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Wild Horses in Winds of Change Promo

Mustangs Help Urban Kids Grow Up Well.

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"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire.

it is a grand passion" author unknown

Throughout recorded and pre-historic history the horse and human being have had what may be the most significant mammal to mammal relationship. Humans harnessed the magnificent power and strength of the horse to accomplish it's need for something bigger and stronger than itself. Horses of all breeds shaped our lives as we manipulated there's. Today, while an estimated thirty thousand wild horses are rounded up from their lawful free roaming range lands, some find homes through adoption.

Westernaires, founded in 1949 provides training in horse care, western riding and precision drills for children between the ages of 9 and 19 who reside in the metropolitan area of Jefferson County , on the outskirts of Denver Colorado. It is a non-profit, operated entirely by volunteers and run by donations. It provides a model for others to replicate who want to help both America's Mustangs and urban children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn from and work with horses. Sixty of there current one hundred and seven saddle horses are mustangs.

Westernaire's director, Glen Keller, works full time without pay in dedicated service to a program he knows for certain makes a positive contribution to the lives of the children who commit to the program. Commitment is key to being involved and one of the many lessons learned in the process.

Adhering to strict rules, values and discipline are part of the commitment students make to stay involved. "Responsibility is what helps children grow up to be good adults." Keller states.

The mustangs as saddle horses blend into the mix of drafts and ponies being ridden in the indoor and outdoor arenas. School season weekends and daily throughout the summer, the small acreage, smack in the middle of a metro sprawl is an energetic blend of adult trainers, kids of all ages, social status, creed and color. In this case 60 once wild horses are given a chance to fill a human need, consequently be saved from indeterminate years of confinement.

"Our country has a problem with accepting mustangs," Keller says. "This is one situation that helps get some of them out of trouble."

A wild horse, although genetically the same as most domestic breeds, brings with them a deep seeded wisdom gained from learning how to survive harmoniously with nature. As an animal of prey, a mustang's intuition and senses are keenly honed.

Westernaire's has a military feel to it. Kids and trainers all in uniforms, orders yelled from adult trainers for kids to control their horse as they line up for precision riding drills. These animals weigh around one thousand pounds and if out of control could cause serious hurt so...... control is part of the exercise. Willingness between rider and horse is also apparent.

I observed an inquisitive and grateful attitude in the air of excitement, an among the young girl riders an understanding of the importance of gentleness that comes from needing one another. The wild horses, after they've been rounded up, make a choice to collaborate with humans. I imagine -- it's innate wisdom, that leads them to partner with us for their own survival, and maybe in some cases because they carry an innate understanding that, their ancestors throughout eons served humans, so why not now?

Regardless of all the misguided excuses used for the violent and excessive round ups of wild horses from their lawful free roaming public lands and there consequential confinement in long term, crowded holding facilities, they need our help on every level. I hope we step up for their welfare any way we can. Westernaire's has been helping urban kids grow up to be good adults through working with horses for over sixty years. We need more programs like this one---an investment in our heritage and future: children and America's wild horses.

Get involved politically, help organizations like Westernaire's by donating, consider adopting a mustang or starting a sanctuary, rescue organization, therapeutic riding center, donating to various NGO's already helping the plight of America's mustangs. If you're a horse trainer, sign up to help train them for riding. Search the web to find which niche to help wild horses fits your sensibilities, get informed, be proactive, and help find solutions.

The 90 Day Mustang

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Quotes by Will Rogers from Never Met A Man I Didn’t Like.

“if I wanted good horses I would never leave America for ‘em.”

“Horsemanship: through the history of all nations has been considered one of the highest accomplishments.”

“The man that doesn’t like a horse----there’s something the matter with him.”

A Will Roger’s photo hangs on the welcoming wall of the Leach home in Tucson Arizona. I grew up hearing stories from my Claremore Oklahoma Dad about Will Rogers who lived on the adjoining property. I’ve since written a series of young adult books, based upon Will Rogers’s wisdom.

Antiques and photographs of a life filled with values for family, love, God and horses decorate the Leach’s inviting home. I knew I was going to like these people as soon as I met Kathy Leach who picked me up from the airport. She grew up in Valentine Nebraska where I used to stop to visit my Lakota cousins and get to ride Indian ponies (nearly wild horses).

Logan Leach, her son, is the horse’s trainer I was following for this piece. He spoke of his Mom and Dad with genuine respect as he demonstrated his work training his next mustang for competition and auction, at the “Extreme Mustang Makeover” in Heber City Utah. He and his Dad both were given a wild horse by the BLM to saddle train in ninety days. I arrived in Tucson a week before the competition. Dillon, Logan’s horse, had some spirit left in his eyes, a unique gait and a lavish, long mane. Logan said “even though I make him work, he comes up to me rather than the two women who dote on him through the fence everyday. I think that shows we’ve built a bond, and he sees me as a leader.”

Lanny Leach, Logan’s Dad is a quintessential cowboy who comes from a long line of Nebraska cattle ranchers. Now as a horse trainer, working with his son at stables in Tucson, he’s on or beside a horse from dawn to dusk. Although he would never call himself a “horse whisperer”, I and many others would. He shows a deep understanding of what the horse needs to be assured of in order to learn. He’s also doesn’t refer to himself as a “natural horseman” because he believes in long in the saddle tried and true methods. His listening and respect for the horses he trains is gentle, efficient and honest.

Logan and Lanny Leach are proficient horse trainers selected to saddle train a wild mustang in ninety days. Dillon and Ruger, the two mustangs featured in this piece, were picked up by the Leaches at the Palamino Valley holding facility in Nevada. The four-year-old horses had been in holding for a couple of years. They had not been gentled or ridden, but somehow fit the characteristics of what the BLM selected to be a saddle-trained horse.

Logan tells of how wild Dillon was when he first got him. He found the opportunity to work with him rewarding and challenging. He, like his Dad, takes great pride in training a mustang.

