What this unpleasant business has highlighted is the massive demand among horse owners to find new homes for animals which have become too much of a liability or an expense. But horses and ponies, like any other animal, are a responsibility that should be for life. You have to think about this before you get them. It may sound hard but it's a lot better than your horse ending up in an auction to be passed around dealers and meat men. You don't want your horse sold on to the meat men.
Problems can still arise or owners' circumstances change.