Friday, January 27, 2012

Drought, high hay costs stress Okla. horse rescue

Abandoned horses remain a big problem because people can't afford to feed them. Many are left to wander in the wild. Others are abused, and those are a top priority for Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue in Jones, Okla. Now the  rescue isn't sure how it will keep horses alive, reports Jamie Oberg of News 9 in Oklahoma City. Owner Natalee Cross said the rescue is housing more than 100 horses, its full capacity, and not only doesn't know where the next hay supply will come from, but also doesn't know how it will pay. (News 9 photo)

Rising hay prices are costing Cross almost $3,000 a week, and she said if prices don't go down, she might have to pay out of her own pocket to buy hay. She said this is the hardest year since she started at the rescue 10 years ago. Extended drought is making owners beg her to take their horses because they can't afford to feed them. She said she has to find homes for horse's she's nursed back to health before she can take more, but most won't take them because they can't afford hay. (Read more)

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