'Feed bank' opens for struggling horse owners

labbott said on December 17, 2009 at 12:21 PM

OK, for those who have made comments about affording the animals you choose to own: one should not own an animal unless they can afford to...I agree. However, most of us acquired our horses when the economy was strong, work was aplenty, money was coming in on a regular basis. Most of us horse owners have owned our horses for many, many years and love them very much, have taken good care of them all the past years. So, does one not ever own animals because the future is unknown? Or maybe only the rich should own them? I guess the point I am trying to make is: if we only had a crystal ball and could look into the future and base our decision on what we know will occur 5 years from now..........

btvsrcks said on December 17, 2009 at 12:03 PM

Horses are something that one should only get if they have the means to support it. If losing a job means you are worried about meals, you should not own a horse. While we don't have the property for one, we have an amount of money saved that would allow us to live for a year unemployed. If you have a horse, you should have AT LEAST that. It is silly that people will spend thousands of dollars for something and then let it starve to death because they didn't do some planning to protect against it. I believe most people are this irresponsible, I just think it is more obvious with people who have larger expenses and need help. Learn to live well within or below your means people. Stop being a drain on society and start contributing.

jtheresa said on December 16, 2009 at 6:15 PM

It is so unfortunate that these helpless animals are suffering. Please give them a chance by adopting them out to a loving and safe home. I am willing to adopt two horse. I have 2 1/2 acres and a three stall barn. I have had horse's all my life and at this time I have none. I would give your horse a wonderful, loving home. Theresa J. jtheresa@hotmail.com

frencheypoodle said on December 16, 2009 at 4:46 PM

Well dont you you just have it all figured out! To some people this last year has been quite unpredictable with unemployment at an all time high, a strain has been put on quite a few peopless disposible incomes. I personally struggle to pay for a horse for my daughter and due to my "overextended self indulgent immature" efforts I have a very responsible teen who will have no problems being accepted to any college of her choice and will be able to compete in the work force unlike most teenagers her age. Unfortunately many people dont want to commit the time for to their children to valuable groups like Pony Club or 4h and due to their selfishness we have a very questionable future at the hand of these incapable irresponsible children. Unfortunately a lot of the "safe haven's" are more over extended than some of these people who up until hard times were able to care for their animals. So you really should only comment on things you know about, like the weather in your bubble!

jcman said on December 16, 2009 at 3:54 PM

As a member of a horse rescue, it is becoming nigh unto impossible to locate new homes for horses that have been seized. Few want another mouth to feed and almost none want a horse who isn't well trained of which there are many.

clothyard said on December 16, 2009 at 2:02 PM

This is a clear case of people owning something they cannot afford. Why are they acquiring an animal they know costs 3-5K per year to feed and house if their financial status is such that a period of unemployment leaves them in the position of making a choice between feeding themselves or their animals? Too many horse owners are wannabe's and overextended self indulgent immature folks who never think ahead about the animal's welfare. I say, if they gotta be supported by others, the animals should be removed from their care and placed in Posado's or some other safe haven so they can be relocated to somewhere they will be properly cared for.