Humane Observer: Elyse Gardner

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY QUESTIONABLE AS BLM COR MELANIE MIRATI ADMITS ORDERING THE HOTSHOTTING OF AN INJURED WILD HORSE DURING CALICO TRI-STATE COMPLEX ROUNDUP; and ANSWERS ARE LONG IN COMING FOR MARE SHOT FROM TEMPORARY HOLDING

2012-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

Melanie Mirati, BLM's replacement COR for the Calico Tri-State complex, acknowledges ordering a hotshot be used on an injured, downed horse they struggled for 10 minutes to free from his stuck position in a stock trailer. A review of my film, below, reveals he got stuck when being packed in like sardines, the last horse forced into an untenable situation, a customary habit among BLM ground personnel and roundup contractors eager to fill up each trailer load for economics.

I've put together my film of the incident, below, so I can walk you through exactly what happened as we saw it. The brief interview is at the end.

For the tender hearted (that's a lot of us), my rating of this film is G; this film shows people trying to get a horse unstuck and doing unsavory, upsetting things at times, but it isn't graphic or violently upsetting. You can only see just enough to know what is going on.

For starters, contrary to Ms. Mirati's statement in this brief interview, this horse was given zero time to rest and collect himself before being hotshotted and forced to stand after being down, injured, and stuck in the trailer for 10 long minutes as those he feared most struggled none too gently to free him and then flagged, poked, prodded him relentlessly to stand. I doubt he even comprehended what was being asked of him.

She refers to the hotshot being an "acceptable" tool for "livestock" management. That may or may not be the case for domestic horses, who also are not universally agreed to be "livestock," but certainly the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act treats wild horses as anything but livestock and decrees they are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the American west and are to be treated as an integral part of the natural system of public lands, not treated as livestock. Additionally, the law states they are to be protected from capture, branding, harassment, and death. A few minutes here, just a few simple minutes given to this lovely trapped animal who didn't intend to get his foot caught, could make the difference between harassment and compassion, between truly upholding this law and respecting this noble animal, or treating it as livestock, as Ms. Mirati openly admitted she does, whether she recognizes it or not.

It is high time for the members of the Bureau of Land Management to take a personal inventory and reevaluate because Ms. Mirati may well be in violation of the law by treating these animals as livestock, and so would be every member of the elite Bureau of Land Management who does likewise.

Ms. Mirati replaced Ashley Whitman as COR of this Tri-State Complex roundup, who was relieved of her duties after standing by doing nothing while burros were abusively hotshotted when the Sun J crew went into high gear to empty the trap pen for incoming horses rather than tell the pilot to hold off on bringing in more animals, as revealed by Ginger Kathrens' film when she attended the Calico roundup in December 2011. Candidly, one wonders if Ms. Mirati would have responded any differently.

Here this unfortunate stallion, whose injured front leg is finally free from being stuck inside the

trailer, is given no time to calm down, has a rope around his neck and is having his head yanked.

I had reported on this in my previous blog post, Yes, It's Bad Enough for Me, and had posted Laura Leigh's video. After Melanie confirmed her hot-shotting order, I decided to post my video and walk us through the actual event.

The day Ginger Kathrens filmed the abusive hotshotting of the burros, a BLM internal investigation and report was released which stated that as part of their investigation, animal welfare experts told BLM officials that electrical prods should be used only as a last resort when human or animal safety is in jeopardy.

This situation, with an injured, downed horse who was shutting down, docile, convinced he was going to die, doesn't come close to meeting that criteria. He endures poking, prodding, pulling, flagging, with a completely subdued, submissive spirit, surrounded by humans he greatly fears, yet there was no fight, no resistance. Contrary to Ms. Mirati's statement in her brief interview, he was given no time to collect himself and decide to stand on his own.

The crew makes an attempt to hide the use of the hotshot, but the behavior of the horse gave it away, and when confronted with the question, Ms. Mirati admitted she asked for the hotshot to be used on this horse.

Another concern I want to report on:

Farewell to this lovely mare...

I saw and photographed this lovely mare on the one day the public was permitted to tour the last Temporary Holding area for this 2012 Calico roundup. She was down, had been given banamine according to Ms. Mirati, and we were to "keep walking" so we didn't upset her.

One has to wonder what goes on behind the scenes. I was under the distinct impression she was to be given time, like overnight, to improve. I read in the Gather Updates that she was euthanized later that same day. Perhaps I misunderstood the timeline. But what concerns me is the manner of her death:

I'm told she was killed by firearm, and I've been trying to learn why this unfortunate young mare, by the looks of her, was forced as her last living act to load into a trailer, obviously feeling very ill and/or in pain, and be driven off alone to be shot when she could have been administered an overdose injection if she in fact needed to be euthanized at all. I am waiting for her necropsy, as well.

But the very worst thing a person can do to these very social, herd animals is isolate them from others of their kind, especially under stressful circumstances like a roundup. The circumstances of her death haunt me.

I will update as I receive information.

CALICO ROUNDUP 2012 is over: SUN J SADDLE HORSE MAKES GREAT EFFORT TO ESCAPE ON THIS LAST DAY OF ROUNDUP; MOUNTAINS BEREFT WITH TOKEN, BROKEN HORSE & BURRO HERDS REMAINING

2012-01-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

(Photos and videos in this blog are for informational purposes only. Do not use without express written consent from me. Feel free to link or cross-post to this blog, however. Thank you. -Elyse Gardner)

THE BELOW PHOTO is not what you think...
©2012 Elyse Gardner

Sun J saddle horse makes valiant effort to escape

Although what you see above looks like helicopter-assisted roping of a wild horse, the fleeing horse is actually Sun J's own saddle horse.

It was around 9:20 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2012, when we arrived at the trap site. We'd been driving since 6:40 a.m., and burro roundup operations were already under way. I was anxious to get out to the observation area and anxious for Roger Oyler to get up to the trap pen to begin his advisory role.

As Mark Wilkening, Roger Oyler, and I were hiking up the dirt road — Mark and I to head out to the observation point, and Roger to head up to the trap pen to advise local BLM and Sun J on the characteristics of burros and how best to round them up -- when we all saw a horse running down the road away from the trap pen out into the vast open spaces.

I was baffled for a moment since burros were targeted on this day (which turned out to be the last day of the roundup since BLM reached its inordinately high goal of rounding up140 burros).

We all realized almost simultaneously what we were seeing, and as I took off my pack and quickly got out my video camera, Mark stated it: "That's one of the saddle horses." Wranglers had already mounted up and were in hot pursuit as I fired up my camera:

This would be humorous if it weren't so sad. I'd already witnessed and filmed the "Judas horse" try to escape just a few days earlier, and that video will be up shortly (I will put the link here when it is available as well as post it on the blog about the Judas horse).

Roger is BLM's knowledgeable Wild Burro and Horse Program Lead from Arizona. Roger puts the burro before the horse since he specializes in these amazing little animals and, in Arizona, they outnumber the wild horses. His "official" title is "Wild Horse & Burro Program Lead. After 20 minutes with him, I am impressed with this man and his knowledge and was glad he was there.

Mark Wilkening is BLM's Public Affairs Officer from Oregon. Mark and I spent a lot of time together during the Twin Peaks roundup, also. I was glad to see him again.

After Ginger Kathren's had filmed and publicized the inhumane hotshotting of burros during this roundup, she pressed for remedial action to be taken, and Winnemucca District Manager Gene Seidlitz arranged to have BLM's burro expert from their Yuma, Arizona office, come to oversee and advise the contractors and BLM crew on burros and burro roundups. We also saw no more of the COR present during that ugly abuse of the burros.

I was impressed with Roger and his knowledge and relieved he was there.

I was also troubled that Gene Seidlitz refused to wait one day for Roger to arrive despite having initially arranged to do so, and had gone ahead and started the burro roundup the day before, without Roger. Hmm. So what does that say? Sigh. But the effort was made, and Roger was present at least for the last day, and that's certainly better than a kick in the shins, and I'm certain this entire crew learned something from him they could take with them if they care to.

In terms of remedial actions taken in response to Ginger's eye-opening footage, even though the COR present during the hotshotting of the burros was removed, she was replaced with COR Melani Marati who finds it acceptable to use a hotshot on an injured horse to make him stand up if he even could — which was unknown at the time — without having given him even five minutes to stand on his own. I will be posting my interview with Melanie Marati where she acknowledges making the call to hotshot the injured stud who went down in the trailer in Laura Leigh's video. (This link takes you to my blog post, "Yes, It's Bad Enough for Me," where I've posted Laura's video.)

The escape effort was made by this horse, who is one of Sun J's saddle horses.

Here is our saddle horse escape-attempter after being roped and captured. He sure gave a mighty effort. Of course, once roped he was quite docile (though I suspect unrepentent).

I have now witnessed two of Sun J's horses — their "Judas" horse, who no longer deserves that name since he tried to quit, and this horse they use as a saddle horse — make determined escape attempts to be free. I will go into more detail when I get the videos up and posted.

CALICO BURRO ROUNDUP CONCLUDES

CALICO TRI-STATE BURRO NUMBERS REDUCED TO 39 in nearly 600,000 acre complex.

Two of the targeted 140 burros being rounded up and removed from Calico and the "Tri-State Complex"
Yes, that is not a misprint: 39 burros in 600,000 acres. Sickening. BLM is looking to reduce the wild burro population to a mere 3,000 in the entire west. This would be listed as an endangered species were it anything else.
I must check out of this motel and get on the road, but I wanted to be faithful to provide updates to what is occurring in the Calico complex and wild horse program in general.
SOME FINAL COMMENTS
I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR: I am glad BLM called Roger Oyler in to advise on the burro roundup even though they didn't use him at the start. But this program, BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program, must have an actual Standard Operating Procedure, a legal code to which they can be held to account, e.g.:
There must be a distance certain/mile limit beyond which horses and/or burros may not be chased by helicopter or any other mechanized instrument;
There must be a distance the BLM and contractors can be held to account for, that the helicopter must keep between it and an animal unless an emergency exists, such as guiding an animal away from a ledge;
There must be temperature limits over which roundups must be called/postponed, both for heat and cold;
There must be tighter guidelines on the use of hotshots.
These are just a few of the issues; this list is not complete by any stretch. But I do have to check out of this motel (yes, I'm in another motel, heading for another holding facility to observe the horses and look to see if a particular black stallion has been captured, since I was precluded from being able to see all the horses coming off the range.)
Leaving these things up to the judgement of those involved isn't sufficient. The experience and caring, or lack thereof, of those involved is too variable; the cast of characters changes all the time. It is time for a legal standard.
This is why the humane case Laura Leigh has filed is so important, and it comes before the Court on January 26, 2012. Please stay tuned to Wild Horse Education (http://wildhorseeducation.org) for updates on this important litigation.
And if you haven't already done so, I urge you to contact respond to requests from The Cloud Foundation, AWHPC (American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign), Wild Horse Education, and me in terms of letters and calls to various lawmakers and BLM. The wild horses and burros need our voices.
That's all I have time for right now. I will be supplementing posts with video and photos and adding new posts and film from this roundup.
I hope to see you along the good trail...

CALICO ROUNDUP 2012: BURRO ROUNDUP STARTS

2012-01-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

( All photos by Elyse Gardner unless otherwise stated. No use without prior written consent from same.)
Burro roundup started today.
Could not see at all at the original observation area we were given. This was it.

I vigorously requested a better spot. A visiting BLM official encouraged them to search for a better viewing area, and District Manager Gene Seidlitz, who was present, decided to pursue that and obtained what appeared to be a much better viewing point. He said he had "called in his last favor," and would not ask for a better viewing spot for this particular trap site, that this was it.

Although an effort was made, we still could see nothing of the burros actually being chased with helicopter-assisted roping. I was, however, able to see them returning with the captured burros and hollow-backed horses.

The "called in his last favor" comment rankled. BLM is the arm of the American government tasked to "protect and manage" a much loved American treasure, our wild horses and burros. As Americans, our Constitution is framed as a government by the people and for the people, and it assures us of the permanent right to hold our government, which is to serve the people. to account for how it spends our tax dollars, and to be visible and open in what it does.

   At this point I will tell you that I have been quietly looking for Freedom, the courageous black stallion who escaped during the Calico roundup of 2010. If he is captured, I can take adopt him and restore him to some of his mares.
Ironic that I have not been permitted to see a single horse up close except for a very quick walk around Temporary Holding on Saturday only because the private landowner on whose property they have built the Temporary Holding pens doesn't want people on his property more than onde a week. I have searched Litchfield Corrals, BLM's short-term holding facility in Litchfield (where the Twin Peaks horses went)  to see if he was taken during the Fox Hog roundup, since that HMA abutts Calico where Freedom was captured and escaped. I have searched the BLM corrals at Palomino Valley Center near Sparks, Nevada, before arriving at the Calico roundup.
   So BLM's intimation that I should be ever so grateful for a wee bit better viewing area just doesn't wash. I am not going genuflect because my government takes a step toward doing what it is tasked to do: be accountable to the American people. Here I am trying to adopt a horse if they've captured him, yet BLM seems to almost revel in its power to block me from seeing horses fresh off the range. It's diabolical. Yet I don't take it personally; BLM has just gotten a bit big for its britches.
Along these lines (but slightly different), Laura Leigh's First Amendment case on access goes to the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco today. It is hugely important to the press community, which has joined her lawsuit, not just wild horse advocates. Laura is accredited print media with a press credential. The "now you see it, now you don't" kind of "access" given at trap sites, and the total barring of access for the press and for the American public to long-term holding and to America's wild horses and burros because BLM contracts with private landowners to house them must be challenged, and Laura has taken that on. My hopes and prayers are with her, and I hope yours will be, also.

