December 9 was a night to remember for AWHC thanks to the success of our 5th Annual Stay Wild event in Denver! Colorado Governor Jared Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis headlined the VIP guest list, which also included other state political leaders and leaders in the wild horse advocacy and business communities.
The event was held at Scott Wilson’s Gallery 6 in Denver’s art district. Scott is an award-winning wildlife and landscape photographer and our very own Director of Strategy and Marketing.
Governor Jared Polis gives formal remarks to guests at the event.
The event provided a platform to announce an exciting political development: A bill to be introduced by State Senator Joann Ginal and State Representative Monica Duran to designate the wild mustang as the official state horse of Colorado!
The night was filled with great conversation about how we can work to protect these magnificent animals, Scott’s powerful photography featuring some of Colorado’s very own wild mustangs, an amazing film preview, and moving speeches.
“I care for these wild, untamed beauties … and believe that to see wild horses as a problem to be solved is wrong. We need to work toward creative solutions to give wild horses the dignity and respect they deserve.”
— Colorado First Gentleman Marlon Reis
The governor – a longtime advocate for wild horse protection – highlighted his belief that Colorado is well positioned to be a leader in wild horse management and a model for the West.
From left to right: AWHC Executive Director Suzanne Roy, First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Governor Jared Polis, Scott Wilson, and AWHC Board President Ellie Phipps Price.
We’re grateful to Governor Polis and First Gentleman Reis, whose compassionate leadership is moving the ball forward toward better protection of Colorado’s wild horses and wild lands.
Thank you so much to the folks who participated in our calendar photo contest! We are very happy to say that the calendars have arrived and we are shipping them out daily so they hopefully get to everyone before Christmas.
You have until 5p to bid to make your holiday season sparkle while helping horses in need!
With enormous thanks to our very generous donor, we received an incredible jewelry donation to help us with our fundraising efforts. These five pieces are beautiful and blingy, and you can now bid on them in an online auction to benefit horses in need. They are sure to make for some extra special holiday gifts!
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
The earrings are custom-made and each contains 11 channel set round brilliant cut diamonds. Timeless and brilliant, these will add sparkle to any outfit! Remember, horses and diamonds are a girl’s best friend!
14K Yellow Gold Custom-Made Diamond Pendant
The pendant contains four matching channel set round brilliant cut diamonds. Classic and brilliant, the horses will feel your love whenever you wear it.
14K Yellow Gold and Amethyst Ring
This gorgeous ring features a unique oblong 3D triangle cut amethyst stone in a 14K yellow gold mounting. As you slip this glorious gem on your finger, you may hear soft nickers of thanks from our beloved horses.
14K Yellow Gold Lady’s Emerald and Sapphire Ring
This brightly polished ring contains a natural emerald cut emerald center stone accented by two (one per side) fancy yellow sapphires. Everyone will be green with envy of the lucky individual who owns this emerald.
14K Yellow Gold and Diamond Bracelet
Imagine this stunning symbol of love encircling your wrist! There is approximately 29.6 grams of gold and 5.5 carats of diamonds in this bracelet.
Bidding is open now and will close on December 15 at 5pm PST!
This very special day was designated by Congress in 2004 as a day to commemorate the contribution horses have made to the economy, history, and character of the United States. And here at the American Wild Horse Campaign, we’re celebrating the only way we know how:continuing our fight in the field, in courts, and on the Hill to keep America’s iconic wild horses and burros free.
From our fertility control program to taking legal action against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), our work to keep wild horses and burros wild is fueled by the dedicated wild horse advocates that make up our AWHC herd. Here are some of the ways your support has powered our fight to keep these animals free:
In-The-Wild Fertility Control Programs — For almost 4 years, AWHC staff and volunteers have operated the world’s largest wild horse fertility control program on Nevada’s Virginia Range — proving that the most efficient, cost-effective, and humane way to manage wild horses is with fertility control vaccines, not often-deadly helicopter roundups. The success of this program has helped us secure wins with Congress and the BLM in our fight to keep wild horses wild. The program is a model for humane management, and next year we’ll be working to expand fertility control projects to other key herd areas across the West.
Annual Appropriations Language — The success of our fertility control programs helped us secure major wins in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) spending bill that reallocated $11 million in BLM funding away from helicopter roundups and instead towards humane management! Now, our Government Relations team is fighting to secure the same language in the final FY23 bill and working to pass other wild horse-friendly legislation like the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Protection Act of 2022 — a bill that would drastically reform the BLM’s management operations.
