Tough Times Across The Board

The New York Times ran an article on Sunday in the New Jersey section about the effects of the economy on the horse stables and rescues in the northern part of the state. No surprise here: the rescues are overflowing and the stables are bare.

According to the piece, the Unwanted Horse Coalition, under the auspices of the American Horse Council, has launched a national survey to determine the extent of the problem. "America needs a wake-up call about this issue," said Dr. Tom Lenz, a veterinarian with the group. "The general population has this love affair with the horse without realizing the costs and complications of owning horses in this economy." The results are scheduled to be released next month.

I take issue with Dr. Lenz. I believe people who own horses DO know the expenses involved. I just think things are getting worse before they are getting better and the people who are giving up their horses are doing so because they have no choice. Horse owners rarely willingly give up the animal that usually serves as their lifeline to everything else.

Everything related to the horse industry is down: lessons, show exhibiting, sales of yearlings and horses-in-training, insurance. "The situation in a nutshell: people lose their jobs or their bonuses. Next they lose their animals."

Which makes the work being done by rescue organizations across the country truly heroic, especially when they are feeling the same economic pressures as everyone else. Hay doesn't come cheap, as Mona Kanciper, president of New York Horse Rescue notes:"Donations are down by 75% this winter and adoptions are down by 75% as well. The economy is making people desperate. But I can't take any more horses than I can feed. Do that and you defeat your own purpose and risk becoming a rescue case yourself."

If you can afford to support a horse rescue in your community, with time and/or money, I know they would appreciate a pat on the back right about now.