An Idea To Revamp Horse Rescue Groups
What to do with unwanted horses has been a heated topic not only for reporters for the aginfo network but even among horse enthusiasts, professionals and equine associations. I’m Susan Allen this is Open Range and when I return a new idea that warrants mentioning. The Horse.com a respected equine news site reported that, “ Last year researchers from the University of California, Davis, asked 144 equine rescue operators in 37 states how they were coping with unwanted horses coming into their care. Their survey found that respondents took in 7,990 horses that were relinquished by their owners from 2007 to 2009. And sadly that from 2006 to 2009 only three of every four relinquished animals were adopted or sold. Faced with an average care cost of $3,648 per horse per year many rescue groups are struggling while others have become simply warehouses for horses. According to someone close to the problem ( a professional who provides critical care for abused and neglected horses in Northern California) one solution might be revamping horse rescue organizations so they are more like small animal clinics. She would like to see regional evaluation centers where relinquished horses undergo medical and behavioral evaluations. Based on outcomes, horses would be divided into three groups: animals with good adoption prospects; those in need of veterinary care or training to become adoptable; and those with few adoption prospects. Under her model, horses ( like dogs with little or no adoption potential) would be euthanized. Agree or disagree this topic never fails to raise a host of comments love to hear yours please post below.
