From NBC 4 Article: The High Cost of Horse Sense, By VIKKI VARGAS

Nicky is a four-legged victim of the economy, from her mane to her tail. The 15-year-old Palomino was rescued more than a year ago and placed in a new home. But she was returned twice to the people who initially rescued her because her new owners lost their jobs.

Susan Peirce runs the Red Bucket Equine Rescue in Huntington Beach. She named it after the color of the plastic feed buckets provided to each horse.

“I get calls daily from people who can’t afford their horses,” she says. “Horses that are tied to trees, or left in parks or horses that are just dumped.”
Since May 2009, volunteers have taken in 74 horses and adopted out about a third of them. But the remaining 50 are still in need of homes.

There are horses like Brigid. When the Irish thoroughbred arrived, she had been physically abused and her hip was in need of surgery.

Volunteer Gemma Gisha says the mare is a healthy 400 pounds heavier now and ready for a real home.

“It’s really hard. You know you cry when they’re adopted. You cry for them because you’re happy for them,” Gisha says.

Veterinarians and ferriers donate much of the upkeep, but it still costs about $600 a month to care for each horse. Adoption fees range from $2,500 to $5,000.

Peirce says raising a horse is like raising a child, each one needs guidance and each one has its own personality.