HOWELL, Mich. -- Horses are the latest victims of tough economic times in Michigan. Horse Haven, a not-for-profit horse rescue shelter in Howell has said the stables are filled to capacity and they have to turn away sick and abandoned horses.

"They can't afford it. They can't afford to move the horse out of state, which is very expensive with the price of gas now," said Horse Haven President Barbara Baker.

Baker said the owners who have to give their horses away come in tears thinking that they may have to euthanize their prized pets.

Baker said she is forced to turn away 100 or more horses and miniature horses a week from desperate pet owners.

Horse Haven is also struggling to make ends meet. "Right now we don't have the space to take them or the funds," said Baker.

The price of hay has doubled in the past year and the shelter expects to pay over $30,000 in hay alone this year. Also, cash-strapped donors have cut back on donations and even the number of volunteers who operate the nonprofit shelter have dwindled, according to Baker.

Shelters in other states are also seeing a spike in abandoned horses.