MINDEN, NV, (Downer) – This stirring and amply illustrated, 300-page book fully justifies America’s magnificent wild horses and burros while countering the biased machinations against them. Written by an ecologist who grew up observing these animals in the West, it presents new evidence concerning their history and evolution in North America then describes their many positive contributions to soils, plants, animals and people. Though true restorers of this continent’s ecosystem, they have been unfairly targeted for elimination. Over the centuries, they have borne our burdens and helped us along life’s way—which makes it doubly unfair that they should be blamed for what we humans have done. As always, they stand ready to help us do the hard work now so desperately needed to restore our shared home. Many of the author’s personal experiences with these animals, their diverse herd areas, and the multicolored people involved with them are herein vividly shared. Urgently required now at the 40^th anniversary of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act is a strategy to reverse the negative schemes that are causing their demise the wild. As described, Reserve Design provides a way for establishing self-stabilizing populations through intelligent and caring programs executed with enthusiasm. Their lesson for humanity concerns how to share freedom and the land with such paragons of nature. Soaring beyond mundane pettiness and with an inspired vision for the future of all life, the elevated perspective and compassionate spirit of this book will prove key to accomplishing its critical goal. In the wild the vigor of any kind is preserved. And the entire horse family—as the Earth itself—needs America’s wild horses and burros to continue at vital levels into the future here in their evolutionary cradle and worldwide.

The author has defended wild horses/burros against attacks for over 40 years and observed many of the West’s colorful herds. He has also studied the endangered mountain tapir and is president of the Andean Tapir Fund, also dedicated to saving wild horses/burros (www.andeantapirfund.com). A member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and board member of The Cloud Foundation, he has written popular and scientific articles and books, including action plans for endangered species, enjoys nature photography and musical composition, lives in Nevada, and is proud companion of mustangs Lightning, a palomino stallion, and Princess Diane, his curly mare, both of whom he knew in the wilds of NW Nevada before they were captured by BLM in 2010.

To order Craig’s groundbreaking book, make out and send $25 (which includes taxes, shipping & handling) either to Andean Tapir Fund (as a tax-deductible contribution to this 501 c 3 organization) or to Craig C. Downer, both at P.O. Box 456, Minden, NV 89423-0456 USA. Alternatively, you may use PayPal to purchase the book by calling up www.andeantapirfund.com and clicking on PayPal.  To order more than one book, please pay $20 per book for up to 5 books, $15 for over 10 books (which includes taxes, shipping & handling).  For any questions or to arrange for a speaking, picture showing and book signing event, write the author at the above address, or call (775) 267-3484 or (775) 901-2094 or email ccdowner@aol.com.

WINNEMUCCA, NEV (BLM)  – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District concluded the Tri-State Calico Complex wild horse and burro gather on Monday, Jan. 9. The preliminary numbers for the animals gathered are 1,203 excess wild horses and 142 excess wild burros gathered from the HMAs, located northeast of Gerlach, Nev., and northwest of Winnemucca, Nev., within Humboldt and Washoe counties. Of those gathered, some stallions and mares were released back to the range after the mares received a 22-month fertility control vaccine treatment.

“The gather was a success and significant strides have been made on the public rangelands with the removal of excess wild horse and burros,” said District Manager Gene Seidlitz. “In turn, we now have a better balance with wildlife, livestock, and wild horse and burros. During this gather, the BLM provided a transparent and safe opportunity to the American public, to take time to observe and interact with the BLM staff to gain additional insight and information about the BLM’s management of wild horses.”

The gather started on Nov. 19. The gathered wild horses have been transported to the Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nev., and the majority of wild burros were transported to Broken Arrow/Indian Lakes Facility at Fallon, Nev., where they will be prepared for the BLM adoption program. Un-adopted horses will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanly cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

The Complex consisted of approximately 584,000 acres (public and private) but the gather area consisted of approximately 1,041,000 acres to encompass wild horses and burros residing outside of the HMAs. The Complex included the following HMAs: Black Rock Range East, Black Rock Range West, Calico Mountains, Granite Range, Warm Springs Canyon, and McGee Mountain.