Litigation — AWHC’s legal team continues to build a firewall of legal protections around wild horses and burros. We evaluate every BLM proposal and strategically take legal action in order to enact the most change for wild horses. We’ve filed suit against the BLM’s implementation of its controversial Adoption Incentive Program and are gearing up for a legal battle like no other for the lives of Wyoming’s wild horses.
Public Awareness Campaign — This year we launched a nationwide awareness campaign to inform the public about the devastating reality our cherished wild horses and burros face. Our campaign has already added thousands of new supporters to our cause because one thing is certain: When people hear about the tragedies these innocent animals face, they are angry and ready to take action!
THIS is the critical work that supporters like you power. And that’s why it’s so critical that we hit our $150,000 End-of-Year goal.
We were able to save Grandma Gladys, and she is happy, cuddly and LOVING actually being fed. However, she needs special groceries and we need to buy more hay in NV for the permanent residents. I had to buy truck tires yesterday and did so completely on Faith! It was definitely not in the budget, but I have to be safe, especially when hauling 14,000 pounds in the winter.
Purchase truck tires $1800 Hay in NV – will be $1500 Goldendale Vet $1500 (approx.) Sparkles Vet bill – $325 (approx) initial bill I still haven’t received Golconda Vet bill – $100? (Doc had to do a ranch call )- Anika is ok)
Sadly I am having to really address my physical issues at this time. I am having more and more limitations on what I can do physically, and that affects everything, So I figured it was time to share what is actually happening. I am pretty much having to hire help for most ALL of the physical needs of the rescue. This isn’t really new, but the amount of help I need has definitely increased.
I have had about 50+ surgeries, with the latest being just last December. I have RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) which is a horrific nerve disease, as well asfibromyalgia.
I have a generator and battery pack in my stomach, and a spinal cord stimulator in my spine. Lately I have been needing my crutches, but my right shoulder replacement is giving me grief and definitely does Not want me using crutches. I can’t roll my wheel chair with my shoulders so messed up either. My brace is broken and I could really use a new body lol.If I was a horse I would put me down lol, but God still has lives for us to save!
This has been my normal life for years, but it is starting to affect what I need for the rescue in a much bigger way. I need to hire A LOT more help. It’s all good, but it makes for an added expense. It is also a huge reason why my Thank you’s are so behind, as well as everything else. I can only sit at my desk for increments of an hour or so at the most.
I am honestly just extremely grateful to God that I am not stuck on a couch scarfing pain pills. It’s either go non stop and “git ‘er done” (I can’t sit still because of the pain) or be in a coma on pain pills. Luckily I can get up most every day and do a little bit. I would not share this personal stuff, but I need folks to understand that although I am habitually behind, I APPRECIATE EVERY DONATION AND AM SORRY my Thank You’s are so slow.
Again, this is nothing new, with the exception of the pain being much worse lately. We still saved 83 horses this year, 5 cats and a dog. This is all due to YOU, MY AMAZING CHILLY PEPPER FAMILY. I want to make sure everyone truly understands, that me being late sending out Thank You’s is NOT from lack of caring or appreciation. It is literally being overwhelmed by 24/7 chronic pain, lack of internet which makes a 10 minute job take an hour, and just trying to get as much done as I can.
We are still waiting for the beautiful Mercedes to have her foal. Please say a prayer for safe and healthy Mom and Baby.
Please call 509-773-0369 if you would like to help with the vet bill.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
First, we would like to apologize. It’s been so busy that we’re behind with our news! We welcomed two donkeys to AAE last month. These ladies came from a family who offered to care for them temporarily to help a friend who was going through a divorce. The friend got the donks for free on Craigslist. The friend moved out of state, and the donks were left behind. The family didn’t have any equine experience and could not afford to provide for them. Their owner said to find them a new home.
Sadly, Loretta, the beautiful brown gal with the long amber mane, is aged, malnourished, and her hooves are in very bad shape. Needless to say, she’s quite arthritic, too. The gray donk, Lainey, is obese, and she has two large hernias from a spay-job gone bad. They are both ever so sweet, and they hold no grudges to humans.
It sounds like they’d never had any veterinary care or hoof care, either. More to come soon. Prayers for Loretta that we can improve her comfort level.
Gabby Update!
Hurdles continue for our sweet Gabby! Her hoof abscesses have been relentless. Just when we thought we were over the hump, imagine three hoof abscesses at once. She’s a fighter, and we know she’s a winner!