CALICO ROUNDUP 2012: BURRO ROUNDUP PHASE TO BEGIN AS JUDAS HORSE CALLS IT QUITS AND TRIES TO JOIN HIS ESCAPING WILD KIN AS BLM *COR STEPS UP AND CALLS OFF THE FINAL RUN ON HORSES, WHO GO FREE

2012-01-06T23:30:00.000-08:00

*(COR stands for Contracting Officer's Representative, i.e., the BLM person in charge on site. -EG)
©2012 Elyse Gardner

I watched this bravehearted member of the final five horses being rounded up by Sun J twice defy the helicopter until...

... he finally is able to escape as the helicopter pilot chooses to continue to try to capture his remaining four friends.

The final four horses embarking on their hard-won freedom as the Sun J helicopter breaks off the chase.

After putting up a determined fight to remain free -- which impressed the Sun J Judas horse so much he tried to quit his job and join them (video soon to come) — the last five wild horses to be chased by the Sun J helicopter retained their freedom today.
©2012 Elyse Gardner

Sun J Judas horse being contained by two wranglers as he makes a break to follow the wild horses.

BLM COR Melanie Mirati called off the final chase after these frightened, freedom loving wild mustangs put up a valiant fight, breaking away from the mouth of the trap and ignoring the Judas horse, refusing to be intimidated into running anywhere near the jute funnel again for a very long six-minute, full-speed face-off with the helicopter. After intense criticism over the previous day's events when the helicopter continued hazing and flying dangerously low at an 11-horse group of wild horses who at least three times failed to follow Sun J's unsuccessful Judas horse into the final trap pen, and which included a compromised stud who stood weakly apart and even flopped down for about 30 seconds while the chaotic, intense helicopter chase ensued all around him, the BLM finally stepped up to do its job and protect these horses from life-threatening harassment. (Video is being prepared and will be coming soon. ) That was one of the ugliest days I've seen in roundups.
I am certain that it didn't hurt any that BLM's Winnemucca District Manager Gene Seidlitz was present at the trap site observation area today. Mr. Seidlitz, who manages for multiple use and is not a horseman, nevertheless stated he "couldn't watch" the videos of Sun J's handling practices from Triple B, and told this reporter that he made it clear to his staff and the contractor that he does not want those types of practices happening on his watch.
Those words seem to have fallen on deaf ears until today, with his CORs having been passive and nonassertive as hotshotting, overcrowding trailers, and long and fierce low-flying helicopter hazing of horses has persisted during this ugly Calico roundup, while Sun J's characteristic fracturing of bands being run long and hard and lathered up during the chase has continued.
Things have gotten so bad during this roundup that Amy Lueders, the Nevada state lead of BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program, during Christmas week issued a stern directive to BLM field personnel that the best way to stop horse protection advocates from undermining BLM's roundup policies with video footage of the mistreatment of the animals, thereby making it harder for federal land managers to win the public trust, was to stop abuses when they saw them. I am saddened that the stated reason for stopping abuses is about saving BLM's image, not about protecting the horses. Nevertheless, I'm all for BLM stopping abuses of wild horses and burros even if it's for self-serving reasons.
District Manager Gene Seidlitz insisted to this reporter that he felt the Sun J contractors had improved, but he's been busy with other matters and hadn't been in the field much, apparently relying on reports from staff.
His presence today was felt by staff. I observed that the fierce struggle of the wild horses yesterday, including the compromised stallion in the middle of it all, was worse, continued longer, and was never called by the COR. So today's calling off this intense, final face-off between helicopter and wild horses today was a smart move if this District office is to have any credibility.
These five horses have been given a hard-won reprieve since the horse-roundup phase of this Calico Roundup is over, and the helicopter will now be looking for burros. I am grateful to have been able to be present this last week. I am grateful that the COR is acting with more leadership.
I am told Burro roundups may start as early as Saturday, January 7. God willing, I will be there.

CALICO ROUNUDP 2012 REACHES NEW LOWS: ROUNDUP CONTINUES AROUND A DOWNED HORSE

2012-01-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 5, 2012: Sun J and BLM reached new lows.
Speaking of just one of the several mishandled, abusive chases of wild horses at the Paiute Meadows trap site which began today, for over an hour the horses ran, evading the trap at least two times with the Judas horse running in with no one following. In the midst of this melee, one of the studs being chased stood apart, obviously compromised, at one point laying down, displaying signs of likely colic.
Despite observers' alarm and firmly asking that the BLM COR call this chase off, the chase continued uninterrupted.
Several horses escaped the trap this day. Video will be forthcoming. It's bad, people; it's very bad. Thank you for your patience.

YES, IT'S BAD ENOUGH FOR ME... TODAY THE HELICOPTER CHASES MORE HORSES AWAY FROM THAN INTO TRAP. WATCH A SAMPLE...

2012-01-04T23:30:00.000-08:00

I'm spent and preparing to get up early to witness the roundup continue but wanted to share a few images and a clip from today to keep us all aware of what is happening across the west to America's wild horses.

Here's some of what I witnessed today.

UPDATED:

Today (Wednesday, January 4, 2012), the last frightened horse forced into the trailer went down just after being loaded. She (CORRECTION: "He") was observed immediately, so they backed the trailer up, and we watched people unload all the wild horses and struggle with the downed horse whose leg had gotten caught on something inside. It was pitiful and a bit nerve wracking. You can see in Laura Leigh's footage, below, that after unloading all the horses that had been crammed onto the trailer, they struggled to free his front leg — which had become wedged in the trailer and caused him to go down — and dragged him out.

(CORRECTION): [As soon as he was freed from the trailer, the crew immediately began flagging him and prodding him to stand. He laid there, an injured prey animal in the presence of numerous predators, unquestionably thought he was going to die. They wanted him to get up so they could reload the trailer with the horses and assess his condition. The right thing to do would have been to remove as much pressure as possible from this frightened, injured horse by having all extraneous people step back as much as safely possible, turn their bodies away from staring, have all but absolutely necessary people step way out of range, and let unfortunate horse collect himself and stand up.

Instead, while the BLM COR and APHIS vet looked on, in efforts to get the horse to rise to his feet, the Sun J crew did a lot of disgusting poking and prodding, and actually tied a rope around this poor stallion's neck and yanked on it, causing his face to bang on the trailer as he lay there. I can't believe the COR and APHIS vet never extended a hand to say, "Hey, wait a minute, don't do that." Instead, they just stood by watching. The horse just meekly laid there with what looked to me like a broken spirit and did nothing to protect himself.

It appears very strongly that he was hot-shotted, not only from the wranglers' appearing to pass something to each other, but the way the horse suddenly stands is out of character with how a horse in that situation would finally arise.
(SEE NEW BLOG POST OF JANUARY 14, 2012, BLM COR MELANIE MARATI ADMITS ORDERING THE HOTSHOTTING OF THE INJURED WILD HORSE DURING CALICO TRI-STATE COMPLEX ROUNDUP)
If they did in fact use a hotshot in this circumstance, there was no life-threatening situation; it was simply for expedience so they could hurry up and load the trailer. Using a hotshot to see if a horse is well enough to stand because you are too impatient to exercise a modicum of compassion and wait for the animal to rise on his own is disgusting beyond measure. The BLM COR and APHIS vet are standing right there. If he was hotshotted as it appears, they went right along with it as did the COR and APHIS vet when the burros were liberally hotshotted repeatedly in front of them.

They let him stand a few minutes, reloaded him and the other horses, and made the trip to temporary holding. I am reassured every day that he is "a little sore" but "doing fine."

Here is Laura Leigh's video from this day (January 4, 2012) on site.

Of course, we the public are not permitted to go to temporary holding except on Saturday, so I had no way to personally see or photograph or videotape (called "documenting") this horse's condition, and am relying solely on representations made by BLM. This is not acceptable; we will only be able to see the horses captured on Friday since they ship continually to Palomino Valley Center in Sparks, Nevada.

The trap site is moving tomorrow (Thursday, January 5). Horses continue to be the focus this week. Burros will be rounded up in the following week.

Saw these beauties along the road today. They are so great, so right. They animate the land so beautifully and quietly. I will talk more about the numbers of burros soon. Must get some sleep.

Keep the faith...

CALICO ROUNDUP 2012 RESUMES: "TRANSPARENCY" DEMONSTRATED BY BARRING OBSERVERS FROM TEMPORARY HOLDING EXCEPT FOR SATURDAYS. Also, DRAMATIC ESCAPES AND PASSIVE LEADERSHIP.

2012-01-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

One year and a day after I photographed Freedom's capture and escape in this same HMA, this brilliant sorrel stud suddenly escaped from just inside the mouth of the trap pen only to turn around and stare and call to his family, who remained captured. He refused to leave for a long time.

He eventually walked over by the trailer, stood there watching helplessly, calling occasionally to his mare now in the trailer. He kept starting to leave, then turning around, "Surely there must be something I can do..."

Spotting us, this amazing stallion trotted toward us, approaching to within probably 50 feet of us. He called to us a few times. It sounds funny, but it genuinely felt like a plea for help. By the way, that is white foam from excessive lathering. This horse is drenched with sweat. Fortunately, it is a beautiful day, temperatures no lower than 45 or even 50.
This was a hard day as I watched band after band fracture before they reached the capture pen. Many times the Sun J pilot can't seem to keep them together.
Video will be coming... cannot get much done at all except bare bones basics when doing a roundnup. But it is again evidence of the nature of the close bonds these horses have with their bands.
I am calling him Bond 007 because of his connections both with his family members and other horses, who followed him readily, taking shelter in his skill. It appeared that, after he finally disappeared into the distant hills, he was once again being chased among a group of 13 horses Josh Helyer, the pilot, was bringing in. But Bond, this remarkable horse, guided them very adeptly around the mouth of the trap, and they took off running away from the trap. He refused to be maneuvered by the helicopter, and the other horses followed his lead. It was exhausting because pilot Josh Helyer would not let up, and the BLM COR did nothing to call him off. I understand he has a job to do, but we are looking for humane parameters.
What I found very disturbing is the length of time the pilot chased, hazed, pushed, this group. They evaded capture to the point of disappearing out of view after almost going into the trap funnel. I have never seen anything like it before. I was half expecting horses to collapse from the running. The BLM COR (Contracting Officer's Representative, i.e., the person in charge) did not seem to intervene, certainly not that I saw or heard. This is the same person who said to me she felt "the longer they're out there the better." Incredulous, I had asked why? Her answer, "Then they come in walking."
I drove over 200 miles today, just over 2.5 hours each way. Not much time to put up a thorough post as I prefer to do. Must rest, will do my best to keep information coming your way about what I am seeing. I did manage to put together a snippet of the story of another little wild horse family, the last run of the day.

Of most concern: we are barred from seeing the horses at all because temporary holding is on a privately owned ranch, and the rancher does not wish to have the public on his property. It is my contention that it is BLM's responsibility to include a few members of the public among the necessary BLM entourage at a roundup, period. I am virtually certain that if BLM was okay with our being there, the private rancher would be, also.
So the upshot is I have no way to determine if Bond was ultimately rounded up today. And I'm virtually certain people would want him if they saw him. So working with us in this way would help the adoption program. By Saturday, when I will be allowed into "temporary," today's horses will have been long gone, shipped to Palomino Valley Holding in Sparks, where they have over 1800 horses and where Bond will be immediately assimilated.
I believe that we have a right and responsibility as members of the public to view every horse that comes in, and to see them running wild and free. Happy new year to all.

HORSES DON'T LIE: WHAT THE GERLACH HORSES TELL US

2012-01-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

Here is an uncharacteristically short blog post.
I just had to let some of the Gerlach wild horses tell their stories. After being told by the BLM COR that their roundup was "easy as pie," and "a piece of cake," and, "They went right in" [into the trap pen], only to go and see them myself an hour later looking...well, judge for yourselves.

I had to bring this straight to you. I am tired of the minimizing and marginalizing of these animals.
I will probably get comments from naysayers saying to toughen up; the horses aren't made of china; the horses are fine. My point: this is about the horses' wellbeing, and about communication and credibility. This was no "piece of cake." BLM, let's develop some credibility, please.
I could not ignore the misrepresentation, completely negating the obvious drama and major exertion these horses experienced.
I will ask for an update on the Gerlach stallion tomorrow. How much can I trust what I'm told?
Getting ready for Calico roundup resuming in the morning...

