Horse rescues in trouble

[HGFarm]

Here is a recent newscast from this week regarding one of the rescues in our state.. and all the rescues seem to be in the same position, or worse. One of them here was setup to handle about six horses, and last I heard a year ago, they were up to 50 some and could not take any more.

This newscast stated that at least 600 have been turned loose to fend for themselves, and these are only the ones they found or knew about.

Sad situation...........

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Economy-takes...y-80037927.html

 

[Shari]

It is very sad. Feel sorry for those that have no choice to try to find their horse a home. Its not easy right now and like you said.. all the rescues are full up.

 

[Marty]

Thanks for posting this Laurie. I don't know of any rescue that isn't in dire straights and this man certainly needs help.

You will be happy to know that CMHR was made aware of these poor horses turned loose in the desert to die and we have a mini that was found out there coming into our program today.

 

[krissy3]

If I were in the states I would gladly take in a few. I will ask my friends that own ranches if they could help out, one is in Wyoming. Its a very sad situation. My only sugestion ...although very harsh ,is to do what they do at the animal shelters when they are over crowded, euthanise the sick ones , and give the healthy ones a chance. Its not an idea that I like , but I dont see a lot of options with these unwanted horses. If we could cut our breeding program in half for a few years maybe it would cut down the number of unwanted horses, or at least people not interested in showing and papered horses could look at rescues first.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

Same here in Wisconsin. Every rescue is filled to the brim and turning horses away. I have 8 minis right now that I rescued from the "meatman" besides my own 36. But, I also knew that if I didnt take these minis what there finaly outcome would be and I couldnt bear to see these precious little ones end up like that. THey already had been starved, and had no attention whatsoever, no animal deserves that. I was just so glad that I was able to take them and help them. This past spring, someone (and they were caught) shot 2 horses both yearling, a beautiflul pinto and a nice bay, and dumped them off in the national forest, not far from us. There reason for doing this was they just couldnt afford to keep them after losing both there jobs and the rescues had turned them away. They did get a heavy fine out of it. Its so sad for so many animals. I am not a rescue, but I was the ACO for our area and do try to help as many as I can.

 

[Gini]

Laurie

We were turned on to a dumping grounds by the prison off of I-10 and Swan Rd. There were dead animals all around there. Judy of Hearts here in Tucson followed this persons

directions and found this place. Of course the authorities are saying this is where people are dumping only dead animals! Unreal!!! That is where the horse was found live and waiting for his owners to come on back. She didn't look dead to me. I'm picking up a 29" gelding on Sat so there is more room for the larger horses. I will foster him for the evaluation period and then he will go up for adoption. No animal should just be thrown away like last weeks trash!!!

 

[TheCaseFamily00]

It's just heartbreaking

.

 

[HGFarm]

Gini I think I remember seeing something about that too, and them claiming they only dumped dead ones there..... it's so sad. There is NOTHING in the desert for them to eat, since we've had several years of drought, and they would not know where to find water, if there even is any within miles.

It's so sad that the rescues are so overwhelmed that they are all turning animals away- they just can't take any more. You can't give big horses up here away. I have been offered many that were healthy and broke to ride for free..............

The folks on this video seem so nice and caring, and bless their vet too for doing what he does with no payment!

 

[Little Hooves]

I'd rather have an animal destroyed than to let it "fend for itself." Owe up to your responsibility and destroy it if no one else wants it and you truly can't take care of it. It's just not right to cast it out into the wild where it will die of hunger if dehydration doesn't kill it first. You are giving it a death sentence anyway, so it might as well be quick and painless.

The economy is a big factor in this, I know, but I think what also adds to the problem is the development of agriculture land that once grew hay and now sports condominiums and strip malls. The big housing bubble inflated the price of land to make it impossible to buy pasture in many areas ("the value is in the LAND!"), and areas rezoned to push horses out of city limits, too. Then government is trying to keep prices inflated to protect investors... Yeah, I think horses are getting the short end of the stick and the government doesn't care - it won't care. All it did was shut down slaughter houses, which may have added to the problem as well!

I feel so bad for the horses and I can't help but get upset because I have no control over the situation. I can only watch what goes on and offer my own horses the best life I can give them, and only wish I could do more.

Brenda