Removing the excess wild horses and wild burros will help to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship as required under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as well as help to achieve and maintain healthy wild horse and burro populations.

For more information, contact Lisa Ross, BLM Winnemucca District public affairs specialist, at 775-304-8850 or lross@blm.gov. ]]> http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13554/feed 5 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:26:54 +0000 steven http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/?p=13521

BLM to Begin Pancake Complex Wild Horse Gather

This new way of managing large herd management area (HMA) complexes involves conducting three to four gathers over a six to 10 year period instead of one much larger removal in order to reach AML. The project involves smaller removals and increased use of population controls to slow the wild horse population growth rate. The Pancake Complex, which is located approximately 30 miles west of Ely and 80 miles northeast of Tonopah, Nevada, currently has an estimated wild horse population of 2,200, of which an estimated 1,847 are in excess of low AML. The initial operation will remove approximately 800-1,000 excess wild horses from the Complex.

The Pancake HMA has an AML of 240-493 wild horses, but currently has a population of more than 1,653 wild horses; the Sand Springs West HMA has an AML of 49 wild horses and a population of 153 wild horses; the Jakes Wash Herd Area (HA), which is managed for 0 wild horses has a population of 132 wild horses; and 270 wild horses in the Monte Cristo Wild Horse Territory (WHT) where the AML is 72-96 wild horses. The current wild horse population estimates include the 2011 foal crop. Wild horse numbers fluctuate between the HMAs, HA and WHT, based on seasonal movement.

The gather and removal of excess wild horses, and implementation of population control measures for horses that would be released are intended to slow wild horse population growth, maintain population size within the appropriate management levels necessary to achieve a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands and to extend the time before another gather to remove excess wild horses would be needed.

Public lands within the HMAs and WHT will be open to the public during the gather operations, subject to necessary safety restrictions. The public is welcome to attend the gather, and is encouraged to attend on Saturdays, when the media and public will have enhanced opportunities to view gather activities. The BLM has tentatively scheduled the dates of January 14, 21 and 28; and February 4, 11, and 18. The dates are subject to change depending upon weather and gather operations, and the public is encouraged to check the gather hotline nightly (775-289-1880) for changes in the schedule. Saturdays will provide visitors more opportunity to interact with BLM staff and could include escorted opportunities to observe the animals at the gather and holding corrals. For more information or to sign up, call Analise Forbush, BLM Ely District administrative assistant, at (775) 289-1866. The BLM will also regularly post gather information on its website at: www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office.html.

The gather will be conducted in close coordination with the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s (NDOA) Brands Division. The NDOA brand inspectors will verify that all gathered animals are wild horses and burros as defined by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Once verified, the brand inspector will provide the BLM a certificate to transport the animals.

Without this cooperation and coordination, the BLM would not be able to remove the excess wild horses and burros which, if not removed in a timely manner, would result in degradation of our native rangelands. The NDOA also may take jurisdiction of any estray, branded or abandoned domestic horse(s) under the State of Nevada estray laws.

The gathered animals will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nev., and the Gunnison Prison Wild Horse Facility in Gunnison, Utah, where they will be offered for adoption to qualified individuals. Un-adopted horses will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

For more information, contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist, at (775) 289-1842 or chris_hanefeld@blm.gov. The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. ]]> http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521/feed 1 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13516 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13516#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:12:55 +0000 steven http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/?p=13516

To Controversial Seizures of Wild Horses

SAN FRANCISCO (WHFF) – Lawyers for plaintiff Laura Leigh, supported by the Wild Horse Freedom Federation, argued before the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday, in a case that strikes at the heart of the press’ access to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conduct which Leigh has alleged is both illegal and inhumane, and in violation of the federal law intended to protect wild horses on public lands.  A federal judge in a different case had earlier ruled that the BLM’s exclusion of Leigh was a violation of her First Amendment newsgathering rights, but the issue continues to arise each time Leigh tries to document the BLM’s activity.  The appellate court yesterday seemed interested in considering a new standard to gauge press access to such situations.  If the court adopts a new rule, it may enable the press — and the public, which relies on it — to properly observe the tragic elimination of the wild horse from the range, as well as the horses’ ultimate disposition: adoption, sale or death.

