There’s an equine epidemic in this country that many weren’t expecting.

Increasingly, people are giving up their horses. Sometimes it’s because of a move, but it could also be due to financial burdens, a person’s illness or their horse’s medical condition.

Some horses are abandoned, but most owners want to do the right thing. They’re just not sure what their options are.

In Oklahoma, a pilot program run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, takes in any horse regardless of its condition. There’s a similar program in Dallas.

During just six months in 2018, nearly five thousand horses were surrendered to rescue facilities. The good news is that almost 90 percent of them were adopted.

So, if you’re a horse owner having to make a tough decision, or someone looking to adopt, check out rescue programs in your area.