"Feature Friday–American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign"

Howdy Friends,

 

For today's Feature Friday we have a guest blogger, Grace Kuhn of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC). AWHPC is dedicated to preserving American wild horses and burros in viable free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. I hope you'll read and share this important information about a coalition of dedicated people giving voice to the voiceless. And please, for the horses' sake, and our future generations, consider joining and supporting AWPC. ~ Dutch Henry

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"The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) is a coalition of more than 60 horse advocacy, public interest, and conservation organizations dedicated to preserving the American wild horse in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. AWHPC was founded by Return to Freedom, a national non-profit dedicated to wild horse preservation through sanctuary, education and conservation. RTF operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc, CA and is AWHPC’s parent organization.

 

What would wild horses tell us if they could speak?

Wild horses and burros are fenced in, fenced out, given the scraps of forage in Herd Management Areas after the BLM allocates the vast majority to livestock. They are forced to live under unnatural conditions. They’re being set up for crisis by BLM’s failure to utilize fertility control and to reduce livestock grazing in designated wild horse and burros' habitat areas.

This policy of favoring private livestock over protecting wild horses and burros continues, despite the fact that livestock grazing on BLM land is authorized solely at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior, whereas protection of wild horses and burros are mandated by an act of Congress. 

Across the West, ranchers are threatening illegal action against the BLM to defend what they believe is their "right" to graze private livestock on our public rangelands, even during extreme drought conditions, and, all too often, the BLM caves in to their demands.

Recently, the BLM revealed that in designated wild horse and burro Herd Management Areas 77% of forage is allocated to livestock, leaving less than a quarter of forage resources for federally protected wild horses and burros. Public lands grazing is a remnant of Washington's interest in settling the West by providing a financial leg up to covered-wagon pioneers and private interests alike. Ranchers pay a fee, far below market rate, for each mother cow and calf they turn out to graze on BLM acreage.

And things may be getting even worse for our cherished herds. Just this week, a bill was introduced by U.S. Representative Chris Stewart (R-UT) on behalf of ranchers and their local representatives that aims to bypass a Congressional prohibition on the sale of wild horses and burros for slaughter.

Americans need to take a hard look at the brutal and inhumane practices the federal government uses to erase wild horses and burros from our public lands to clear the way for commercial interests. Each and every wild horse or burro that falls victim to this program is a lost icon of the freedom and untamed beauty that make this country great. Americans have got to speak up and demand an end to these practices before it’s too late."

Please join us in this important struggle,
Grace Kuhn
American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign 

"Feature Friday- Joseph Piner, Independent Documentary Filmmaker"

Howdy Folks,

 

When situations move Joseph Piner, he does more than talk. He picks up his camera and makes a movie. An independent documentary film maker since the 1980’s he’s made films that grab hearts and evoke action in a wide range of issues. Dedicated to informing the public about concerns too often ignored, or at best mildly addressed, Joe works to shine the light that others might see, understand and get involved. Set to be released this fall, his latest documentary, “Free Spirits – Saving America’s Wild Horses,” positions a bold spotlight squarely on the plight of America’s wild horses and burros, as well as the BLM’s abuses inflicted on the wild ones, and the lies and corruption.

When Joe heard about a fellow who adopts and trains BLM wild horses, and brings at-risk youths to his Ranch to introduce the two to each other, hoping to change both the at risk youth and the wild horses lives, he knew he had to tell their story. “I finally visited his ranch and was very impressed by the stories he told about our wild horses. I had no idea that there were wild horses running across the open ranges of the west. I did my research and was blown away about the plight of these horses and saw that this was a much bigger story than a man adopting wild mustangs. From that moment on, ‘Free Spirits –Saving America’s Wild Horses’ was a go to make a full feature documentary about saving the American wild horses.” Joe explained.

“What I have learned is that we better get it together before it’s too late and we lose these beautiful creatures. At this rate it won’t be long until they’re gone from their natural ranges in the west and our kids, grandkids and future generations will never see these beautiful powerful animals running across the open plains … all they’ll see is these massive holding facilities with all our American treasure warehoused, languishing with broken hearts and spirits inside.

Joe filming in the badlands

“I’ve also learned through making this film, the BLM needs to stop making management decisions based on a system filtered down through the cattle Industry. They do not listen to a word environmental groups, horse advocates, and horse lovers are saying. The people I’ve interviewed have come up with good strong management plans, such as we need to manage these horses on the range and not round ups, we need to stop killing the horse’s natural predators just to name a few.

“As for the environmental groups, wild horse advocates, and horse lovers, they need to come together and join forces to make positive change. I see too much fighting with each other while we all want the same thing. Everybody has a different way of doing things, it does not mean that one way is right over the other. Stop being jealous, fighting and putting each other down and come together for the horses, if that’s what you are truly about. A wolf pack doesn’t take down pray four times its size by itself – no they join together and take down large animals and the hole pack gets to eat. All I am saying is join the pack and take down your large prey which would be the wild horse situation.” Joe said.

Wild horse drinking in Nevada

Join Joe on Facebook HERE  

Watch the movie trailer HERE 

Have a look at the movie website HERE  

Joe was a contributor to my upcoming feature article in TrailBlazer magazine, “The Last Wild Horse In America Died Today,” and it’s an honor to feature him and his thoughts here. Thanks Joe!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday – Opus

Howdy Folks,

Opus Moon was founded by Cindy and Bill Loos to celebrate the wild horses of America. Putting their musical and photography skills to use they have written and recorded several albums of beautiful, meaningful and moving songs, and taken thousands of stunning photographs of our noble wild horses. Proceeds from the sale of their songs and photographs go to support efforts to keep wild horses running free.

