“This one isn’t just any old horse. There’s a nobility in his eye, a regal serenity about him. Does he not personify all that men try to be and never can be? I tell you, my friend, there’s divinity in a horse, and specially in a horse like this. God got it right the day he created them. And to find a horse like this in the middle of this filthy abomination of a war, is for me like finding a butterfly on a dung heap. We don’t belong in the same universe as a creature like this.” ― Michael Morpurgo, War Horse
America’s most well documented “war horse,” those that once roamed the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. Their important role in US history could not save them.
On Memorial Day weekend we are reposting several articles that honor wild horses, public land and the fight to protect our land, horses and the law. We are receiving numerous messages asking which memories stand out in our mind. After some urging from several of our readers, we decided to list some of the poignant moments in this battle to save our wild ones and public lands. This truly is a Deranged war.
The last of the Sheldon herds were removed and shipped to slaughter and backyard rodeos by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Less than 10% of the last Sheldon wild horses found their way to safety.
In Loving Memory (remembering the Sheldon)… written
As I sit to begin to write a piece to mark this important day, a large red mare sees me and watches. Coffee in hand at 5 am I move to sit in my truck to work (I am so used to working in the truck that I work most efficiently there). I set up the laptop and place the coffee on the dash. I pull up some reference material yet each time I go to type a word she lets out a deep chested “hey, breakfast,” (or “Hay, breakfast”)…. read the rest of the journal piece here.
Silver King was the beginning of our 6 year battle to gain access to government actions during processing and handling during roundups and in facilities. We named this stallion after his home, Silver King.
Triple B, Full Circle (the advocate and the judge)… written
I am just returning from the Triple B (2019) roundup of wild horses. I have not even gotten all of our documentation, including legal engagement on CAWP, logged yet. Every time I go to a range the past and present meld and mix. Each valley, dusty road, clank of pens, and whir of the helicopter blades, bring memory after memory.
In August of 2011, almost exactly 8 years ago, I worked hard day after day documenting, researching and crafting a case. I struggled to find funding, patching it together, taking a loan, and finally found it. I walked into court in a borrowed jacket and the cleanest t-shirt I had…. to read the rest of the article click here.
At Wild Horse Education we carry so many memories that give fuel to the burning desire to protect our wild ones from the callous disregard they experience at the hands of federal land management agencies. Abuse on, and off the rang,e are a constant reality in the daily lives of our wild ones. From being fenced off of water, pushed relentlessly off their home with brutal capture methods to satisfy buddy clubs and profit lines, to bing sent by the thousands to sale without oversight.
We continue the fight.
You can help us. You can take critical action this holiday weekend. Just click here.
Stay strong. Stay Safe. Never Give Up. Our wild ones need your voice as we continue the Deranged War of Public Lands.
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We are up against a very well funded machine. Can you help us continue to fight back?
Memories…
Categories: Legal, Roundup Reality, Wild Horse Education
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