald-Leader columnist Merlene Davis reported on Second Change Equine Rescue in Paris, Ky. Read More…