The BLM has seized over 130,000 wild horses in its campaign to clear the public lands of these symbols of the American spirit and instead sell grazing and oil and gas rights to commercial interests to use the land which is the wild horses’ historic homeland.  The BLM claims its right under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, and Leigh seeks to document its actions so that all Americans can see what is happening to these living icons of freedom.  Because of the BLM’s restrictions on her ability to document and observe roundups, the poor conditions of horses in long-term holding, and the records of bulk sales that might land horses in the slaughter pipeline, Leigh brought this suit.

“It’s plain and simple,” said Leigh.  “The BLM is operating in a manner that the public finds unacceptable, and it is not okay to hide it.  This is an area of extreme public interest and the public has a right to the information so that it can reach its own opinion.”

Leigh’s suit has attracted national attention from press and First Amendment groups who have actively supported her position and filed briefs with the court urging that she be given full access to document the removal of the wild horses.

“The bottom line is the BLM obviously has something to hide, because as soon as Ms. Leigh’s first photographs were broadcast to the nation, she was severely restricted in her further ability to document the roundups,” said R.T. Fitch, President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation, of which Ms. Leigh is Vice President.  “This is a government program, affecting our greatest symbol of American history, and the BLM wants to be able to eliminate and terrorize them under the cover of darkness.  BLM’s conduct flouts the right of the press under the First Amendment, and the right of these horses to be protected.”

The BLM now holds over 45,000 plus captured wild horses in long-term holding corrals, and sells others who may end up in rendering plants or slaughtered for human consumption abroad.  Leigh’s suit seeks to establish her ability as a member of the press corps to expose the inherent cruelty and instances of illegality in this federal program.

Editors Note: Laura Leigh is credentialed as a member of the working press by Horseback Magazine.

###

Links of interest:

http://WildHorseEducation.org

http://WildHorseFreedomFederation.org

Video:

Horse hit with helicopter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObXB0Wq3nRE

Orphan and hotshot use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPi7emkvWLg

Foal chased and roped

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyM9a11ihLs

Clips of denied or discriminatory Access

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2p3KwmgJ6I

Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) is a registered, Texas non-profit corporation with 501c3 status pending.  WHFF puts people between America’s wild equids and extinction through targeted litigation against governmental agencies whose documented agendas include the eradication of wild horse and burros from public, federal and state lands. WHFF is funded exclusively through the generosity of the American public.

New Video From Horseback’s Laura Leigh

Production note from Laura Leigh to Horseback Magazine regarding new video:

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – Last winter when about 160 horses died in the bitter cold of a Nevada desert’s winter, wild horse advocates issued howls of protest climaxing when a foal, exhausted after being stampeded for miles over rocky ground, lost his hooves and perished.

Animal advocates will not witness such an event this year because the horses are being held in a compound on private property leased at taxpayer’s expense but closed to the public.

Today, cowboys in a howling helicopter stampeded horses into a man made trap 120 miles north of Winnemucca, Nevada in the federal Bureau of Land Management’s Tri State/Calico Complex. A thousand horses have been stampeded into traps since November. The roundups just began again after a break for the holidays.  The animals are being held in large holding pens on private land closed to the public except during tightly controlled visiting hours.

With roughly 245 million acres under its control, Horseback asked the BLM man in charge of the “gather” why horses are being housed on private, rather than public land. The BLM’s Gene Seidlitz, on the record:

HORSEBACK ONLINE: We understand the press and public are restricted from viewing the horses in the facility where the captured horses are being held.

GENE SEIDLITZ, BLM: Except on Saturday only where the private landowner has agreed to allow public access to view the holding corrals with animals.

HORSEBACK: Why is it up to the private landowner?

BLM: The private landowner and Sun-J (the helicopter contractor) have entered into an agreement for the use of that private land.

HORSEBACK: Why is it up to Sun-J?

BLM: Well Sun-J is the contractor, as you know…

HORSEBACK: I understand.

BLM: Based on the location of the holding corrals it offers better access to not only water but improved roads.

