May 16, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The economy is not only affecting people, it's also taking its toll on animals. All across the nation, horses are neglected, abandoned, or malnourished. But the economy isn't the only reason for this alarming trend. There are many issues leading to the abuse and neglect of horses around the U.S.

Take for instance Tallahassee, Florida resident Pam Houmere. Her farm in North Florida has four horses. Most of them were acquired by adoption, others through an auction. But it's not easy to maintain these animals. The price of hay is up from $4.25 a year ago to anywhere between five and six dollars a bushel this year.

"The economy is down, hay is up, feeds are up," said Houmere, "Specialized feeds are higher. Corn is up for many reasons. It's supply and demand right now."

From Florida to Kentucky, and even in North Carolina, an alarming number of neglected horses are suffering. At Florida Farm and Feed, owner Jimmy Young is constantly raising prices because his costs are up.

"These hays probably won't be ready until next month. What you are seeing here were grown last year," said Young.

Hay is up, gas is up, and feed prices are up. Horse owners are finding that it's becoming harder to maintain their animals.

"Over the past year is when we've seen an up turn in the commodities market which is what we are dealing with is rising feed prices and the fuel to get it here is a definite factor," said Young.

Fuel prices are a major issue facing horse owners. There's a lot of money in the shipping of horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, if you can afford it. But slaughter houses in the U.S. are now closed so some owners are literally starving their horses to death.

"From what we've been told, most of the places that take them in are full," said Young, "But it doesn't stop people from riding by and tying one to the gate and continuing down the road."

"Like all domesticated animals that are not eaten in this country, there are too many of them and people are still breeding them for hobby," said Houmere, "It's hard to dispose of them in this economy."

It's not just the economy that's playing a factor. In Florida, a major drought has dried up the supply of hay.

"It's not just high prices of corn, it's weather related," said Houmere, "Since we haven't had any rain, we don't have a lot of hay. It doesn't look like it'll be better this year. They are calling for a drought."

Whether it's the economy or the weather, Jimmy Young at Florida Feed needs to find a way to maintain his business while Pam Houmere tries to find a way to keep her horses fed and healthy. It's not easy, but both are trying to find a way to make it work.

Unfortunately, this trend is linked to the economy. As long as the economy is down, prices will remain high and those who maintain horses will have to spend more to keep up with the times.

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