Economy causing horse crisis: People 'giving up their animals'

[Liberal_in_LA]

Source: CNN

Lifesavers President Jill Starr says she and other shelter operators are witnessing an equine crisis.

"People have lost their homes, their jobs, their hope," she said. "And they are giving up their animals."

"We've had horses come onto the property in a horse trailer, unannounced, and just offloaded and ask us, beg us, if we could take these skinny horses," she said.

Starr says she has taken in so many unwanted horses in the past year that her resources are stretched to the breaking point.

"All of a sudden it's like somebody flipped a switch and people started bringing back the horses they adopted from us," she said.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/22/homeless.horses/index.html

[Kali]

1. the US slaughter ban needs to be reexamined

***puts on flameproof suit***

[SpiralHawk]

2. Are you volunteering?

I commend your generous spirit. However, I don't think horses much care to chow down on human steak. But...since you are game, it may be worth a try...Please fatten up on oatmeal beforehand.

[Kali]

8. volunteering? for?

I've put a few down. I'm also feeding an old pet, it's expensive. For people with no options or money to dispose of horses they no can no longer care for (and lets be honest may no longer want to care for) the lack of being able to sell them to kill buyers is causing a rather large pile up on "rescue" organizations, abandonments are increasing, and I suspect cases of neglect as well.

[madibella]

16. Humane euthanasia would be a preferable option to the horrors of horse slaughter.

And, people need to be responsible for their pets. Horse slaughter is the ultimate betrayal for a horse owner to impose on their pets.
I have worked with a group to raise funds to save horses from kill buyers, surgeries for ailing horses and euthanasia funds when no other option exists. There are alternatives available.

I wanted to add to that owners need to be more resposible with breeding as well. And the horse racing community in general should take more resposibility for these animals(and there are too many ways to mention).

[newfie11]

21. That is very true however

the cost for a vet to make a farm ranch call is at least $100.00 to set foot on the property not including euthanasia. Then where does the body go. It now has a chemical that will kill wildlife if they eat it.

If people cannot afford food for themselves they sure are not calling a vet. They would take the horse where the could get money for it or let it starve to death. And this is happening.

Hay has been 180 a ton in my area all winter. It is now down to 140 a ton. That doesn't include grain or shots, farrier, or vet bills.
My farrier charges 70 per horse just to trim. They are out on 40 acres with grass but still went through 4 tons of hay so far this winter. They are 4 very easy keepers.

Now a real rancher would simply with one shot put the horse down and leave it for wildlife but that is in ranch country not two acre lots.

[madibella]

23. I do appreciate your perspective, however, there are alternatives, really.

Bottom line to me is that people need to be more responsible. I look at it like this, I could afford a house of a certain high value right now, but I may not be able to in a few years. Therefore, I do not buy that house.
Many are quick to get a horse without researching and planning for the costs involved in owning one. And those costs should include doing the right thing by the horse abovew all else.
I'm telling you for a fact that I am extremely fortunate to belong to a group whose overwhelming purpose is to save these horses. This group has saved (and paid for) horses who were a 1 body score so that the horse would not be sent to a slaughter house.
Help exists, I promise you.

[newfie11]

27. what alternatives for Scottsbluff NE

or Murdo SD, or Torrington Wy. I use those as examples to ask where does the help come from. This is a rural area, however we don't have the massive job losses yet so the problem is not as critical as in metro areas.


I thought I read that the wild horses in the government program had no takers at sales. What are they going to do with them?

[Runcible Spoon]

31. I heard Madeleine Pickens bought more than 2,000 of them

and is setting up a sanctuary.

http://madeleinepickens.com/

[Liberal_in_LA]

35. great. I rich person doing something worthwhile with her loot

[madibella]

41. The group I belong to was born out of a variety of people who

followed the plight of the racehorse Barbaro. We began simply following his recovery and blossomed into a group of just regular people who happen to love animals in general and in this case horses in particular.
Some members are rescues, others are just concerned people who contribute knowledge, time and money to the welfare of horses. Some people can only offer support, which is welcome and needed and just as valuable.
I am honored to be in the company of people who experience the highest highs and the lowest lows because of their love for horses. Some of the stories and pictures literally make me sick to my stomach, but so much good is done, it would be impossible not to be involved.
Help is there, you just need to look for it.

[northernlights]

24. learn to trim yourself

It's hard work, but not rocket science.

Same with giving shots. Not rocket science and the only one that requires a vet is rabies.