BLM CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY OF WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSE AND BURRO ACT NEVADA-STYLE -- BY GAMBLING. ALSO, RECENT VIDEO BY ELYSE GARDNER OF CURRENT CALICO ROUNDUP with ADDITIONAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE

2011-12-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

Laura Leigh and I light candles in front of the Gerlach Eight, a little eight-horse herd/band (seen behind us) beloved by the town of Gerlach, Nevada, joining the nationwide Candlelight Vigil commemorating the 40th anniversary of President Nixon's signing the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act into law.

These horses lived just outside of Gerlach, a town in the Calico Herd Management Area which is presently undergoing yet a second massive roundup of wild horses in less than two years. BLM rounded up this iconic little band two days after these photos were taken.

§1331 (first paragraph) of the 1971 Act:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene. It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands. (Section 1 of what has come to be commonly known as the historic 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which I will often refer to as The Act or the 1971 Act.)

Pryor Mountain wild horses: Montana's last wild horse herd of under 160 horses, and BLM wants to round up more of them this year.

NOTE: In 1971, when The Act was passed, wild horses were found on approximately 53 million acres in the west. Today that is down to approximately 26 million acres which BLM designates Herd Management Areas ("HMAs").

////

I'm back in the stark, beautiful Calico Herd Management Area of Nevada to share the Watch of another massive wild horse roundup by the Bureau of Land Management less than two years after the last massive and deadly Calico roundup.

Here is a rare glimpse I was able to put together from the Twin Peaks roundup of 2010 of some of what goes on "behind the scenes" with the helicopter and the horses in the mountains during the hours before they reach the trap pen:

Here is the only time I was ever permitted close enough to document the respiration rate of wild horses 35 minutes after a 10.8-mile (as the crow flies) helicopter chase:

I would like to hear from some veterinarians concerning what we see here. You can email me at elysegardner@me.com.

HISTORY

In January/February 2010, I witnessed the BLM peel 1,922 wild horses from their historic mountain homes, families, and freedom. In the weeks following that ugly roundup in the dead of winter, over 100 mares spontaneously aborted, and we had a total of over 140 deaths during and after the helicopter chase.

Perhaps you recall Freedom, the black stallion who escaped from temporary holding at the trap site by jumping a six-foot fence and breaking through a barbed wire fence as they were "sorting" horses 10 minutes after capture. Here are some of the stunning horses from Calico whose loss of freedom also means the end of their genetic contribution to future generations. Taking a quick trip down memory lane...

Tomahawk and Redman captured 1/16/10

Commander (left) and General (right), captured 1/16/10, inseparable friends, both over 20 years old

Lightning and son, captured January 2010

PRESENT:

BLM is now looking to chase all 1300 horses they believe to be on the mountain into their capture pens, and,

   They say they plan to release up to 350 horses so as to permanently remove 950. 85 to 115 will be PZP treated mares, with a two-year infertility drug.
BLM has selected an "Appropriate Management Level" for what they've now expanded into a "Tri-State Complex" of nearly 600,000 acres: 572 to 952 wild horses and only 39-65 wild burros. Sigh.
These are absurdly low figures on this large HMA, with wild horses vastly outnumbered by cattle even though cattle have 160 million acres of public land on which to graze.
The part I find particularly egregious, discredits BLM, and confirms to me that BLM has a callous disregard for these animals is this:
  BLM plans to round up all the horses up first, breaking up every band as they come in, then release handpicked horses, a direct assault on the very core of the wild horse social structure because done in this way
this plan will systematically, unnecessarily, decimate every single family band, creating social chaos. Wild horses live in close-knit bands a stallion has spent his life building. He wins and loses mares over time. For the government agency tasked with this animal's protection and care to destroy this, by design, is the height of -- what? Pick one: Callousness, or ignorance?
Neither is acceptable, especially when BLM proved, in the Pryor Mountain wild horse roundup of 2009, it can round up wild horses and maintain the integrity of each family band through all phases of the process — meaning each band had its own pen; horses to be removed were removed, and then each band was released as a unit, with at least several minutes in between releases.
So BLM's current SOP (standard operating procedure) doesn't even begin to meet the Act's charge that:
  §1333(a) ...All management activities shall be at the minimal feasible level ...

BLM is implementing untested, radical methods whose effects on the wild horse and burro populations are unknown, in its determination to minimize wild horses and burros on the western public lands, without waiting for the results of a two-year National Academy of Sciences study that is just getting under way to assess the Wild Horse and Burro Program and BLM's methods (more on the study in a future edition).

One wonders: what on earth is the frantic hurry? Or what in earth, as in uranium, gold, silver, natural gas? Geothermal projects? — two of which are on track for the Calico complex soon...

These unvetted methods have drawn lawsuits from wild horse and burro advocacy groups, joined by Western Watersheds, which is not traditionally a "wild horse advocacy" group.

Specifically, BLM is gambling with wild horse and burro futures because in efforts to slow or stop population growth:

A) BLM is planning to geld 200 studs and return these castrated horses/geldings to the range and manage them as a "nonreproducing herd." This will significantly alter wild horse social structure in some unknown way. There are no geldings in the natural order of wild horse social structure. There are no studies of wild horse HMAs, nor bands, nor herds, nor groups, nor anything, where this has been done that anyone has produced.

This has not been studied at all, yet BLM is planning this approach in nearly all its plans for the various Herd Management Areas across the west.

BREAKING NEWS: As of this writing and only after The Cloud Foundation, Western Watersheds Project, and others filed suit to stop BLM from carrying out this massive gelding release in the Pancake complex, BLM has backed down and removed this "alternative" from their plan in that HMA. This gelding strategy, however, remains a key component in BLM's management plans, and wild horse advocates are required to sue the BLM in each individual HMA (Herd Management Area) to stop its implementation to protect the integrity of the wild horse herd structure. This was the second HMA where suit was filed and BLM backed down and abandoned the plan for the moment.

BLM was also going to zero out — remove all wild horses from — the Jake's Wash region of the Pancake complex, as if 26 million acres down from 53 million wasn't low enough. Thanks to the lawsuit, they have let go of this plan.

B) Again, despite the absence of any study of consequences to the horses or the environment, BLM continues to skew the gender ratios, i.e., returning 60 percent stallions and 40 percent mares to the wild, in virtually all the Herd Management Areas where it is rounding up and releasing horses.
They also skew the sex ratio in CTR ("Catch, Treat, Release") roundups after PZP is administered to mares, an infertility drug. The PZP in use is a two-year infertility drug called PZP-22.

It's not rocket science to deduce that skewed gender ratios -- decreasing the number of mares available to already competitive studs -- alters the herd dynamic, but how much? Can we get at least a five-year study first, please?
And PZP-22 does not alter a mare's hormones, so she continues to go into heat and be vigorously pursued by studs monthly. (PZP creates a virtually impenetrable surface to the ovum thereby preventing sperm from fertilizing it.)
I am incredulous at how irresponsible it is of BLM to foist these radical practices on these simple yet highly sophisticated, social animals with no studies. My trust in my government has plummeted since I've learned of these practices. We can't click "undo," either, once it's done.

Beautiful stud captured recently in current roundup.

Back on the grueling roundup schedule

Up at 3:30 a.m. to be on the road by 4:30 a.m., drive to Gerlach to meet at BLM's Black Rock Station at 7 a.m. ...

... then drive across the surreal Playa, the salt flats, our speeding tires filling the air with toxic alkali dust...

... then bouncing through miles into the mountains on accordian/waffled, jarring gravel roads that shake my sleepy brain almost awake to finally arrive, signaled to park on the side of the dirt “road” by my pleasant BLM ranger-escort, familiar from last Calico roundup, who now feels more like a distant cousin I’ve run into at the funeral of a mutual relative. It’s nearly 9:00 a.m.

Stepping out of the car, I feel we are trespassers in the middle of the silent majesty of the wild horses’ mountain home, particularly in view of what BLM is there to do. Some members of the silent peace patrol, the majestic guardians of the mountains — the unsuspecting wild horses — are now taking their last mouthfuls of precious free-roaming forage. I steel myself to stay focused, prepare my gear for the hike to the designated observation place.

By the way, the little Gerlach band of wild horses BLM rounded up tell a different version of the events than BLM; it wasn't as pretty as BLM first led us to believe, i.e., "No problem; they went right in. Piece of cake."
But this is more than enough for now. It is Christmas, and I have another message to write to give you all, so I'm going to stop here.
I've been away from the computer with my mustang filly these few months, learning from her about mustangs in a whole new dimension, and I am profoundly moved by these individuals, more so than ever. I've also been dealing with some medical issues and mustang matters (not life threatening, just hampered my work) issues. Soon I will share what the Gerlach horses told me directly, and they can tell you themselves.
I am glad for what little I am able to do, though, for these animals for whom we must never stop standing up. They are very special, indeed.

CHRISTMAS: WHAT IS THE GREATEST GIFT?

2011-12-24T06:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, everyone.

What is Christmas? In honor of this significant holiday, on behalf of the wild horses, I want to step outside the box...

Pryor Mountains bachelor band

Whether one adheres to a Christian faith or not, the Christmas story is one which teaches that God took the initiative and reached out to offer forgiveness to his creation which is ensconced in corruption and self-centeredness and where God was largely ignored or rejected. And the story states that at great personal, sacrificial cost, God offered forgiveness to many who didn't even know or acknowledge they'd done anything wrong.
So Christmas is really a model of humble forgiveness, of a wronged party being willing to take the initiative to mend fences with the offending party. Hmm.
The Christian faith teaches that man is the only part of creation that requires forgiveness, but the entire creation is affected by man's relationship with his creator. We also get a wonderful model of forgiveness in the animals, who are generally very forgiving, some more than others, willing so often to forgive and trust us again, and again....and again.
The premise is that man needs forgiveness.
I need forgiveness. I can guarantee I will sooner or later either do or say something that will require someone's forgiveness; or someone will harm me, real or imagined, and I will hopefully become willing to forgive them. And there is nothing sweeter than to hear my friend say, "No worries, I forgive you," and not keep beating me up with my wrong. Likewise, offering the gift of forgiveness feels so very good to the one offering, surprisingly. But sometimes we really have to wrestle to become willing to forgive.
So the great gift and meaning of Christmas, as I understand it, is all about the amazing issue of forgiveness. The free, yet costly gift. It means I give up my right to remind you of your wrongs. It means I give up my right to discuss them with others. It means we move forward.
We all need forgiveness, don't we?
And is there someone, or a group of someones, who needs your forgiveness?
So often we judge one another and write each other off, and that's it: that person is a "bigmouth"; "she is a tale-teller, a gossip"; "cheat," a "liar"; "Jake cheated me. He borrowed money and never even called to apologize for not paying it back." And we tell all kinds of people...more wrong done.
It's always going to be something because this is a corrupt world with imperfect people. It helped me to learn that "Forgive"is a banking term, means a debt has been canceled and you no longer owe the bank, for instance, anything. You expect nothing of one another anymore. They expect nothing from you; you expect nothing from them. It goes both ways. Doesn't mean you love the person or institution or would do business with them again; it's just an ability to accept things as is, right now, and fluidly move on, not bringing up the old debt which has been canceled.
QUESTION: Is it possible you might be committing a greater wrong than was done against you by your rancor and self-righteous judgement against someone who has perhaps wronged you, and for talking about it and keeping it going?
I want to challenge all of us reading this to venture to give the precious, priceless gift of forgiveness in this last week of 2011 so that we all might start 2011 moving forward for the horses, for a better world. Or at least begin to wrestle with the issue if you are unwilling at this time. After all, holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and expecting it to affect someone else. Forgiveness makes room for new growth, for all kinds of good things.
Are we willing to bury old hatchets for the sake of seeing what new good thing can grow in place of all this bitter baggage we may be dragging along? Doesn't mean we have to have a hug fest, but leaving room for a power greater than ourselves, whom I call God, to restore, and to do new things.
Just some things to think about... thanks for bearing with my diversion from my usual blog, but it is all related. There is also a new blog post up just before this one, containing three new videos (one revisited one, actually). I hope you will take the time to peruse it.

////

And now about the horses:

I came upon this thought provoking passage the other day in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, an Old Testament prophet, in the first chapter.

7 Upon the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of the reign of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet. Zechariah said,
8 I saw in the night [vision] and behold, a [a]Man riding upon a red horse, and He stood among the myrtle trees that were in a low valley or bottom, and behind Him there were horses, red, bay or flame-colored, and white.
9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the [b]angel who talked with me said, I will show you what these are.
10 And the Man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro through the earth and patrol it.
11 And they answered [c]the Angel of the Lord Who stood among the myrtle trees and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth [patrolling it] and behold, all the earth sits at rest [in peaceful security].

///

Now, I don't want to make a new religion out of this passage, but I will simply say, hmmm. It is fitting, is it not? Whether symbolism or God has created and commissioned the horses as watchers of the earth, those who patrol and report back, these great, magnificent, peaceable creatures are like the canaries in the mines, whom the miners used to assess the conditions in the mine by lowering a canary into the mine shaft before humans descended. If the lowered canary got sick or died, the workers knew it was toxic.

The Creator can come alongside and see, How are my horses? What do they perceive? How are they being treated?

