Call it a perfect storm: The number of horses needing the services of the nation’s equine rescues is up sharply. And the amount of dollars in private donations that support these groups has fallen significantly.

For example, Hummer Ranch Pregnant Mare Rescue, which houses horses at a small Aptos, Calif. ranch until they can be adopted, has run out of cash, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

Lisa Carter, who has been with the SPCA for six years, says she's never seen such a big drop in donations and such a demand for animal shelter services.

"As the economy continues its downward trend all facets of our community are struggling to make ends meet," Lynn Hummer, owner of the horse rescue effort, told the newspaper "I am inundated with calls daily to take, help, or pick up horses in need. I have even received calls from other rescue organizations asking if I have room for a horse."

In Idaho, a Rexburg couple has seen an unprecedented increase in the need for their services.

Teresa Kalco, and her husband, Snuffy, run BGB horse rescue (BGB stand for Barely Getting By), according to LocalNews8.com, located in Idaho Falls. "In the last year there has been an extreme increase on abused and abandoned horses," said Teresa.

Since May, seven animals have been abandoned on the Kalco's property, the website reported. The increase in numbers of horses is putting a severe financial strain on the couple.

“We keep three boarders and that really helped us break even two years ago when hay was $90 a ton," said Teresa.  "At $200 a ton, it's just not doing it. Plus, we're caring for double the amount of horses."

Although it’s difficult to find exact numbers, local rescue organizations report that there is an increasing number of abandoned and neglected horses that are falling into their care.