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Unwanted Horse Coalition Releases National Survey Results

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 9, 2009 — The findings from the Unwanted Horse Coalition's 2009 Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue are now available on the coalition website, www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org. Coalition officials said the study was the first of its kind to assess the causes and magnitude of the unwanted horse population in the United States.

Among the study's findings:

• More than 90% of respondents said the number of unwanted horses, as well as those neglected and abused, is increasing.
• 87% of respondents indicated that the issue of unwanted horses had become "a big problem" in the past year, compared with only 22% who said the problem was important three years ago.
• In light of one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, the economy was considered to be a significant contributor to the unwanted horse problem.
• Other major contributors cited by the respondents included: the closing of the nation's processing facilities, changes in breed demand/indiscriminate breeding, and the high costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal.
• 63% of equine rescue/retirement facilities polled reported that they were at near or full capacity and, on average, turn away 38% of the horses brought to them.

For more information, read the full report on the Unwanted Horse Coalition's website.