Back when I was young, we were expected to do our own vetting for minor stuff. Nowadays, people expect the vet out every time their horse has a scratch. They don't recognize colic symptoms early on, when a dose of banamine is all that's needed.

[newfie11]

26. HA! as far as doing my own trimming I have done it in the past.

It is back breaking if you are doing more that a few horses. However I can afford a farrier and I am 62 year old woman so I choose to use the farrier. I still do shots but many people do not and some cannot afford to just buy the vaccine.

Hell, people are turning a cat into the pound because they can't afford it.

As far as banamine you had better have a good repore with your vet if he/she will give it to you without seeing the animal.

[Coventina]

28. I can't even imagine someone sending their pet to slaughter

:wtf:

Someone who would do that shouldn't have a pet in the first place.

[Kali]

33. because they are not all pets

this is the divide, horses - including broke, using horses are NOT all pets. Some are simply livestock. Period. Just because some of us romanticize or are sentimental about them does not change the fact that for others they are working animals or tools or just excess feral animals that need to be disposed of before they die some other way or destroy their environment.

Lots of people DO just send their pets to slaughter. Ask your local animal control agency. How many cats and dogs (and other pets) are put down every year? Oh they aren't processed into usable products, so it's ok, I guess.

People who care for their pet horses (like me, for example) will do what you think is the responsible thing, but others may not. The option of selling to(humane - US based and regulated) slaughter is better than the few other choices they may have.

[northernlights]

22. same thing happened before the slaughter ban

People don't want their horses to be transported en masse in horrific conditions to feeding pens, where they live their last days in equally horrific conditions before dying a terrifying and gruesome death.

So back in the mid-80s recessions, many simply abandoned them in hopes they could find enough to graze on and a water source to hang on until someone took them in. They figured a chance at survival was better than total betrayal.

Slaughter ban makes NO difference to anyone except the irresponsible breeders of oversized horses with structural problems (eg quarter horses) who incorporated slaughtering their mistakes and their used up broodmares into their business plans.

[newfie11]

14. I have been saying that since they abolished it

edited for speling


Shipping horses to Mexico for slaughter did not improve the humane treatment people thought they were enforcing. It is time to bring back the slaughter houss in the US and enforce humane treatment.

[glinda]

19. No. It is not the Horse Slaughter Ban that needs to be examined.

It is people's heads. Just like overbreeding of pets and stupidity, horses are now left to suffer with the other four leggeds. Having spent time with horses, I came to the conclusion that they were very much like my own pets. It is just the same thinking that leads to "oh let's shoot the wolves". If you can give to a horse rescue even if it is only 10 dollars.

[riderinthestorm]

32. I get it Kali. And will also done my flameproof suit and stand beside you.

Large livestock slaughter operations don't have to be inhumane.

What the US needs to do is ensure that the horse slaughter plants are humanely operated.

Sorry animal lovers, but this is the same as the abortion issue in a lot of ways. You can shut down all the US operators, but that just means the animals going to Mexico in terrible conditions - with real suffering - or the owner's going to try some messy, home-made job that will probably end even worse. Turning a pet loose into the wild isn't any answer either. I'm west of Chicago and the 3 rescue operations I know of, are full. So now what does a horse owner do who's out of options? Take care of their children/mortgage/health care/etc., or prioritize their horse? For some owners, it's at that point.

Horse slaughter needs to be legal, available, safe and (preferably) rare. But there is a need for it.

[jody]

3. That's not a real problem, not long ago parents were driving to a mid-western state to leave their

children for whom they could no longer provide support.

Now that's a REAL PROBLEM !

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. Horrible nt

[jody]

6. "Father leaves nine children at Nebraska hospital", link below.

Father leaves nine children at Nebraska hospital

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. We're living in horrifying times. I have had great anxiety over things like these nt

[newfie11]

15. As someone who lives in that state (Nebraska) I can tell that was stopped. n/t

[jody]

18. I understand but I used it as an example of problems caused by the economy. IMO the desire to turn

children in to the state and let the state take care of them remains even though that option is no longer available.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I could never have afforded a horse - they're so expensive to keep unless you live on a farm

Heck, even a doggie is expensive. I had one, I know. The vet bills during one period mounted up to $2,500.


:shrug:

[TXRAT2]

7. It never ceases to amaze me.

On my way to the ranch I pass several area's that were recently developed in to 2 acre lot's, just about everyone who's built there has a horse or horses.

[jody]

10. Keeping a horse in a 2 acre lot is no different than a dog in a cage or an adult in a baby crib. n/t

[Kali]

12. eh 2 acres isn't bad if they have access to the whole thing

and even smaller isn't bad if they are taken out to ride/exercise regularly. Problem is these are the same idiots with all the other "toys" they never play with because they are too busy working to pay for them.