“The mustang is a symbol of how America was settled. I don’t know how we could have done it without them. I hope some mustangs can always remain on the range, but for those who can’t, I hope they’ll be able to find good homes.” Lanny tells me as the desert sun sets behind him and his ninety-day horse

A good home for a mustang doesn’t come easily. Many biases about them still exist among various “horse camps.” Horses seem to do well with routine and impress their knowledge into their genes so each new generation of horses, bred by an ever smaller gene pool, does well what it’s parents did. A quarter horse, which came from cutting horse genetic stock, is assumed to be good at being a cutting horse. A race horse, a carriage horse, a trail rider and so on.

A mustang comes off the range knowing how to be part of a community of other wild horses that survive by working with their leaders and being nomadic. Once they’re removed from the range, all their friends, family and social order is lost, along with the forage that sustains them. They’ve adapted to eat different grasses, weeds and even shrubs as range conditions change. Sometimes horses suddenly given hay only to eat, colic and die.

The life of the wild horse, once rounded up, will never be the same. They are grouped together according to sex. The stallions are gelded and the mares are given experimental birth control. Thirty thousand and counting are warehoused in these facilities, until their fate is decided either by succumbing to an illness or law maker’s figure out how to handle the issue. Meanwhile some of the horses are selected to go up for adoption. Some untrained mustangs and burros are offered for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro adoption program.

An untrained mustang is a big challenge for a person without horse training experience. They’re thousand pound animals who have learned to be free spirited from their life in the wild and about the heaviest thing that was ever allowed on it’s back in the wild, was probably a bird that picked off flies from their coat.

Although the wild horse shows curiosity toward humans when we show up in their rangeland – most will not come close to us. If they do, it’s not a good sign, because without fear of the human their life is in peril. The lead mare and stallion of the band are good leaders, if they protect their members from human contact in the wild. Thus, the wild horse should have learned to stay away from humans and rightfully consider us their greatest predator.

Wild horses manage to adapt, so even though we’ve induced fear through roundups, stolen their families, friends and homeland, and caused countless injuries to them, they have it in them to survive and even let the human conquerors ride them, once a new leadership and bonds of trust are developed.

Most of the horses rounded up from rangelands are a hybrid of mixed genetics. One would think that because some of their ancestry had jobs as ranch horses or hauled wagons, this genetic code would remain. Maybe it does and possibly their physical features represent a particular type of genetics the BLM believes was once from domestic stock.

Logan said, “ Dillon was naturally good at doing 360 turns. I had to teach him how to do it, but once I did, it was easy for him to keep doing it.” Where did this natural ability come from, I wonder? Logan is naturally good, “gifted with horses, like his Dad,” Kathy Leach his mother comments. Did it come from genes or is it because Logan grew up on the back of horse, taught about them by his admired, trustworthy Dad.

Whatever the answer is, an adult wild horse, will take time to train even in the hands of experienced horse trainers. Lanny and Logan Leach are true horsemen. The BLM is lucky to have them on board to help train some of these mustangs. Anyone who buys a horse trained by either father and son will have a reliable riding horse and a true companion if they prove themselves worthy of the horse’s trust. If you live near Tucson you should get on the Leach mailing list. Even if you don’t have a mustang to train, you’re likely to love the events the Leaches put on in the arena. If you live anywhere and have a mustang that needs training, if you have a horse trailer, I’d consider packing your horse up and taking it to the Leaches’ to train for you.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation is contracted by the BLM to produce events that will showcase BLM mustangs and burros thus increasing their value and ability to be adopted by the public. The Extreme Mustang Makeover in Heber City, where the Leach’s and their mustangs competed, is one of many events held throughout the country. To learn more check out all of their web sites. www.mustangheritagefoundation.org, www.lannyandloganleachhorsemanship.com, www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov

I wish all the wild horses could stay on the range and I am not in agreement with current policies that are warehousing over thirty thousand wild horses without a sustainable good plan for them. There is no clearer example of the cart before the horse, which is a recipe for disaster. However, we don’t live in a perfect world and although the BLM and NFS are behind the removal of mustangs, others are not without blood on their hands regarding the horses in the wild. Besides the Park Service, The Division of Wildlife, Native American tribes, environmental groups and ranchers at large, we each contribute via our life styles of plenty to the demand on natural un-renewable resources. There’s a saying that we can’t change the world by saving an animal, but we can change the world for that animal by saving it. Each deed has a vibration; kindness being one of the best.

BLM Nevada Round Up

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BLM Nevada Round Up

As he was drifting to sleep his thoughts were of horses and of the open country and of horses. Horses still wild on the mesa who'd never seen a man afoot and who knew nothing of him or his life yet in whose souls he would come to reside forever. Cormac McCarthy, "All the Pretty Horses."

Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoof print of the horse beside it. ----- John Moore.

It was a sad day for me to witness these healthy "in good flesh" horses taken from their free roaming life on the range, but it was an even sadder day for the horses. I've written volumes about how I experienced my first wild horse round up. Nothing I felt, could come close to the trauma, fear and loss these wild horses and thousands more like them experience under human watch.

I hope this round up episode and the others I post, help people rise above preconceived ideas, apathy and indifference toward the wild horse and burro. Let's all work to continue to find sustainable, joyful outcomes for these magnificent, noble creatures. We as American's share a collective burden of responsibility for them. Throughout history they were progressively driven and released into the most desolate range lands out west. Rounding up wild horses and burros by the thousands without having a good plan for them seems like wreckless management and a lack of conscientious stewardship. Over thirty thousand and counting are now warehoused in what was initially intended to be short term holding but thousands of horses are spending their lives in these facilities. The BLM does have a few "pasture" type sanctuaries around the country, but these have been over-full for several years. Some Government employees involved in management of these amazing animals, are kind people and do care about their plight, but...... it's antiquated politics, old guard biases, and dollars that have the most say in what becomes of the wild horse and burro. Upon their back our nation was built and we most assuredly owe them a debt.

