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Two Lane Livin' Your Horse
Country Column archives...
August
2010 - The Unwanted Horse
Written by Dawna B. Smith, Journalist
and Reporter, writer of the monthly "Your Horse Country" column for Two Lane
Livin' Magazine
Thin
remnants trapped within a fence placed by human hands.
Starving
heads rise hopefully as people drive by grassless lands.
They’re
eyes beg for food, water, and a little “human” compassion.
These
unwanted horses needlessly suffering across our nation.
What is an “unwanted horse”? Perhaps it’s a faded child’s dream, a
middle aged compensator, or a spontaneous purchase with little
understanding of the true cost involved.
The horse’s status has risen in society, and is no
longer slaughtered, but has this noble new added value created only more
animal cruelty by virtue of neglect, and thus increased the numbers of
“unwanted horses”? It does give us some ‘food” for thought.
Before, an unwanted horse could be disposed by selling for meat
processing. Now it’s difficult, if near impossible. to give one away due
to high care costs.
Our horses are family members. We’d never consider
eating them! My mother told us the best meat she ate was when they lived
in
France
in the 1950’s. When they came back, Dad told her they’d been eating
horse meat. She was furious!
Some horses develop health problems or are lucky and age gracefully (just
like people), but health care costs can prohibit proper care. Many starve
where they are (just like people), trapped by circumstance as a bad
economy makes it even more difficult to provide adequate care due to
rising feed prices and soaring hay production costs.
Sadly, the unwanted horse faces the same dilemma as
unwanted elderly placed into crowded nursing homes, some forgotten by
family and subject to the sole care of strangers. We’re blessed with
many quality nursing homes and excellent staff to care for our loved ones
when we’re no longer able. It’s a solution that many of us do not want
to choose, but must, depending on our own personal circumstances. Sadly,
the solution for the unwanted horse is usually a future of being kept by
someone who’s not vested in their best interest (just like people), and
possibly being subjected to mistreatment and inadequate care (just like
people). There are no horse “nursing home” pastures yet. Until there
are, how can we help prevent this national problem?
We could consider….
- Education regarding Horse Care Needs and Cost. Help
educate your friends, family, and community, especially schools and
libraries.
- Ride Share. Don’t mind sharing your horse?
Looking for a horse to ride, but can’t afford? Consider Ride Sharing.
- Horse Share. Need help with the horses you already
have? Consider having horse enthusiasts who don’t own horses share in
the HARD work and JOY by helping you with horse related chores (i.e.
fencing and barn cleaning). Help potential horse owners truly understand
the costs and hard work horse ownership brings.
- Make more time for your horse and help educate the
community. Need help with farm work, barn building, fencing, or so you can
have more time with your horse during the summer? Consider listing your
farm at wwoofusa.org or other volunteer organizations and allow volunteers
to help.
- Donate. Have extra hay or discretionary income you
don’t need? Consider donating to horse rescue organizations.
Bio:
Dawna Smith,
Journalist and Reporter, writes the monthly column "Your Horse
Country" for Two Lane
Livin' Magazine, based in West Virginia, as well as numerous articles regarding pain related medical issues for
LivePainFreeNow.com. A photographer and free lance writer, her op-ed articles have been published regarding a variety of subjects.
She and her husband have been strong advocates for the elderly and disabled since 1998,
and formed the non-profit HEADINGS (helping elderly and disabled in need gain support) to help ensure that legislature, Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid heard their voices.
She can be reached at dawna @ yourhorsecountry.com
304-765-0490.
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