According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 6-8 million animals enter one of the 3,500 shelters in the U.S. every year due to abuse or abandonment. Animal shelters are overpopulated, and every year nearly four million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters because they can’t find a home.

Although awareness is higher than ever, so are the reported cases of neglect and cruelty.

“There’s always room for improvement, and there needs to be more education,” said humane investigator Keith Streff of cruelty prevention and awareness.

According to HSUS, there are about nine million owned horses in the United States. The approximate bare minimum cost of keeping a horse is about $1828.25 per year. This price can quickly increase with tack, unexpected vet bills, participating in competitions and putting shoes on the horses.

Although owning a horse can but a financial strain, many people find ways to make a profit with them.

Ranch owner Lowell Friday made a profit out of his stud farm in East Bethel, until his 17 malnourished horses were seized last year.

Equine vet Colleen Carter initially heard about the case on the news and had been following the story for several years. Carter later became much more involved when she took on one of the seized horses in the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation’s annual Trainers Challenge.

The challenge takes place over the course of the summer, horses that come from tough places are placed with trainers and after several months in training are given a second chance to find a home.

After finding out that several of Friday’s horses were going to be in the challenge, Carter put in her recommendation for an 18 year old Saddlebred named Nero. He had been put into foster care to gain weight after being seized from Friday’s ranch.

Lydia Farmer is a Staff Reporter for The Spartan Speaks.