Jerome Fox, the BLM wild horse range specialist in Nevada comments in this episode that one of the problems is the horses don't stay home. Without enough food and water in one area why would they? What would you do if you were trying to survive on a diminished range land filled with broken treaties, overly saturated livestock grazing and continual land use permits for natural resources depleting your home range ? Would you stay on "your" side of the fence, cry and starve to death or would you find a way to food and water?

The wild horses culture is nomadic by nature and of course they'll seek out food and water, without regard for signs they can't read and fences they don't understand. Their ability to survive even the dinosaur is in part due to their nature to roam. They don't eat grasses down to the roots, because they'll come back later to find fresh growth. They won't bother riparian sites if they have enough water to drink and splash in elsewhere. Implementation of supplemental measures to help the horse survive in the wild, would cost far less and be a lot more "American" than turning them into total welfare recipients, after we've taken away all their chance of surviving on their own.

I don't think all the wild horses can stay on the range, because some of the land is increasingly depleted for a gazillion reasons. (we'll explore more as these episodes develop.) Bait and trap methods to gather the horses from the range are a much gentler process, but cost more, so that rules it out for the BLM. They'd rather pay millions of dollars to bad tempered helicopter pilots to get the job done fast and furiously, then move on to the next round up and other paper work agendas. They say it's not in the horse's best interest to stay on depleted range land and hunger or thirst to death, or be shot by neighboring ranchers who want to welfare graze on our public lands. No one wants wildlife to starve - and we're resourceful enough to prevent it from happening on a massive scale, if we want to. Conveniently the land, under the horse's feet has been leased, permitted or sold to every group and corporation imaginable. Alliances are made for political positioning to get an agenda met, not for the overall benefit of protecting the whole of nature - and it's inhabitants. It's all about private agenda and personal greed.

Instead of first developing a long range, sustainable solution for the horses who are legally in their charge, the BLM rounds them up by the thousands and puts them on the dole. Because of caring, responsible people, some horses are adopted and find a new lifestyle they pleasantly adapt to. Adoption's are down in this economy and even in good financial times, adoptions can't save all these horses.

Many people throughout these episodes speak about what we can learn from the mustang: to open our hearts, let go of fear, forgive, and to take time to appreciate the rise of the sun each morning. I think we can also learn from the purity of their minds and the nature of their free spirit. " They don't stay home," they have the courage to roam, they are always looking for greener pastures, a fresh water supply and more fields to run in. Can we as humans learn from the horse; to be more courageous and nomadic in how we see the world and find solutions? Can we be independent minded like our nations founding fathers and create a new "range" of possibilities to solve the planet's problems? The dire situation for the wild horse and burro provides us that opportunity. They need us to be the voice of reason, sensibility and freedom. There's actually good stuff on both sides of the fence. The horse has always known that.

Visit www.wildhorsepreservation.org to learn about many of the issues and controversy surrounding accelerated wild horse round ups and Dept. of Interior's plans for them. Please, never rule out adopting a mustang, burro or providing large acreage's of land for them. Financially support rescue organizations and get Involved. Be part of the solution in anyway you can. " God sees the little sparrow fall and meets his tender call. If God so loved the little bird, I know he loves us all." The Bible.

Adopt or help those who do if you can.

Mustang as Hunter Jumpers

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MUSTANGS: HUNTER, JUMPERS & KIDS.

“Gipsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.”from Cladaugh, "Gypsies of Galway."

Even autumns golden cottonwoods, were lively and inviting in the crisp morning air at “Brighten Meadows” in Salt Lake City, a riding school for children, started, fifteen years ago by Mary Lee Brighton. Her life long history riding horses has included owning many esteemed blood lines. “This little pony, changed my life,” she gleams, as she lovingly pets, Starbright, a fifteen year old, not even thirteen hands high. “These are the horses the BLM considered worthless, because they’re small. I couldn’t have found better horses to adopt and work with children. There are thousands more, like them, that people could adopt for English saddle training. They’re willing and trustworthy, once they’re lovingly gentled and trained."

Through the years the genetic pool of this herd area grew smaller. Meager food supply could have led to this natural adaptation to survive. They came from the isolated border lands of Nevada and Utah, where no neighboring ranchers sent out bigger stallions to increase the size of the stock. {The reason ranchers have released larger stock to breed with smaller wild horses, is to serve, their economic needs for free horses for ranch work and wild bucking stock for rodeo entertainment.] These ranchers, who now yell the loudest for the horses to be removed from public lands, often came from the same homesteading families who contributed to the development of a hybrid wild horse, that is larger, needs more to eat, and has more impact on range land.

These precious ponies and their cheerful riders have a way of brightening any ordinary day. All, teachers, riding students and horses, form relationships, through shared responsibility of caring and overcoming fears of jumping, and fast turns as they develop their skills. “We’re all happy campers” riding instructor, Lindsey Collins, says of their arena days together. Miniature mustangs get lots of hugs, love praise and a fun job, while the children get an opportunity to form life long bonds, grown through gentle listening and communications skills that will guide them into a life time of mutual cooperation and leadership.

Wild Horses Teach & Train Children

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Once Wild or Abused Horses Tame and Train Children:

“The horse through all its trials has preserved the sweetness of paradise in its blood.”
Johannes Jensen

Sparks brighten the eyes of both children and mustangs when their lives touch. Pure hearts recognize one another then bonds of trust are often formed. Some children, like mustangs, have experienced lives of upheaval and sometimes abuse.

Other boys and girls may have special needs, regardless of their supportive, nurturing parents. Bonding, love, acceptance and something worthwhile to do are common needs for all; whether we’re young or old, disadvantaged or privileged and whether you're a person or a horse.

In the hands of a kind trainer, a wild horse develops a sense of trust and safety. They willingly perform mundane to adventurous activities, at human request. Stories of how a horse saved a person’s life and led a lost or injured rider back home, fill history books. Now horses, replaced by autos, will rarely be given those same chances, but they are through their peril, providing us a chance to save our humanity.