[jody]

13. Agree, inorganic toys like bikes and spikes don't need TLC like organic toys. n/t

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. I have never had enough money for that kind of thing

I feel bad for the creatures :cry:

[Liberal_in_LA]

36. Pets cost money. Horses cost an enormous amount. This story is tragic

[LiberalEsto]

17. And a dog crisis, and a cat crisis,

and a bird crisis, and a rabbit crisis, and so on.

Sadly, many, many people are giving up pets because they can't afford to keep them or provide medical care for them. Shelters are overflowing with bewildered, discarded pets.

Just look on Craigslist's pet section and see how many people are trying to get rid of pets for a "small rehoming fee" of $100 or more, not only to save money by getting rid of the pet, but make a little money with the rehoming fee.

In some ways rehoming fees are a very good idea, because they discourage bunchers who look for free giveaway animals to sell to research laboratories. But it looks like the rehoming fee concept is also being used by people who are economically desperate.

[jody]

20. Thank goodness no one has suggested alligator farms in lieu of animal shelters.

:puke:

[AndyTiedye]

39. There is a Charity To Help Provide Veterinary Care For Cats

http://www.fveap.org

In addition to accepting direct contributions, fveap raises money by selling Swiss Army knives:

http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Of course, they are being overwhelmed, even though they focus exclusively on cats.

I am not affiliated with fveap, except as a contributor and customer.


There need to be more efforts like this.

[tularetom]

25. Last summer we temporarily took in nine horses for people displaced by a forest fire

and it was a huge stressor for us. The owners were of course grateful for boarding their horses but nobody made an offer to help us with the cost. Plus we had to be constantly watching to make sure the horses were all right. With our two it got pretty crowded and we didn't want any injuries to occur on our watch.

We had talked about starting a small rescue/adoption operation but we don't even let ourselves think about that anymore.

[Liberal_in_LA]

37. Yikes! Didn't know horse care was so much work

[Runcible Spoon]

29. Imagine what will happen once the racing industry goes belly-up.

That's a lot of horses. :(

This just makes my heart sick.

If people really must get rid of their horses, tell them to call area universities with programs. My neighbor donated a horse with severe behavioral problems to Cornell, for instance. Then tell them to phone up rescues. The one by me will not refuse surrenders, although people need to know that if the horses are dangerous or severely unhealthy, they will quickly be euthanized.

[catzies]

30. My daugher recently adopted one of those "had-to-give-them-up" horses

He wasn't neglected or abused, but was slightly underfed and underloved. But she's solved both of those "problems" now.

There's a speical place in heaven for those that take in unwanted pets, no matter what their size. :hug:

[Liberal_in_LA]

34. Bless your daughter for adopting an unwanted pet.

[rlormor]

42. It's great to hear that at least one of these

"unwanted horse" stories has a happy ending! We adopted a dog from the Humane Society a few years ago. She is the sweetest dog I've ever had. We had to do some dog crate / dog cage potty training with her, but she was (and is) sooo worth it! I hope to make any pet adoption a "rescue" adoption from now on.

[apnu]

38. It ain't just horses. Dogs, cats... shelters in Chicago are flooded with animals

Sadly, the majority of them are all "bully breeds" mostly pit bulls and bull dogs.

[doodadem]

40. Slaughterhouses are not the answer.

Just as slaughterhouses are not the answer for unwanted dogs, cats, humans, you name it. It's barbaric, and if you've ever read what actually went on in those places, you wouldn't suggest it. I actively campaigned for their demise. The next step is making it illegal to ship horses to Mexico or Canada for slaughter--much worse practices than what we had here. Horses are intelligent animals, and there is NO way the methods used in shipping them, or in the rendering plants, is not major animal abuse.

It's the same old problem, no matter what kind of creature we're talking about--irresponsible breeding. (and that DEFINITELY includes humans!) Some people think anytime you have a female anything, it has to make babies. Rarely, do they look at the genetics being passed on, both mentally and physically. We have 3 horses, two of them mares. One of them is a Premium, double branded, Hanoverian (a big deal for those into Warmbloods), purchased back in the days when we had some money. She has an impeccable pedigree. We love her dearly, and she's a terrific mover, but she's an airhead. Spooks at the least thing, and at 17.1+ hands, when she whirls and bolts, it feels like you're on a runaway freight train! Even if that mindset is not passed on, it would get imprinted on a foal.

