More U.S. Horses Abandoned and Neglected
With skyrocketing horsekeeping costs, the number of abandoned and neglected horses is on the rise in the U.S. Slaughter plant closures and a booming horse population have also contributed to more unwanted horses in the United States, according to panelists at Montana State University’s fourth annual equine conference. 
Some horse owners owners are dealing with hard times by abandoning their horses on federal land. Others are selling their horses at auctions, and the animals end up being slaughtered in Mexico or Canada.
Sandy Gagnon, panel moderator and MSU Extension Horse Specialist, said the rising cost of transportation, energy, feed and hay is making it harder for people to care for their horses. Hay costs between $300 and $500 on the East Coast, he said.
Les Graham, executive secretary of the Montana Auction Yards, recommended that horse owners be educated in all phases of horse care. They should not only learn about pastures, vaccinations and nutrition, but about the eventual disposal of their horses, even if those deaths are 30 years away. “If someone buys horses, they need to learn what’s involved.”
Source: MSU News Service