A wild horse, once gentled to accept humans as friends, often shows a particular interest in children. There's often an unspoken understanding between them.

The mustangs at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch in ( Littleton CO) who appear in “Children and Horses” trailer, have a wonderful home now due to the Messenich’s and Amanda Davis. The mission of Zuma’s is to rescue horses and children, partly due to an alliance formed with Gail Trembly, a foster parent whose life work has included, both children in need and a life long love of horses. “Children don’t like to go to traditional therapy, but when you offer a therapy session with a horse, their resistance goes away. The deep needs to be understood, seem to be mirrored between a mustang and a child. “ www.zumasrescuranch.com

Phillip Tedeschi a professor of social work, now based out of University of Denver grew up with horses. He is now developing many social work/counseling programs around the world emphasizing the healing aspects of the animal/human bond. His research and study groups confirm, “Horses, have a special ability to reach autistic and abused children, that people and other animals cannot”

If we teach the young to listen from their intuitive senses and forgive from their heart, like a horse from the wild does, we may help grow leaders who make peace on earth and goodwill to all, their mission for life.

WHO LIVES, WHO DIES: Wild Horse Ecology: Lessons From the Fields

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WHO LIVES, WHO DIES: Wild Horse Ecology: Lessons From The Field with Mary Ann Simonds

While most scientific studies focus on one aspect of something in minute detail, the science of ecology is holistic. It evaluates whole eco systems and their inter-dependent relationship with natural resources, and species. The natural world and its inhabitants have demonstrated great adaptability over eons of time. The wild horse and burro may be one of the most ancient mammals to have adapted to changing weather patterns and forage conditions through major catastrophic, evolutionary changes.

Horses and burros have survived across continents in moist rich grasslands, sandy islands, barren deserts and sub zero mountain ranges. They’ve morphed physically and behaviorally to survive varied environments as well as human breeding and domestication.

Mary Ann Simonds, an Equine Behaviorist and Ecologist comments on how lucky she was to be able to study and observe horses and burros in the wild. She warns, “Now we are losing horse culture as it exists in the wild. The wild horse hasn’t fit into anyone’s basket so has eluded scientific study. Misconceptions about their origin and their ability to be domesticated has tragically led them to be categorized as livestock by public land officials, ranchers, the horse industry and many environmental groups. “

Folks, who know horses well, are the first to vouch for the unique differences between one horse and the next. Most of the horses in the wild in this country now are what Ms. Simond’s refers to as hybrids. They are mixed breeds of Spanish barb (likely the horse with primitive markings that geneticists believe originated on this continent then returned with the Spaniards) then were cross bred with other domesticated breeds who were over time turned lose with wild horses. Wild herds can be historically traced to outlaws, famous cowboys, battles, cavalry, Indian ponies, ship wrecks, ranchers wanting to increase size and alter blood lines for future use or more profitable sales. Only the strongest have survived without human supplementation of food and water and ever-dwindling natural resources.

Our impact as humans is the real killer of natural resources. Land lawfully set aside for the horses has been parceled out for sale and leased for cattle grazing, oil and gas and mining and some for recreational use. Roads, pipelines, industrial and residential sprawl, fencing off water resources and draining water tables, have left behind toxic chemicals that impact rangeland productivity. Now the claim being made by the BLM and the NFS, the two organizations lawfully responsible to protect the wild horse and burro as free roaming animals, is that the range is in bad shape and cannot sustain wild horse and burro herds.

The long term, remarkable survival of these animals is largely due to highly evolved collective collaboration. In addition their genetic viability is based upon mating of the strongest as well as having enough numbers to ensure no inbreeding. The management policies of those in charge are manipulating and weakening the wild horses and burros ability to survive in nearly every possible way.

Our consumption of resources is part of this equation fueling some of the Government’s drastic mismanagement of public lands. We as citizens need to stay proactive in how our lands are managed and used by insisting on accountability. We need to also be accountable for what we as individuals can do to reduce our carbon footprint, and use ingenuity and personal resources, to help restore and preserve wild life, including wild horses and burros to their free roaming way of life.

We need to have more ecologists, and call upon experts like Mary Ann Simonds and Craig Downer for advice and strategies for future management policies. We need to insist on whole systems studies that observe the horses year round in various habitats. The horse and burro is accused of just about everything on the range including damaging riparian sites, like cattle do and they are held responsible for spreading weed seeds throughout the range. If groups worked together, to be sure there were adequate water sources for herds of horses, then they would minimally touch delicate riparian sites. All animals including the horse or burro will go to the most reliable watering source to drink. If delicate wetlands are all that’s available, they, not unlike us, will use it to survive.

If groups and individuals planted weed free native grass seeds throughout horse management areas, the horses would poop out and reseed that seed, not the less nutritious and non-appetizing weeds. What remains on the range after humans impact, is often cheat grass, rabbit brush, and all sorts of virulent weeds – not what the horse or burro prefers. To survive they’ve become browsers and will eat nearly whatever they can find.

Wild Horse Ecology and Behavior is nearly a non-existent field of study. I’ve researched and called a number of Universities to find out whom to speak to, only to hear the same story over and over again. No program exists, no one specializes in this study, but I’m told they do provide rangeland studies to the BLM, NFS, Division of Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service. These studies are not based on an eco-system approach and they go in with a pre-conceived classification for the wild horse as non-native, which automatically puts the horse at a disadvantage. If we’d take time to study these magnificent creatures in the wild, we would likely learn a lot about how to survive, collaborate and share resources ourselves as we face an era of dwindling resources on all fronts.

In this critical time for the wild horses and burros, here’s a list of Take Action Plans.

Contact your state senator at: http://energy.senate.gov/public/ Request they call for an investigation into the management and practices of public lands effective immediately. Ask that they.

