It is sad what horses, and all animals are subject to in these situations. I do want to point out that it is not as simple as to just give away your horse. I have been in the horse industry for almost 20 years, I operate a stable and do independent equine rescue. It is nearly impossible to find homes for horses with the economy in the shape it is in. I get calls almost weekly - people wanting to give away a horse. The problem is that the horses they want to give away are elderly, sickly, or young & un-broke. I have even had a few that were EXTREMLY DANGEROUS from just not being handled. People are selling prefectly dead broke horses for $500.00 - healthy, young, registered stock. It makes finding homes for the "other" horses nearly impossible. Also, donations are way down causing the few horse rescues there are to hardly be able to operate & a few have gone under. We have had to scale back ourselves. Economy, reckless breeding, un-educated owners and closing of US Slaughter houses - take your pick, they are all to blame. It's only getting started!!Meanwhile..... :(