Horses are becoming the latest victim of the economy. Veterinarian Katie Hayes says she's treated many horses whose owners can no longer afford to properly take care of them.     

Hayes has been a horse vet for the last 30 years. She says she's never seen horses starved and turned loose like she's seeing now.     

"People need to take some responsibility for their horses. If they cant afford to feed them they need to take them to the sale, and sell them. There is no slaughter in Texas, so they won't be going to slaughter."     

Last year congress passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act banning the slaughter of American horses for foreign palettes.     

Hayes says she's even had clients post an ad for a free horse in the paper, or put them down if their old and starving.     

"In my opinion it's more cruel for a horse to die a slow death of starvation than to be put down. We as owners have to take responsibility, and if you can't take care of it then you need to provide a place where they can be taken care of."     

In Blueridge, Texas, just outside Whiteright, Hope for Horses is caring for Abbey and Sam, two horses rescued from Grayson County. Hope for Horses rehabilitates neglected horses and tries to find them a home.     

Organizers at Hope for Horses saw an extremely low number of adoptions in 2007, and are in need of donations so that they can keep taking care of malnourished and abused horses.     

Hayes says the price of feed has gone up but that's no excuse to leave your animal hungry.     

"When we go on a call and see horses if their horses are thin, we'll tell them your horses are thin, you need to feed them more."      

With the current dry conditions Hayes says it's important to provide your horse adequate hay in order to keep them healthy.

Vanessa Bolano, KTEN News.