When we picked up Gabby earlier this year, her hooves had been trimmed the day before. They looked like pancakes. She was very flat footed, and her heels were very far forward. Lest forget starvation, chronic sinus infection, painful eye infections, bloodwork, radiographs, dental, surgery, drain tube, Cushing’s disease, medications. She’s ready for a break, and it looks like we’re slowly getting to a good place, again. Send this girl some love.
Elliott Update!
This lil’ character had to go in for urgent surgery a few weeks ago, as his sheath reconfiguration was healing so well, it wanted to close again. Fortunately, this time the surgeon was able to modify the sheath again and go on a treasure hunt. Good news, he found two healthy jewels, and they were not hidden too deep so he got ’em! Now we definitively have a young gelding. Better news, Elliott is healing well, he’s urinating well, and soon he’ll soon be leading a nearly normal life thanks to all of your support. He sends an enormous thank you to all of you!
SPARKLES Update – As I write this, the tears are streaming once again. My heart is literally shattered and I am wondering if I can really keep doing this.
I was firing up the truck to go pick up Sparkles, and heard “Doc needs to talk to you 1st”. My heart felt like it was exploding. I knew it was not good news. Sparkles had crashed again and this time it was too much.
I rushed down to the vet and my heart broke. Her eyes were covered in a blue film and were almost vacant. She whinnied once, but then almost seemed catatonic. I wrapped my arms around her sobbing like a child. I was so angry, and I am still so angry. I prayed so hard and I still don’t know why God didn’t let me keep her. Sometimes it is just too much and I don’t know how to keep breathing. There is no justification for her condition. It is beyond comprehension.
All I know is our beautiful girl now knows no pain. She is not suffering and she died wrapped in love. The hurt is beyond words.
I do have some news regarding her that I will share later. It is important and no one will want to miss it.
Peanut is doing well,PTL! but my big concern at this moment is the vet bill. (Thank you everyone who donated for sparkles. She was buried with love and respect thanks to y’all).. It is at $3000 including all the donations but NOT her euthanasia or burial or tests that were needed.
As you can see, Mercedes is a whale, and she is showing small signs that she might actually deliver???? My concern is that the baby seems to be huge, and IF I NEED TO CALL DOC, The vet bill has to be paid down asap.
I don’t know anything else to do but ask folks to step up and help. I don’t want Mercedes to suffer because we tried so hard to help Sparkles.
I am praying she has an easy delivery, but I NEED to have access to emergency vet care if it is needed. Time will be of the essence. Hopefully she will be fine, but we need to be prepared.
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO has been helping save these lives, and for helping Sparkles know love and have a full tummy for a few weeks before passing on. She was a Mama’s girl and followed me everywhere. Her loss is devastating.
Please call 509-773-0369 if you would like to help with the vet bill.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES
Our gratitude for our donors, volunteers, and supporters is immense. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of horses each and every day!
Thank you for making possible the work we each day.
Gabby Update!
Though Gabby looks like a completely different horse than the emaciated, sickly mare that came in earlier this year, this beautiful red head has had challenge after challenge. If you aren’t familiar, Gabby came to AAE through law enforcement. She arrived with chronic eye and sinus infections. She had a space (diastema) between two teeth and an opening in her gums that extended into her sinus. When she chewed, food packed into the space and ultimately pushed into the sinus. She went in for surgery to extract a tooth to prevent ongoing food packing and to allow the fistula to close. Once sedated and preparing to extract the first tooth, the fistula was much larger than anticipated, and the tooth on the opposite side of the fistula needed to be removed, as well. As a result, she had an extended hospitalization so her sinus could be flushed regularly to eliminate food collecting again in her sinus while the fistula healed/closed.
Since surgery, Gabby has continued to battle the chronic eye infection which was likely a result of the chronic sinus infection. Ultimately, the long term infection caused a dry eye and recurrent ulcers despite ongoing treatment and various medications. Thankfully, the fistula closed, and the sinus infection has resolved, but the eye irritation/infection continues, though it is slowly improving.
Gabby initially tested negative for Cushing’s disease at intake. With the chronic infection, she was tested again. This time, she was positive and started daily medication. She has also experienced multiple hoof abscesses, the worst coming during the Mosquito fire evacuation. Radiographs of her front hooves identified not one, but two old fractures. One at the tip of her left coffin bone, the other at a wing of her right front coffin bone. Corrective shoes were placed to support her. Needless to say, this sweet girl is having a heck of a time overcoming all of her issues.
