By Staff
Every girl's dream is to someday own a horse. At least it was mine and my daughter's.
Today she bemoans the fact our neighbor and her best friend's home is now owned by someone who actually is giving little girl's riding lessons. How she would have loved that.
But our dream never happened, for the most part because we were not knowledgeable about the animal, the expense of upkeep and the need for land and shelter.
Sometimes I think now we were too practical in our decision and we could have learned how to care for a horse.
I knew they need medical care, such as certain medicines and their hooves need to be attended to.
Funny, the males in the family did get the dirt bikes and motorcycles. They may not have eaten hay, but they did need gasoline.
Apparently others in our state thought it was worth the time, trouble and money to raise or keep horses.
According to a new study from Michigan State University (MSU), the Michigan Horse Council and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Michigan's equine population has climbed nearly 20 percent since 1996."
Not just the number of horses have increased in Michigan pastures, but also mules and donkeys.
The survey stated that the state's equine population increased from 133,000 animals to 155,000.
I would think in our area the popular Berrien County Youth Fair and the Cass County 4-H Fair are two big reasons that horses continue to be popular.
They plan on using the survey in long range land use planning and zoning and for many other reasons.
Large animal veterinary clinics are needed as are places to purchase feed and tack. With the increase there may also be a need for better trails and training facilities.
To those who are interested, the preliminary results are available online from the Michigan Department of Agriculture at www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Michigan/Publications/index.asp.
Eventually, brochures and even a video are planned to help educate the public about the economic impact of the horse industry on Michigan's economy.
There is something so restful about watching horses out grazing in the fields.
Unfortunately we still have people who want their horse, but don't bother to attend to their needs.
Doing your homework before acquiring these large animals is so important. They take time and money.
Before you decide to own even a donkey, you must find out what the needs will be, shelter in the winter, fresh water, food and medical attention.
Rescue groups are also trying to save animals which have been abandoned or abused. These horses can make wonderful pets as the dogs adopted from shelters.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggests "if you are prepared financially, physically, and emotionally to provide for all of a horse's needs for his or her lifetime, please adopt one of the countless horses in need of a safe, loving home – never buy horses from breeders, who bring more horses into a world that is already desperately short of good homes.
To learn more, check out www.HelpingAnimals.com.