Unwanted (The Causes and Effects of America's Horse Population Crisis)

Discover the hidden world behind America’s horse population crisis, and the efforts to save the animals caught in its wake.

In Unwanted: The Causes and Effects of America’s Horse Population Crisis, equestrian journalist and lifelong horsewoman Christina Keim presents a compassionate, fact-based examination of one of the most complex and divisive issues in the equine world today.

Each year, tens of thousands of horses become “unwanted.” Former racehorses past their prime, foals that failed to meet expectations, aging Amish cart horses, and backyard companions all share different histories, but often face the same outcomes: auctions, neglect, or entry into slaughter pipelines that lead to Canada, Mexico, and beyond.

Through firsthand reporting and powerful storytelling, Keim brings readers to the front lines of the crisis, from livestock auctions and rescue operations to therapy centers where horses are given a second chance. She speaks with veterinarians, shelter directors, lawmakers, and welfare advocates to separate myth from reality, and to examine the cultural and economic forces driving overbreeding, inadequate rehoming practices, and chronic shortages of resources.

Most importantly, this book amplifies the voices of those working tirelessly to change how horses are valued and cared for in modern America.

Inside, you’ll discover:
• Firsthand insights from rescues, auctions, and equine therapy centers across the United States
• The realities of the slaughter pipeline, and the horses who enter it
• The long-term consequences of overbreeding and economic neglect
• Perspectives from experts and advocates on the front lines of equine welfare
• A compelling call to reconsider the horse’s role in contemporary society

Any horse, with only a change in circumstance, can become unwanted. This is their story, and it is ours too.