1. Stop Round ups and gathers until long term sustainable strategies and healthy solutions for the horses are resolved.

2. Restore as much land as was set aside in 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act,

3. Provide a non - biased annual inventory of our wild horses and make public that information.

4. Provide a fair and thriving ecological balance for wild horses on our public lands.

5. Assist in establishing sanctuaries on private lands.

6. Develop a policy standard to assess the Appropriate Management Levels of wild horses on our public lands, utilizing wild horse ecologist’s expertise and whole system studies

Woman Who Walks with Horses

Woman Who Walks With Horses:Karen Sussman, Director ISPMB



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The flit of June bugs and twitter of crickets sang out from the luxurious carpet of green plains in northwestern South Dakota this spring.

Even though I was born in Rapid City, I’d never heard or been to Lantry. I’d never needed a map for South Dakota, because tourist billboards along the highways, block the views as they repeatedly tell you how far to the next attraction. But Lantry is hardly to be found on the map or on the road signs and is far from the beaten trails of Black Hills tourists.

I’d visited the Black Hills most summers through my childhood, because my Mother’s family settled there as early as the 1700’s. I most remember making forts in the fairy land granite and quartz formations behind my Grandparents house. I’d set dolls up for tea, arrange small animal figures, and ride a stick horse to guard my secret hiding place. I called this my Paha Sapha land but I don’t recall anyone telling me what that name meant. I thought I created it myself.

Now I know Paha Sapha is a Lakota word for heart shaped sacred place that is the Black Hills. I’ve always loved the pristine smell of the pines, soft air, sweet water lakes and crackle of pine needles under my feet as I’d walk the shadowy forests. of the Black Hills. It wasn’t until this trip to Reservation land that I was awed by the spirit of it’s surrounding badlands and plains.

I’d begun research into America’s wild horses in March so when I found the National Geographic article about Karen Sussman and the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros ( ISPMB) now based in South Dakota, I immediately sought her out.

Windows down, I drove through the alluvial light of Cheyenne River plains as green as Ireland. Scents of alfalfa and sweet grass wafted in the air, carrying with them what seemed like echoes of Lakota Prayers.

“Mi takuyae Oyasin. We are all related. Not only Lakota’s, all humans – creatures and nature itself. We are all part of the great mystery."

Back road travel took longer than I expected. I arrived at Karen Sussman’s home, just in time for a stormy dusk. Without time to delay, Karen and I set out to visit the Gila herd. We drove through bumps, stumps, ditches, marshland, ruts, prairie dog holes and across a field fast becoming an impassable bog as rain continued to fall.

My welcome to ISPMB was far from a professional stage of perfect sound and light. It was a stunning display of the forces of nature and it’s equine creatures at play in the fields of a primal force. A perfect storm – rain drops on my lens, light too low for photography, lightning striking an arms length away from me, terrain travel that shook and confused my video camera but – there was a silent awe that fell over me, a quiet watching of natural beauty.

One hundred horses ran from side to side of a large paddock within five hundred acres designated as their home. Winds to their backs, thunder in the strength of their heart and lightening steering the direction they moved in unison trying to outrun the storm. They acknowledged the presence of me and my big orange poncho yet steered clear, because they’re wild and they were in flight from the storm.

Seeing these free spirited horses running, prancing, kicking up their heels, sparring, teasing, chasing tails, drinking and splashing in abundant ponds, made my heart sing. In the sound of their beating hooves I heard the drum of the earth.

That night Karen took me into her home, along with her twelve reservations cats she’s rescued over time. In my vagabond days I’ve sometimes felt like a stray cat, licking up sips of milk and taking shelter in the kindness of strangers, so here I was surrounded by my kind.

Karen isn’t the stranger type though. Her home is a revolving door with a large welcome mat for humans and creatures alike. She’s even bottle-fed and nursed back to health - horse babies – foals who nearly froze to death in ice storms, or had Mother’s who did, leaving them orphaned.

“Foals need to eat every hour. It’s just too cold to go outside to feed them, especially all night long. “she explains.

Graveyard shifts are a familiar clock to Karen, who works part time as a trauma nurse at the local Indian Health Service hospital. By day she has several hundred horses to care for. Hired help comes and goes, but Karen never stops helping. Even when we were in the pasture for an interview, she was interrupted by cell phone calls. Once she encouraged the caller to seek medical attention, like a doting mother and as an experienced nurse she explained the risks of high blood pressure.

Several other calls come in about a new land purchase where she plans to grow her horse rescue into an eco-tourism center. She wants to share her discoveries over the past twenty years with the world. “It’s eminent and in all our prayers,” Karen assures everyone. After all the years and hardship it’s taken to get to where they are today, Karen knows the path of purpose is often fraught with obstacles. She understands being patient and positive and remains dedicated to her mission.

A whiff of sage permeates the air as I follow one woman with an extraordinary cause around to her various rescued wild horse herds. She mentions the differences in behavior of those whose herds were not manipulated in the wild, with those who have been continually rounded up, family units disturbed and leadership confused.

The Gila herd presented in the attached video trailer have special markings: Dunn color, each with wide dorsal stripe, lean legs with zebra type striping and broom stick tails. According to historical research and genetic testing, these are descendants of original Spanish horses used to discover North America. This particular band is thought to have a link to Father Keno. Karen as the director of ISPMB, an organization whose first president was Velma Johnson, otherwise known as Wild Horse Annie, was successful saving this herd, that was not protected, under the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act. They were not on public lands and not branded or claimed as belonging to anyone thus legally fair game for ranchers to shoot or mustangers to haul to slaughter for their ransom based upon weight.

“Many survived, by hiding in the salt cedars in arid Arizona and by grazing in private alfalfa fields. These irrigated pastures were their only remaining, reliable food source, but also an execution site. That’s why they were gathered, because the only food source was on private land. The ranchers weren’t about to share.” Karen sighs after delivering this disturbing tale.


This woman of many horses, is called crazy by some. “How can she take care of all of them and how will they all survive?” I’ve been asked. Some have said what she does is unreasonable because horses are seen by many as an animal that eats too much if it’s not making money to pay it’s way. A horse should be moving cows, pulling a cart, packed for the hunt or at least it should be good for pleasure riding or rodeo entertainment.