Pryor Mountain bachelor boys

Because if God ordained that horses patrol and go to and fro and report, he wants the report from their eyes, and their perspective matters to God. Hmmm. Something to think about... I don't claim to understand this passage or God's entire intent. But the passage really bears some consideration. I do understand that whatever it means in its fullness, these animals are unique and wonderfully special and deserving of our best, of far better than the lot mankind has dealt/is dealing so many of them, and in the new year, I will be working on their behalf. I can't begin to describe what they give me.

Just some thoughts. Merry Christmas.

MICHIGAN FOSTER GUARDIANS' PERSONAL TRIBUTES AS THEY SEND THEIR TREASURED TWIN PEAKS WILD HORSE CHARGES HOME TO CALIFORNIA

2011-09-09T01:37:00.000-07:00

Onyx

CORTEZ

I was very moved by these communications I received from a couple of the generous-hearted/handed people who fostered a three of the starving Twin Peaks horses in Michigan — and I know it sounds dramatic, but these horses really were starving; I do not say that lightly. I wanted to simply share these with you...
And as you read, know that they are leaving today for California. Coggins tests were done (a required blood test in order for horses to cross state lines), the horses were all brought to one location, and their trek home will be starting very soon. Thanks to you...

L to R: Onyx and Cortez

Hello Elyse...

I was forwarded an e-mail that contained the link to a blog about the Michigan Mustangs that are leaving this week back to California. My name is Joy Aten, and having done mainly TB racehorse rescue for years, I was thrust out of my comfort zone when I was needed to help with the Mustangs. It was truly heart breaking...yet amazing...to be in their presence, if only for a short time. I shared my heart and my home with Black Onyx and Cortez from June 22 to September 2. I quickly discovered how unique these wild and glorious creatures were, and decided to keep a journal of the "boys". I copied and pasted some of it for you below. Thank you so very much for your loving care and concern, and for doing what you can to let others know of this story of tragedy and triumph. I pray for the return of the other Michigan Mustangs to California soon.
Best,
Joy Aten
Hudsonville, Michigan

L to R: Cortez and Onyx, recovering together at Joy's

Their first few weeks with me, Onyx was very timid, always keeping Cortez between himself and me. At the end of their stay, Onyx would place himself closer to me. While I cleaned in their paddock and lean-to (which they would both stand in after about 3-4 weeks…Cortez tried it before Onyx, and at first, would only put his front feet in), they would both come and stand close to me as long as I didn’t face them directly. Onyx would be 12-18 inches from me, with Cortez on the other side of him. I could move about cleaning up manure/hay, and they would just quietly stand there. I never touched them the entire stay, but I am sure they would not have allowed it if I had tried. There were times that I asked them to move away, as I needed to clean up where they were standing. Once Onyx kicked out at me with both hinds as I must have bustled about too fast to suit him. But if I just clucked, they would slowly move away.
Ten weeks have past since the day they stepped cautiously out of the trailer and into my heart. Physically they have blossomed...their former dull, near-black coats now glisten in deep shades of rich, chocolate brown. I'm amazed at how they shine, given the fact that not one time has a brush touched their compact bodies. The bony prominences are gone, and the neglect they once endured is no longer evident. Yet all is not well with them. My own horses were in close proximity (not over a fence, but in range where they could easily see each other), but Onyx and Cortez never paid any attention to them…it was almost as if they weren’t even there. It was odd, especially because my horses would daily come to the corner of their own paddock to get as close as possible, straining to see what Onyx and Cortez were up to. But the two were indifferent and uninterested...there was never any playing or bucking...no running for the sheer joy of it...nothing.

I have cried many tears for them, watching them in an enclosure where they didn't belong and in an environment they could never thrive in. An entire year has past since their lives were stolen from them, yet the troubled and unsettled look remains in their eyes...it is unlike anything I have ever seen. But at last, they are going home. I will miss them - I will hold them close forever - I will never stop telling their story.

—o0o—

My deepest thanks to Joy for (1) making her home and world a haven for these lost, starving animals who don't know their place anymore in the world (thank you, DreamCatcher that will soon change); and, (2) sharing her observations, insights, and heart.
Here are Duke and Cortez in June 2011. We can see how bony Duke's croup (bony prominence/final third of his back approaching the tail) and pelvis are becoming, and how his withers (hump where a horse's neck joins his back) protrudes; and how very thin Cortez already is.

And now here are some unsolicited, very much appreciated comments from Linda Jackman, who fostered Duke for the last two months. . .

Thought I'd share these photos of Duke, taken just minutes before he was loaded yesterday. Isn't he just the most handsome boy ever?

Just food for thought.... If anyone is hitting the "kill" pen on Friday mornings at Shipshewana and they run across a BLM mustang in the kill pen, we will take it in, for that matter any horse that needs saving..... I am feeling very needy today.... I just miss Duke so much, it's amazing even tho we only had him a short few months, what a impact he had on my life and he taught me a thing or two as well...
As of 9 a.m. this morning, September 9, 2011, they are on their way home...

Thank you, Joy, Linda and John, all the foster guardians; Jodi Louth and the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition, who has been amazing, for everything you are doing for the horses. God bless you each in all you do.

For the wild horses all, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,

all those who were, and those yet to be,

Nickers,

Elyse Gardner

PRESS RELEASE

Wild Mustangs in Michigan Head Home to California
September 9, 2011 – For Immediate Release

Contact: Jodi Louth, MHWC – 734-476-2552;

Barbara Clarke, DreamCatcher -- 530-260-0377

The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) announces the shipment of nine wild mustangs from a location in west Michigan to the DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary in California at approximately 9:00 am this moring, Friday, September 9^th, 2011. The shipment of eight adult mustangs and one foal is expected to arrive at the northeastern California sanctuary approximately 48 hours after departure.

The eight adult mustangs were part of an original shipment of 29 mustangs to Allegan County, Michigan in February of 2011. The mustangs were purchased by Wendi Bierling for approximately $20 each from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) after being captured during a roundup in California in August of 2010.

In May of 2011, Bierling contacted the MHWC Hay Bank for assistance in feeding the horses, but her application was denied after it was discovered during a mandatory site visit by MHWC volunteers that many of the horses in Bierling’s care were allegedly being grossly neglected, violating Michigan’s anti-cruelty statute. It was also discovered that Bierling allegedly intended to breed the mustangs, which is against MHWC’s policy for hay assistance

The MHWC contacted Allegan County Animal Control, which prompted an investigation and subsequent charge recommendation that Allegan County Prosecutor Fred Anderson refused to pursue. Approximately 16 of the mustangs remain under Bierling’s care and control despite numerous offers from the public to rehome the horses.

“It was a bittersweet moment, watching the mustangs pull away in the truck this morning. We’re so happy for the nine that are going, but sad for the ones being left behind,” says Jodi Louth, Hay Bank Coordinator for the MHWC. “All 29 mustangs and their foals should have been on the truck to California today.”

Barbara Clarke, wild horse expert and director of the 2,000-acre DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary in Ravendale, California, contacted the MHWC after hearing about the plight of the mustangs and offered them a permanent home as soon as the horses were healthy enough again to travel.

“We are only twenty miles from the Twin Peaks Horse Management Area where these horses were thriving prior to the BLM rounding them up,” says Clarke. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the horses back home where they belong and in an environment they are familiar with. After all they have been through they deserve their freedom back.

View public facebook photo album of today’s events here (higher quality photos available upon request). The MHWC grants permission for any media use of photos.

View two short YouTube videos of horses leaving here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lmj0Jusb4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBC2qlnd9go

The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition is committed to enhancing the lives of all equines in Michigan through education and assistance to the owners, and when necessary, the prosecution of persons who commit acts of cruelty against equines contrary to existing laws.

###

BITTERSWEET: TWIN PEAKS, CALIFORNIA, MUSTANGS STARVED IN MICHIGAN ARE HEADING HOME

2011-09-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

KEELEY AND EIGHT OTHER TWIN PEAKS HORSES STARVED IN MICHIGAN ARE COMING HOME TO CALIFORNIA— THANKS TO DREAMCATCHER SANCTUARY, GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, and MICHIGAN HORSE WELFARE COALITION

(My earnest gratitude to Jodi Louth of the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition and other committed California advocates for making their photos available to us.)

MEET Keeley the day after her capture from the lush Twin Peaks, California wild horse range. Notice (above right photo) the nicely rounded hip, the little heart-shaped indent in the middle of her spine (just to the right of her left eye) illustrating how filled out she was, how the muscle and flesh thoroughly cover and pad her spine. This is a healthy horse "in good flesh."

Keeley managing to sustain her new foal, Firehawk, 4 months later in Michigan, where she was allowed to starve along with most of the 28 other horses bought by Wendi Bierling. Seriously underweight, her spine is clearly visible here and we can count individual ribs. Her skeleton is evident and there is no curve or roundedness remaining anywhere. This was the typical look of most of the horses left in Wendi Bierling's care.

FINALLY, an update on the Twin Peaks horses stranded in Michigan. Of the original 29 horses who were sold to a woman in Michigan — claiming to have homes for them but who ended up abysmally neglected and starving — eight horses and a new foal will next week be heading to west their forever home at for DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro sanctuary.
While the Allegan County Sheriff recommended prosecution of Wendi Bierling for her failure to care for or obtain veterinary care for these animals, the Prosecutor failed to act, and Ms. Bierling retained control of most of these animals. She still has a chance to do the right thing by facilitating the return of the remaining horses in her control.
Two of the original 29 lost their lives in Michigan (see my earlier blog at Updated: Twin Peaks Horses Stranded and Starving in Michgan...)
Barbara Clarke, Director of the northern California, 2,000-acre wild horse and burro sanctuary, has worked hard and is committed to restoring the lives of the remaining horses by getting them home — or as close to home as possible. DreamCatcher is only 20 miles from these horses' wild habitat which they were chased from by helicopter in August of 2010. I defer to Barbara; let's hear it with her own words in this UPDATE she publicized on August 30:

UP DATE

Aug 30, 2011

Twin Peaks Horses Set to Come Home

Despite a plethora of obstacles determined to prevent the return of the Twin Peaks horses to California, we now have 3 geldings, 4 mares and one mare/foal pair set to head west. If...we can raise the rest of the transport money. And in these tough economic times this is going to be no small feat.

So we are going to sweeten the deal by offering a Catherine Scott photo of the Twin Peaks horses to any donor giving at least $100 and for donations of at least $1000 a VIP tour of DreamCatcher, participation in our 2012 spring release of the horses onto summer grazing, and two night stay at the resort in Eagle Lake (donated) which is only 20min away.

We have been able to reduce the transport costs from $18,500 to $10,500 and we have already paid a nonrefundable $1000 deposit. The final quote was given to us by Bob Hubbard Equine Transportation and includes a large and comfortable van which they are going to retrofit for the mustangs. Hubbard is scheduled to pickup the horses in Michigan September 9 and they will arrive at DreamCatcher approximately 2 and a half days later. Once here they will be immediately released into a large pasture area where they can run. roll and enjoy some freedom amongst the sights and smells they are familiar with. They will be back HOME.

Those wishing to help us bring these horses back home may donate:

On-line by going to our web site and click on the donate button www.dreamcatcherhorsesanctuary.org
By mail: DreamCatcher, PO Box 9, Ravendale CA 96123 or
Call the office for a credit card donation 530-260-0148

Remember, this is a time sensitive situation since horses are scheduled to be picked up September 9th in Michigan.

The horses who are returning to California are listed below and you can see some photos on this link http://wherethewildhorsesare.blogspot.com/

# 1765 Keeley - red spot appy mare with appy colt

# 1994 no name - buckskin mare - dun colt not coming

# 1981 Jewel - sorrel mare

# 1755 no name - drk grey mare w/black mane - colt not coming

# 2006 chocolate brown pinto mare w/white spot on left side

# 1598 Duke - light dun buckskin gelding

# 1557 Onyx - black gelding star & cropped ear

# 1523 Cortez - black gelding w/4 white socks

While we were not able to get possession of the rest of the horses at this time, we - along with the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition - will be monitoring the situation and will come to the aide of any of the horses that may need us in the future. We will not give up until we know all of the Twin Peaks horses are safe and happy.

Thank You For Caring

Barbara

Left: Jewel at her worst, and getting ready to foal. Her foal didn't survive
Right: Gaining weight and strength, ready to make the trip. Hang in there, Jewel, you are almost home.

LATEST UPDATE

AS OF September 1, 2011, generous, caring people have taken action, and the $10,500 has more than been reached. We cannot thank you enough!