Please send some healing energies her way.
Of course, Gabby’s extended hospital stay and ongoing issues have been a big hit to our vet budget. If you are able to help Gabby’s costs, we’d greatly appreciate it.
Elliot is doing well, healing and growing! In case you don’t know, Elliott is a ~19 month old captive bred mustang. He came to AAE because he couldn’t urinate normally and needed surgery to reconfigure his sheath. His prior family didn’t know he had congenital issues causing his sheath and penis to develop abnormally. He also has no palpable testicles.
Elliott had a condition called preputial stenosis, which caused his penis to be trapped inside his sheath. When he urinated, urine was also trapped in his sheath so he would dribble urine causing scalding of his sheath, belly, and legs. Sadly, his breeder could have had this easily repaired when he was a foal. Instead, he passed him on to an unsuspecting family that wanted to help him. Another vet suggested he was possibly a hermaphrodite and there was no penis.
Fast forward, AAE was contacted for help, and Elliott had surgery to reconfigure his sheath and free Willy. Turns out, Elliott’s penis is about half the size of a normal horse, and it is partially attached inside his sheath. However, surgery went well, and Elliott is healing now. Because AAE evacuated during the Mosquito Fire (just to be safe), Elliott had an extended stay at the hospital to minimize stress (his and our) and to assure he got needed care and treatment. Ell is back in Pilot Hill and starting to act like a young, playful colt (good and bad, lol). Once his sheath heals, we need to go searching for the jewels, bloodwork indicates there is still some hiding going on…at least one undescended testicle. A follow up surgery will be scheduled once he’s healed and ready to go.
Due to Elliott’s extended hospital stay, we’re just a little bit short on his fundraising for his initial surgery, and he has a follow up surgery in the near future. We’ll update costs as soon as we schedule.
Sadly, our Danny-boy left us last month. We’ve all got empty spots in our hearts from missing this sweet ol’ man. Danny came to AAE in 2017 when his family was experiencing a health crisis. He was 27 and had been with his human mom his entire life. Unfortunately, she was unable to continue providing care for him and had to make a painful decision in his best interest. Fortunately for AAE, we got to spend the next five years enjoying this guy’s big heart. Danny was a favorite to many volunteers and visitors. He wooed them all with his shoulder hug. Danny would greet everyone at every opportunity by putting his head upon their shoulder. It was the warmest, fuzziest feeling. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and he could stand at anyone’s shoulder 24-hours. Danny’s hugs were endless, and as was everyone’s love for him.
Danny had more than his share of ups and downs the last couple years. He battled with an unknown intestinal issue. None of the many diagnostics and vet visits we utilized were able to pinpoint the issue, but it was akin to IBS or maybe some type of cancer. He overcame a few bouts of laminitis, and he had several skin infections. Regardless, Danny has been a valiant fighter, and he always rebounded with great spirit. Never did we question his will to live, and thankfully, his time here in Pilot Hill has been very good. Most recently, Danny’s appetite was waning, and he lost considerable weight the past few months. That said, he was happy, full of energy, and full of life. He loved his turnouts in the corner pasture with the “special” herd. He frolicked, he ran, he raced. Though his 32 years were catching up to him, nothing suggested he was ready to go. Maybe he knew. My last check in with him was only hours before he passed. He was his normal full of pep Danny. He smiled, he gave me a little “what for”, and we said good night. I never imagined that would be the last time. He left us in the night; he chose the time and way he would go. All indications suggest he passed quick and easy. For all of that, I am beyond grateful. At 32 and his body weight waning, we all knew the time was coming, but his life was good through the very end. Thank you, Danny, you made this world very special for all you touched and you will be missed greatly. Run free ol’ boy, run free.
Like many of our resident horses, Danny was cremated so we could bring him home to rest with AAE and all of our volunteers. If you’d like to help with Danny’s cremation costs or make a donation in memory of his hugs, we always appreciate the love.
We asked for a caption for this photo, and Red Hot Filly Peppers was the best caption ever! These three lucky girls, Chesney, Clare, and Teea, were adopted as a trio last month. This might well be one of the best adoptions ever! These three captive born mustangs came to AAE from a distressed mustang sanctuary back in summer/fall 2020. They had been living in small paddocks for years, and hadn’t had much handling in years. Their hooves were overgrown, and they had various issues. Shortly after intake, the work began. Handling, haltering, and hoof care, then deworming, dentals, vaccines, and microchips. In time, all were done, and they were learning to trust humans again. It didn’t take long before all three were turned out together. After moving to Pilot Hill, it became very clear the bond among these three was very tight, and we realized we needed to find them a home together. That was no easy task. It’s hard enough to find a home for two bonded horses, let alone three middle-aged mustangs that haven’t been saddle trained! The best we can do is plant the seed, and hope it grows. It did!!! These girls now share five acres on a larger vineyard property. They are a dream come true for their new mom. They will be trained to their potential, and they will help with vegetation management on the vineyard. These three amigas got so lucky!!
