It’s difficult to explain.  But you are just in awe of them all.  What they went through to survive.  The role their ancestors played in the settling of the west and what they mean to the spirit of America.

To the outsider looking in, they are just some horses running wild.  Believing the media spun story that they are doing environmental damage and need to be removed (to be replaced by larger herds of cattle).

Yet, when you get out here and see them up close.  Your opinions and your views begin to change.  You start to see them for what they are.  America’s treasure.  Battling to stay alive, to stay wild and to be free.

Kudos to my wife, the Camera Wench… and our friend for life, Sazzy (sazzyshotz) for capturing these all too brief moments we get to spend with them.

Thankfully they are just a small herd and have been able to stay off the radar of the Obama administration and the Cattleman’s association backed BLM (Government agency being ran by a cattle association supporter and large Obama campaign supporter).  As they are removing the larger herds in Northern Nevada.  Moving them (at taxpayers expense) to holding pens in the Midwest.  While a Wild Horse sanctuary remains close by and unused.

To help support the battle to keep these beautiful creatures free, we are selling prints of the wild horses and donating the proceeds to organizations helping the cause. Photo prints of the wild horses of Nevada

Want more information on the plight of the wild mustangs, follow Saving Americas Mustangs

These wild Mustangs are being rounded up and moved off land promised to the herds by 1971 laws and treaties.  Being mishandled and abused, on their way to taxpayer financed holding centers, while an empty, non government owned refuge sits close by.  All this to make room for cattle grazing by ranchers  favorable to the administration.

Animal rights groups and those who have a vested (legal) interest in the salvation of the Mustangs are being kept far from the operation.  Not allowing any kind of inspection or verification.   All contractor vehicles have had their license plates and identification markers removed.

For Updates and more information, Click Here

Las Vegas was ground zero for the wild horse debate this past weekend.

According to the website, The Summit of The Horse,  was a “summit of concerned citizens who understand what is necessary to keep the land, the horses, the people, the cultures, and the economies vibrant and healthy.”

They met at the South Point Resort to discuss bringing back horse slaughter in the United States as a viable solution to the wild horse “problem”.

They even got Bob Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management, to be a speaker at the event.  Claiming it was his duty to talk with all those concerned with the issue.  His attendance was not an endorsement of the idea.

It may not be a direct endorsement of the idea, but we do know that Mr Abbey is a friend of the cattlemen who want unrestricted access to cheap federal lands for grazing. of cattle.  And that the wild mustangs pose a serious roadblock to their plans and desires.

Using the discredited argument that the wild Mustangs are over populated and endangering the lands they are on, they need to be brought down to “manageable” numbers.  By sending the excess horses to slaughter instead of to holding pens as the BLM  currently does, would save the government money as well as provide new jobs for western states.

Logic?? Who Needs Logic??
Most people can agree that holding these beautiful creatures in over crowded pens is wrong and costly to the American taxpayer.  But sending them to slaughter is not the answer.

The current system of rounding up and holding them in pens was an idea created by and profited by cattle ranchers, not Wild Mustang advocates.  Other, more economical ideas that cost less and give the Mustangs their freedom back, have been routinely ignored by the BLM.

Pandering to the left’s cry about all the jobs and new tax base a horse slaughter business doesn’t hold water.  Preserving our past and our history while creating eco-tourism involving the wild mustangs, would create as many if not more long term jobs and tax base.

Your Thoughts??

Wild Mustangs of Southern Nevada

Editors Note: This email came from a concerned wild horse lover and friend in Minnesota.  She also owns a part Mustang and is very active in saving our wild horses.  Your help and support in saving these beautiful animals is desperately needed.  Mustangs may not be an ‘endangered species,’ yet but, it is only a matter of time.  Lets work together to stop that from happening, and save the mustangs.

I am sending this to EVERYONE on my email list. For those of you who are not aware of the plight of America’s wild horses, below is a very brief history and overview of what is going on. I recently had an amazing opportunity to see some of these horses in their wild state, and to actually walk among the bands.

