• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Survey asks for unwanted horse solutions

July 1, 2009
James M. Lewis

Washington - Reopening of U.S. processing plants is among the four most popular solutions suggested for dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted horses, according to a new survey.

Washington — Reopening of U.S. processing plants is among the four most popular solutions suggested for dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted horses nationwide, based on an online survey of horse owners, industry stakeholders and other interested parties.

The survey, conducted by the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC), operating through the National Horse Council (NHC), was conducted from last December through February of this year. Complete results haven't been published yet, but UHC Chairman Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, provided some of the highlights June 17 at the AHC "Welfare of the Horse" forum in Washington, D.C.

The survey had 23,151 respondents, with participants directed to either of two surveys, one for horse owners and the other for industry stakeholders and non-horse owners interested in the issue. Industry stakeholders include veterinarians, professional trainers and breeders, rescue facility operators, academics and equine association staff members. The UHC reports a survey confidence interval of 95 percent, and no significant difference in responses by region or state.

Advertisement

The survey's overall top four solutions to the unwanted-horse problem were educating owners on responsible ownership, increasing the ability of private rescue and retirement facilities to care for more horses, reopening U.S. processing plants and increased options and resources to euthanize and dispose of unwanted horses.

The survey noted that horse owners and stakeholders have a set of shared beliefs, as do equine rescue operators and non-owners. Some beliefs are shared, but — particularly on reopening processing plants — are in opposition.

The survey notes these points about rescue groups and non-owner interested parties: Rescue operators are voluntary caretakers passionate about their work, voice opinions through the media and other public forums and believe processing plants should never be reopened. They cite the economy and irresponsible breeding as the main causes of the unwanted-horse problem.

Of the shared beliefs of stakeholders and horse owners, the survey notes: Horses are an integral part of their lifestyle and livelihood; they believe the media and public don't fully understand the challenges of caring for, training and maintaining horses; believe processing plants should be reopened; that owners should be better educated; and that funding for rescues should be increased. They cite the closing of the plants, the economy, irresponsible breeding and high cost of euthanasia/disposal as the top contributors to the problem.

Among other findings, the survey also noted that public perception that unwanted horses have become a critical problem has escalated, although familiarity with the issue obviously is highest among those closest to it.

Related Content:

Market TrendsRegulatoryOwnersAssociationEquineAnimal Welfare
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists to offer service and working animals free eye exams
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists to offer service and working animals free eye exams
Kentucky Humane Society with Louisville Metro Animal Services to host mega adoption event
Kentucky Humane Society with Louisville Metro Animal Services to host mega adoption event
IBPSA and Zoundz Music for Pets team up to reduce pet anxiety in pet care facilities
IBPSA and Zoundz Music for Pets team up to reduce pet anxiety in pet care facilities

Advertisement

Latest News

CE: Why tapeworms matter

Freshpet and Petco partner launch fresh pet food subscription

AAHA Con heads to San Diego

VHMA announces latest class of CVPMs

View More Latest News
Advertisement