Wild Mustang/Burro Campaigns

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We understand hearing about the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) helicopter roundups and seeing photos of the mistreatment our wild herds face can be emotionally taxing. So today, we’d like to tell you a story of resilience, bravery, and determination displayed by a courageous band of wild horses who defied the odds and outsmarted the helicopters. Photo by Nenah Demunster for AWHC Last week, AWHC deployed humane observers to document the BLM’s roundup in Oregon’s Palomino Butte Herd Management Area (HMA). The agency had planned to capture 225 wild horses and permanently remove 200 of these majestic animals from their homes. By the conclusion of the operation, the BLM rounded up 192 wild horses, and none were returned to the range. But during the roundup, one of our observers witnessed a captivating scene. Amidst the chaos of the roundup, she spotted a band of six horses who were running in the opposite direction of the BLM helicopter that was chasing them. As the pilot engaged and attempted to push them towards the trap site, the horses abruptly turned around. It was not a matter of fatigue or unwillingness to move, but rather a display of an uncanny understanding of the danger they were in and a wilful determination to stay wild. In fact, they boldly challenged the helicopter, even attempting to push through it on several occasions! Rather than sprinting, the horses employed an artful strategy to conserve their energy during the sweltering summer heat. They would intermittently halt, execute sharp turns, and break away in any direction except towards the trap. This intense standoff persisted for a grueling 30 minutes, but for the time being, the pilot would not give up. The helicopter began maneuvering the horses closer to the trape site by flying low, urging them forward. For at least five minutes, the pilot hovered closely above them, creating a whirlwind of dust that obscured our observer’s view. Photo by Nenah Demunster for AWHC For a moment, it appeared that the pilot was on the verge of victory. But in a final move of clever defiance, the horses swiftly turned around away from the trap site. The pilot finally withdrew and began to search for horses elsewhere in the HMA, conceding defeat to this brave band of wild horses, while the victorious mustangs took to the hills in triumph. Meredith, stories like these are a reminder of the strength, intellect, and perseverance of these ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: Allow me to introduce myself – I am Melissa, Deputy Director of the American Wild Horse Campaign. You might recognize my journey with AWHC through the story of my rescued Onaqui mustangs, Stargazer and Nora. As you may know, August is National Make-A-Will Month, a reminder of the enduring influence we can leave for the causes we care about through estate planning. Planned gifts like Wills and Trusts are some of the best ways to help the charities you support long after your lifetime. By including a Legacy Gift to AWHC, you can become a lasting part of our work to realize transformative change and lifelong freedom for America’s wild horses and burros. Your support can power our strategic efforts in conservation, legislation, litigation, and advocacy, that are so critical to securing the future for these cherished animals on our western public lands. Please learn more about making a Legacy Gift here: MAKE A LEGACY GIFT As you contemplate your future planning, I encourage you to consider weaving the noble cause of protecting wild horses and burros into the fabric of your legacy. By doing so, you can ensure that your impact continues through time, creating a lasting benefit for these majestic animals for generations to come. With heartfelt appreciation, – Melissa P.S. Interested in other ways to give? Check out all the ways you can help wild horses! ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: It’s been an incredibly busy summer for rescues, and we want to share an update on one of our most recent successes! A few months ago, we received word of two mares in a notorious Oklahoma kill pen who were days away from being shipped across the border to slaughter. We knew we couldn’t turn our backs on these innocent girls, so we leapt into action and contacted RJF Equine, who rushed to the kill pen and picked them up for quarantine. Unsurprisingly, these two mares were victims of the Bureau of Land Management’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and were sent into the slaughter pipeline once their adopters had received the federal incentive payout. They were traumatized and needed some time to decompress and heal before moving to their new home, but we’re happy to announce that, this month, they’ve arrived safely at For the Love of Aria, a beautiful equine sanctuary in Colorado! Photographer Scott Wilson was on site to document their homecoming, take a look! Photos: Scott Wilson, WilsonAxpe Photography From outbidding the kill-buyers at the slaughter auction to paying for the mares’ transport, medical expenses, and more — every action our rescue team took to save these two beauties was made possible by the folks who helped build up our Rescue Fund this spring. But our efforts this summer have drained the Rescue Fund’s balance to zero, and there are so many more wild horses and burros who are in danger of being shipped to slaughter. Can you pitch in to help us rebuild the Rescue Fund? Donated funds will be made available to our team immediately! REBUILD OUR RESCUE FUND → These direct rescues are one of the most important aspects of our mission to protect wild horses and burros. Not only are we able to save the lives of these forgotten equines, but our rescue work is critical to our investigation into the devastating consequences of the AIP. That’s why we’re aiming to raise $25K by the end of today to fully replenish the Rescue Fund so we can continue this vital work. Whether you have $5, $50 or $500 to pitch in — every single dollar donated today will help us save another wild horse or burro from being sold for slaughter this summer. REBUILD OUR RESCUE FUND → Friend, it’s impossible to look away when you see the preventable suffering that we witness ...

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We wanted to make sure you didn’t miss our last email asking for you to take action on behalf of the wild horses who call Wyoming’s McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA) home. Friday is the last day to submit public comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is essential that every advocate voices their opposition to the BLM’s proposal, which would drastically reduce the population of this historic herd to unsustainable levels.  We need everyone to speak out against this disastrous plan before the deadline. If you haven’t already, please submit a public comment to the BLM against this proposal and help us protect the McCullough Peaks wild horses! TAKE ACTION ...

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: ...