First we would like to thank you all for your outpouring of kind responses to our last email in regards to our non profit status being lost. We have met some of the best people through the donkeys and mules and it is definitely one of the biggest perks of what we do. So from the bottoms of our hearts, thank you!
Its a.. GELDING!
Some of you may remember the little intact Jack, Apollo that came to us July of this year. The end of September was the big day he’s been waiting for…ok ok that we have been waiting for.
We brought Apollo to a gelding clinic at that was hosted at Gerdas Equine Rescue Inc. The procedure went smoothly. It will take between one and two months for his hormones to settle down and for him to be safe to be in with other donkeys. After that Apollo can finally have donkey friends! It was quite an adventure of a day and we are very grateful to GER for hosting and to the vets, vet students and vet techs from Tufts University who did all the castrations today and took such great care of our spunky little boy! Congrats Apollo, onto a better happier life with many donkey friends in your future!
Athena
Athena came to the rescue as Apollo’s companion. She was in need of some groceries in addition to vet and farrier care. She is feeling like a new mare now thanks to all of you. We do not usually take in horses, however sometimes they do come with donkey friends. We try to take them in with their ‘ear challenged friends’ to ease everyone’s stress, the owners and the animals peace of mind are what is most important to us. We also took a blood test to make sure there was not a mule baby brewing in her belly, and thankfully there was not.
Galdalf and Wichahpi
Gandalf and Whichahpi are part of the 4 equines we took in from a neglect case in NJ. They went from an auction to a sanctuary that was supposed to give them refuge. But instead they were yet again neglected and watched more of their friends die of neglect. We are very thankful they are with us now and will never know mistreatment like that ever again.
Wichahpi had started becoming progressively more lame as his time went on with us. He’s been gaining weight but loosing muscle mass and was increasingly sore and stiff on one of his back legs.
Wichahpi was seen by our vet to have radiographs done of his leg and back. The consensus is not the good news we were all hoping for unfortunately. Wichahpi has an old injury on his spine that now resembles kissing spine. In addition to this there is severe arthritis in his leg, and an eye issue that is most likely cancer. These are most likely the ‘reasons’ he was originally dumped into the slaughter auction pipeline years ago.
Right now our boy is on some heavy pain killers to help him to stay comfortable. But there are also two other major factors that need to be taken into consideration. His other leg has been bearing all/ most of his weight to compensate for the other injured leg. His “good” leg is breaking down and failing now as well. In addition to that a New England winter would not be kind to put him through with these kind of injuries.
It is only a matter of time before he will not have the chance for a peaceful goodbye, that we beleive all animals deserve.
We will be letting sweet Wichahpi go at the end of October, he will be surrounded by people who love him very much.
Thank you all so much for donating to my Birthday fundraiser last week for Wichahpi. You all made it possible to get the X-rays and blood work done that he needed and a few rounds of his pain meds.
I called Doc this morning as Sparkles was crashing. She could hardly walk as her back legs were buckling, and her head was down and her eyes were dull. She was exhausted!
I was so scared it was over. Doc said to give her a Vitamin Shot and bring her in. She literally couldn’t step up into the trailer and kept trying to drop her back end. We had to find/make a ramp to get her in.
She seemed much more alert and active when we arrived at the vet. The shot was kicking in. Doc and I both want to give her every chance, so we are running blood and hoping for another miracle.
Doc said she looks so much better and they do have bad days.
Our vet bill is huge and we need help asap. I want to be able to give her whatever treatment might help her. She is admitted right now, but I need to get the bill down substantially. Doc has been out here numerous times checking Mercedes, gelding Tarzan and drawing blood for Coggins.
We need SPECIAL HAY and feed for Sparkles and Peanut and I simply am running short on funds.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES!
Over the past two years, we’ve been working diligently to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) –and that work is paying off:
The Las Vegas Review-Journal published an article last month highlighting the findings of our newest report on the slaughter pipeline resulting from the AIP. This program is meant to incentivize the adoption of wild horses and burros and to provide them with a new home, but in reality it has led to over 1,000 of these innocent animals being funneled to slaughter auctions where if not rescued, they are shipped to foreign slaughter plants.