The plight of the wild horses has been close to my heart for many years, but never more so than now that I have actually touched some of these wonderful animals and spent time in their world. Also I have continually sought information about their history and what is currently happening to the herds.

I am asking you to write to your Congressmen, Senators, the President, other elected officials and any other prominent people. Tell anyone you can. Pass this along to those on you email list. OUR wild horses-yours and mine, are in jeopardy!

WILD HORSES

True. Wild horses of America are not truly wild. They are feral. They were brought here by the Spaniards. These were fine Andalusian’s and Spanish Barbs. War horses for the conquistadors. (there were no horses here at that time, all of Americas horses had already become extinct in the ice age previously) Over time some of those horses got loose, were set free, stolen, etc and some started living free on their own. These free roaming horses became the foundation on which America was built.

In almost ever aspect of the building of this fine country, the Mustang (as they became known) was a vital part. Over time only the hardiest of these horses survived on their own, meaning each generation became tougher, smarter and stronger. These horses were the ponies Native Americans used to hunt buffalo. They were used by the cowboys and vaqueros to herd cattle. They were used to pull stagecoaches across harsh lands. They WERE the Pony Express. Prospectors occasionally used them to haul equipment. The US Cavalry used them to breed with Thoroughbreds to raise faster, tougher remounts for their troops. Three different American horse breeds were created from them (American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa and American Paint Horse-in fact the renowned King Ranch of Texas used them to build the first Quarter Horses to help run their famous cattle ranch).

They traveled this new land with explorers (it has been noted that the Lewis and Clark expedition had at least one Appaloosa colored horse with them and in that era, the only Appaloosa spotted horses in America were either Mustangs or Mustang offspring bred by the Nez Perce Indian tribe) They pulled carriages with families to church on Sundays and plowed in the fields next to the oxen during the week on settlers’ farms. They ARE America. The very heart of the heritage and freedom and ingenuity we all love in our country.  THIS should be reason enough to allow their descendants to roam free on OUR ranges.

Certainly over hundreds of years their fine Spanish blood has been diluted by ranch horses intermingled with them along the way, but it has not been diminished. They are still the descendants of the horses who MADE America. Even more than the American Bald Eagle, the American Mustang is a symbol of this great country.

Now that I’ve given you reason that the “wild” horses deserve to have their freedom on public land, I will address any concerns for wildlife and wild land.

Unless a horse is confined to a small space where it does beat down a tiny area until no grass can grow, it is not a problem. By comparison, ranch cattle allowed to graze our public lands will overgraze one area, particularly around water holes until it is barren and nothing grows there. Mustangs move to a waterhole, drink there (not for too long, not milling in it or muddying it like herds of cattle are known to do). Then they move on, continually grazing as they continually move. Therefore, no one area is over grazed.

As for their movements harming the land, I have seen deer trails that are as worn and beaten down as any horse trail. Also, their manure carries and redistributes plant seeds to replenish the land they live on. I watched bands of Mustangs come to water and move on. Not all of the bands use the same route, so they were not creating any “highway” through the land.  Also, horses eat different types of greens than deer and bighorn sheep and elk, etc. They have coexisted for hundreds of years along with wildlife. Ever since those first Spaniards’ horses got their first taste of freedom in America.

At one time hundreds of thousands of wild horses lived in harmony with the wildlife. It has been man and his cattle and sheep herds that deplete the lands and take resources from the deer, elk, mountain goats AND the Mustangs. Ranchers are using OUR public land to graze their cattle for their own benefit and profit. What’s more, they are able to lease it at ridiculously low rates. Then in their greed to make a few more dollars off of OUR land, they campaign to have Americas’ wild horses removed and their numbers depleted to dangerously low amounts.

In turn, the Bureau of Land Management, the very organization entrusted with the protection and management of the Mustangs, holds dangerous and sometimes deadly roundups by helicopter. (At the same time, wildlife organizations like the Forest Service also target the Mustangs for removal, claiming that because the horses are not truly wild, they do not belong on public lands and that they compete with the wildlife for grass, which I’ve already addressed as untrue)

These roundups chase and terrorize the horses into running over many miles of rugged land until they are captured. Some horses are injured in these runs, some so badly they must be euthanize at the end.  (A recent roundup in Nevada-Calico Hills-resulted in approximately 39 horses dying or needing euthanasia due to the roundup conditions and many mares spontaneously aborting their foals) If this was not bad enough, those horses who do not find good homes in the BLM Adoption program (often older horses who have spent many years as free creatures) are then sent to permanent holding pens to live out the rest of their lives.

