FRANKFORT, Ind. -- A horse rescue center in dire need of financial support will have to start turning away animals if help doesn't come soon.

The Indiana Horse Rescue facility in Clinton County operates primarily on donations, which are down as the horse population is up, 6News' Sarah Cornell reported.

Philip Collins, farm manager, said that staff members have found homes for more than 500 surrendered horses over the last 15 years.

"We'll take in horses from individuals that can't take care of them anymore," Collins said. "They are moving out of state, just different reasons. We've taken in horses from divorces."

The number of horses brought to Indiana Horse Rescue is up 30 percent this year, an increase Collins blames mainly on the economy.

"Money is the big issue, because if you cannot feed them at all, you can't take them in," Collins said.

Feed and hay could cost about $60 a month for a single horse, not including any medical expenses and housing.

Sue Rogers said she's considering buying a second horse for her daughter, Kirstyn, but is making sure she's financially prepared.

"There's the shoes, the veterinary fees ... It's not like taking care of a cat," Rogers said.

The Frankfort facility currently has 32 horses, which is all it can handle. Collins said that if donations don't increase, they might be forced to take some horses away.

"Then, they all suffer -- not one horse, but all the horses suffer," he said.

Indiana Horse Rescue is the largest such operation in the state. Another of its facilities in southwestern Indiana still has room for more horses.

More Info: Indiana Horse Rescue