We also have a beautiful purebred Borzoi bitch, that my husband drove all the way down to San Diego to pick up as a puppy. Terrific bloodlines. Had her spayed at 6 mo. old. We love her to pieces, but we have no business having puppies. Just like my husband and I decided early on in our now 24 year old marriage, that we were not going to have kids. We both have horrible family inheritable genetics, and we've just never been into kids anyway. We're just not parent material (at least of two-leggeds).

Problem is, the irresponsible people far outnumber the responsible ones. There's no easy answers. I would rather see an animal put down than abandoned to starve, or have someone else shoot it because its running loose. As a native Louisvillian, it pains me to say that there are far too many horses produced for the racing industry, in the hopes of breeding the few that win big. The lucky wash outs go on to careers in eventing, dressage, jumping, etc. The unlucky ones used to end up on European dinnerplates (google Derby winner, "Ferdinand" to see what can happen to even the best).

We used to be involved in placing Greyhounds off the track--another industry where far too many animals are produced. The dogs were evaluated for "pet quality", which means, they could be housebroken, they didn't bite or have other undesirable behaviors, etc. The majority of them are true sweethearts. But I had no problem with the ones that were not being humanely put down. MUCH better than the do-gooder who would drive down to Florida, pick up a truckload of dogs that the owners thought had been destroyed, and then bring them back up to Louisville/Lexington to hand them off to anyone who would take one--un-neutered. We'd get calls about a Grey left at the pound because the person could not cope with Sighthound behavior, or one running wild thru someone's neighborhood, and chasing cats. Even some good old boys that thought--we'll breed them to our Coonhounds and get REALLY fast hunting dogs! DISASTER.

I can't even walk into a Petsmart on Adoption Day anymore, after coming home over the past few years with 3 Miniature Dachshunds. We already have 11 cats (all are neutered). We are damn lucky that we can feed all the animals we have, not to say it isn't tough at times with grass hay going for $17 a hundred lb. bale here. My husband is out of a job, and my business is less than stellar in this economy. I've always taken the attitude that my animals eat before I do. But I understand not everyone can do that.

[county worker]

43. I had 4 horses a couple of years ago. I had to move from our property.

I gave them away to a trainer along with our trailer and tack.

Back then a bail of alpha was $9 now I hear that has doubled.

I would love to get horses again but I don't want to take the chance of having to give them away to a shelter.

[beardown]

44. Reality sucks

Don't slaughter horses in the USA. Check. Don't ship them to foreign slaughter houses. Check. Pet owners should be more responsible. Check. Now that we've got all of the morally superior, self congratulatory statements out of the way and everyone can go home feeling that they've made a major contribution to solving this crisis and it is approaching crisis proportions, what are the reality based solutions available NOW?

Maybe I'm being too pessimistic and there are lots of folks just waiting to adopt a horse. I can easily find several local horses that need a new home. Please provide your contact information and references and I'll send you the horses and the shipping fee. Seriously, you provide me the information and funding and I'll provide you the horses. Maybe you don't have the setup to take in horses. Okay, just tell me how much money a month you can send and I'll find a local rescue outfit that will be happy to take it.

When they first passed the ban I told folks that it would create a much bigger problem and this was before the economy really tanked. We aren't talking cats or mice. Horses require a large amount of room and a lot of food and water and an appropriate fence and a barn and stalls would be good too. You can get by with not knowing much about cats and dogs, but if you get a horse and you don't know much about them then it's highly likely that either you or the horse is going to suffer some serious damage. Therefore, the pool of horse capable situations is small.

I'd much rather have a horse die at a local slaughter house than suffer a long, miserable journal to a foreign slaughter house. We are much more likely to be able to afford monitoring to ensure that the slaughter houses are as humane as possible than we can afford to keep all of the horses flooding the market right now. Unless there is a huge amount of untapped horse rescue capability out there that I haven't heard about, this is the current reality of the situation now. The authorities already had their hands full trying to keep up the high levels of horse abuse that goes on much the less dealing with this new wave of problems. You only have to watch one or two episodes of the shows on Animal Planet to see horses abused to within an inch of their lives, often times by people who don't have a clue as to what their lack of care is doing to the horses.

My family has three horses now and I've basically willed my own horse to my daughter just to make sure that he never has to change owners. This is a luxury for me and one that I could not maintain if my economic situation took a turn for the worse. I've helped move rescue horses to facilities and built an additional covered stall for one that we rescued a few years back. Slaughter houses are a sad fate for horses, but less so than most of the solutions offered up here once you include reality in the equation.