Karen’s love affair with them began with her first horse when she was four.

Now she has hundreds to care for, but never to many to love.

Amber light glows as lightening bolts across the vast low sky. Karen walks toward a grown horse she bottle fed and nurtured from the time of it’s birth. This horse and the others that gather on the western hillside at sunset carry a history of love and loss, tragedy and redemption. As she reaches toward the mare in the last light of day, I see the flicker of promise she’s been able to restore to a few hundred horses.

It’s often this shadowy twilight that answers are found as visions turn into reality.

Watch for more from Karen Sussman and ISPMB.ORG. Learn more, offer a gift and sponsor a horse’s hay for the winter.

Field To Farm The Horse Knows the Way

FIELD TO FARM THE HORSE KNOWS THE WAY

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I had a good time shooting this footage of Eric Husted and his traveling horse, Will. I felt like I was on a little reunion, since my last film, HEART & SOIL, included footage of Laboca Center for Sustainability and Kelle Carter, this year's farm garden manager at Laboca. Kelle was the garden manager for Seeds of Change research farm outside Taos New Mexico when she spoke in HEART & SOIL. I'm glad she's now part of our local community. A river runs through this land gem in the arid southwest, and the horses belonging to Eric Husted, of Lorax Forest Care, help reduce the carbon footprint for Laboca by saving fuel as they plough and disc the garden and their own hay field for winter-feed. Besides being a handsome hunk of a horse, Will prances down the highway like he's lead in a parade as he pulls the cart to the Farmer's Market. The little song "over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go" kept jingling through my head as I followed Will and Eric into town, but "Happy Meeting In Glory" by the late Davey Graham seemed to best match the duo's relationship and rhythm.

A Trip to Jicarilla Wild Horse Territory

A TRIP TO JICARILLA WILD HORSE TERRITORY - CARSON NATIONAL FOREST

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After my first visit to Colorado Horse Rescue in Longmont Colorado, I got a call from Stacey Couch telling me I'd filmed her horse that she boards at the facility. It so happens her beautiful chestnut bay named Cherokee was from Jicarilla Horse Territory in Carson National Forest in New Mexico. She told me she'd dreamed of seeing the area Cherokee had come from. Claude Steelman, of Wild Shots photography, had recently adopted a buckskin colt from the same area, so we all went camping. I'd been following Steelman and Poncho's story but had never met Stacey and Chris Couch, until this rendezvous over Memorial Day weekend. Both Stacey and Chris have backgrounds as wildlife biologists so came equipped with binoculars and appropriate outdoor gear. Chris and Claude strummed and sang country kind of tunes around our campfire and Stacey chimed in with her juice harp. We photographed horses peering at us like wood nymphs from behind tall sage and short pinion pines. We tracked them up rugged hillsides and verdant meadows, even though spring rains drenched us and turned the roads into mudslides and made for soggy sleeping mats.

The call of wild horses in our dreams beckoned the four of us on this journey, along with a motivation to observe and gain understanding of their life in the wild. These horses are said to be descendants of Cavalry stock left abandoned by soldiers after World War I. Most are sturdy and relatively short legged, many are bay, but we saw a black stallion, pinto mare and a buckskin colt. I wonder, which band are Cherokee's ancestors?

Helicopter chases are no longer used in this area to round horses up. The National Forest contracts to have them baited and trapped instead. It's a gentler process for the horse as it moseys into the pen to graze on the bait inside during the night. It isn't until they're loaded into the trailer the next morning they realize they've been caught.

These horses are kept and are up for adoption at a holding facility in Farmington New Mexico under the direction of the Horse Territory range manager; Anthony Madrid. Hundreds of horses have seen the last of their rightful free roaming freedom in the past year as the herd area of 76,000 acres is claimed to have too many horses on unacceptable range land Except for the scaring of oil and gas roads, rigs and traffic impact, the range was the healthiest I've seen since I started this project. Look for more about this story on future posting, meanwhile visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/natural_resources/ to learn more. If you'd like to adopt a mustang from New Mexico, there are many to choose from. Contact Anthony Madrid - amadrid@fs.fed.us

Thank you to Chris Couch for providing the guitar tune at my request. I hope we hear from him to put you all in touch with his flushed out music, catchy lyrics, band gigs and CD's.

Wild Burros Make Fun Loving Companions: Equine Buddies

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The Wild Horse Annie, Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Protection Act that passed as law in 1971, provided some degree of protection for burros on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Land - at least on paper. Since burros and wild horses can't read signs designating what land belongs to whom and because they are by nature and necessity free roaming, they were often found out of bounds, on land that once belonged to the BLM or NFS but had been sold or leased to private enterprise. Public Lands are a jig saw puzzle of politics catering to private interest groups ( oil and gas, mining, cattle grazing and hunting). There's a pervasive belief system that all equid in this country are non-native, consequently there's a prejudice against protecting them in the wild. ( See more about this on the trailer, Who Lives, Who Dies, with equine behaviorist & ecologist, Mary Ann Simonds. Keep tuned in for more about this on future posts and trailers.)

Environmental groups work to protect critters and creatures and plants of all kinds, particularly those who can only be seen through a microscope. Many of these well intentioned environmental advocates have taken biased and inhumane positions against free roaming wild horses and burros. The Sierra Club continues to make what I consider very dirty political deals with public lands officials to protect a particular species, riparian sites or particular plants at the sacrifice of wild horses and burros. If any creature is non-native to this land, it's most of us homo Sapiens. So - I'm in disbelief of the callous position toward the wild horse and burro that many environmentalists take and I will be doing continued research and delivering more information about this in future. I suggest any of you who are members of these organizations speak up about the position the Sierra Club takes and consider dropping your membership and support and dollar support until they fess up and change their misguided attitudes about the equid as native to this continent and a life worthy of protection.

