“As others saw the success of Wild Horse Annie’s campaign, grassroots and established humane societies jumped into the fray with their own version of wild horse and burro protection.  Instead of joining forces, Annie found she had competitors claiming to have her interest in mind.  “I don’t get too upset when the children are given the credit, for they have indeed accomplished miracles.  After all, they are the ones who will be running the show some day, and this is good for them.  What I do get a little upset about are the recent passengers on the gravy train who have a tendency to forget how it all began.  But that is true to human nature, I understand, and goodness knows I had my share of accolades in the winners circle.”
~ Alan J. Kania Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston and Her Fight to Save the Mustang

Hello and Happy Tuesday to everyone!

I am coming up to the end of this book and my highlighter has had a workout.  I have been increasingly intrigued at how so little has changed on so many levels since Wild Horse Annie’s advocacy work. 

I read the quote above yesterday and I felt that.  Why does it matter?  Why is it important?

I can never quantify the number of hours that I have spent advocating for these horses over the last 2 years and all of the years before the management plan came out.  Saving these horses has become the focal point in my life and something that I work toward every single day in some capacity. 

I have been continually shocked since articles came out in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The London Times by people who are claiming to have been fighting so hard for the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Allies are great and there truly is strength in numbers.

BUT

I have either never heard of any of these people/organizations or they have snubbed their noses at our request for help from them or to work together for a common goal.  Now that the scales are tilting in our favor, suddenly everyone is responsible for saving these horses.

First of all, they are NOT safe yet and I cannot get that message across enough.  There is still A LOT of work that needs to be done to ensure that the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park remain wild and free for future generations. 

Second, there are “the recent passengers on the gravy train who have a tendency to forget how it all began.”

The wins that Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates and our followers have realized has come from LONG hours working to build a coalition of people that have become the driving force behind the movement to save these horses.  Timing, persistence, and consistency have played critical roles in this fight.   

Today, while I was speaking with one of our North Dakota state legislators, he asked me about a documentary being done about the TRNP wild horses.  When I informed him that our organization was not a part of it and did not support it, he was shocked.  He was willing to help because he thought it was benefiting Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates or one of our allies in this fight.

He suggested I send the following email to other legislative contacts I have, because he believes that they would have had the same reaction.  We have worked hard to have a great working relationship with our state and federal legislators and because of those relationships, they are willing to help us if they can when we ask. 

Hello!  It has been brought to my attention that you may have been contacted regarding a documentary about the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses.

I am writing to you today to let you know that our organization, Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates, is not a part of this endeavor and we do not support this project. 

If you have specific questions, I am happy to answer them for you.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Chris Kman
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates
www.chwha.org

Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates has been clear about who has been working with us as we continue to Fight for the Spirit of the Badlands.  If you have any questions about specific organizations, we are working with or that have been supportive of us, please do not hesitate to email us at info@chwha.org.  Just because an organization or group talks about the TRNP wild horses does not mean that they have put in the time that has been critical in our fight to save them.  We are learning that a lot of people mistakenly assume that we are working with other local and national organizations, especially as these horses have gained the attention of the national and international press.

Again, why does it matter?

There is a difference between working for the freedom of these horses and using the fight for the freedom of these horses for personal gain. 

It is never wrong to ask an organization how their donations are being used. 

Thank you to all of you who have put in the long hours right alongside us as we continue our fight to save this herd.  We appreciate your continued support.

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