Equestrians aid starving horses

The state's struggling economy has left dozens of starving and abandoned horses in its wake, as owners are having difficulty spending money to properly care for them.

The problem has reached explosive proportions, according to the Horse Protection Association of Florida, a rescue group based in Micanopy.

In just two weeks' time last year, the rescue farm took in as many suffering horses as it has in some entire years.

In some cases, it was too late to save them. Horses died of chronic starvation and parasites due to a lack of care.

Right now, the nonprofit farm is caring for 78 horses, many of them brought in at the brink of death.

"Even though it's in Micanopy, it's not that far from here," said Equine Corral owner Terry Hunt of Lithia. "And we're certain there are similar situations happening right here."

Hunt has teamed up with some other area equestrians to address the issue, hoping to raise cash donations and collect supplies for horses that end up at the HPAF farm.

She and a representative from the Coalition for Unwanted Horses will collect money, blankets and medical supplies for the needy horses during a hunter-jumper horse show scheduled for Jan. 16. The show is at Galaxy Farms in Riverview.

"We want to make the community aware of what is going on," said Hunt, whose shop caters to equestrians. "We hear about the dogs and cats in need, but people don't hear about the horses. Word doesn't get out to the rest of the world."

"This is unprecedented, to put it mildly," HPAF executive director Morgan Silver said. "I would assume in the large farm situations it is because of the economy, or people are in way over their heads with too many horses." In some cases, she said, people were lured by free horses, taking them in with no skills on how to care for them.

Many of those brought to the farm need a lot of care before they'll be put up for adoption.

"Maybe with the economic situation, the irresponsible breeding will stop," Silver said.