HORSEBACK: Let me ask you this Gene. You stand behind Sun-J as your contractor, I presume?

BLM: Could you repeat that question?

HORSEBACK: You stand behind Sun-J as your contractor I presume?

BLM: Do I stand by them?

HORSEBACK: Yes, are you supporting their decision?

BLM: To use private land?

HORSEBACK: Yes

BLM: That decision was not mine.

HORSEBACK: Answer the question, yes or no, do you support that decision?

BLM: The decision, like I said earlier was not mine. But obviously they felt this facility on private land had a capability and infrastructure in place in terms of water, corrals, and road access.

HORSEBACK: I suppose I’m going to ask you a third time, do you support that determination on the part of Sun-J to do this and deny the public access to this?

BLM: Well, it’s only a partial denial of access.

HORSEBACK: No, six days out of seven is a full denial.

BLM: However, we have allowed complete access at the gather site. What we’ve also done based on this private land’s lack of access besides Saturday is we’ve taken pictures of the horses and we’ve posted pictures to our web.

HORSEBACK: How many horses have been “gathered” so far?

BLM: As of last night the total is 1,145.

HORSEBACK: How many have died?

BLM: Cumulative to date non gather related it’s seven, and gather related deaths; it’s three, so it’s a total of ten.

HORSEBACK: As you know, Sun-J was subject to criticism after the recent report was made public. Have you hired outside scrutiny to report on that firm?

BLM: In terms of?

HORSEBACK: In terms of abuse. In terms of getting the helicopter too close to the horses.

BLM: As a result of the Triple B gather?

HORSEBACK: As a result of the report that recently came out citing them.

BLM: Since the release of that Triple B report, along with the press release from the director Abbey, what generated that report was an internal review of gather operations with the focus of humane and safe treatment of horses. So I’m keenly aware of the report, of the recommendations of the report, the membership that was put together for the team to do that report, absolutely, yes I am.

HORSEBACK: Again, is Sun-J under increased scrutiny?

BLM: It’s safe to say from the start of the Tri State/Calico Complex gather which started on November 19^th, the day before they started, I as the district manager had a pre-gather briefing with them in which I outlined my leadership intent in terms of expectations of safe and humane treatment of the wild horses and the wild burros associated with the Tri State/Calico Complex. That was a written document that we went through line by line and they had a copy with them, and hopefully that copy is still with them because I presented it to them.

HORSEBACK: I have seen a photograph which was taken yesterday or the day before of Sun-J on this gather getting extraordinarily close to the animals

BLM: In terms of that photograph, I believe I’ve probably seen the same one based on dialog I had this morning with two of our visitors that I met with before they left our facility before they left to go to the gather site. I will, based on that picture, be out to the gather tomorrow on site as well as Saturday to watch operations from the gather site location and also will be interacting and dialoguing with the primary corps, public affairs, our visitors, our law enforcement, and then also the contractor. I also plan to then go to the temporary holding facility which is on private land and also observe the animals and integrate and participate with the staff there.

HORSEBACK: One final question. How much taxpayer money is being spent to keep these horses on private land instead of on BLM land, which would be free?

BLM: In terms of taxpayer money for the private land use, there is none.

HORSEBACK: How much is the contractor paying for the private land use?

BLM: That information I do not have, and that information probably exists between the landowner and Sun-J.

HORSEBACK: Is the United States government paying Sun-J with taxpayer money?

BLM: Steven, can you repeat that question please?

HORSEBACK: Is the United States of America paying Sun-J with taxpayer money?

BLM: For the gather overall for the safe removal of excess horses from public land, yes, taxpayer’s money is being used.

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – The federal Bureau of Land Management has talked a good game in recent months with its appointment of a veteran agency bureaucrat to head the division that controls U.S. wild horses and burros. During that period statements from Director Bob Abbey on down have promised a new era of openess in BLM’s treatment of wild horses which have been systamatically removed from federal lands and replacd by cattle. Hundreds have died in helicopter driven stampedes in the dead of winter and the heat of a desert summer.

