No accurate figures document how many unwanted horses actually exist, their age, their sex, the breeds represented, how many are purebred versus grade, their most recent use, their value or what happens to them in the long run. The estimate runs in the tens of thousands.

Unfortunately, the number of unwanted horses exceeds the resources currently available to accommodate them. The estimated cost of providing basic care for a horse ranges from $1,800-$2,400 annually. Currently, there are not enough volunteers, funding or placement opportunities for all of the unwanted horses.

"A Synopsis of the Unwanted Horse" by veterinarian Tom Lenz is a 10-minute DVD available for the cost of postage and handling - $9. Dr. Lenz, a columnist for The American Quarter Horse Journal and The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, is the chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. UHC represents a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to educate the horse industry about the unwanted horse issue. The mission of UHC is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care and disposition of these horses. To order a DVD, send an e-mail to blinke@aqha.org.

In another effort to combat the unwanted horse population, AQHA has developed the greener pastures program. The program allows AQHA members to indicate on a horse's registration certificate that should that horse ever become unwanted, unusable or simply ready for retirement, the member will, if possible, assist in finding the horse a suitable home.

The program is free, voluntary, and does not imply that a buyback or exchange of money will occur, or that a horse is guaranteed a home. It simply allows members an opportunity to provide for the long-term care of horses they've bred or owned. However, you must be an AQHA member to sign up for or enroll a horse in the program. The association will act as a clearinghouse by tracking greener pastures horses enrolled and AQHA members who have indicated the desire to help.