If you still would like to be a part of restoring these horses and providing for their ongoing maintenance — the most expensive part of owning a horse — the invitation to give still stands, and so do the Thank-You Gifts as stated above, i.e., the tour of DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary, participation in the summer pasture release, and the Catherine Scott photo of the Twin Peaks horses to those who give as indicated above.
Additional donations will be used to purchase extra hay, put up new fencing for the new arrivals, and, best of all, some put aside for another future group of Twin Peaks horses stranded in Michigan to return home. There are already stirrings in that direction, and we are committed to bringing each and every one back we can.
You can view the list of returning horses along with some photos at the Where the Wild Horses Are blog.
PERSONAL UPDATE
To my readers: It's great to "see" you again! This blog has been "silent" since July, but I have continued engaged for the wild horses as well as more personally involved with them than ever. I have departed from California and am currently in Colorado in a remote area with inconceivably slow internet where it is difficult to even load photographs on this blog and nearly impossible to watch Youtube videos.
But I am here with my mustang filly which BLM shipped all the way from Nevada to Nebraska back in May 2010 despite my being actively engaged in adopting her; that is another story I will share with you and Congress at another time.
Please do check in periodically as I will be updating and posting. And the links at the front of this blog are vital in helping us continue to take action on behalf of the wild horses, who need us more than ever as BLM contemplates creating "nonreproducing herds" using permanent infertility methods (i.e., releasing large populations of geldings and/or spayed mares, a dangerous and costly procedure), which of course make these horses no longer wild populations, and thus BLM would be in violation of the law they are charged to carry out, i.e., managing wild horses in the wild with "minimum feasible" (the legal language) interference.
For the wild horses, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,
all who were and those yet to be,
Elyse Gardner, Humane Advocate Observer

PUBLIC OUTRAGE THE RESPONSE AS MICHIGAN PROSECUTOR FAILS TO PROTECT TWIN PEAKS WILD HORSES

2011-07-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

I THOUGHT THERE WERE LAWS AGAINST THIS SORT OF THING

Majestic, muscled wild horses just four months ago, these intelligent, formerly self-reliant animals are treated like inanimate trash by Michigan Prosecutor Fred Anderson

as he forces them to remain in the control of the person who starved them.
Photo by Jonathan Gruenke/Gazette
Meet Romeo the day of his capture in September 2010/BLM photo in public domain
Romeo on 6/8/11 after 4 months with Wendy Bierling,
and under Sheriff's Dept. monitoring for 2 1/2 weeks.
Has he been wearing this drag line for four months?
These horses should be under the conservatorship of the Michigan Horse
Welfare Coalition's experienced horsepeople, not the Allegan Sheriff's Department.

   (Romeo's ID is courtesy of Where the Wild Horses Are   (visit for well documented before-and-after photos of other Twin Peaks horses in Michigan hell. — Can you tell I'm not okay with this?)
Conrad Burns, R-Montana
   If you are new to this blog, please visit my previous blog post at this link for the background on these Twin Peaks horses.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF "SALE AUTHORITY" HORSES
   BLM's policy of selling sale authority horses en masse very cheap, thanks to the Burns Amendment of 2005, is the proximate cause  (legalese for "primary cause") for these abused horses' situation.  So although these Twin Peaks/ Michigan horses have riveted our attention, we can rest agitated that this goes on all the time, and worse.
     Even some good people in the BLM were griefstricken when this law was passed because they understood that it makes it easy for profiteers to purchase these horses for any number of unwholesome purposes and that many horses would certainly be doomed to hellish ends because of it. Senator Conrad Burns, a Montana rancher and anti-wild horse legislator, slipped his "rider" in late at night when our legislature was trying to conclude its business to go on break, and no one even realized it was attached to a bill that everyone already knew was going to pass. It was slick, below-the-belt political maneuvering, but legal. And the horses, as is historically always the case, are the ones who pay the price.
     BTW: Former Montana Senator Burns received substantial contributions from admitted felon and former super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  Burns received $137,000 in campaign contributions and PAC contributions from Abramoff, his lobbying firm and his Indian clients from 2000 to 2002. These donors contributed 42 percent of the total money received by Burns’ soft-money political action committee over the period. [Washington *Post, 3/1/2005] He may still be indicted for taking bribes from convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramhof.
(Source: PublicCitizen "Hall of Shame")

SALE AUTHORITY horse: a horse age 10 or older; or, a younger horse who's been offered at three "adoption" events, including online, but has not been "adopted."

BACK TO THE PRESENT: TWIN PEAKS HORSES IN MICHIGAN
   I do know, however, that Wendi Bierling was frustrated in November 2010 because sale authority horses or not, BLM was requiring her to meet certain specifications, and she felt they were giving her a hard time. Way to go, BLM.  Ms. Bierling contacted the advocate community looking for support in getting her load of sale authority horses from BLM. Personally, I was not comfortable with her or her plan and did not respond. Several BLM officials have told me they were uncomfortable with it at the time, and a top ranking official feels what she has done is "despicable" because "she let things go too long before asking for help."
     I encourage readers who are disturbed at Prosecutor Anderson's inaction to express your feelings to Allegan Prosecutor Fred Anderson, Allegan Sheriff's Dept. Lt. Baker, Animal Control, and to the Fox News team who covered this story at:  sheriff@allegancounty.org, animal-control@allegancounty.org, prosecutor@allegancounty.org, fanderson@allegancounty.org, capple@fox17online.com
Commander, proud, seasoned 25-year-old band stallion
safe at Return to Freedom
Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition: No Celebrating for Michigan Mustangs this Holiday Weekend
For Immediate Release
June 30, 2011 – The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) wishes to express extreme disappointment with the decision by the Allegan County Prosecutor’s office today not to pursue any animal cruelty charges in the case of 25 wild Mustangs owned by Wendy Bierling in Allegan. The prosecuting attorney’s decision comes despite investigating officer Sgt. Kuhn’s recommendation of 16 counts of animal cruelty.

During a May 22^nd visit to Bierling’s farm, MHWC representatives witnessed what they felt to be a clear-cut case of animal neglect under the definition of Michigan’s anti-cruelty statute, and contacted Allegan County law enforcement to express their concern for the horses’ welfare. MCL 750.50 requires that animals receive adequate care, defined as “sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal in a state good health.” The statute further defines “neglect” as failure to “sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal’s health is jeopardized.”

The visit from MHWC representatives was a standard site inspection upon receiving Bierling’s application for assistance through the coalition’s Hay Bank. The request was for hay to feed 25 of the original 29 wild Mustangs shipped to Bierling in February of 2011 from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which had rounded up the horses in California the previous August. All of the Mustangs shipped to Bierling were over the age of eleven.

After assisting with the removal of a horse that was later assessed a body condition score of one – the lowest score a horse can have and still be alive -- the MHWC confirmed with Bierling’s own veterinarian that Bierling had never requested his own assessment or treatment of that horse.

The MHWC provide investigators with an abundance of evidence showing what they felt to be neglect, including photos, veterinarian reports, and multiple eyewitness reports – all showing that Bierling was allegedly not feeding the horses or providing veterinary care.

“Whether the horses came off the truck sick or not, that was over four months ago. The bottom line is, these horses weren’t getting enough to eat. Any horse will starve if they do not have food, and sick horses will continue to decline without veterinary care. That’s why these provisions are mandated by law. But what good are laws if they’re not enforced?” says Jodi Louth, MHWC Hay Bank Coordinator.

“By failing to address what appears to be a clear case of animal neglect, Allegan County is essentially condoning such neglect and even encouraging it to continue. There is absolutely nothing to prevent Wendi Bierling from receiving another shipment of 29 mustangs, and we just hope that Allegan County officials are prepared to deal with it when that happens,” continues Louth.

Jill Fritz, MHWC secretary, adds: “The neglect of any animal, including horses, is explicitly prohibited under Michigan's animal cruelty statute. Financial hardship or lack of knowledge about proper horse care is not an excuse to ignore the law.” She continued, “Michiganders care about animals and want those who neglect or abuse them to be held accountable. The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition hopes that the Allegan County will join other county prosecuting attorneys who are aggressively pursuing charges against those who harm animals in our state.”

The MHWC and its Hay Bank were founded in January 2010 and has since helped to feed over 101 horses throughout Michigan.

For more information, please visit www.michiganhorsewelfarecoalition.org.
High quality photos of the Mustangs available upon request.
See a You Tube video of the MHWC's visit here
###
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/06/allegan_mustang_owner_will_not.html
269/673-0280 Prosecuting Attorney Fred Anderson
5859 W. Saginaw Hwy, #273, Lansing, MI 48917 (517) 321-368

Response of Humane Observer Elyse Gardner to Michigan's failure to protect these horses
Re: TWIN PEAKS HORSES IN MICHIGAN - RESPONSE TO PROSECUTOR'S
   ANNOUNCMENT THAT HE IS NOT FILING CHARGES   mailed to: sheriff@allegancounty.org, animal-control@allegancounty.org,   prosecutor@allegancounty.org, fanderson@allegancounty.org, capple@fox17online.com, rparker@kalamazoogazette.com

To Prosecutor Fred Anderson and Other Respected Members of Our Public Trust,

I am profoundly disappointed in your handling of this matter involving Wendi Bierling and her obvious alleged criminal neglect of our Twin Peaks wild horses. It is difficult to comprehend the fear you all seem to have of taking action. The public trust suffers nearly as much as the horses when public officials see such egregious harm done and do nothing. This is very bad for public morale in these difficult times and results in young and old alike having no respect for the law, and, indeed, why should we? Michigan law requires the appropriate care, feed, housing, veterinary care, and general humane maintenance of animals, and the fact that Ms. Bierling never consulted her vet for a Hennecke Score 1 horse who was perfectly sound upon arrival tells us she was not providing anything close to this legal standard.

I believe your inaction may actually constitute actionable offenses under Michigan statute since you know more abuse is about to continue and turn a blind eye. Your failure to act will now cause direct suffering to at least 6 of these animals since Ms. Bierling plans to sell them to a Florida man, thereby subjecting them to an arduously long trip reliable sources say they are not yet ready to endure, only to arrive in a state known to have a penchant for horseflesh, illegal in the U.S. but practiced in Florida nonetheless.

I address also the blatant untruths told by the Prosecutor in his recent announcement stating Michigan authorities will continue to monitor these horses. I know Mr. Anderson has knowledge of Ms. Bierling's plans to sell these horses out of state on Saturday, July 2, yet he announced to the press that authorities will continue to monitor the horses. Really? I presume he meant for the next 48 hours. He has not returned either of my two calls although I informed him I was writing an article and would be glad to hear his perspective.

I hope the immorality of your inaction, as well as the illegality of it, strikes at your hearts, and perhaps in a fit of conscience, patriotism, compassion, and respect for the oaths of office you have taken will result in action that will protect these animals, and you will reconsider your decision promptly, and take action which will prevent the transfer of these animals beyond the protective reach of anyone who truly cares for them.

Very truly yours,

Elyse Gardner
Humane Advocate Observer
http://humaneobserver.blogspot.com
Twin Peaks stallion with affectionate, playful son wanting attention
I received a copy of this terrific letter written by an advocate in Colorado and felt it should be included here because being a native of Switzerland, which has tremendous animal protection laws in place, she suggests positive measures Allegan, Michigan, and all of the United States can and should take to prevent recurrences of this nightmare for these depleted Twin Peaks wild horses. Here it is:

To Prosecutor Fred Anderson and Other Members of Our Public Trust
RE: Wendi Bierling / severely neglected horses in Michigan
I amongst thousands of others across the nation are extremely dismayed at the inaction of Michigan Prosecutor Fred Anderson. Please read on.

   Since the way a DA works is to prosecute only cases they can easily win with the least expenditure of funds -  in other words at election time, the DA must show a high number of convictions - one would think this case clearly calls for your duty to act, lucidly reflecting severe neglect, un-American and not tolerated by anyone with a conscience.

   This case could set the precedent to improve the much needed animal welfare laws in your area. It is very regretful that it always takes an animal to suffer extremely before any laws are changed. And the wheel of bureaucracy often is obscuring a simple outline of strict and applicable standards to protect animals from neglect and abuse, which is appalling. Animals deserve to fall under the governance of strict protection laws, specially in a modern society such as America. Yet, the lack of protection pertaining to such laws is a pity. I often wonder why this country is so behind when it comes to protecting the innocent and helpless. Where I grew up, in Switzerland, they have now some of the best animal protection laws in the world, a very thorough 160–page animal protection law. It governs everything from how much space owners must give their gerbils, to the water temperature for frogs. It outlines that social animals such as pigs and birds must have companions and that horses and cows get regular exercise. It even requires guardians of dogs to take a training course on how to care for their pets. And of course the law also forbids cruelty and abuse. What that reflects is a high standards of education on animals, so people know more on the ownership and needs of said animals.

   Animal abuse is a serious problem and recent occurrences have highlighted the need for examining this issue more closely to determine new strategies for preventing abuse and handling abuse cases. For this reason, your county ought to establish an Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force comprised of city officials, Animal Control, animal volunteer groups and the public to devise methods to better prevent and prosecute animal abuse, such as the case of Wendi Bierling. The Task Force could convene on a monthly basis and is responsible for making recommendations to the Mayor about ways to prevent the mistreatment of animals, and eradicate animal abuse altogether. Members could also be charged with developing additional recommendations regarding:

   • Legislation that will protect animals and prosecute abusers,
     • The training of law enforcement officials on how to handle animal cruelty cases humanely and to ensure how to acquire the best evidence to prosecute animal abusers,
   • Methods of increasing awareness of animal cruelty laws,
   • Necessary steps to foster improved response to incidents of animal cruelty
   • Methods of improving training for Animal Control Officers for their protection as well as the animals.

