Some horses across Maine may face a perilous time as another Maine winter looms.

Norma Worley, manager of Animal Welfare for the state of Maine, is deeply concerned. She is uncertain what has resulted in the unusually large number of horse surrenders, seizures and placements by the state which has occurred during the summer.

Public awareness of horse abuse and neglect issues may be one factor. Soaring fuel and heating costs may be another; as may be the rising costs for grain, hay and bedding. Presently, hay is averaging $3.50 per bale; a 50-pound bag of grain approaches $8; and sawdust or shavings for bedding is almost impossible to locate.

Worley explains that the state tries to work with individuals who have horses who are allegedly being mistreated or neglected. In severe cases the state will seize the animals outright and immediately. Sometimes the illness or death of a horse owner leaves few options for care.

Faced with the prospect of finding stalls for newly gained horses, Worley said the state is sturggling to find empty stalls.

Recently, “a Maine horse owner agreed to surrender four horses to state care. There is no dispute to be resolved in court; but the state does not have four stalls available to place these horses.”

In Windham, the Maine Society for the Protection of Animals is the largest equine and rehabilitation facility in New England.

The nonprofit organization, funded entirely through gifts and bequests, accepts large animals (horses, ponies, and other farm animals) that the state has acquired through surrender or seizure.

While the state generally subsidizes the cost of care for seized horses at the rate of $4 per day, horse boarders charge $10 to $14 for full care.

The Society does not receive state funding; indeed, does not receive “one red cent” of state money, according to longtime director of the Society, Marilyn Goodreau.

Director Goodreau is anxious about the severe shortage of stall space for horses.

Indeed, after horse handlers Jeff Berry and Adam Farrington finish returning the 60 horses from the Society’s pastures across from the Maine Correctional Center on River Road in Windham to the barn stalls, there is not one vacant space to be found.

Tales abound about the horrid conditions which have brought many of the large animals to their home here at the Society. Some are placed here temporarily while the state conducts legal proceedings. Horses may stay at the location permanently.

Euthanization is not an option unless a severe medical emergency arises. Some horses are adopted.

Adoption is a complicated process, however. Many of the horses suffer the long-lasting effects of serious abuse or neglect. They may fear human contact or misbehave. Their hooves may have gone years without proper attention; they can never be ridden or pull pleasure carts because of these and other issues.

Dr. Chris Fraser, state veterinarian, explained during a visit to the Society that there are few people who do not “intuitively love horses.” Purchasing a horse is a fairly easy undertaking; in fact it may be the simplest part of the huge responsibility which comes with horse ownership.

Unlike a dog or cat, these large animals are totally dependent upon their owners for every aspect of their lives.

Horses are tough, resilient creatures. However, they must always be provided shelter from severe weather, especially cold winds and heavy precipitation. They must drink several gallons of water daily.

Their hooves must be trimmed and teeth filed down periodically, and baby teeth sometimes extracted.

A tooth ache or a belly problem often requires veterinary care. Large animal veterinarians are not numerous in Maine; and a vet call to the barn is very expensive.

Norma Worley points out, “Not many people can take on the expense of a horse as a lawn ornament.”

The predicament of some Maine horses is exacerbated by the fact that the fledgling horse rescue department of Small Animal Rescue team (SMART) has had its federal funding terminated and is itself in a desperate financial situation, according to Shelly Doak, the director of the Agriculture Department’s Division of Animal Health and Industry.

With the state of Maine widening its search for acceptable stall space the fortunate horses at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals on River Road work on their rehabilitation plans, enjoy the airy barns, open paddocks, individualized diets, and generous clean bedding every day.

As crew member, Renee Cyr, puts it the Society is “primarily about horses.”

The Maine Society for the Protection of Animals can be contacted at 1-800-782-7447. The barn at 279 River Road in Windham welcomes public visits after 1 p.m. weekdays or by appointment.