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Abandoned horses concern experts
Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 10, 2008 by Associated Press
LOGAN -- Cache County equine experts say a growing population of unwanted horses has become a major issue across the Cache Valley.
University of Utah Extension veterinarian Kerry Rood said the closing of several horse-processing facilities has left more animals abandoned and abused. A dip in the economy also has forced some families to choose between feeding themselves or feeding the horse.
USU's equine facility manager Rebecca Lewis used to take the animals in.
But these days Lewis says "nay" more often than "yay." The facility's capacity is 30 horses, but Lewis is currently boarding a fluctuating 33 to 35 daily. Five horses are for sale at "rock- bottom" prices, she said.
Each year some horses are abandoned on Bureau of Land Management parcels. Rood said owners mistakenly think the animals will easily adapt and join a band of other horses.
That's a "pipe dream," said Rood. Most animals found by the BLM are low in body weight because they've been unable to find adequate food.
"We're developing a real crisis," Rood said.
Rood said the BLM will not hold its annual wild horse roundup this year because the agency can't take in any more animals. Recently, the agency was granted permission to euthanize horses in holding facilities, Rood said.
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