Magnum and his offspring Siesta and Pistol

Opus Moon's efforts have been appreciated and noticed by many like minded individuals as noteworthy and eye opening, bringing attention to the plight of wild horses and burros at the hands of the BLM. One individual so moved was Joseph Piner, documentary film maker whose latest project the film, "Free Spirits – Saving America's Wild Horses" will be released this fall. So touched was he by their songs and efforts that he featured their music in his film.

Opus Moon owes its name to a late September evening when Cindy and Bill were settling into their campsite, after a day of searching for, and photographing the wild horses they'd come to know so well. A bright moon hung high overhead and the sounds of the open range night drifted into the campsite. So did the music of running wild horses. Opus is the coming together of artistic composition, and this night the artistry of the call of an owl, rustle of an evening breeze and wild horses running and nickering under that bright moon was truly artistic.

The Legacy Ladies of The Little Book Cliff

You can join Opus Moon on Facebook HERE and have a stroll through their website HERE where you can fall in love with their music, photos and stories.

You can also get to know Joseph Piner and have a look at his movie trailer HERE.

These are great folks devoted to celebrating and saving our wild horses and it's an honor to feature them today.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday -Veterinary Insights On Barefoot Horse Care - Dr Tomas G. Teskey "

Howdy Folks,

It was a severely foundered horse with spark and life in his eyes, Martha Olivo, and an owner who would not give up on her horse, even though the coffin bones had punctured the sole, that turned everything Dr Tomas G. Teskey had learned from veterinary collage and years of practice, on its head. Everything he knew shouted the horse must be put down. It was easy to trust Martha, and Dr Teskey wanted to save the horse too. So with high hopes and enthusiasm he followed Martha's lead, who had saved numerous horses in the same condition. The devoted owner helped every step of the way. A change in diet, hoof care and exercise, and a whole new approach to trimming and maintaining a horse's hoof had the horse totally recovered in a mere seven months. For Dr Teskey it was both a humbling and awakening experience. That was fifteen years ago.

Dr Thomas Teskey

"Soon after that I was studying with Martha and Courtney Vincent, a trimmer in southern Arizona who was also having tremendous success with horses labeled as “incurable”, and I learned for the first time how the lower limb and hoof of the horse was built, how it functioned, how it sensed the environment and how it allowed horses to do what they do." Dr Teskey explained.

He continued to study, and learn more and more from trimmers, horse owners and horses about the true mechanics of the horse's hoof, and leg. "We dissected dozens of hooves, trimmed hundreds of horses, fitted boots and pads, nursed more horses in crisis, and provided support to more and more owners becoming aware of the possibilities." Dr Teskey said. As he trusted in others and this new, to him, idea that horses knew how to heal themselves, his confidence and understanding grew. So did his commitment to share this knowledge.

"Since those early days of my real-life education, I have been continually provided with examples of horses healing from the ailments that had been labeled as “incurable” by the most respected and famous veterinarians and master farriers." Dr Teskey said.

As his understanding grew, so did his relationship to the horse. They were the most important members of his faculty of teachers. From them he learned, and taught others, horses must be connected to the earth to be healthy. And the iron shoe disallows that connection and starts a slow decline into poor health and injuries. "Steel is an absolutely unsuitable material to protect hooves that are dynamic and alive. They don’t protect hooves in the slightest, they damage them. We now have materials that complement the hooves, allowing them to function as intended and honestly heal from damage caused by steel shoes." Dr Teskey explains.

In February 2005 Dr Teskey published the article, "The Unfettered Foot, A Paradigm Change for Equine Podiatry," in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, creating much interest, and of course many questions, in the veterinarian community. He has since published many more.

Dr Teskey's mission is "To empower individuals interested in a partnership with horses." He continues to help horses and their people understand the benefits of the barefoot paradigm, and Holistic Hoof Care. He writes and conducts lectures worldwide on Holistic Horsemanship. He also offers Professional veterinary support for individuals, horse clubs, families and communities seeking Real Answers about keeping horses healthy.

 

"Right front of TWH after trim. Note the beautiful natural arch from toe to heel." Dr Teskey

My favorite quote from Dr Teskey is, "You cannot nail an iron shoe on a live hoof without causing damage." Another is, "Shoes are most "necessary" for hooves that have been damaged by shoes. Their use is archaic and steeped in an ignorant tradition that arose out of extreme selfishness. We have known this for at least 200 years now. The responsibility for our horses is coming to rightly rest with each of US now. If you choose to allow someone else to think for you and dictate tradition to your horses, YOU are the one responsible for the unsoundness in your horses. Empower yourself with what horses need to be sound – refuse to be victimized by tradition – move in to your happiness with your happy horses."

Join him on his Facebook Page - Tomas G.Teskey Veterinary Insights (HERE) – You and your horse will be glad you did.

Our Feature Friday story today was based in part on an interview done by our friend Casie Bazay and published in October on her blog, The Naturally Healthy Horse. To read much more and get to know Dr Teskey more deeply please read Casie's interview (Interview With Vet and Barefoot Advocate. Dr Thomas Teskey)

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry