Wild Horses
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"May Freedom Rein" Mustang Mare
Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary
Lompoc, California
Wild horses are herd animals. That means that they live as a group, helping one another survive the elements and threats that they encounter. Along with the stallion whose main job is to protect the group or “band”, these herds have a dominant female mare that leads the family to food and water.
In 1971, Congress passed the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. This law was the first of its kind to protect wild horses and burros. The law stated that “wild horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West,” and that they “enrich the lives of the American people.” In that year the American government set aside 80 million acres as wild horse territory where herds could run free. Unfortunately, over the years, the amount of land set aside for wild horses has been reduced, so that today less than 40 million acres remain. They are now in contention for our public lands with private ranchers who are given cheap, below-market grazing which they do not want to share with the horses. Their removal is costing tax payers tens of millions of dollars.
This image is of the beautiful dominant mare of a small rescued herd at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary, as she was surrounded by dust and silhouetted against the setting sun. Although she will live a safe life at the sanctuary, it saddens me to think her days of running wild and free across the plains of America are over.
CaliforniaEquineEquus ferus caballusHerdHorsesLompocMaresNaturePreservationRefugeReturn to FreedomSanctuaryStallionsWild HorsesWild MustangsWildlife