By law, neither The Division of Wild Life or our National Parks, has to protect wild horses or burros that wander onto their land. Officials claim them as trespassers on their lands --- but excuse me, I thought public lands" belong to the people??? The U.S Government officials hire contractors to round up wild horses and burros or require rangers to shoot them dead on the spot. A lethal removal of wild burros on all public lands has nearly eradicated them, except for the few hundred who are rescued by caring groups and individuals. like Diana Chontos, president/founder of Wild Burros Rescue in Olancha California. Ninety percent of America's wild burros that were free roaming on public lands in 1971 ( at the time the protection act was passed) are now gone. They've mostly been shot, poisoned rounded up, a few hundred rescued, some passed from one home to another or in the case of a few lucky ones, live out their lives, adopted or rescued to caring people.

Diana Chontos' exemplifies the power of what one individual can do to save lives even against a culture of land management that seems to have lost all humanity. Grand Canyon National Park and Death Valley enacted policies to lethally remove ( "direct reduction") free roaming burros. From 1987 through 1994 park rangers shot to death over four hundred wild burros in death valley plus several hundred more in the Grand Canyon. Chontos, made a hard negotiated deal with the Park Service of Death Valley to stop the horrifying and senseless killing of the burros if she could round them up and provide a sanctuary for them. As far as anyone knows there's been no shootings of burros in Death Valley since 1994, due to Diana's arduous negotiations to let her rescue them and continued work to save their lives and give them a good life. Wild Burro Rescue and Preservation Project located at the base of the Sierra Nevada's, provides long term sanctuary to over two hundred burros, along with a few wild horses and mules. It's a passion of love, blood, tears and sweat to keep the burros fed and cared for with every bit of help, sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

Dr. Ann Pearson DOV, of Tucson says , "Burros Are Our Equine Buddies. They eat less than half of what a one thousand pound horse does. They have hearty constitutions, aren't prone to colic, have strong feet and teeth and are even easier keepers than a mustang. They are very loving and make wonderful friends and companions " They don't need a savings account for college tuition or a fancy wedding and although they have an eye for furry things like wind socks on camera microphones, they'll settle for, the most basic fashion, otherwise known as nothing to wear. Consider the low cost of giving a burro a good home. Dr. Ann puts fly masks on her burros in the heat of Tucson. She commented that because they don't have long manes and long tails to swat the flies off , they seem to be plagued with fly s in their eyes and fly bite irritations and infections. If you're in the Tucson area and need an equine vet, you can't find a more caring vet to call than Dr. Ann Pearson, who has spent most of her veterinary career treating and caring for equids.

I look forward to visiting Diana Chontos and her burros in the wild and windy region of death valley, where life is alive with the wiggle of keenly attuned ears and the kick up the dust, donkeys, curious for the company of a new friend. I imagine being greeted by their wise eyes along with the welcoming tone of a donkey chorus of hellos. And for those , like Diana Chontos and Dr. Ann, who save lives, and live a life of caring service and loving purpose. Hee Haw, Hee Haw, Hee Haw!!

Meanwhile, there's feed to buy and fences to mend ( literally and figuratively). Help out this good cause, by making a donation or help with adoption : Wild Burro Rescue c/o Olancha RV Park, 2351 Highway 395, Olancha, CA 93549

Zuma's Rescue Ranch Fundraiser

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ZUMA'S RESCUE RANCH FUNDRAISER

Horses and humans alike shared Joy at this gala spring 2009 fundraiser. The Messenich's were gracious hosts, hors d'ouev-vre’s tasty and bountiful, wine outstanding and the sunset views of the Rocky Mountain foothills and city lights of Denver magnificent. Michael Blake, author of Dances With Wolves as well as many other books and screenplays kept up with long lines of folks waiting for him to sign his books, especially his latest, "TWELVE THE KING” about his beloved mustang. A silent auction from frilly blouses to cowboy art bustled with bidders. Guests passed between horse drawn carriage rides and a visit to the corrals where rescued mustangs and foals, cheerily welcomed their visits. Zuma's rescue ranch founders; Jodi, Paul and Torri Messenich are dedicated to bringing children with special needs and rescued mustangs together. They're committed and hard working toward their mission: are as comfortable mucking corrals as they are in well-heeled circles, politicking on the behalf of wild horses, and know when it's time to throw a grand party. Amanda Davis had her whole family involved and enjoying the festivities, including two mustang mares she nursed back to health after their near death at "Three Strikes Ranch" in Alliance Nebraska. The star of this little film, Bad Boy Bandit, was born at Zuma's Rescue Ranch, from his Mustang mother who's still loving and trusting, even after her battles to survive round up, internment and neglect. Under Amanda's care and Zuma's safety, Amanda's two mares and two colts flourish. Watch for more films featuring what goes on at Zuma's Rescue Ranch.

Music: "Suits and Sycophants" by Cottonhead, licensed by Rumble Fish.

Introduction-Wild Horses In Winds of Change documentary series

WILD HORSES IN WINDS OF CHANGE, is a documentary series told by a cast of colorful characters that knit together threads of the history and current situation for America's wild, once free roaming horses and burros. We will focus in particular upon the most recent chapter of that history⎯a nearly mythical tale of survival amidst disappearing natural resources and dwindling rangelands.

We will follow the journeys of several horses that have endured the worst side of humans and harshest conditions of nature. Giving voice to these stories will be the inspiring characters who struggle each day to save horses in the wild, or through rescue, sanctuary, adoption and training projects; people whose work with the horses has brought purpose and heart connections into their lives.

Cowboys will tell of their beloved old horses choosing their spot to die on vistas alive with wind and beauty and sometimes right on top of a loved one’s gravesite. You’ll meet veteran ranchers and horse trainers who began life in the saddle while still in diapers and whose path to excellence as horse trainers began with family legacy and guidance.

