Irish Equine Industry under pressure again this Winter by Lee Lynch

The Irish Equine Industry is facing a similar crisis to last year regarding Equine Welfare. The recession has undoubtedley devastated the working people of Ireland which in turn has forced some people to cut back on unnecessary luxuries such as horse ownership. These people will opt for the unethical option of abandonment that will allow them the easy disposal of a costly problem in their lives. Irelands unsettling weather conditions will prove no different this year as we approach winter it is without doubt we will reach minus degrees again this year. Trecherous conditions including frost, ice and snow will invade the lush landscape covering all the vegetation in a thick blanket of winter. This displays a picturesque scene and can only serve a purpose of beauty as we look outside from the warmth of our heated homes. To live outside in these harsh conditions, abandoned with no means to survive is a much more bleak existence. This will be the case for many horses yet again in Ireland this year. Unfortunately there will be a number of unwanted, diregarded animals, peoples cast-offs simply abandoned to fend for themselves and try to make it through the the Irish Recession. There is no escaping these grim facts from last year with almost 1,000 equines dying from freezing weather conditions with no shelter, limited fodder and water. It will yet again be left to the organisations such as the Irish Horse Welfare Trust and the ISPCA to pick up the pieces of neglectful owners this winter. Some horses and ponies might be lucky enough to canter into the rescuing hands of these organisations but others will make the lonely walk themselves. Unfortunately these animals are unaware that there is a recession and they have not chosen this destiny. We need to get industry leaders to listen and come together to think of some solutions for this nasty problem that is about to surface once again this year. Is it not immperative that we protect the good name of the Irish Equine Industry or are we running the risk of being in the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again.