How many horse rescues are in the US?

Are equine rescues legit?

Unfortunately, not all operations that call themselves equine rescues are reputable. Frauds and scams are reported regularly in equine news sources. The Fugly Horse of the Day (FOTD) blog reports some of the unscrupulous practices in disreputable rescues (adult language warning!), such as breeding rescued horses or horse trading.

How many horse rescues are there in the United States?

The Fugly Horse of the Day (FOTD) blog reports some of the unscrupulous practices in disreputable rescues (adult language warning!), such as breeding rescued horses or horse trading. The IRS lists 109 tax-exempt equine rescues. Many more are privately owned. If you want to donate to an equine rescue, what should you look for?

What should I look for in an equine rescue?

The rescue should have solid standards for horse care. The AAEP has published guidelines (see resource list) for equine rescue operation care and facilities. Visit the rescue–several times if possible. Horses should have regular vet, dental, and farrier care. Records should be available. Ask about any sick, injured, or lame horses on the property.

Are there any tax-exempt equine rescues?

The Fugly Horse of the Day (FOTD) blog reports some of the unscrupulous practices in disreputable rescues (adult language warning!), such as breeding rescued horses or horse trading. The IRS lists 109 tax-exempt equine rescues. Many more are privately owned.

Is there such a thing as a scam horse rescue?

Frauds and scams are reported regularly in equine news sources. The Fugly Horse of the Day (FOTD) blog reports some of the unscrupulous practices in disreputable rescues (adult language warning!), such as breeding rescued horses or horse trading. The IRS lists 109 tax-exempt equine rescues.

What are horses used for in the US?

Modern use of the horse in the United States is primarily for recreation and entertainment, though some horses are still used for specialized tasks. Fossils of the earliest direct ancestor to the modern horse, Eohippus, have been found in the Eocene layers of North American strata, mainly in the Wind River basin in Wyoming.

What makes a horse a rescue?

Please remember that our horses are rescues. This means that they were either rescued from abuse or neglect, from the dogger sales or the knackery or they were surrendered by someone who could no longer care for them. Sometimes we will have very little history. We don’t know where they have come from or what has happened to them.

Is your equine rescue running like a business?

An equine rescue is a business and should be run like one, or it risks putting its horses in more jeopardy. Rescue operators don’t have to look beyond their own pastures to know the past few years have been hard on horses.

Is the cost of owning a horse tax deductible?

The cost of owning a horse is such that it is nearly impossible to be part of the equine industry unless it is done as a business. Otherwise, during those inevitable loss years, it will not be possible to deduct losses against income from other sources.

Why are there no laws for animal rescue groups?

The lack of laws signify that the groups are not subject to inspections nor do they have a mandated minimum set of standards of care for the animals. This means that the rescues and fosters are functioning on an honor system.

Can I deduct horse racing losses from my taxes?

Otherwise, during those inevitable loss years, it will not be possible to deduct losses against income from other sources. The 1969 Tax Reform Act modified the law on “activities engaged in for profit” and the IRS subsequently issued regulations for assessing when a venture, such as horse racing or breeding, is a business or a hobby.

What do I do if I encounter a scammer?

If you do encounter a scammer, you can send the information to us at [email protected]. We archive all of our ads and messages and we work with all law enforcement agencies to provide any information needed that may help stop these scammers. Here are the basic common scams that are currently being attempted on many horse classified sites.

What do we do with the horses we rescue?

We will provide help and aid to the sick, abused, neglected, unwanted, and starving horses. Rehabbing and rehoming is an important part of what we do, and we will ensure with all the resources we have, that these animals are rehabilitated and if possible, rehomed.

How do you know if a horse sale is a scam?

Beware if they want to rush a sale as quickly as possible – this is a big tip-off that you might be dealing with a scammer. “The Transportation Scam” – This scam often goes hand-in-hand with The Friesian Scam. Here, the seller is giving away a horse for free with some excuse as to the reason.

What is the Friesian horse scam?

“The Transportation Scam” – This scam often goes hand-in-hand with The Friesian Scam. Here, the seller is giving away a horse for free with some excuse as to the reason. Because they “care so much about the horse”, they will give you the horse, but require you to use their shipping or transportation company.

What are the most common uses of horses in America?

This statistic shows the most common uses of horses by owners and managers in the United States as of March 2012. During the survey, 23.1 percent of horse owners and managers said they used their horses for lessons and training.

What is the adoption process like for a horse?

Our adoption process is comprehensive and designed to assure the best possible match possible between horses and adopters. Horsemanship skills, level of training, inherent personality, and the ability to care and continue the development of the adopted horse are all considered.

Why are so many people turning to equine rescue agencies?

Thanks to a persistently lackluster economy, rising feed and fuel costs, real estate foreclosures, and job losses, more owners are turning to equine rescue agencies to take in horses they will not or cannot maintain. The situation is stretching existing rescue operations’ finances and facilities to the limit.

How to start a horse care business?

There are two things you should never scrimp on when you want to start a horse business: quality horse care and horse business insurance. The first may be obvious to you, but the second is equally important. By taking in boarders or giving lessons and horse training, you expose yourself to enormous liability.

Is an equine rescue a business?

An equine rescue is a business and should be run like one, or it risks putting its horses in more jeopardy. An equine rescue is a business and should be run like one, or it risks putting its horses in more jeopardy. Rescue operators don’t have to look beyond their own pastures to know the past few years have been hard on horses.

Is it hard work to run a horse rescue?

It’s hard work. Horse rescue operators are very invested in both time and money, said Erin Clemm Ochoa, chief executive officer of Days End Farm Horse Rescue, in Woodbine, Maryland. “They don’t take family vacations,” she said.

Can you depreciate a horse as a business expense?

If you’re a horse trainer and you own and use a horse to provide lessons, for example, you can probably depreciate that horse and deduct all of your horse-related expenses as business deductions.

Are horse expenses ever deductible on tax returns?

Are Horse Expenses Ever Deductible on a Tax Return? Yes, they may be—and in a couple of circumstances. First, if your equestrian activities constitute a business, you can deduct any of your ordinary and necessary horse expenses as business expenses.

Is there a national law for animal shelters?

Because there is no national law regulating these organizations, the requirements will vary from one state to another, and even from one city to another. In some states, a rescue or foster home may be regulated like a commercial kennel or similar to a shelter.

Is it against the law to abandon a horse?

Abusing, neglecting and abandoning an equine or any other animal is against the law. Caring officials who are committed to enforcing the cruelty laws are essential to making sure that those who illegally transport, starve, abuse and/or abandon an equine are charged with animal cruelty.

Are there laws against rescues and foster care programs?

However, in places where laws do exist for rescues and foster care programs, the laws can come from various levels: the state, county, and city ordinance level. The laws can vary from one state to another as well as from one city to another. Even in states where laws are in place, enforcement can be a problem.