Pam Ryan, a long-time horse enthusiast and potential future owner, recently spotted an online listing seeking homes for orphaned foals and found it hard to believe the young horses were homeless.

“Surely somebody could help these babies,” she said. “There must be something that can be done to find them good homes.”

Adopting orphaned animals is one way equine enthusiasts can help horses. But some veterinarians, trainers, and rescue operators say there are other important—but sometimes less frequently considered—things people can do to improve the lives of both at-risk horses’ lives and those in your backyard. Here’s what they recommend.

Do your research. Equine practitioner Tom R. Lenz, DVM. MS, Dipl. ACT, former chairman of the Unwanted Horse Council, has long advocated the benefits of retraining horses for second careers. But even before that can happen, Lenz believes prospective owners should know what retraining options are currently available