About Unwanted Horses

What if your worth was measured strictly by your utility? The moment you fail to meet expectations due to age, illness or injury, you’re considered disposable. All too often, this mindset drives the fate of many horses in America. Every year, an estimated 170,000 horses in this country join the ranks of unwanted horses that are subject to improper care and nutrition or, worse yet, left to abuse and neglect.^†

Defining the Problem

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the term “unwanted horses” refers to “horses which are no longer wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, fail to meet their owner’s expectations (e.g., performance, color or breeding), or their owner can no longer afford them.”^† The issue is growing. Industry perception of this problem has heightened in recent years, with euthanasia and eyewitness accounts of abuse and neglect on the rise.^†

Supporting a Solution

As part of Bayer Animal Health’s longstanding commitment to equine health and wellness, it is also a proud sponsor of the American Horse Council and its support of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. The main goal of the Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety, and responsible care and disposition of these horses.

Bayer Animal Health is committed to supporting this important cause and the veterinary professionals who are providing solutions. That is why Bayer Animal Health will donate $5,000 to the equine charity* or cause chosen by the winner of the Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award.

Learn How You Can Help

For more information on unwanted horses and how you can help, visit the Unwanted Horse Coalition website.