Tough Questions May 2010: How should the industry deal with unwanted horses?

Unwanted horses are becoming an increasing problem. Over-breeding, economic troubles, apathy, and a lack of other options are typically identified as reasons why many horses end up neglected or abandoned. The number of unwanted and neglected horses has been increasing. In 2008 and 2009, for example, the BC SPCA had a record number of horse seizures.

A number of organizations in the USA have begun to offer free or reduced fee gelding and euthanization programs to help with the horse overpopulation problem, and to give owners a humane solution for disposal other than the auction and eventual slaughter. Is this something Canada should consider as well?

Education is another solution suggested by industry experts. “Above all, we should be teaching about the respect and welfare of our horses from birth to death, and ingrain our responsibility to them whether they are work horses, performance horses, or pets,” said Bill desBarres, Chair of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, in 2008. But how does one spread this information to horse owners and the general public?

Many people also believe that the SPCA should be given the ability to more easily remove neglected animals from poor situations, and that the penalties for animal cruelty should be toughened.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How should the industry deal with unwanted horses?

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