Happy Mother’s Day (from a WHE volunteer and the Callaghan Complex)

By Laura Leigh on May 9, 2026

WHE volunteer Tammi Adams has a Mother’s Day message for all of you after spending a few days out on the Callaghan complex.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers of humans, canines, felines, equines, and every other variation of living creature or plant that require a woman’s touch in order to survive! Just know you are appreciated and needed in this world, and not just today – EVERY day.

For those of us who have lost our mothers, Mother’s Day may be a day of deep sadness and thoughtful reflection on all that was lost to us with the passing of our mothers. No one can guide us through life, knowing completely who we are, like our mothers.

Wild animals also experience sadness and confusion, and many will not be able to survive and will lose their lives with the loss of their mothers – especially at a young age.

Have ever heard of the “Lead Mare Doctrine?” In brief it describes the irreparable harm caused when a “lead mare” is removed from the family band and herd (this has even been part of court cases). Wild horse (and burro) babies, bands, and even entire herds depend on mothers/lead mares to keep the glue together and ensure survival.

Many of us have also experienced this same kind of harm and impact to our lives with the loss of our mothers…the feeling that we are lost and that mom was the only one who really knew us, and how can we begin to survive without her.

In honor of all mothers today, and to honor my beautiful mother, the stunning Shoshone wild horses of Nevada – my “heart herd” – shall illustrate the love and importance of a mother mare.

I was an adorable child.

I was fortunate to grow up in a loving, secure family.

With two older brothers, who were thick as thieves.

I was certainly daddy’s girl.

With a loving, strong, and independent mother.

While I had an innate knack for irritating my mother.

She could also irritate me.

We had fun as a family.

And enjoyed our extended family.

A long, LONG time ago, in my late teens, early twenties, I told my dad I never wanted children. His response was palatable.

As life progressed, many of my friends started having babies…

And I realized what I was missing.

I found myself a handsome, intelligent, and strong partner.

And with my two beautiful children.

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Was blessed with a bonus child.

Our family continues to grow.

While life is not always without storms.

A Mother’s day is always blessed.

As we give thanks to the lineage of mothers who have brought love and light into our lives, please take a moment to think about all the mares/jennies, foals, and stallions/jacks who shall lose their freedom from BLM roundups, this year and past and present years.

Especially those of the Callaghan Complex HMAs, slatted for removal starting July 10^th of this year – during drought and foaling season…

Take action today to help us gain enforceable welfare rules to stop preventable death and suffering and to begin true reform of the program. Click here.

We need your support to keep our teams engaging lawmakers, our team fighting in the court, our team ready to run the roundup schedule. Every mile we travel to cover roundups or assess a herd, every court case we bring, every win, every action we take is only possible because of your support