1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Ireland: Abandoned Horses on the Emerald Isle

December 23, 2010

Along with Greece, the financial crisis took Ireland by surprise. During the boom years, many Irish purchased expensive horses. Now during the crisis, they're simply being abandoned.

https://p.dw.com/p/QjW5
Image: DW
Massendemonstration in Dublin Irland Finanzkrise Sparpläne
Image: AP

Current estimates say around 20,000 horses have been released so far, and are now wandering on their own over the country's highways, major roadways, housing developments, parks and forests. Many are starving. Animal protection activists are trying to save the horses, which include farm and pony breeds, but also highbred racehorses. Some of the animals would have had a market value of around €30,000 before the crisis, but keeping them became too much of a financial burden for their former owners.