It’s bad enough that these precious horses and burros are subjected to the BLM’s inhumane helicopter roundups and removals, but the agency’s continued operation of a program that is funneling federally-protected animals into the slaughter pipeline is unacceptable. That’s why we are doing everything we can to alert the public to the plight of wild horses → Enter: Our national awareness campaign and our homepage takeover of the Review-Journal!
Last month, we launched our first ever nationwide advertising campaign to ramp up the pressure on the BLM to end cruel helicopter roundups and keep wild horses in the wild where they belong. From Colorado to Oregon, we’ve been hitting the airwaves and engaging folks to urge their members of Congress to stand up for these innocent animals.
And so far, our campaign has been a HUGE success. When Americans learn about the brutal tactics the BLM uses to “manage” our wild horses and burros, they’re shocked, they’re angry, and they are ready to take action. We are so excited that our efforts to raise awareness about the BLM’s mistreatment of wild horses are working, but raising awareness is only one piece of the puzzle.
On this last day of World Animal Remembrance Month, we could think of no better way to close things out than by sharing the story of a Nevada mare all of us at the American Wild Horse Campaign fondly remember, Oriana — or who we liked to call: the Queen of the Virginia Range.
Oriana was a mare that embodied everything we continue to fight for. She lived trulywild. Wary of humans, she was quick to move away from those who would approach. She was fast, strong, and incredibly beautiful — her long blonde mane a testament to her majestic nature.
Photo by Deb Sutherland
While we were devastated when Oriana passed in 2020, we took solace in knowing she died free, never to experience a lifetime of holding facilities — or worse.
For over 3 years, we’ve managed our PZP program on the Virginia Range. This program is the first of its kind, and in those 3 years, it’s helped us reduce foaling rates by 62% — proving to the public, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Congress that there is a more humane AND more cost-effective way to manage wild horses than brutal helicopter roundups and removals.
Wild horses like Oriana thrive in their natural habitats where they can run wild as they’re meant to. And our fertility control program makes that possible. As we pay homage to Oriana’s memory, let us also remember that there are nearly 64,000 wild horses and burros stuck in confinement at BLM holding facilities right now — more than ever before — and thousands more are targeted for removal this upcoming year. There’s a better way to manage wild horses than this cruel cycle, and Meredith, our work in Nevada is proving just that.
The success of our PZP program is critical to the future of our cherished wild herds, and in fact, we’re working to expand our lifesaving program to other herd areas across the West right now.
At the beginning of this year, you recommitted your support to stand alongside us in the fight to protect America’s wild horses and burros. A lot has happened since then, so as the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) roundup season comes to a close and the FY23 roundup season is set to begin, we wanted to share our incredible accomplishments so far — and all the work that still needs to be done. >>
Together we’ve achieved:
This year, we celebrated the 3 year anniversary of AWHC’s PZP fertility control program on Nevada’s Virginia Range. This is a groundbreaking program that has reduced foaling rates by over 61% and continues to prove to the public and to Congress that fertility control works — all without the removal of a single horse or burro! The success of this program shows that it can be expanded to other wild horse areas in the West, and in fact, we’re doing just that! So be sure to stay tuned, more updates to come on this soon!
AWHC’s Government Relations team and allies on Capitol Hill for the first time ever secured language in the final FY22 Appropriations bill that re-allocated $11 million of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding away from helicopter roundups and towards humane fertility control.
And, finally, this summer, we launched a public awareness campaign in Colorado demanding an end to the brutal roundup occurring in the Piceance Basin. As a result of these ads, 188,000 Coloradans were made aware of the tragedies happening to wild horses right in their backyard, and over 20,000 wild horse advocates joined us in calling for an immediate end to the roundup. The BLM ended the roundup early, saving 700 horses from losing their freedom.And now we’re expanding this campaign to a national level with TV ads, mobile billboards, and so much more!
How we’re continuing our fight:
Despite what we’ve achieved this year, the BLM still removed over 19,000 wild horses and burros from our public lands. What’s more, there are nearly 64,000 wild horses and burros stuck in crowded BLM holding facilities right now — the most in history — where they are at risk of deadly viruses and mistreatment. We’re continuing our fight to pass the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act through Congress, a bill that would end the inhumane use of helicopters to chase down innocent mustangs and burros to remove them from the wild.