You will hear from people who’ve adopted once wild horses and burros or even the progeny of these horses and are ever amazed at the brilliance, robust health and loyal companionship these animals consistently demonstrate. You’ll see mustangs serving in the military and border patrol and performing dressage and competitive riding regimes, serving our human needs for devotion, discipline, love and our need to learn patience and participate in willing relationships. And since the horse and burro are not house pets, they have a way of taking urbanites back to nature and are even available in many places as “time shares”.

But most of all, our trailers will take you through the soulful eyes, and deep into the heart and spirit of the wild horse. Some, taken captive, become like restless ghosts; lost without the social structure of companions and family, or the feel of the wind and the whisp through their mane as they streak across open land. Others thrive as domesticated partners with humans in wonderful homes, nurtured with plentiful food, water, exercise and love.

WILD HORSES IN WINDS OF CHANGE will cross bridges of philosophies and beliefs about the wild horse's right to live free or in captivity; to live or be slaughtered. We will take a hard[, unbiased] look at both the predator and the protectors of the horse and burro, and will confront misconceptions and misrepresentations about the animals’ native roots and rangeland impact.

Our goal is to deepen your understanding of the implications and pitfalls of many sides of this multifaceted, human created tragedy, but within a framework of as many legitimate silver linings for the wild horses and burros that we hear about and can post. Our postings will present delightful adoption, rescue and therapy stories but will also take on issues, such as these listed below. We invite your comments.

How fencing, government land sales and permit dealings along with climate change all effect the wild horse’s sustainability on the range.

Pros and Cons of adoption programs and how in difficult economic times and without long term commitment adoptions can result in even more tragedy for these animals.

The current trend of cart before the horse round-ups of horses and long term “warehousing” in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest Service corrals where thousands of them await their fate locked in captivity.

The how’s, where’s and whys of the Department of Interior’s plans to create non-reproductive herds of horses and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s plans to “head ‘em up herd ‘em out” to greener pastures of the Midwest and East.

The pros and cons of birth control: who is benefiting, is it working, what problems might it cause, who is experimenting with it and what’s at risk?

The impact of categorization, where the horse and burro are often one hoof print away from being re-categorized from a supposedly government protected mustang, into a feral, trespass, Indian pony or estray who are provided no protection from slaughter and whose only hope at a sale barn is to be auctioned off to a rescuer instead of a “kill” buyer.

We hope you learn and are inspired by this series. Our mission is to present ideas and pragmatic solutions to help thousands of wild horses in need.

Please share this blogspot with your network and send us yours to post.

Wild Horses In Winds of Change Film Series

WILD HORSES IN WINDS OF CHANGE, is a documentary series told by a cast of a colorful characters and knitting together strands of the history of wild, once free roaming horses and burros in North America with threads to what's happening in their world today. We will focus in particular upon the most recent chapter of that history⎯a nearly mythical tale of survival amidst disappearing natural resources and dwindling rangelands.

We will follow the journeys of several horses that have endured the worst side of humans and harshest conditions of nature. Giving voice to these stories will be the inspiring characters who struggle each day to save horses in the wild, or through rescue, sanctuary, adoption and training projects; people whose work with the horses has brought purpose and heart connections into their lives.

Cowboys will tell of their beloved old horses choosing their spot to die on vistas alive with wind and beauty and sometimes right on top of a loved one’s gravesite. You’ll meet veteran ranchers and horse trainers who began life in the saddle while still in diapers and whose path to excellence as horse trainers began with family legacy and guidance.

You will hear from people who’ve adopted once wild horses and burros or even the progeny of these horses and are ever amazed at the brilliance, robust health and loyal companionship these animals consistently demonstrate. You’ll see mustangs serving in the military and border patrol and performing dressage and competitive riding regimes, serving our human needs for devotion, discipline, love and our need to learn patience and participate in willing relationships. And since the horse and burro are not house pets, they have a way of taking urbanites back to nature and are even available in many places as “time shares”.

But most of all, our trailers will take you through the soulful eyes, and deep into the heart and spirit of the wild horse. Some, taken captive, become like ghosts; lost without the social structure of companions and family, or the feel of the wind and the whisp through their mane as they streak across the prairie. Others thrive as domesticated partners with humans in wonderful homes, nurtured with plentiful food, water and love.

WILD HORSES IN WINDS OF CHANGE will cross bridges of philosophies and beliefs about the wild horse's right to live free or in captivity; to live or be slaughtered. We will take a hard[, unbiased] look at both the predator and the protectors of the horse and burro, and will confront misconceptions and misrepresentations about the animals’ native roots and rangeland impact.

Our goal is to deepen your understanding of the implications and pitfalls of many sides of this multifaceted, human created tragedy, but within a framework of as many legitimate silver linings for the wild horses and burros that we hear about and can post. Our postings will present delightful adoption, rescue and therapy stories but will also take on issues, such as these listed below. We invite your comments.

How fencing, government land sales and permit dealings along with climate change all effect the wild horse’s sustainability on the range.

Pros and Cons of adoption programs and how in difficult economic times and without long term commitment adoptions can result in even more tragedy for these animals.

The current trend of cart before the horse round-ups of horses and long term “warehousing” in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest Service corrals where thousands of them await their fate locked in captivity.

The how’s, where’s and whys of the Department of Interior’s plans to create non-reproductive herds of horses and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s plans to “head ‘em up herd ‘em out” to greener pastures of the Midwest and East.

The pros and cons of birth control: who is benefiting, is it working, what problems might it cause, who is experimenting with it and what’s at risk?

The impact of categorization, where the horse and burro are often one hoof print away from being re-categorized from a supposedly government protected mustang, into a feral, trespass, Indian pony or estray who are provided no protection from slaughter and whose only hope at a sale barn is to be auctioned off to a rescuer instead of a “kill” buyer.

We hope you learn and are inspired by this series. Our mission is to present ideas and pragmatic solutions to help thousands of wild horses in need.

Please share this blogspot with your network and send us your ideas, stories and experiences to include. Think, solutions, solutions, solutions.

COMING SOON.