(March 31, 2009)

PORTLAND--The current economic conditions combined with a severe drought is leading to more neglect of horses in the Coastal Bend. One humane society said horse owners need to be responsible for their animals, even in these tough times.

Animal lovers said the recession is making it difficult for horse owners to feed the horses. They're now seeing their locations to house these horses filled to capacity.

This quarter horse is one of the latest to check into the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. Authorities seized her from a home in Jim Wells County last week. She's underweight, malnourished and her knees are blown.

"That horse was starved," said Dottie Clowher of the Coastal Bend Chapter of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. "No food, no hay and no grass. Basically was neglected."

She's one of many horses that are calling these stables home. Clowher said she's running out of room to take care of these neglected animals.

"Volunteers of Bluebonnet have taken in over ten horses in the last couple of months that were abused, abandoned," Clowher said. 

Bluebonnet volunteers said some horse owners don't have money to feed their horses due to the recession. The severe drought is making it worse for them.

"The drought is in our area just kicking us because the lack of rain, the lack of supply of hay, the lack of grass," said Clowher. 

Several of these neglected horses came in from Rockport in the worst condition. For two months, volunteers have been feeding and nursing the animals back to health.

"Now, we're off and running," said Clowher. "They're all improving and they should be able to be moved into an adoptive home or another foster home in the near future."

Clowher said it's a great example of what can happen if you take care of the horses the right way.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com