In the coming Fiscal Year, the BLM plans to roundup and remove another 18-20,000 wild horses and burros from their homes in the wild. Just like we did this year, we’re continuing our work on Capitol Hill to ensure the FY23 Appropriations bill includes similar language that allocates $11 million to continue funding humane fertility control vaccines as an alternative to brutal helicopter roundups.
And finally, we’re fighting to end the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) in its current form by demanding the elimination of the cash incentives. Since AWHC’s investigation into the AIP in November 2020, over 1,020 wild horses and burros have been identified in kill pens. This slaughter pipeline won’t stop until the cash incentives do. We’re continuing our fight through our investigations, through our lawsuit against the implementation of the AIP, and on Capitol Hill to end this disastrous program as we know it.
Today is National Public Lands Day, celebrating the magnificent landscape that is home to our nation’s beloved wild horses and burros.
The conservation of our public lands — and the wildlife that inhabit them — is a proud statement of what Americans care about and our desire to protect what’s wild, free … and vulnerable.
A century and a half ago, the U.S. supported almost two billion acres of public lands.
Today, that number has been reduced to 640 million acres. Along with this dwindling of the public landscape is the systematic elimination of space for America’s wild horses and burros, which now inhabit less than 27 million acres of public lands in ten Western states. Worse, the federal government is determined to shrink wild horse and burro habitats and population numbers further, while giving 97% of those lands — your lands — to the commercial livestock industry for cattle and sheep grazing that we, the taxpayers, subsidize.
In short, with 64,000 wild horses removed from those lands and held in captivity — at a cost to taxpayers that could approach $1 billion dollars over 5 years — America’s wild horses and burros are in crisis.
Thereis a better way to manage our nation’s wild horses and burros on public lands where they belong: www.keepwildhorseswild.com. We are deeply grateful for the support we receive every day to speak for and act on their behalf, and to advocate for real solutions to maintain thriving wild horse and burro populations in the West.
Helicopter roundups are dangerous and expensive operations that result in horses being traumatized, separated from their families, and injured or killed. But the cruelty doesn’t end with helicopter roundups — once captured, wild horses are corralled in overburdened Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facilities, where they face even more inhumane treatment.
The BLM has guidelines for holding facilities that are part of its Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP). These guidelines include ensuring captured animals receive basic care such as access to food and water, vaccinations, and well-constructed facilities to minimize injuries.
Our Investigations Team has long had concerns about the BLM’s care of wild horses and burros in these holding pens, and unfortunately, our concerns were validated when the BLM finally began to evaluate its facilities using CAWP standards this year.
Here’s what it found: Vaccinations were not given in a timely manner, facilities were understaffed, not all animals had simultaneous access to food and water, facility maintenance and upkeep had fallen by the wayside, horses were found in poor body condition, and little attention was paid to proper biosecurity measures.
These findings are incredibly concerning with nearly 64,000 animals confined in facilities across the country. Even worse, 2022 saw the deadliest disease outbreak in BLM history in its Cañon City holding pens, which claimed the lives of nearly 150 unvaccinated wild horses who had been in the “care” of the agency for 9 months.
This system is at a breaking point, which is why we’re calling on you to take action and demand that the Department of the Interior address these CAWP violations and commit to keeping captured wild horses and burros safe.Will you take action now, and speak up for these innocent animals?
Thousands of wild horses and burros are locked up in these overburdened and unsafe facilities right now → and American taxpayers are footing the bill.This is an outdated and expensive cycle that desperately needs enhanced accountability measures and stronger enforcement from the BLM.
As the roundups continue, more and more wild horses and burros are going to be piled into this network of overcrowded and under-resourced holding facilities. It’s a crisis that’s only going to worsen as time goes on — unless we choose to act here and now and demand that the BLM rigorously and consistently enforce its own CAWP standards.
LIFE AND DEATH FOR THIS MARE and the ponies. I honestly don’t know if she will survive.
BEYOND STARVED, horribly abused with rotten, maggot infested injuries open to the bone.
I NEED YOUR HELP NOW!! She will obviously need to see Doc, and our funds are the lowest since I began.
We have saved so many, PLEASE HELP ME GIVE HER and the ponies a chance,
URGENT, URGENT, URGENT NEED FOR HELP!
I am here by myself and need to hire some help to get the horses moved home before winter and get things winterized here.
Mercedes has STILL NOT had her little baby. She is making us a bit crazy. Doc has been checking on her and is extremely happy with her over all health. She has improved so much since y’all saved her.