   You could be optimistic that the efforts of this Task Force will help improve the tools available to law enforcement and prosecutors for handling these types of cases.  I ask that you consider the case of Bierling to be severe enough for you to act now - before history repeats itself again.
Sincerely,
Monika Courtney,
Evergreen, CO

CARING IS GREAT; ACTION IS BETTER. — Elyse Gardner
Thank you for speaking out for these horses.

UPDATED: TWIN PEAKS HORSES STRANDED AND STARVING IN MICHIGAN: WHILE MICHIGAN AUTHORITIES SIT ON THEIR HANDS, HORSES FACE SHIPMENT TO FLORIDA

2011-06-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

Medicine Hat Mustang from Twin Peaks Trapped in Michigan Needs to Come Home

PHOTO TAKEN 8-16-10, JUST A DAY AFTER ROUNDUP BY HELICOPTER

ABOVE and LEFT PHOTOS: TWIN PEAKS MEDICINE HAT: This horse is over 10 years old and in (CORRECTION) his prime. He is cut up from the roundup — either from the chute, loading into the trailer, or during the trailer ride itself. These two photos were taken a day after he was driven in by helicopter.

He has multiple cuts and bruises, but look at his graceful curves and lines, his elegant beauty and self carriage. You can feel the life in him, and his robust vigor and health are evident.

BELOW: Can you believe this is the same horse 10 months later? This horse I call White Magic Mist is now languishing in a Michigan pen and facing possible shipping to Florida. Note the protruding hipbone.

So this is White Magic Mist 10 months later. Let's bring (CORRECTION) him home.

29 "sale authority" Twin Peaks wild horses began their serious decline in health February 2011 as they arrived in Michigan, shipped by BLM to Wendi Bierling who has a "Sale Authority Mustang" Group at Unbridled Spirit Ranch. Apparently they started out with a 28-hour trailer ride with no food or water during that time. Ms. Bierling states she had adopters who fell through. I don't think she intended harm, but however it happened, she wasn't able to care for them adequately.

More Twin Peaks Horses from Unbridled Spirit Ranch in Michigan

photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

These horses have been in the news because they deteriorated so badly that by the time Wendi Bierling asked for help, body scores of 1 and 2 were seen among a number of formerly stunning horses Ms. Bierling saw on my and others' blogs.

TWO MARES HAVE DIED

One mare escaped from where she was housed and was shot by a police officer as she was running along a freeway, her mustang legs having carried her brilliantly through the roundup only to lay slain on a Michigan road.

Before anyone criticizes the officer, I have to say that at that point, that was probably the kindest thing the officer could have done. The point is: Things should never have come to that.

The other mare, who had recently foaled, was cast in her stall. In an incompetent attempt to help her, this mare's neck was broken when people used a rope around her neck and tried to pull her out enough to get her legs underneath her. She was then apparently shot to euthanize her. ("Cast" means while laying down, either from rolling or resting, an animal is unable to get her legs back underneath herself to rise because one or more of her legs are either under a fence or too close to a wall so she can't flip over.) This mare left an orphan foal behind. I do not know if this mare was being fostered or in Ms. Bierling's care.
However, in a fellow advocate's thorough, well-documented blog, Where the Wild Horses Are, more details on these horses are provided by someone who has diligently followed them and has documentation of them before and after landing in Wendi Bierling's care or lack thereof. Please be sure to come back (or stay) to the end of this post, however, for timely information and vitally needed action for the best chance TO GET THESE HORSES HOME.

WHERE THINGS STAND

After law enforcement had begun its investigation, arrangements were being made to foster the horses elsewhere until they were well enough to travel. Authorities seemed ready to work with us, but it has all fallen apart since the Prosecutor's Office isn't taking action. Unfortunately, it has come to this: charges will have to be filed if these horses are to be protected. Most people agree that bringing them home, to the country they know and the feed they are accustomed to, would be the horses' first choice and best for them.

I will tell you how we can help these horses. Below is a video of them in their current circumstances so you can see they really are ready to come home to permanent sanctuary in California, and you can help that happen — and no, this isn't a pitch for money although any sanctuary can always use donations.

UPDATE
(Correction: It's Lieutenant Baker, not Sgt. Kuhn.)
ALTHOUGH in a telephone conversation Lieutenant Baker confirmed to me that he has recommended that charges be filed, and this case now sits in the hands of the Allegan Prosecutor Fred Anderson, there is in fact more Lieutenant Baker can do though he is reluctant to do so. THE PROSECUTOR SHOULD BE TAKING ACTION AT THIS POINT. However, Lt. Baker:

now knows the evidence in this investigation is about to be forever lost to Michigan and sent to Florida since I informed him on Wednesday, June 29, of Ms. Bierling's pending sale of these horses; and,
has been made to understand that these horses are as yet in no condition to travel such a distance (long trailer rides are hard on horses).

Therefore, it is not a far leap to state that additional charges of abuse could and should be filed were Ms. Bierling to effect such a sale at this time.
Importantly, Lt. Baker appears to have a duty to seize these animals and arrest and/or charge Ms. Bierling without warrant, as MCL 750.53, states since he has knowledge of an action she is about to take that would likely be a continuance of alleged criminal neglect and abuse, i.e., subjecting them to such a trip in their current debilitated condition.
Michigan Law requires him to act, and if he does not, he himself may well be guilty of a misdemeanor.

MCL 750.52 Duty to Enforce Provision - This statute provides that it is the duty of the officials involved in animal cruelty investigations to arrest and prosecute those committing the offenses where there is knowledge or reasonable notice of the acts. The failure or neglect by an officer involved to do so may result in a misdemeanor.

MCL 750.53 Search and Seizure Provision - This statute provides that a person violating any of the animal cruelty statutes may be arrested without warrant, similar to the arrest of those found disturbing the peace. Further, the official making the arrest has a duty to seize the animals involved and place them in the custody of the juridiction.

   I personally heard (CORRECTION) Lieutenant Baker to be very concerned about these animals, but perhaps he needs to be encouraged to step out while Attorney Anderson sits on his hands. The Sheriff doesn't always have to wait for the Prosecutor. We all know when law enforcment sees laws being broken and wrongs being done, they act, and let the attorneys figure it out in Court. I believe these horses' plight and possible dismal future, what with the abundant illegal slaughter known in Florida, and the law require Lt. Baker to act unilaterally in this case and force Attorney Anderson's sat-upon hand into action.
     Lt. Baker's number, if you have questions for him, is 269/673-0500 Ext. 122537. He is recommending charges be filed and is waiting for the District Attorney to act. This man seems a friend to the horses, so let's just help him do what's right and address him with the utmost respect. He has already done a lot for them by pressing for charges.
   Unfortunately, this is all necessary because Ms. Bierling is not communicating, not returning my calls or Jodi Louth's from the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition, and her telephone appears to be off the hook. I had hoped she would work directly with us to get these horses back home since right now since she claims to care about them, and she is still, ominously, the legal owner and can sell the horses, a number of whom are still in her custody and care although we were told they would be fostered out (and some are).

This baby didn't make it. Jewel, his mother, was emaciated and fostered out for care.

Photo by Jodi Louth

He was apparently rejected by Jewel, who was so skeletal when the baby was born, she probably instinctively knew she didn't have enough in her to sustain a baby and survive herself. The foal wasn't found until he had already gone without nursing for a full 24 hours. Again, you can read more details of his story on Where the Wild Horses Are.

DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary has offered to bring these displaced horses home and give them permanent sanctuary with River and Dahlia and the other Calico girls, and the other fortunate horses and burros there. The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition is working with us and has been a good liaison to Michigan law enforcement to help bring these girls home.

   BUT THESE HORSES ARE NOW IN JEOPARDY OF BEING SHIPPED TO FLORIDA.
   Allegan County Prosecutor Fred Anderson is dragging his feet, and as a result these horses may be sold by Ms. Bierling. A reliable source has informed me that Ms. Bierling has plans to sell a number of horses to a man coming from Florida on Saturday, July 2, to take "a bunch" back with him, and others dispersed elsewhere, two to North Carolina, and a number in Florida for breeding.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: TELEPHONE CALL
   269/673-0280 Prosecuting Attorney Fred Anderson
   It's time for us to press the Allegan County District Attorney Prosecutor Anderson to take action. We can only leave messages between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.
     He is the head Prosecutor in Allegan County; the buck stops with him.
   What we are asking for now:
   1) That he immediately follow through on Lt. Baker's recommendations and file charges, thereby authorizing the Sheriff's Office to put a freeze on any transfers of ownership or any movement of these horses and stop any out-of-state transport of these horses until a determination is reached.
   Ms. Bierling is still the legal owner of these horses, and since she has stopped communicating and is about to remove the horses from anyone's sight by the sale to a Florida man, this needs to happen immediately.
   2) To assign Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) as overseeing conservator of all the subject horses to protect them, and to remove all the remaining Twin Peaks horses from Ms. Bierling's custody, including White Magic Mist.
   Lt. Baker assured me the Sheriff's Office is monitoring the horses; we would prefer to see the MHWC doing the monitoring.
   3) That he facilitate the return of the Twin Peaks wild horses to DreamCatcher in northern California, at virtually no expense to Allegan County. Since DreamCatcher has offered to put up a care bond to defray Allegan County's costs — since they seem so concerned about the costs — Prosecutor Anderson has no excuse not to act.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: EMAIL
   Here is a convenient copy-and-paste email chain to the Allegan Sheriff, Animal Control, Prosecutor, and Fox News, who covered the story.     Please send a polite short letter (or long if you wish) email to these people/organizations and let them know you want theses horses protected from sale outside Michigan at this time, that charges need to be filed, and that DreamCatchers and the advocate community stand ready to help.

Photo by Jonathan Gruenke

sheriff@allegancounty.org, animal-control@allegancounty.org, prosecutor@allegancounty.org, fanderson@allegancounty.org, capple@fox17online.com

So, simple message: immediately file charges to stop the transport of these horses; help them come home.

DREAMCATCHER stands ready to transport these older horses home and give them a life virtually free from pens, on land 20 miles from their home. They need to come home.

Thank you for taking action.

For all the wild horses, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,

Those who were, and those yet to be,

Elyse Gardner

Here is a partial list of stories and links about these horses as things were unfolding. Please pray for a good outcome for these innocents and add your small part of action. Action, however small, feels good. Thank you again.

STORIES:

Blog: Where the Wild Horses Are

YouTube of horses' present condition

FOX REPORT: See how fit the horses were when they first arrived:

JUNE 7 NEWS REPORT: http://wherethewildhorsesare.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post.html

JUNE 9 Kalamazoo News article

JUNE 11 Kalamazoo News article

JUNE 22 Kalamazoo News article update

JUNE 27 Kalamazoo News Report
JUNE 29 Kalamazoo News article update
June 30, Prosecutor still won't charge, but will "monitor" the horses — in Florida?

SHELDON SPAYED WILD MARES VIA THE ANUS: IS THIS WHAT WYOMING MARES ARE FACING? and REVISITING BLM'S INFERTILITY RESEARCH UPDATE FROM PHOENIX 3-10-11 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

2011-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

MUSTANGS FACE THEIR FIRST "NON-REPRODUCING HERDS" AS THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSE AND BURRO ACT OF 1971 BY A UNANIMOUS CONGRESS. I can think of better ways to celebrate. Can you imagine? Those people (Congress) were serious about protecting these animals. And so are we.

TWIN PEAKS WILD HORSE FAMILY WHERE THEY BELONG L-R: MARE, YEARLING SON, WATCHFUL STALLION

BLM WYOMING WAS JUST ITCHING to create the first nonreproducing herds, a concept I first saw in a FOIA'd (obtained by citizens through the Freedom Of Information Act) BLM document from October 2008.

Dr. Pat Haight of the Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program (CERAP) had uncovered, via this document, a chilling plan by BLM to kill many thousands of healthy horses in holding and call it "euthanasia," as well as the internal notes taken by Lili Thomas, the "Implementation Team" leader, of the multiple conference calls the "team" had which ultimately led to the document. I find Lili Thomas's "Implementation Team Conference Call" notes to be the most telling (click on the link to view the document).

   It is an internal BLM document entitled, Alternative Management Options, and we are now seeing more and more of the disturbing "options" carried out by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. Please click on this link to see BLM's Final Solution for the Wild Horses and Burros, Attorney Laura Allen's analysis of this very troubling document. You can see Dr. Haight's helpful summary of this document, also, for an overview of its contents.
   I notice John Neill was to, among other things, "talk with Nevada on how they can justify zeroing out a herd, but are able to maintain a nonreproductive herd." He will also determine "what this will buy the program, how many horses would be on these areas and how does this help?"
     Congress needs to read these documents.
    I do not like making extremist-sounding statements, but speaking truthfully, it seems these agencies charged to protect and manage wild horses and burros will do nearly anything rather than allowing the wild, free-roaming horses and burros to remain wild and free roaming as the — guess what — Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 mandated.