At the current “gather” of horses at Nevada’s Calico comples where more than a hundred horses died during hard winter stampedes last year, the government contractor has removed its wild horse trap to provate property and ordered press and public be excluded from watching their practices. That same contractor, Sun-J, came under strong criticizm recently in a BLM sponsored independent report on its “gather” practices.

Horseback twice asked Chief Washington Spokesman Tom Gorey to intervene to allow its longtime reporter and photographer Laura Leigh to have admittance to the trap site to observe and photograph the roundup. The agency finally responded, saying there would be no access to the trap site and even the press would have to observe Saturday visiting hours set by the private landowner who owns the land where the horses are being housed, presumably at taxpayer expense. BLM responded to the Horseback request sayin”

“This email is in response to your request for your reporter/photographer Laura Leigh to have (up close) access for the Tri-State Calico Wild Horse and Burro gather.  One observation area has been set-up for all public/media visitors to each gather site.  Considerations for the viewing areas are: safety to visitors, animals, and staff, plus the viewing opportunity for the observers.  Each viewing area is different depending on the landscape at the gather site area.

Visitors to the Tri-State Calico Complex Wild Horse and Burro gather are welcome and encouraged to watch gather operations every day at gather sites on public land.  The gathered animals are moved to temporary holding corrals, where they typically spend a night before being transported to short-term holding facilities such as the Palomino Valley Center in Reno or the Indian Lakes Road Facility in Fallon.   Both facilities have visitation schedules.

The temporary holding corrals are located on private land for the duration of the gather.  This location was selected because its existing corals and better access to water and improved roads.  The temporary corrals are located about 100 feet from Humboldt County Road (Knott Creek) and are visible from the road. The private land owner has agreed to allow members of the public access to the temporary holding corrals each Saturday.

Thanks, Lisa”

Horseback has responded with a specific request that press and public be located within 200 yards of any trap site at any “gather.”

Meanwhile, Leigh’s other sponsor, the Wild Horse Freedom Foundation and Wild Horse education have issued a press release:

Business as Usual for Agency Despite Rhetoric

HOUSTON, (WHFF) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is demonstrating that the New Year of 2012 mirrors 2011 for the hundreds of wild horses that are currently being extracted from public lands. Despite recurring declarations made by the Agency toward reform, no changes are apparent as the BLM recently resumed helicopter driven wild horse roundups after taking a brief break from operations over the holidays.

Laura Leigh of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) and Wild Horse Education (WHE) stated after observing the Calico Complex roundup yesterday January 4^th,

“I felt like I was standing at the Antelope Complex roundup of last January 2011, watching the pilot demonstrate the exact same reckless behavior as he, again, flew dangerously close to the ground, very close to the horses and these maneuvers were repeated not once but continually throughout the day.”

In recent months the BLM has made several statements and recommendations in regards to the “humane handling” of the horses and burros in the agency’s care. These statements came after a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued by the Honorable Judge Howard McKibben in Federal District Court on behalf of Leigh’s case in response to video documentation of a BLM contractor helicopter allegedly making contact with an exhausted wild horse during pursuit. This ruling is part of a lawsuit against the agency alleging multiple instances of inhumane handling and care.

The issues were brought into the Courtroom for Leigh’s organization through attorney Gordon Cowan of Reno.

“It is troubling,” said attorney Cowan “that even with the case awaiting hearing for Injunctive Relief at months end, and the many public statements made by the agency toward addressing this very issue, that these incidents are still occurring.

Several instances happened during the Calico roundup on January 4th that may have led to injury including an instance where a horse caught its leg in the trailer and was down on the floor.
“We were so far away that even with a powerful zoom I had no ability to assess the injuries,” stated Leigh, “There was no opportunity given to the public to observe animals in holding as the BLM placed the corrals on private property and barred access.”

The BLM contractor made arrangements to place the corrals on private property excluding the public and press from a reasonable distance to observe even though a permanent government facility for holding horses exists in close proximity.
Located at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge a permanent structure exists to house and treat wild horses and burros. The Sheldon Refuge is part of the newly designated “Tri-state” Calico Complex where this roundup is currently being conducted. The Sheldon facility would accommodate both horses and the public in a more efficient and transparent fashion.
The issue of access to document the horses and their treatment in the governments care has also become a matter in the Court system. A “Freedom of the Press” lawsuit has made its way into the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and will be heard on Monday, January 9 2012.