What these holding pens amount to, are feedlots. Corrals too small to retain grass, with large numbers of horses grouped together. This is like prison to an innocent man. The horses will languish there imprisoned until their life ends. Stallions who were once kings of their domain, mares who used to move freely across the land, they will all stand and mill about in these small, bare lots that become their final home.

At this time it is estimated that over 30,000 Mustangs are being held in these pens. That is more wild horses than exist in the wild. The BLM addresses any public opposition to rounding up so many wild horses by saying they are overpopulating the land and many are in danger of starving. I have heard some of these gatherings referred to as emergency roundups. That may occasionally be the case. However, I have walked among some of these bands (and seen photos of others) and they are doing quite well on their own, without our mismanagement.

These are not poor starving creatures that we must save. They are beautiful, in their own way, each one exuding a sense of quiet pride. They do not receive a feeding of grain and hay, no stall to sleep in, no daily grooming. Yet, they do very well on their own. Their hooves are in good condition, and while some may show some ribs, none that I saw in several bands, looked in any way emaciated or in poor health. Nature has fine tuned these horses to live in harsh conditions, partly due to the fact that man has pushed them farther and farther into the back country of this nation.

While it may be okay for some amounts of ranch cattle to graze public lands, this should be managed in a better manner. The cattle and sheep ranchers should not be allowed to take control of such large amounts of public, wild land and water resources. Their numbers should be more closely monitored to protect the resources of these lands from damage and overuse and to ensure that the lands can provide for the wildlife, including Mustangs that make this land their home.

These horses belong on the American range lands much more than the ranchers’ cattle do and just as much as the elk, deer and other wildlife do. And, what’s more, they’ve EARNED the right to be there.***

Veleda

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An inside look at the underbelly of the horse slaughter industry. Copyright / Voluntary Instinct Productions. Reproduction or unauthorized use of the video is not permitted.

Did you know there are only two groups of wild horses or horses that have never been domesticated?  The first group is the Tarpan Wild Horse is from Europe and Asia, and the second group is the Przewalski’s Horse also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse from Central Asia and the Gobi Desert.

“Wild Horses” as the term is used today is in reference to herds of horses that roam freely, including the Mustang in the United States and the Brumby in Australia.  These horses are feral horses, who are descendants of horses that arrived in America with the Spanish Conquistadors in the 15th century.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 recognized Mustangs as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, which continue to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people.”

During my travels around Southern Nevada, I have come across a small band of wild horses also known as mustangs.  I have been around horses all my life and was very excited to have found a symbol of the American West… a mystery never full explained and only seen in my mind or on the Hollywood big screen.

Not sure what to expect I watched these beautiful creatures from a safe distance, but curiosity got the better of me.  How would they react to me and would they accept me as a non-threat, someone who only wanted to admire and love them for them.

My first encounter was with a bay stallion, who nickered at me and seemed to connect with me.  The bay came towards me and I towards him, he blew softly at me, and I blew back on his muzzle.  Time seemed to pause and it was only him and I, I was able to stroke this wild creature, and I was not afraid nor was he.  I know then as I know now, it is my purpose in life to protect these wild creatures from the world that does not know of them or the plight.

I have been out to the wild horses many times now, and try to go on a regular basis.  Every time is a magical experience; I have been embraced by the wild horses, and accepted by them.

On occasion I see new mares that a stallion has acquired, I see the bachelor stallion bands grow as the young stallions are driven from their original bands, and other time I see my old friends.  On occasion I can connect with a horse that was unsure of me at first, but patience and quiet moments have paid off.  One stallion has even returned with his band to greet me, and has stayed with me for some time.

