12/13/05 Neglected horses put up for adoption

Horses, like people need food, medical attention and a loving family. Unfortunately that's not always the case and many times, animals are confiscated because they were neglected by their owner. The Gem County Sheriff held an auction before the cold weather set in and the prospective buyers came to the fairgrounds in Emmett to bid on dozens of horses. JUDI "They weren't being taken of properly. They were pretty malnourished. Some of them had some injuries that needed attention, that hadn't been taken care of, lameness." Tony Judi is a Gem County 4-H leader. Thanks to the sheriff's office these POA ponies were fattened up before auction. Judi says a lot of people decide that they want a horse but they don't realize how big of an expense they're facing. JUDI "About a hundred dollars a month year round. Some months will be more than others but it averages out to about a hundred dollars a month to take care of one horse." A typical 800 to one thousand pound horse will eat 25 pounds of hay in a day if not being used. With performance owners should add grain and other nutrients to the feed bunk to help keep weight on. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott