Alison Boyd – Wings of Hope Ranch

IN 2007 IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 170,000 HORSES GO UNWANTED EACH YEAR. IN 2015, THE NUMBER WAS EVEN HIGHER.

Many of the unwanted horses in the U.S. are healthy horses that become more of a burden to their owners than a blessing because of financial limitations, time constraints, or otherwise failing to meet expectations. These horses can often be re-purposed and re-homed. Others may be sick, injured, or old. Fewer still are unmanageable, unridable, or dangerous.

No one knows for sure how many unwanted horses exist in the United States, but we do know that the number of unwanted horses exceeds the resources currently available to accommodate them. In the UHC’s 2009 Unwanted Horse Survey, 63% of equine rescue/retirement facilities reported that they were near or at full capacity and, on average, turned away 38% of the horses brought to them.

Equine rescues which specialize in rehabilitating and re-homing unwanted horses play a major role in assisting these horses, but currently there are not enough volunteers or placement opportunities and funding is limited. It can cost in excess of $1,000 to restore a rescue horse back to health, in addition to its living expenses during its time at the rescue facility which can range from $1,800-$2,400 annually. Most equine rescue facilities rely on donations to fund these horses or pay for them out of pocket.

Unwanted Horse Coalition

Today Carol talks with Alison Boyd, Executive Director of Wings of Hope Ranch who’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate neglected and abused horses. They combine their horse rescue program with services for children and teens who are dealing with conflicts and challenges.