In closing I would like to stress that I do not encourage anyone to approach or interact with the wild horses as I do.  (I have taken a few people out to see the wild horses, but only after explaining how to interact with the wild horses.  Ensuring their safety and that of the wild horses is very important to me.)  I have over twenty years experience with horses and I am confident around them.  When I am with the wild horses I do not force them to do anything they do not already do naturally, what you see here is what I have seen after hours of patient observation.  (You can meet the here: Friends of the Wild Horses of Southern Nevada)

What follows are the photos of the wild horses I have come to know and love.  I have chosen to share them with you, in the hopes that you will come to see their beauty, elegance, and grace as I have.  I will continue to visit the wild horses, and I encourage you to keep an eye out for the horses as I expand on my photos of these beautiful creatures. (You can see the Wild Horses here: Wild Horses of Southern Nevada)

It is my hope that you will help me protect and save the wild horses from their biggest predator… humans.  Wild horses are wild and it is this freedom that is threatened, but with your help we can keep them free for generations to enjoy.

KJ Anthony
Equestrian Moments

Madeline Pickens and others argue the merits of having a wild mustang sanctuary that creates tours for educational purposes.  I always questioned that idea.  Education?  Who would benefit from seeing the wild mustangs on an “educational tour”?  And wouldn’t that exploit them even more?

My argument always has been that the Wild Mustangs are a symbol of the American spirit, if not the American west.  Who needs educating on that??  Why exploit the horses more than they already are??

Well, as fate should have it, a reality check hit me square in the eyes last month.  I can now say “I See The Light!!”

First was at the Armargosa Opera House in Death Valley.  There, they are known to make friends with the wild mustangs.  Inviting friends and visitors out to see them, pet them and get friendly with them….

Richard, the caretaker of the Opera House, explained that the wild horses around their place are people friendly and that the friendliness helps with the horses chances for a successful adoption.  It also gives the visitor an idea of what we are really fighting for.  All in real living color and in the horse’s natural environment.

A second encounter was with a tour group.  This time, it was literally face to face with the symbol of the American west.  Most of the guests had already heard the media and government’s side of the story.  From what they thought they knew to what they saw, is a story all by itself.

Some felt that it’s just a horse.  Wild or otherwise, we can see them in almost any state at any time of the year.  What’s so special about these??  I can now honestly say they found their answer looking them in the face.

As they watched the horses slowly walk past them, on their route to water, the guests felt a special bond with the animals that they could not explain.  A couple of the horses stopped to investigate the two-legged creatures and wondering what they wanted.  Posing for pictures before moving on.

My guests expressed a unique sense of honor to be able to walk amongst them, in their natural environment and to see the hierarchy and the heard instinct in play.  Not to mention their ability to survive in this rough, unforgiving terrain.

The herd instinct happened when one of the mustangs tried to separate a female from our “herd” and make her part of his own herd.  She got a quick education in Wild Mustang 101.

They also saw that these are not skinny, malnourished, near-death creatures in need of help or disposal.  Yes, some are bruised and battered from territorial fights.  But they were all very healthy horses.

Many now understood that these creatures are more than just a horse.  That they may not be native to this land (neither are we), yet they are an important part of it.  The wild mustang does belong here.  They do not belong in holding pens and definitely not in some midwestern state grazing field.

Most of the questions were from the guests trying to reconcile what they were told to what they were seeing and experiencing.  They talked about how they grew up to stories of the west and in their mind saw the mustangs.  Now, here they are standing next to one.  They were awed by the whole experience…

So maybe Madeline and the others have a valid point that needs to be explored.  That people are really hungry to see what they imagined growing up.  To let people see the symbol that has inspired so many books, movies and lives.  See them in person and in their natural environment.

A sanctuary for the Wild Mustangs.  A place that inspires the soul and feeds the imagination.  What a wonderful place that would be!

Madeleine Pickens talks about her love for animals, including dogs (her 18-year-old ‘Oliver Pickens’) and horses alike, and explains how America can save and protect our wild horses by supporting the Wild Horse Sanctuary.

Part 2: Madeleine Pickens’ National Wild Horse Rescue Foundation to host “Salute the Mustangs” event madeleinesmustangs.org