“The BLM’s covert, undercover style of operation comes as no surprise”, stated equine author and President of WFHH R.T. Fitch, “but it will all come to a head when we address this historical misbehavior in court next week.”

“This is not a matter of national security,” said Leigh “it’s simply about doing what’s right for our wild horses and burros that are protected by law and the public’s right to know.  If the treatment and handling were humane and appropriate, it would be wide open to observation. Until clear and defined humane standards and protocol are created and implemented in the field and consequences are in place for violations, nothing is new.”

###

Links of interest:

http://WildHorseEducation.org

http://WildHorseFreedomFederation.org

BLM Now Accepting Email Comments
Photo by Terry Fitch

Dear Cloud Friends;

The Billings BLM has decided to accept emails and faxes for comments on their Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) which calls for the permanent removal of 30 young horses (ages 1-3 years) from the Pryor Wild Horse Range during 2012. Comments are due by close of business (4:30 pm MST) January 6^th.
2-year old Adelina, granddaughter of Blue Sioux & Red Raven
The removal will bring the herd to the “Appropriate” Management Level of 120. This drastic plan is completely unacceptable and dangerous for the future survival of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd.

• The herd currently numbers only 150 adults (one year and older), the bare minimum to maintain genetic viability.

• In 2011, mortality equaled births which is exactly what BLM states as their goal for the herd.

• The PEA includes an alternative (which was considered but not analyzed – why?): “This alternative consists of initially removing ten wild horses and re-assessing every year until the recruitment rate is equal to the natural mortality.” This is already the case! In 2011 mortality equaled recruitment (surviving foals).

Bottom line, it is dead wrong to remove any horses of any age before knowing how many foals are born in 2012, how many horses survive the winter,  how many foals survive going into the fall, and the level of predation.

We urge you to write, email or fax (currently broken according to Billings BLM). Please encourage BLM to select the No Action Alternative.

Stand up for Cloud and the young horses of the Pryors, including Cloud’s look-alike grandson, Echo (Killian) and so many other youngsters who are the future of the herd. They deserve to live their lives in precious freedom!
Cloud’s only son, Bolder, with his son, Echo
Happy Trails!
Ginger

Further confirmation:
I confirm that the Billings Field Office will accept electronically transmitted public comments, but definitely do encourage comments being mailed or hand delivered since malfunction of the electronic means when receiving a high volume of comments can lead to comments not being successfully received in their entirety.  Thank you.
- Richard Hanes, Ph.D.
BLM Washington D.C. ]]> http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13419/feed 0 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13306 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13306#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:51:40 +0000 steven http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/?p=13306 By Laura Leigh

This commentary was written and posted today on the personal website of Horseback friend and photographer Laura Leigh, a true American Hero cut from the mold of Wild Horse Annie herself.

The Editor

Note: this site is my “blog.” The information site on “Wild Horses” is http://wildhorseeducation.org

Laura

Poster art by Fortunino Matania

“War Horse,” the much anticipated screen adaptation by Steven Spielberg opened in theatres across the country on Christmas Day.

As someone deeply involved in the issues facing both our wild and domestic equines, I actually went to a movie theatre for the first time in ages to view the film. Not only was this film about my favorite subject, horses, but it was done by one of my favorite directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.

Speilberg first “rocked my world” with “Empire of the Sun,” (not ET). Released in 1987 this autobiographical tale tells the story of James Graham, a boy “of privilege” that has his life shattered after the invasion of Shanghai in 1941. Spielberg wove his tale so that the audience became “Jim.” You experienced everything through the masterful performance of Christian Bale and through the vision of a great director. “Jim, try not to think so much!” is a line delivered at just the right moment, in just the right way, that it has haunted me for over twenty years.

The subject of war, and it’s cost to the human spirit, was again tackled by this master film maker in “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” Both of these films, although executed with very different directorial choices, speak directly to the transformation of the human soul through the horror of human action and the ability of the human spirit to transcend. We all remember Shindler agonizing that he could have saved “Just one more.”

