[7HL]

Is there a population problem with horses? Too many horses?

There is a finite amount of people that will ever want or own horses. We are producing horses in backyards, in large breeding facilities and even in the wild. Horses are being kept longer, for all kinds of reasons. Medical and care advances are keeping horses living longer.

I believe that it is a shared problem , when it comes to overpopulation and the causes. The solutions are some that most people don't want to talk about.


Got any ideas?

[horse_luvr83]

there are several past posts about this situationmaybe read through them, and it will give you some ideas.

[CowGirlUp1833]

I believe it all comes down to responsible breeding.

[lpalomino]

This problem will increase as the cost of keeping a horse increases.
You are right. There are only a set amount of good homes available. The rest fall thru the cracks and we hear about them every so often. You know those cases of abuse/neglect.
But on the flip side of the coin all the back yard breeders and that sort of thing produce enough horses that people such as myself can afford to buy a horse. I paid $300.00 for a very nice palomino filly. The result of willy nilly breeding. Greed based I think but obviously did not pay off for who ever had the mare bred and then sold the foal. This baby was lucky to find a good home. She will not want for what she needs. She will have pasture to run in. Most are not so lucky

[CowGirlUp1833]

Originally Posted by lpalomino

This problem will increase as the cost of keeping a horse increases.
You are right. There are only a set amount of good homes available. The rest fall thru the cracks and we hear about them every so often. You know those cases of abuse/neglect.
But on the flip side of the coin all the back yard breeders and that sort of thing produce enough horses that people such as myself can afford to buy a horse. I paid $300.00 for a very nice palomino filly. The result of willy nilly breeding. Greed based I think but obviously did not pay off for who ever had the mare bred and then sold the foal. This baby was lucky to find a good home. She will not want for what she needs. She will have pasture to run in. Most are not so lucky

EXACTLY. Great post! Which is why "willy nilly back yard breeding" is so bad for the species. NO, I'm not talking about those of you who breed small scale, but excellent horses. I'm talking about anyone who breeds just to breed, at random, and lower quality horses. Do papers make the quality of the horse? NO. BUT, because horses with papers (or grade from registered stock) are usualy bred for a specific reason, they are more likely (not always) be a higher calibur horse; therefore easier to market, etc.

[7HL]

Originally Posted by horse_luvr83

there are several past posts about this situationmaybe read through them, and it will give you some ideas.

There are more than several great and excellent posts on the subject. There are also many posts on the ways of dealing with the overpopulation. Some are popular and some people don't want to hear any part of example: slaughter.

By the way it's not meant to discuss slaughter, but that will come up at some point.

Like I said it's a complex situation, with many factors contributing. Guess I am trying to get people to open there minds at looking at as many sides of the issue, without ruling out difficult solutions.

Theses are all issues the horse community needs to address and we really need to keep the government out of it, even thought activists might want them involved.

[Sandra-A1]

The economy also has a lot to do with the problem.
Many people would love to have a horse or two, but cannot afford it.
With the current price of oil steadily increasing, the trickle down effect is making prices of anything and everything increase. When people have to start paying more for their gas, utilities, and food.....and their salaries are not keeping up with the cost of living, they cannot afford luxuries like owning a horse.
Also because of this same reason...many horses are being sold.
When the economy changes so does the horse market.

[AshsStorm]

The MAIN reason that there are so many UNWANTED horses out there is IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING! People need to STOP breeding horses so often! It is becoming a REAL problem! Here are a few videos showing what happens to those "unwanted" horses:

**WARNING: GRAPHIC!!!

http://www.sharkonline.org/horseslaughter.mv

[julie&chico]

Originally Posted by AshsStorm

The MAIN reason that there are so many UNWANTED horses out there is IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING! People need to STOP breeding horses so often! It is becoming a REAL problem! Here are a few videos showing what happens to those "unwanted" horses:

**WARNING: GRAPHIC!!!

http://www.sharkonline.org/horseslaughter.mv

Ashstorm I know that these videos are horrible, but we are not trying to get into the debate of slaughter, I think that there should be a better way of putting a meat horse down..........But I do agree with your point on irresponsible breeders(or is there such thing as a responsible breeder?). It's just sad to see any animal suffer at the hands of man for the main reason of profit or selfish wants.

[crazy4horses205]

There are too many backyard breeders who want babys because "they are cute". Not unless America starts becoming more responsible with their breeding, there is nothing we can do. Slaughter can not be stopped though, that would just make more horses. I have heard from very reliable sourses that slaughter is very humane and a lot less expensive than putting them down.