We have all seen those movies about the girl that saves the wild horse or the cowboy that seems to have this uncanny connection to the wild herds of horses. Now imagine what if all those horses were inilated. Whole herds wiped out by slaughter and euthanasia, foals ripped from their mothers and they would not even have a chance at experiencing a real home. Even worse, what if the government would actually allow and regulate this taking money out of our hard earned tax dollars to kill innocent horses. Now I understand that the population of horses has reached an all time high, but this is no way to go about bringing down the numbers. These horses are a part of our history. Without them, pioneers would have almost no means of travel, the Indians would have had to walk more and we would not have great movies like Spirit or Hidalgo just to name a few.
The approximate number of horses in America is around 6 to 10 million and the number of wild horses has shrunk to 13,600 compared to 1990 when there was almost 19,000. These horses have given us so much and this is how we repay them? It is just so wrong that they give us all they have and we in return resort to killing them in such an unfair manor. Not only that, but these horses are supposed to be protected under the Wild Horses and Burros act. According to Fws.gov, “Wild Horses and Burros Act (16 USC 1331-1340) -- Public Law 92-195, approved December 15, 1971, (85 Stat. 649) provides for protection of wild, free-roaming horses and burros. It directs the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior and Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture to manage such animals on public lands under their jurisdiction.” So technically they would be breaking one of our own laws because these wild horses are protected. Also the land that they are currently on is not supposed to be changed or tampered with. However there is talk that they may make it for use of cattle farmers. Why should these protected animals have to forfeit their home?
Also these horses would not even have a chance to experience what a real home is like. So really we are missing out on some great horses. Some of the best horses come from wild herds. All I am saying is that instead of hurting them, just standing there and watching this happen or even just saying this wrong and doing nothing is unacceptable. We need to come together and be the voice for these defenseless horses. I encourage you to speak out and make your voice heard. One voice can really make a difference. Some things that you can do is become more informed, email, call or write your local congressmen and representatives voicing what you think, sign petitions either online or in person supporting your cause, adopt your horses from or send donations to the wild horse and burro program. Below I have provided just one of the many petitions for wild horses on the web, a website to locate and contact your congressmen and representatives and the website for the wild horse and burro program. Together we can make a difference and save the animals that have helped shape our nation.
Congress site:
www.congress.org
Wild horse and burro program site:
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html
Petition site:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/166841148
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This reminds me of a report I did in school years ago about the importance of horses for settlers in the early days. And I completely agree that wild horses should be protected.
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