So Christmas Day of 2011 I took my “war weary” self to the theatre to watch “War Horse.”

Now you may not like the analogy of “war weary.” But that is how I feel. Most of you know my work for the wild ones but are unfamiliar with a past that includes a decade of work in the “horse slaughter” issue. Our “front” is taking a massive onslaught this year as our rear scrambles to deal with the issues at the front and behind our own lines. Our beloved equines, both wild and domestic, are under siege.

I plunked down the ticket price, that has gone up significantly since the last time I treated myself to a film, anticipating another “masterpiece.”

Waiting in line to find a seat I watched the movie goers leave the theatre after watching the film. There were mixed reviews. One man said “It was good” as he made the “so-so” motion with his hand. Another said “If you don’t have a tissue, don’t go in.”

A woman in line next to me confided that she had not been to a movie in a long time, but this one was about a horse. “Me, too,” I smiled.

We eagerly took our seats.

After 23 minutes of previews that flickered and had to be reset, the film began.

I began to realize that I was not going to see the Spielberg I had anticipated. I was watching a Director held by constraint.

The first third of the film is too long. It had a “made for TV feel.” Spielberg then focuses his camera lens on a plow during a scene that is to demonstrate the heart of “Joey,” our equine “star,” and “Albert” our human “spirit” focus of the film. That is when I remembered this film was created for Disney.

Don’t get me wrong here. I cried. I cried eight times during the film. The opening scene had me in tears as “Joey” the newborn demonstrates his legs by running side by side with his mom. I have seen so many youngsters that can’t keep up to their mothers during the helicopter chases on public land and moms so tired they are fighting to just keep the pace. I have seen so many babes taken from that protective space and stuck in pens during the most horrific experience of their bands existence… it didn’t take much for me to need a tissue.

Archive photo of WWI (photographer not credited at source)

As we enter into the war, a third of the way through the film, we begin to comprehend the first World War.

In a battle (the first the British engage in the story and the first time you actually are told you are in Britain and not in Scotland, Wales or Ireland) you are taken to what I assume is the battle at Mons. The only true cavalry charge of WWI takes place at Mons. WWI is the transitional point in human warfare into the “mechanization” era. Spielberg does demonstrate very effectively how the cavalry charge does not meet the machine gun successfully, regardless of the belief of British officers of the day.

After that point we learn that horses are utilized for transportation of wounded and the machines we now rely on to win wars. But we see these things in small vignettes.

Each time I feel that Spielberg will take me to that “real” place of experience, that had been relayed to me by my grandfather, we get close to the destination but never truly arrive. It kept making me wonder how Spielberg would have portrayed the story without restraint of a PG-13 rating. Not a thought you want as you wait to be transported from your seat into a film.

Casualty counts are not kept on horses and mules. Yet the estimate is more than 8 million horses and mules died in the conflict on all sides. 8 million died. It is estimated that 2 and one half million were treated for wounds and 2 million of those returned to the war.

A quarter of a million horses were purchased or taken from farmers at the beginning of the war for the British army.

As the conflict raged on more countries joined the efforts and horses were needed.

Yes, the “Yankees” entered in the war. The “Yankees” were not only American Soldiers, but America’s horses. America’s horses carried our soldiers but also those of other Nations. During the conflict two-thirds of the horses used by Britain were supplied by the US.

During World War I ranchers went into business selling horses to the military. All of Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and much of the area we now call the “Tri-State Complex” had horses “harvested” and sent into battle in Europe and Africa. It is estimated that a million wild horses went into conflict, none of them returned to American soil.

American horses from the open plains of the west were described by Captain Sydney Galtrey of the British Cavalry ”in a rough and ready shape – they were shoeless, long-haired, tousled-maned and had ragged hips. But they were tough; generations of their kind had become completely at home with roaming out in the open and in all kinds of weather.”

“You put your mask on him first,” said Grandpa “He can carry you out, you can’t carry him.”

Many soldiers were moved deeply and carried stories of the mounts that carried them to safety or that they saw die horrific deaths.