     Specifically, in the years following that 2008 document, we have been seeing:

Cattoor pilot heavily pressures straggling, very pregnant mare who
couldn't keep up and fell behind her band. Her yearling son stayed with her.
(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

practices of increasingly large helicopter roundups of increasing numbers of wild horses;
increased use of still-experimental infertility drugs;
intentional sex skewing of the herds — with no scientific study as to consequences — so that the ratio of stallions to mares is 60% stallions to 40% mares;
increasing Catch/Treat/Release roundups which sound good on the surface but which actually decimate every band rounded up since BLM breaks up each band, making no effort to keep the bands intact, a simple process that would greatly help ease roundup stress, reduce injuries, and be the humane thing to do;
and now the plan to create totally experimental nonreproducing herds with no research to rely on,

all purportedly to "maintain a thriving ecological balance" for "multiple use" purposes.

However, when we see a mining interest "multiple user" toxifying far more groundwater in the Herd Management Areas in one month than 10,000 wild horses could drink in a year; and we realize thousands of cattle and sheep, outnumbering wild horses and burros by five to one in the Herd Management Areas, are devouring over half the vegetation, then the light dawns and the BLM mantra of removing these animals "to maintain a thriving ecological balance" and "multiple use" rings hollow, and BLM loses virtually all credibility.

   These constant roundups, skewing gender ratios, creating public lands zoos with sterile wild horse herds, are all practices antithetical to the nature of the wild horses. With no prior research, the Wyoming plan to create nonreproducing herds turns the entire HMAs into giant Petri dish experiments whose repercussions are likely to impact individual horses as well as the band and herd severely.
   When I saw Wyoming BLM's decision to proceed with creating the two sterile, nonreproducing herds, which meant introducing the dangerous, ill-advised practice of sterilizing wild mares through hysterectomy or ovariectomy, I recalled three things:
   1)   A conversation I had in September 2010 with Paul Steblein, Director of the Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge, wherein I learned about their sickening experimental hysterectomies through the anus on wild horses in that beautiful refuge, a practice I've not heard used or even mentioned anywhere else; (remember, they are not under BLM jurisdiction);
   2) Dr. Al Kane's March 10 "Research Update" presentation to the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board wherein he spoke of the various infertility experiments taking place and planned.
   3) The FOIA'd internal BLM document, Alternative Management Options and Lili Thomas's "Implementation Team Conference Call" notes of the meetings which were the basis for it.
   IN TERMS OF HYSTERECTOMY, intrinsic to BLM's goal of nonreproducing herds, here is a video I put together from Dr. Kane's March 10 presentation to the Advisory Board.

      In a response to the myriad calls and letters pouring in to BLM officials by people objecting to its decision for nonreproducing herds, BLM Wyoming announced it is reconsidering these planned "nonreproducing herds," and they have temporarily withdrawn the "nonreproducing herd" plan. Congratulations to BLM Wyoming for their responsiveness.
   However, Wyoming has the same language and is still considering the "nonreproducing herd" plan as a viable option for the Great Divide Basin HMA. Comments are due on this on Monday, June 20. It is vital that we voice our consternation about this plan.
   The "nonreproducing herd" concept is so unnatural, so contrary to the core of who wild horses are, it is virtually certain to be illegal since it flies in the face of the spirit of the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act which states:

...they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.

   Yet they are treated as unnatural, made to be incidental, their family-life-centered society considered expendable and irrelevant to the life of the mountains where they live. No, I think BLM had best prepare to scrap the nonreproducing herd idea. It tortures wild horse society beyond recognizability, creating Salazoos on public land, which is clearly not why Congress took the time to craft the 1971 Act.
   FINALLY, as I mention in the video, Sheldon-Hart Wildlife Refuge Director Paul Steblein told me Fish and Wildlife Service did experimental hysterectomies through the anus on (CORRECTION) 30 wild mares, something I have never before heard of. When Dr. Kane refers to the Sheldon study, he talks about colpotomy (or culpotomy) and states it's an approach through the vagina. So which is it they are planning to study? Which are they planning to do?
   Paul Steblein said they had a 10 percent death rate which was reduced after they had "perfected" the procedure.
   He said they released the mares quickly, usually within two days, to avoid exposing the horses to illnesses which often occur when horses are kept in large groups. This early release precludes the followup which prudent veterinary care — and certainly which any study worth its salt — would seem to require. I understand dealing with wild populations presents challenges, but two days?
   I note that according to the FOIA'd notes obtained by Dr. Pat Haight re the 2008 BLM internal meetings,  Dr. Sanford, the vet at Broken Arrow for the Calico horses, spayed about 12 mares in the early 90s, and there was a 30-day to six-week recovery period.
   I am researching to learn which approach the research team plans is studying/plans to study and plans to use. This is over the top... Thus far, I know we have the following concerns:
   Failure to adequately track the horses to learn of the efficacy of the practice isn't acceptable;
   Failure to administer post-surgery antibiotics endangers the lives of every horse.
   BLM is smart to call for a re-think on its Wyoming plans. They were about to step in it up to their hips.

   Twin Peaks Mare and Yearling (Same family as above)

   ABOUT THE "SAFETY" OF THE "HYSTERECTOMY" PROCEDURE:
   Dr. Kane referred throughout his presentation to the "hysterectomy"; nevertheless, I do not believe he means"hysterectomy" since that literally means removal of the uterus. He appears to be describing ovariectomy, removal of the ovaries.

QUESTIONS:

   Notice Dr. Kane's presentation is entitled, Study of Feasibility of Spaying Mares (emphasis added)? Now, this presentation was March 10, 2011, only three months ago.
   How did they leap from the beginning stages of research, a study with "only short-term post operative monitoring," to full, on-the-range implementation of these experimental procedures in two HMAs in Wyoming?
   Only short term post operative monitoring was glossed over. This means in the Sheldon and other studies, they haven't followed the mares and don't know how they fared.
Please note that no provision has been made to examine population growth in these studies. They haven't progressed beyond the procedure itself. Chairwoman Robin Lohnes made a point of this, as well, saying basically, "isn't population growth the issue here?"
   I also note the last item, that as of then (March 10, 2011), there was no determination yet of how, when, or where the studies would be done.
   Dr. Kane glossed over the troubling overhead text which stated:

BLM has reviewed proposal to test safety of spaying WH mares... to examine safety during early, mid, late gestation.

   First, how are they proposing to "examine the safety" during gestation? Remove the ovaries of mares in various stages of pregnancy and see what happens? See if they abort?    Imagine removing a woman's ovaries while she is carrying a child.
     Will they provide post operative pain medication for these horses?
   What horses will they experiment on? How will they be selected? What is the aftercare they will be given? Will they be kept with other horses?
   Who will perform the procedures?
   Where will these procedures be done?
   What procedure will be used?
   Are they considering doing the through-the-anus procedure Paul Steblein described to me?
   Are we in fact talking ovariectomy? Either way, these are pregnant wild mares we are talking about stressing. I will be looking into the details.

Beautiful Twin Peaks family in idyllic HMA, but where are all the other horses? Very few remain on this California HMA full of cattle and sheep.

   People sometimes suggest, "Why don't they just geld all the stallions, or geld most of them to effect population control?" People are tempted down this road because gelding is so common and accepted, but this approach reminds me of someone who lost their keys in an unlit parking lot but searches for them under the streetlight on the corner because they could see better. Sure, it's easier, but it doesn't come close to getting the job done.
      Gelding the stallions to decrease population growth yet maintain a healthy, viable, self-sustaining wild horse population on public lands is a fallacy.
   In terms of "population control," the first and most obvious problem with this is all this accomplishes is severely depleting the gene pool, setting up what was a healthy wild horse herd to become rapidly inbred and inviable. You've got fewer studs spreading their seed around.  Studs will find mares in estrus. Some "gelded studs" (an oxymoron; what do you call "band stallions" who are no longer stallions?) will fight them off to protect mares, but behaviorally we can't assume they will continue to behave as they do in their wild, free roaming ungelded populations Congress meant to protect. — which brings me to the heart of the matter:
   GELDING STALLIONS AND PUTTING THEM BACK ON THE RANGE, THEY ARE NO LONGER "WILD HORSES." "NONREPRODUCING HERDS" ARE NO LONGER WILD HORSES.   As I wrote in my comments to Wyoming BLM objecting to the Great Divide Basin Herd Roundup:
   Additionally, your Alternative D, a "nonreproducing herd," should be removed from all consideration, as well as any thought of gelding large segments of the male population and returning them to the range, or surgically altering mares. This creates a zoo on the public lands. It is grossly invasive of the nature and physiology of these wild, highly social animals and in no comprehensible way meets the "minimal feasible level" of management required by law since they will no longer be "wild horses" in any recognizable sense.
   When any reasonable person stops to consider, we recognize that when people go to see wild horses, we are inspired and greatly moved by their family relationships: By the activity of the stallions in winning and protecting their mares, by the devoted attention mares give to their young, and by the stallions' participation in raising their offspring.

While the grace and beauty of wild horses in the wild is moving, it is these familial relationships combined with their beauty that sets them apart from all other western wildlife species, and what BLM is proposing is utterly beyond any acceptable management practice.
Adding to that the fact that no one knows what effects these practices will have on individuals or bands or herds, Alternative D — non-reproducing herds — in any aspect should be immediately taken off the table entirely, yet BLM proposes to impose these completely alien conditions on entire wild horse populations.

These approaches are neanderthal and display a mind boggling lack of finesse and respect for the scientific process, for the nature of wild horse society, and for the law since BLM is thumbing its nose at Congress's mandate to protect their wild, free roaming populations.

Halcyon, daughter of Red Raven and Blue Sioux (background) nurses her four-day-old daughter

To be continued...
For the wild horses remaining wild and free roaming with their humble burro friends,
Elyse Gardner

IN MEMORY OF THE MANIFOLD THOUSANDS OF BURROS & HORSES WITHOUT WHOSE SERVICE WE WOULD NOT BE THE U.S.A.

2011-05-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

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.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-492582/Forgotten-Heroes-A-million-horses-sent-fight-Great-War--62-000-came-back.html#ixzz0pXOZYseX

Look over our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present-day strength to its source;

You'll find that man's pathway to glory,

is strewn with the bones of a horse. -- Anonymous

###

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.

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.

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

Fillies at Palomino Valley Center holding facility outside Reno, Nevada

Brave curious filly exchanging breath with me

Having exchanged breath, she's demonstrating the flehmen response, taking, reading, and storing my scent

MEET THE STRAWBERRY GIRLS AT PALOMINO VALLEY

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

HORSETRIPPING STILL LEGAL IN NEVADA, NO TIME TO LOSE. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSETRIPPING SCHEDULED 6/4/11. NEVADA NEEDS A BAN NOW.

2011-05-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Let's thank Nevada's senate committee members for listening to us and hearing us and NOT passing AB 329. We did our part; they did theirs, and that is the beauty and art of our American political system.

(Some of the Nevada senators' contact information is at the bottom of this post.)

Now, Nevada needs to follow through with the ban on the coldblooded practice of horse tripping, called Charreada, practiced in Mexican rodeo. A rope is thrown around the front legs of a (frightened) running horse (or the back legs, depending on which event), and tightened, and of course the horse goes down hard. Young mares are used. Horse tripping has already been banned in 11 states and is its own nightmare with no legitmate reason.

Nevada became afraid their calf roping would be attacked, so they dropped the bill but are considering bringing it back because they realize the Charreada supporters lied (they stated the horses don't "go down"; can you believe it? ). Tell them you want to see horse tripping banned, please.

Here is recent video taken in Nevada at a Charreada event.  WARNING:  It is hard to watch. I think this is some of the most egregious stuff I've ever seen, but thankfully they all get up. Anyone who reads this blog or follows my work knows I cry all the time; what else is new? I could really have done without the music, though. Keep the sound down. I cry with you...and then we push and push and we shut it DOWN. Okay?
And this little filly was hotshotted in the face.  They used a hotshot indiscriminantly at this event; I've seen other footage which I hope to obtain. Unbelievable. "Get out the cannon, Maude, there's a fly in the house." All he wanted her to do was to back up. It was so uncalled for. Those who use a hotshot have no horse handling skills.
Let it make you sad, then let it make you mad enough to send firm but civil emails, please, and call lawmakers, and tell your friends. America is about pressure politics, so let's keep the pressure on and WE WILL STOP THIS MADNESS. And pray, seriously, for the people doing this; they just don't get it. So scary.

   (Emails of some Nevada senators are at the bottom of this post.)
One thing: Proponents of this brutal practice tried to tell me I was "racist" because I am opposed to this brutality. My revulsion (and many thousands of others') at this "horse tripping" practice, which tears your heart out when you watch it, has nothing to do with any ethnicity or skin. It's cruelty and abuse, straight up.

Here is a letter from Dr. Pat Haight, a long-time Arizona horse advocate who has been tremendously effective in protecting wild horses and rescuing and rehabilitating many. She has written the Nevada legislature the following letter.
From: Dr. Pat Haight <pathaight@yahoo.com>
Subject: Personal experience with horses used in horsetripping events: Please ban
To: jlee@sen.state.nv.us, mroberson@sen.state.nv.us, drhoads@sen.state.nv.us, mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us, dparks@sen.state.nv.us
Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 5:26 P.M

Dear Legislator,

We have two mares in the Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program (CERAP) who were used in Charros and sustained severe, lifelong injuries from horse tripping. CERAP is a nonprofit registered 501c3 equine welfare organization based in Phoenix, Arizona.

