“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods
I am going to take a break from talking about our rally for the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National park. While people came from near and far to rally together for our beloved wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, their not so distant relatives out west were being chased by helicopters during record breaking and EXTREME heat. I am sure by now most of you have seen the video and photos of the palomino stallion who broke his leg. He continued to be chased by helicopters and riders on horseback. By the end of the day, he was euthanized – that is to say, shot and put out of his misery. I believe the latest number is that a total of 7 horses lost their lives during this inhumane roundup.
WE NEED THE TONIC OF WILDNESS.
Wild Horses give us that.
This quote comes up quite a lot lately. President Nixon used it when he signed the Wild Horse and Burro Act. Ashley Avis used it in the opening of her movie: Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West.
Last week, I had the honor of showing off our TRNP wild horses to Mary from American Wild Horse Campaign, Ginger from in Defense of Animals, along with wild horse advocates Jen Britton and Debbie Gonzales.
Here is a photo of Mary – sitting in the lush grass trying to capture that “tonic of wildness”.
No matter how many times I sit with these horses, the greatest feeling is always feeling the thunder of their hooves hitting the ground as they run freely across the badland’s terrain.
We all know that wild horses EVERYWHERE need to be managed. That management HAS to be HUMANE management. THAT is NOT what happened, during record heat, this past week in Nevada.
PLEASE Take a moment to call AND email your members of congress. They have no idea what is happening unless we tell them! Remember ONE phone call/email from you EQUALS 5,000 to congress! When they get at least 10 calls/emails – it grabs their attention! Wild horses everywhere are under attack.
They need us to be their voice!
These are OUR public lands – these are OUR wild horses!
SILENCE = ACCEPTANCE!
If you choose to remain silent, then you are sending the message that the treatment of our wild horses is ok.
THIS is NOT ok!
We made emailing your members of congress easy: https://secure.everyaction.com/fydqT8_DF0KSCwi8Z3tf3A2
We also ask that you take time if you can to be on the call today being hosted by our friends at Equine Collaborative International: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84742635225?pwd=eDh1bWY5ZU1BRzdhcGlyeVRJU01nZz09&fbclid=IwAR1WCfhktQ_QJF2IogxBJYwCAMdi3lnJkn8aqywdszeUZu66j2cRQWsPs14#success
Meeting ID: 847 4263 5225 Passcode: HORSE
A recording will be available if you cannot make the meeting.
Heather from Save Our Wild Horses has a script ready for you for your calls to congress:
Please – take a moment today to speak up for our wild horses. They need us now more than ever!
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is committed to advocating for a wild horse management plan and protection for these unique wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! We are fighting for a management plan that is guided by science especially when it comes to decisions regarding the removal of horses and the administration of birth control. Many other wild horse management plans have proven to be successful with their science-based plans. We are asking for the same for this amazing group of wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.