Gas mask for man and horse demonstrated by an American Soldier National Archives and Records Administration cir 1917-18

I sat in the theatre with this knowledge. We would briefly touch the reality of a “War Horse” in the film and then it would vanish.

Then the scene came… (used in the trailers) a scene where “Joey” looses a companion and is faced with the “machine.” The war blazes around him as he flees an early tank. He seemingly can’t escape and vaults over the “beast.” His flight takes him through an horrific battlefield where earlier we had witnessed the casualties to man. He crashes through barbed wire. He begins to collect it as he runs through the destructive path laid by man. (I was crying and teeth clenched as I have seen what barbed wire can do and we lost some of our wild ones this year during roundups to the cruelty of the invention).

He becomes immobilized.

As dawn rises and snow begins to fall we watch as the combatants come together for a brief moment to recognize the spirit of an “amazing horse.” The scene is pure Spielberg. As the tears stream down my face I watch as “enemies” cooperate to free “Joey.” I care about “Joey” and the two men involved. I am finally “in” the film.

Only for a brief moment at the end of the piece do we even peripherally become aware of the possible fate of many of the horses. A “butcher” is present at auction. If you are not informed, you are never told the truth. You are never told how many the “butcher” actually takes.

This film will be on the shelf next to “The Black Stallion” and “My friend Flicka.” It is a “love story” story of a horse and a boy/man.

Does this film have the power of “Black Beauty” to raise the consciousness of a nation? A novel that was responsible for creating a climate to pass the first humane care laws in our country… I don’t know.

Photo by Laura Leigh

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – The United States Department of Agriculture has an unusually stout influence over appointments to the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board of the federal Bureau of Land Management. The giant cabinet department that serves the needs of farmers and ranchers has veto power to appointments to the panel that oversees equine wildlife management on BLM lands.

“It’s in the board’s charter but is not in a statute,” said Tom Gorey, BLM chief Washington Spokesman. The charter was updated in July, 2010.

While the board’s responsibility is not to set policy, but to advise, the Wild Horse and Burro panel has served as a rubber stamp for BLM “gather” policy that has resulted in the capture, killing, and holding of tens of thousands of wild animals in giant pastures at taxpayer expense. The policy has cost so much in   that the federal agency depletes its entire $60 million wild horse budget each year. Often, as soon as horses are removed they are replaced by cattle.

Last year hundreds of horses died in the “gathers” including one in Nevada during the dead of winter. Typically, the horses are stampeded by helicopter into a trap. One foal ran so hard during a chase it lost its hooves and died. The agency is the subject of several lawsuits in different jurisdictions over alleged inhumane treatment of the animals, and denial of access to press and public access its captures. Recently allegations have surfaced that BLM vets routinely castrate stallions without the benefit of anesthesia.

Asked how the USDA, and by extension the ranching industry, got veto power over a wildlife board in the first place, Gory responded saying, “The charter was renewed (and possibly revised) during the late 1990s when Pat Shea of Utah was BLM Director. The reason USDA is involved is that the Forest Service manages a small number (2,000 or so) of wild horses and burros, in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.”

Wild horse advocates claim that more than a million cattle graze on BLM lands, much of which is covered under the Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Acto of 1971, the “Wild Horse Annie Law.” Stockmen lease BLM land at the below market price of $1.35 per cow and calf per month. Yet Gorey was unable to provide Horseback the exact number of animals grazing under lease.

“We manage cattle in accordance with the provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978.” He told Horseback Magazine. “We don’t count head of cattle but do keep track of forage used. In Fiscal Year 2010, livestock consumed 8.2 million forage units, known as animal unit months. Since most grazing is seasonal, the way to estimate the number of livestock grazing on BLM land year-round is to divide 8.2 million by 12 (months). For more info, see our grazing page on www.blm.gov in our “What We Do” section.”

Three board members terms expire January 8, 2012. They include Robyn Lohnes, a controversial appointee who operates the Washington based American Horse Protection Association, Dr. Boyd Spratling, a Nevada vet from the extremely rural town of Deeth, and Janet Jankura of Richfield, Ohio.