We have a big vet bill and still need to get Tarzan gelded and a couple more horses vetted for Coggins and health Certs.
Sadly Kayvee had to be euthanized by Doc when I was in NV. She came in with so many injuries and the septic joints were her death sentence.
Thank you to the Angel who paid a chunk of the old vet bill. You are amazing.! Sadly there have been more expenses since then, and more to come.
Her baby Kaitlyn is gorgeous and ready to be adopted. PLEASE HELP if you can. With so many lives saved, diesel prices still ridiculous and hay prices so high, it is imperative we cash in on this deal for hay before it goes away.
I so appreciate y’all. We saved these lives, now let’s take good care of them and get as many placed as possible.
THANK YOU! I am in a serious bind and cannot do this without you! I need to pay for the hay so we don’t lose this deal.
I know everyone is tired of the 911’s and emergencies. So am I! But they are not my emergencies. They belong to the life of each and every horse you help save!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES!
Advocates like you and I have known about the plight of our cherished wild horses and burros for years, but millions of Americans are still unaware of the tragedies happening to these innocent animals across the West.
But we are changing that. Since Monday, when we launched our largest national campaign ever, we’ve seen a huge outpouring of support. In less than a week, our TV and online ads have gained a LOT of traction, playing across major news networks, because one thing is clear: Once Americans learn about the brutal practices the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) uses to “manage” our wild horses and burros, they’re shocked, they’re angry, and they are ready to take action.
But spreading awareness isn’t all it takes to protect the future of our wild herds. And that’s why broadcasting our new ads nationwide is just the first step. Now, the next leg of our national campaign to protect wild horses and burros is in motion — literally:
Over the course of the next week, mobile billboards broadcasting our commercial will circle the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Department of the Interior to encourage our federal leaders to use their power to stand up for wild horses and burros.
Between the public support we’ve received thus far, and bringing our message directly to decisionmakers in Washington, we’re confident in the success of this campaign. People are more engaged than ever to be the voice of our beloved wild equines. So we won’t let up — we’re doubling down to increase awareness and pressure for change in the states where roundups are happening this month — Nevada, California, Oregon and Utah.
The work we are doing is critical to ending the suffering of thousands of wild horses and burros across the West. Right now, the BLM and U.S. Forest Service are conducting helicopter roundups that will forever rob 2,700 of these innocent animals of their freedom and families.
If every American knew that their tax dollars are funding this cruel and inhumane practice, they would be outraged! That’s why it’s so important that we not only keep our national campaign going but expand our ads to reach even more people in states where BLM roundups are happening this fall.
Hi y’all, It is CRUNCH TIME! 40 Horses need feed and care!
I want to thank you for helping save so many lives. However, we are now sitting on 40 horses between Camp Chilly Pepper and at home.
We NEED to purchase hay immediately, and have an amazing opportunity to stock up for winter at a big discount. However, we need approximately $8500 to secure hay for the next few months and to get part of it hauled to NV.
It is so hard to get any kind of deals on hay, so I definitely do not want to lose this one!
We currently have 3 PREGNANT MARES, & 2 starvation cases and they need lots of good feed and groceries.
I am here by myself and need to hire some help to get the horses moved home before winter and get things winterized here.
Mercedes has STILL NOT had her little baby. She is making us a bit crazy. Doc has been checking on her and is extremely happy with her over all health. She has improved so much since y’all saved her.
We have a big vet bill and still need to get Tarzan gelded and a couple more horses vetted for Coggins and health Certs.
Sadly Kayvee had to be euthanized by Doc when I was in NV. She came in with so many injuries and the septic joints were her death sentence.
Thank you to the Angel who paid a chunk of the old vet bill. You are amazing.! Sadly there have been more expenses since then, and more to come.
Her baby Kaitlyn is gorgeous and ready to be adopted. PLEASE HELP if you can. With so many lives saved, diesel prices still ridiculous and hay prices so high, it is imperative we cash in on this deal for hay before it goes away.
I so appreciate y’all. We saved these lives, now let’s take good care of them and get as many placed as possible.
THANK YOU! I am in a serious bind and cannot do this without you! I need to pay for the hay so we don’t lose this deal.
I know everyone is tired of the 911’s and emergencies. So am I! But they are not my emergencies. They belong to the life of each and every horse you help save!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES!
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SPARKLES Update
LIFE AND DEATH FOR THIS MARE and the ponies. I honestly don’t know if she will survive.
