©2010 Photography by Elyse Gardner
Commemorative Statue at Sacramento, CA for the Pony Express
Warm greetings this momentous holiday of Memorial for the fallen of our country. This holiday commemorates those who gave their lives so America could become, and remain, America, to obtain the freedom we Americans assume every day of our busy lives.
For my contribution, I remember the profound yet commonly overlooked contribution of the horses and burros, and noteably the wild horses, who were conscripted into service in our wars here and abroad.
It wasn't uncommon for a mounted soldier to go through as many as nine horses in his career.
HORSES AND BURROS ARE USED IN WAR EVEN NOW. We characteristically think of the Revolutionary and Civil wars, but burros, mules, and horses continue to serve as only they can.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF OLIVE DRAB AT ABOVE LINK
American Special Forces troops used pack animals to carry equipment during their collaboration with members of the Northern Alliance, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 12 Nov 2001.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF OLIVE DRAB AT ABOVE LINK
Recoilless Rifle mounted on a mule, Fort Leavenworth, KS
History bears witness of the thousands of burros tied to supply wagons who were helplessly gunned down or shot with arrows as they stood powerless to flee for their lives. Please take a moment to acknowledge these underappreciated, amazing little animals who are fast being wiped off our vast western lands in favor of cows, sheep, and big-money mining and mineral interests which will use many times more water than even 10,000 burros could drink, yet BLM wants only 3,000 allowed to remain wild and free.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF OLIVE DRAB AT ABOVE LINK
U.S. Special Forces ride horseback working with members of the Northern Alliance, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 12 Nov 2001.
Hopefully, we will not repeat the horror we committed against them in World War I when a great many were conscripted wild horses as well as domestic. Horribly, we brought our beautifully trained, trusting horses to fight our wars in World War I in Europe and left them there to be slaughtered.
I hope you will join me in taking a few moments to go to the links below to honor the horses and burros by learning of their immense service to us in this profound, all-out way. On behalf of our species, we owe them so very much. Please learn with me of their tremendous contribution.
The only thing more sad than losing one's life as a hero is for no one on earth to notice.
Therefore, join me -- please -- in reading this informative article at the provided link below. IN MEMORIAM TO OUR HORSES AND BURROS, thank you. Please click on the link below (or copy and paste the link below into your address bar). What a convenient way to explore history.
Look over our struggle for freedom,
You'll find that man's pathway to glory,
is strewn with the bones of a horse. -- Anonymous
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SWEET FILLIES
Calico horses (from "Calico" roundup of January/February 2010: These photos are one year old. I pray they are all well and didn't end up as anyone's French dinner.
©Photo by Elyse Gardner
Yearling and two-year-old fillies at Broken Arrow holding in Fallon, Nevada, from Calico roundup
Right now I will focus on the delightfulness of these horses. For now I am anticipating with great satisfaction sharing with you the absolute delight of these highly interactive, curious and gentle girls. The boys are sweet and eager, too, but for now, meet the girls of Fallon. Enjoy the video at the end of this post... can't wait to share that with you.
©Photo by Elyse Gardner
©Photo by Elyse Gardner
The fillies below were at Palomino Valley holding facility and were not from the Calico roundup. There are thousands of wonderful wild horses in holding facilities who were driven off their homes all over the west. I actually adopted one of these g
©Photo by Marilyn Wargo
Fillies at Palomino Valley Center holding facility outside Reno, Nevada
©Photo by Marilyn Wargo
©Photo by Marilyn Wargo
Having exchanged breath, she's demonstrating the flehmen response, taking, reading, and storing my scent
MEET THE STRAWBERRY GIRLS AT PALOMINO VALLEY
©Photo by Elyse Gardner
©Photo by Elyse Gardner
And now for some real fun. Enjoy,and happy, safe, Memorial Day commemoration.
(Please DOUBLE CLICK INSIDE THE VIDEO if it doesn't play properly. Thank you.)
I remain,
for the wild horses, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,
Elyse
Wonderful tribute & post Elyse. Appreciate this so much. Tearing up over here.
ReplyDeleteI remember this day, when you & Laura were doing the video, your private movie. I also remember the sweet calico fillies, and seeing 1099 & Fuzzy Tassel, oh my heart. How I wish we could visit them again. I do thank God they were adopted and hope they are in loving homes. They are great. 1099 was one of a kind. The visit with the fillies was always such a special part of the tours.
Honoring their service to mankind today. Praying for their future as a species in America & abroad. Again Elyse, much appreciation for this tribute. Blessings ~ Cat
Thank you so much for this Elyse. This is bringing tears to my eyes. What a wonderful gift you give sharing this with us all. Thank you, from all of my burro cousins. We appreciate that you are telling our story, so sweetly. Vive el burro. Miss Abby
ReplyDeleteHey Elyse!! I remember all this so well. I loved these beautiful fillies. The Strawberry Girls were wonderful. Now so many have gone on to new places, people or Long Term Holding. Too many have been this route. Adopting our wonderful wild horses is a horse owning option that needs to be promoted and handled better than it is these days. Our wild ones are some of the best horses in the world. Their treatment and their futures are in our hands. Mar Wargo
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