I also worked with Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams to successfully have horse tripping banned in Arizona. There has been no problem with the ban affecting any other rodeo events including roping or team penning nor has it affected any movie filming in Arizona in anyway.

At this time CERAP has two young mares who were used in the Charros in horse-tripping. Both have very serious injuries and will require lifelong corrective shoeing, injections and other care.

One is La Pachanga II who came to us recently. Pachanga II is an exceptionally good Peruvian Paso mare whose former custodian allowed someone to use Pachanga in the Charros where she sustained an injury to her pastern, the ligament behind her pastern and to her suspensory ligament. Pachanga is only 11 years old, was a show horse and the great granddaughter of the famous Peruvian champion HNS Domingo. Pachanga will stay with us. I am attaching pictures so that you can see how beautiful a mare these people damaged. Pachanga also was a wonderful trail horse and worked with special needs children until she was injured.
La Pachanga II
The second mare is with our board member Wendy Hart in Colorado. Her name is Meira. Meira also sustained serious injuries from horse tripping and will need lifelong care. Meira is only 8 years old, a very good and wonderful quarter horse, gentle and kind and there was nothing else wrong with either of these mares. Wendy and Meira take naps together.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams helped me get horse tripping banned in Arizona. If she could be of help, I think Thelda would be happy to speak with you. There were concerns about the ban interfering with other rodeo events and movie filming in Arizona too but there has been no problem with that in Arizona at all.

The stories of La Pachanga II and Meira are on our website if they would be of help to you. The website link is:  www.conquistadorprogram.org. I also am attaching a more detailed account of the injuries to La Pachanga II and Meira sustained in these Charro events.

Veterinarian Dr. Julie Lucas of Southwest Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Phoenix, Arizona testified before the Phoenix City Council regarding the severity of the injuries sustained by horses in horse tripping events. She described cases in which the jaw of the horse was shoved through the skull because the weight of the horse combined with the speed at which the horse is tripped can cause injuries this severe and fatal. I have had personal experience with the severe and lifelong leg injuries.

Please vote for a ban on horse tripping in Nevada.

Thank you so much.

Best wishes,

Dr. Pat Haight
(480) 430-4011
Patricia Haight, Ph.D.
The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program
A 501c3 Equine Welfare Organizationwww.conquistadorprogram.org

"Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark." Gypsy saying
Nevadans, here once again is opportunity and need for your strong voices. You might like to know, and pass on to your legislators, that Texas is one of the 11 states with a horse tripping ban.

The Houston rodeo is the largest grossing rodeo in the country, and the ban has not negatively impacted them at all. This is the kind of reassurance Nevada needs, particularly related to the Reno Rodeo, and Dr. Pat Haight's letter is clear on this point.

It is important for us to recognize that people outside Nevada do not have a claim on this in the same way we had a claim about use of our public lands and care of our much-loved national heritage species, the wild horses and burros.

This is a Nevada issue, but Americans and visitors from other countries who love wild horses can certainly write and/or call Nevada's legislators and say you will take your vacations elsewhere because you would rather support another state that doesn't allow horse tripping as a "sport" if those are your thoughts. Here is their contact information:

   Here is a cut-and-paste email line to all of the below senators:

jlee@sen.state.nv.us, mroberson@sen.state.nv.us, drhoads@sen.state.nv.us, mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us, dparks@sen.state.nv.us

     Senator John Lee    jlee@sen.state.nv.us
775/684-1424 (work)
702/258-5447 (home)
Senator Michael Roberson mroberson@sen.state.nv.us
775/684-1481 (work)
702/612-6929 (home)

Senator Dean Rhoads    drhoads@sen.state.nv.us
775/684-1447 (work)
775/756-6582 (home)
Senator Mark Manendo mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us
775/684-6503 (work)

   775/451-8654 (home)
Senator David Parks      dparks@sen.state.nv.us
775/684-6504 (work)
702/736-6929 (home)

LET'S GET THIS BANNED IN NEVADA

For all the horses and burros, captive and free,

Elyse Gardner

AB 329 TO BE VOTED ON FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011: WILL WILD HORSES AND BURROS IN NEVADA STILL BE "WILDLIFE" AFTER FRIDAY? OR WILL THEY TURN INTO PUMPKINS?

2011-05-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: AB 329 WAS NOT PASSED; THE WILD HORSES AND BURROS ARE STILL LEGALLY A PART OF NEVADA'S WILDLIFE. NEVADA LAWMAKERS HEARD US. Due to the machinations of Nevada politics, for at least the next two years, this issue is dead. My confidence in Nevada's legislature is increased. My thanks and respect to them for listening and discerning truth from self-serving fictions.

My heartfelt thanks to every single person who wrote, called, and/or showed up for the hearing. The horses and burros need every single one of us. Together, we are their voice. I want to give special acknowledgement to Bruce Wagman for his fine work and to AWHPC (American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) for having the wisdom and will to engage him in refuting and unearthing the legal ramifications to this fallacious bill.

I am posting video segments of the 5/13/11 Nevada Senate Committee hearing of AB 329 in Carson City, Nevada, at which I spoke against this diabolical bill on behalf of Humane Observer, The Cloud Foundation, Front Range Equine Rescue, and the Colorado Wild Horse and Burro Coalition.

The bill would remove wild horses and burros from under the "wildlife" designation. This affects the State Engineer's ability under the law to issue water permits for these animals, i.e., no new water permits would be issued for wild horses or burros.

If you haven't sent in a comment to Nevada senators below, I ask that you please do so today if you possibly can. The Committee is preparing to vote on this bill, most probably tomorrow (Friday, May 20).

In a nutshell, this bill seeks to remove horses from the designation of "wildlife," a ludicrous proposition, but there it is above in black and white. In order to use or be issued permits to use any water in the State of Nevada, it must be fore a "beneficial use." Allowing access to wildlife falls under a beneficial use. By removing wild horses and burros from the category of "wildlife," issuing water permits or giving a wild horse or burro a drink would no longer be a "beneficial use" of Nevada's water.

Some ramifications: No new water permits for wild horses and burros. Therefore, no new sanctuaries, like Madeleine Pickens' planned sanctuary, can be issued permits to use water for wild horses or burros.

There was talk at the hearing that the State Engineer thought they could be given water under the "livestock" designation, but wild (or domestic) horses and burros are not livestock, and that is a semantic game to try and mollify the thousands of wild horse and burro supporters, a small fraction of whom jammed the standing-room-only hearing room AND overflow room.

Here in this video are some on-point comments from Carrol Abel and Deniz Bolbol. Deniz, representing American WIld Horse Preservation, presented the Committee with a legal analysis from attorney Bruce Wagman, one of the leading wild horse attorneys practicing today.

This bill opens a Pandora's box. The legal ramifications are so far-reaching for the state and the horses, the surface hasn't even been scratched, but it bodes ill, gravely so. Yet Nevada has not even gotten a legal opinion as to the ramifications, something we in California are accustomed to seeing for any proposed new legislation. Deniz, above, sees it really fast and articulates well.

More on-point comments from Debbie Coffey, Laura Leigh, and Kimberly Rhodemyre.

Polite, rational comments are needed in floods. Friday is it; they will vote on Friday, May 20, around 3:30 pm, I'm told.

Here is more from Americans who went out of their way to turn out for the love of our wild horses, people with no financial incentive, people who are not looking to make money off the backs of the horses or profit from their removal.

Carla Bowers sheds light and perspective under the inquisitive Chairman Manendo's questions as she articulates the wild horse and burro numbers in context, i.e., in relationship to their diminshing HMA acreage, wildlife, and vast numbers of privately owned cows and sheep outnumbering wild horses and burros on the wild horse and burros' own HMAs (herd management areas).

Chairman Manendo didn't know that. Legislators have been getting spoonfed "The horses are starving" story by BLM. Listen to the conversation between Chairman Manendo and Carla.

Bear in mind that BLM manages 160 million acres for grazing cows and sheep. As Carla points out, only 26 million acres remain to the wild horses and burros, down from 51 million acres they started with in 1971 when the law designed to protect them was passed and said they should have that 51 million in perpetuity. The final blow is that the wild horses and burros are allocated only 25 percent of the forage on that scant 26 million acres; the cows and sheep usually are allocated 50 percent, and wildlife is allocated the rest. That is why I keep showing up.

Chairman Manendo was gracious in remaining late so many of the people who came were able to speak uncensored, and all advocates who spoke were relevant, heartfelt, knowledgable, and didn't overstay their welcome with only one exception, and all were patient with this kind soul who meant well.

We will soon see how seriously they took us. I know they wanted more details and clarification about Laura's testimony, which was, in a nutshell (to quote Laura), "AML is fiction, and the assertion that Nevada is being overrun by wild horses is absurd."

Here was my two cents, and that of two long-term committed Nevadan horsepeople, Mandy McNitt and Betty Kelly.

Nevada needs to follow through with the ban on the sadistic practice of horse tripping, called Charreada, practiced in Mexican rodeo. A rope is thrown around the front legs of a (frightened) running horse (or the back legs, depending on which event), and tightened, and of course the horse goes down hard. Young mares are used. Horse tripping has already been banned in 11 states and is its own nightmare with no legitmate reason.

Nevada became afraid their calf roping would be attacked, so they dropped the bill but are considering bringing it back because they realize the Charreada supporters lied (they stated the horses don't "go down"; can you believe it? ). THEY CAN SQUEEZE IT IN TOMORROW. Tell them you want to see horse tripping banned, please.

Here is recent video taken in Nevada at a Charreada event. WARNING: It is hard to watch. I think this is some of the most egregious stuff I've ever seen, but thankfully they all get up. Anyone who reads this blog or follows my work knows I cry all the time; what else is new? I could really have done without the music, though. Keep the sound down. I cry with you...and then we push and push and we shut it DOWN. Okay?

And this little girl was hotshotted in the face. They used a hotshot indiscriminantly at this event; I've seen other footage which I hope to obtain. Unbelievable. "Get out the cannon, Maude, there's a fly in the house." All he wanted her to do was to back up. It was so uncalled for. Those who use a hotshot have no horse handling skills.

Let it make you sad, then let it make you mad enough to send firm but civil emails, please, and call lawmakers, and tell your friends. America is about pressure politics, so let's keep the pressure on and WE WILL STOP THIS MADNESS. And pray, seriously, for the people doing this; they just don't get it. So scary.

One thing: Proponents of this brutal practice tried to tell me I was "racist" because I am opposed to this brutality. My (and many thousands of others') revulsion at this "horse tripping" practice, which tears your heart out when you watch it, has nothing to do with any ethnicity or skin. It's cruelty and abuse, straight up.

Quick points to make in emails to Nevada even if you are not a Nevada resident, and feel free to cut and paste.

If you are a Nevada resident, please email or call one (or more, or all) of the below people and voice your opposition to AB329, and ask them also to please revive and pass the ban on horse tripping.

As a U.S. taxpayer, I feel Nevada has no right to determine how federal land which belongs to all of us, not just Nevada, is managed. If Nevada passes AB329, it will likely face litigation from the federal government and a loss of tourism because thousands of people like me are so upset/dissatisfied/angry/outraged/disgusted/grieved with Nevada because of how she treats our wild horses and burros, and yet they are on Nevada's quarter.

I also understand Nevada allowed the ban on Charreada/horse tripping to fall through. Between AB 329's attempt to sabotage both new sanctuaries and the possibility of returning wild horses to areas they formerly occupied, and its refusing to ban horse tripping, Nevada is not a place I want to visit or support. (Nevada is hurting financially and the loss of tourism will hurt.) We have enjoyed Nevada in the past but cannot continue to support a state that allows such cruelty as horse tripping.

In this work I have realized that in lobbying and approaching lawmakers, I fare best when I remember to seek a mindset toward that of educating an ally, because that is hopefully who they are. Thinking of them as an enemy or adversary is counterproductive, and many want to do a good job; we need to show them what that looks like.

The vote is today (Friday, May 20) at 3:30 pm, I'm told. Action now means everything. Thank you so much.

For all horses and burros everywhere,

Elyse Gardner

Humane Advocate Observer

http://humaneobserver.blogspotl.com

415/235-7533

Here is a cut-and-paste email line to all of the below senators:

jlee@sen.state.nv.us, mroberson@sen.state.nv.us, drhoads@sen.state.nv.us, mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us, dparks@sen.state.nv.us

Senator John Lee jlee@sen.state.nv.us

775/684-1424 (work)

702/258-5447 (home)

Senator Michael Roberson mroberson@sen.state.nv.us

775/684-1481 (work)

702/612-6929 (home)

Senator Dean Rhoads drhoads@sen.state.nv.us

775/684-1447 (work)

775/756-6582 (home)

Senator Mark Manendo mmanendo@sen.state.nv.us

775/684-6503 (work) He is Chairman, very personable, really listened, asked good questions:

702/451-8654 (home)

Senator David Parks dparks@sen.state.nv.us

775/684-6504 (work)
702/736-6929 (home)