Did you know that there are over 7 million horses in the U.S.? Roughly 300,000 of them are wild. Unfortunately, a good amount of the domesticated horses find themselves in hard situations. About 200,000 are abandoned or rescued annually. If you love horses, as we do, you may wish there were ways you could help them. Read on as a Mt. Airy, GA veterinarian discusses some ways you can make a difference.

Why Are Horse Rescues So Important?

Regrettably, Silver is often perceived as an object to be utilized, rather than a sentient being. 

This is heartbreaking. Horses possess both remarkable intelligence and deep emotional capacity, and can develop profound connections with their human friends. They were first domesticated 6000 years ago, and have had an enormous impact on civilization since then. Up until a little more than a century ago, they were our primary mode of transportation! In addition to assisting us with plowing fields, they also bravely accompanied us into battle. 

While many are cherished and well cared for, sadly, there have always been horses in unfortunate situations. As an example, in 1866, Henry Burgh, the founder of the ASPCA, intervened when he witnessed a cart driver mistreating his horse. In the end, this led to the first arrest for horse abuse.

In the past century, several factors have worsened the issue, including the sale of horse meat, the prioritization of profit over protection in the racing industry, financial challenges, and the rounding up of wild horses.

Should I Adopt A Horse?

We believe that each of these magnificent creatures deserves great pasture, companions, ample affection and attention, and, naturally, a well-maintained and cozy stall. (And, of course, carrots, sugar cubes, and forehead rubs.) If you have the time and funds available, you may want to consider adoption. You might find that it’s an incredibly fulfilling experience.

That said, adoption isn’t right for everyone. Horses require an enormous amount of care and attention. Every day, your equine pal will need to be fed, have his hooves picked, his water bucket scrubbed out, and his stall cleaned. Horses also require turnout time, which means you’ll need a decent amount of land. Regular farrier visits are essential for maintaining the cleanliness and health of your horse’s hooves. And don’t forget about dental care, veterinary care, the cost of feed, tack … the list just keeps on growing. 

In short, it’s never a good idea for individuals to take on the responsibility of owning horses without fully comprehending the significant amount of time, effort, and financial resources that are required. Adoption should always be approached with careful consideration and thoughtfulness. 

That said, there are always options. For instance, you could also look into leasing a horse, or perhaps adopt a horse and board at a full-service stable. Ask your Mt. Airy, GA vet for recommendations.

Other Than Adoption, How Can I Help Horses?

Adopting a horse isn’t the only thing you can do to help. There are also plenty of other ways you can do something for horses in need.

Here are a few options:

Fostering

If you already have a barn and hooved buddies, you might want to think about fostering a rescue horse. There will be some additional costs involved, but you might discover it to be highly fulfilling.

Sponsorships

Additionally, there are numerous rescued horses in need of sponsors. This is an excellent way to assist a horse without having to make a significant long-term commitment. Rescues often arrive at their sanctuary in a less-than-ideal condition. Typically, they require pedicures and comprehensive examinations as a minimum. Many need extensive—and expensive—care to recuperate. Financial help is always, always welcomed.

Support Rescues

If you’re interested in adopting or supporting a worthy cause, you’ll find no shortage of dedicated individuals and organizations that are tirelessly rescuing horses.

•  Auction Rescues: Regrettably, countless horses in North America are facing a critical situation. Although horse slaughter is officially prohibited in the United States, there are likely still illicit operations taking place. Horses are also frequently bought at auction by kill pen buyers who then transport them to Canada or Mexico. This is incredibly heartless, as the horses often find themselves in deplorable conditions. Many are ill, injured, and/or malnourished, as well as afraid. Several organizations are working diligently to save horses from that pipeline.
•  Race Horse Rescues: Regrettably, the racing industry often leads to unfortunate outcomes for many horses. Retired racehorses can often be found at kill pen auctions. There are numerous organizations dedicated to helping retired racehorses find new homes through adoption. There are numerous advantages to welcoming a rescued thoroughbred into your life. They are affordable, relatively new, and incredibly beautiful. Certainly, Silver will require some training to become accustomed to different styles of riding, but that isn’t a bad thing!
•  Rescues for Draft Horses: Draft horses are often overlooked and underappreciated in the horse world. Many people continue to work tirelessly, dedicating their lives to laborious tasks such as hauling carts and logs on farms, only to be discarded when their efforts and years of service take a toll on them. There are numerous organizations that are committed to rescuing wild horses. There are several ways in which wild horse rescues can operate. Some places offer a safe haven for horses, allowing them to roam freely. Some people choose to work with untamed horses.
• Rescues for Abuse and Neglect Cases: There are plenty of rescues that operate in a broader region as well. (It’s important to mention that even specialized rescues often prioritize helping horses over their main focus.) It’s possible to come across a mini donkey at a draft horse rescue, for example.
• Donkeys: Let’s not overlook the smaller equines! Donkeys frequently find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. Regrettably, these adorable, vocal equines are frequently disregarded. In addition, there is a lack of understanding among many individuals regarding the intricacies of their healthcare. For example, they have a strong inclination towards socializing and develop deep connections with one another.
• International Rescues: The past few decades have been quite tumultuous, to put it mildly. This has resulted in grave situations in numerous countries. Rescues are active in almost every country and corner of the world.

These are just a few examples. There are plenty of other rescues available. Some people choose to work with specific breeds, while others prefer to focus on local horses. Here is a comprehensive list of rescues organized by state.

We do recommend that you evaluate a rescue organization before making a donation. There’s no need to go overboard: simply take a look at their website and social media to make sure they are active and trustworthy. Your best option would be to consider organizations that have obtained 501c3 status. That doesn’t mean smaller rescues aren’t worthy: the main thing is to be cautious of imposters, as scammers often repost content from popular pages.

Advocate for the Protection of Horses

Supporting and raising awareness about pending legislation that will help protect horses is an area where anyone can make a difference. Keep an eye out for legislation that will help protect horses and reduce loopholes that allow for abuse.

Just like any other animal advocacy cause, simply raising awareness can have a significant impact. If you’ve been keeping up with any horse rescues, please consider sharing their posts.

Contact Your Mt. Airy, GA Equine Veterinarian

Are you in search of an exceptional equine veterinarian in the vicinity? Get in touch with us, your trusted Mt. Airy, GA pet hospital, today!  We are always happy to help!