In the coming days may we all draw inspiration from the heart of the wild horse and vow to keep that spirit alive as we battle for their future. Next week advocacy will refocus on the “big picture” in Congress and the release of the additional funding set to run a corporate agenda that can have devastating consequence. We must turn the direction of funding from catastrophe into protection. It wont be easy. 

When you see wild horses on the range it is an extraordinary experience. Family bands peacefully graze as foals test new legs. As band encounters band, the complex structure of the herd can be fascinating to observe.

The year 2019 closed out a tumultuous decade for our wild ones.

Many events stand out in memory. The first case in history to go to court against abuse and it won and more followed, and won. A 6 year fight for daily access to roundups, that won. Data that stopped unjustified roundups before they could begin.

Each one of those cases represents thousands of hours in field. Each road mile, experience, image etched in memory. Tens of thousands of faces represented in hundreds of thousands of images, volumes of notes, countless hours of video.

The images from roundups do not only represent the images that became evidence in courtrooms, they serve as a constant reminder of the spirit of the wild horse that we must fight so hard to protect.

At the most recent roundup at North Hills a dramatic escape was an inspiring reminder of the heart of our wild horses, their intelligence and the fight for freedom. We have witnessed so many moments of tenderness, protectiveness and bravery. There are so many single events, and faces, that add up to the whole of history of experience…. 

One such event occurred 8 years ago (long before “better equipment”) when a stallion put up an amazing flight to save his family, other bands and his steadfastness as his family was loaded and shipped forever from the range. His persistence, so valiant, caused the trap site to be broken down and moved.

Yes, he lost his family and that day we saw relentless and chaotic pursuit. But one stallion, one wild horse, was so persistent he cause a trap to be shut down. A true inspiration. 

We will never forget this day. 

Over the next few weeks advocacy will refocus on the battle raging over funding and a corporate agenda set to run a broken program to collapse. 

Today we remember all of the miles, experiences, faces…

In the coming days may we all draw inspiration from the heart of the wild horse and vow to keep that spirit alive as we battle for their future.

~~~~

Help us stay in the fight.