AUGUSTA -- The skyrocketing cost of fuel has boosted the price of hay and grain, forcing people to dig deeper into their pockets to feed their horses.

For those who can no longer afford to keep the animals, the only solution would be to get rid of them.

But state veterinarians said few options are available in a poor economy for the placement of unwanted horses.

Sherry Dutil of Augusta recently rescued Jasmine, a quarter horse that she said was skin and bones. Dutil said she expects state animal welfare veterinarians will be dealing with more neglected and abused horses this winter.

"(Jasmine is) an expensive horse that somebody let go and I think there will be more and more animals not just horses ... dogs and everything," Dutil said. "I don't know what hay is going to be this year. I know it was $3.50 a bale. With fuel and everything being a lot more costly, I know grain has gone up. It's unreal. In January I paid $13 for a 50-pound bag, and now I'm paying $17. And I use eight bags a month."

According to Chris Fraser, state veterinarian with the Animal Welfare Program, horse rescue groups in the state are hurting for funds as well.

She said they're struggling to keep, rehabilitate and find homes for healthy animals.

Janet Tuttle of Rockin T Equine Rescue, Inc. in Lisbon Falls said she already has received 30 calls from people with unwanted horses. One woman said she had enough hay and grain for one week and then she didn't know what she would do.

Tuttle said more horses this winter will starve or be let loose to roam free.

"I've had two horses come back, one was gone eight years and the other four years," Tuttle said. "I have them on contract and own them for life. That's so they don't end up at a slaughter house. But we run on donations and it's been pretty tough."

She said because of high gasoline prices, a load of sawdust that once cost her $700 now costs $1,100. The next load could be $1,500.

She has 34 horses that she cares for and goes through a load of sawdust a month. Also, she said blacksmith costs have risen.

"I don't know what's going to happen this winter," she said. "I'm scared myself. What cost me $10,000 this year might be $20,000 next year. And grain is going to jump because of the flooding out west."

Albert Penney of Augusta, a farrier, said he hasn't seen many people give horses away, but they are down-sizing and selling them off because of all the increased costs of running a household.

"The horses are not the top priority," Penney said. "People have to pay their bills and take care of the family. And horses are a luxury."

Brenda Hemphill of Hemphill's Inc. in North Vassalboro, a tack shop that deals in horses, said people are having a difficult time caring for their animals, especially this past year.

Out West, she said unwanted horses are being abandoned or let loose in other people's pastures.

"The true animal people will find a way to take care of their animals before they take care of themselves," Hemphill said. "But I believe if they can't do it, something has to be done. It's a pretty critical time."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com