%0 Journal Article
%T A demographic survey of unwanted horses in Ireland 2005-2010
%A DP Leadon
%A Dylan O'Toole
%A Vivienne E Duggan
%J Irish Veterinary Journal
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/2046-0481-65-3
%X The majority of horses euthanised by practicing veterinarians are destroyed on medical grounds but the number euthanised at the request of welfare groups and the state, as well as welfare related calls and the number of horses involved in these calls and subsequent visits is increasing reflecting the increasing involvement of the veterinary profession in equine welfare. Welfare groups have limited resources and do not have a tradition of recording data, but they too have reported increasing calls, visits and numbers of horses per visit. Welfare groups provide significant service to equine welfare and the community. Local Authorities report similar trends. Over 300 horses were found dead or required immediate or subsequent euthanasia following welfare group and local authority visits in 2010, which is of national concern. The majority of local authority interfaces with unwanted horses are with urban (60%) rather than rural (40%) horses. Mortality figures are poor indicators of non-fatal neglect. More horses were admitted into the care of local authorities than welfare groups, reflecting significant state and taxpayer investment in the control of low value horses. Category 2 plants and abattoirs represent a significant state investment in licensing and control in the national interest. Abattoirs provide an increasingly important and essential service for the disposal of unwanted horses. Despite the increase in unwanted horses, Ireland is a minority contributor to the EU slaughter total.There is a need for annual demographic data compilation and review of the numbers of unwanted horses and ponies within the horse industry to assist policy makers and legislators.Ireland's horse and pony population fell progressively throughout the mid twentieth century from 402,000 in 1949 to under 300,000 by 1955 and by 1962 to less than 200,000. The rate of decline decreased thereafter and from 98,000 in 1974 to 59,000 in 1989 until sport, leisure and tourism stimulated expansion [1].
%K Equine
%K Unwanted horse
%K Ireland
%U http://www.irishvetjournal.org/content/65/1/3