Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!

We have been communicating with the park about Alluvium and have some communication to share:

On June 18th, I sent the following email to Superintendent Richman:

Superintendent Richman ~

It has been over a week since 2019 Bachelor Stallion Alluvium was captured. Senator Hoeven has stated several times since April 25^th that the Park will be working and collaborating with the public, yet the public has not heard anything from you in response to the 700 emails you have received asking that Alluvium be released back into his home.

As a reminder, from the book A Brief History of the National Parks:

“The National Park Service is entrusted by the American people with protection, conservation, and proper management of characteristic portions of the country as it was seen by the early explorers. In fulfilling this stewardship, the Service is responsible for the protection of the animals which constitute the wildlife population of the parks.”

While we agree that people should be allowed to ride horses in the park, their recreational enjoyment should never come at the expense of the wildlife that inhabits the park.  As stated above, the park is responsible for the protection of the animals in the park.  The actions of the park with regards to Alluvium is violating this basic NPS principle.

Please let us know when Alluvium will be released back into the park so that we can share that information with our followers and stop our email campaign.

Thank you,

Christine Kman
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates
www.chwha.org

Yesterday, (6/20/2024) I received this response:

Ms Kman,

As I’ve shared before, this stallion is being held in the holding corral due to visitor and animal safety. The stallion was aggressive with other animals and people, causing another horse to buck its rider and create an immediate safety risk. We are still working to find the horse a suitable home, either through auction or transfer to a Tribal partner.

Thank you,

Angie Richman
Superintendent
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I am sending the following response to Superintendent Richman today:

Superintendent Richman ~

Thank you for your response.

It is unfortunate that the person was bucked off their horse.  I am sure that as people sign up to stay at the horse camp, they have a waiver that states that they, like all visitors to national parks, are entering and staying at their own risk. 

Additionally, with the limited information on the park’s website or at the visitor center about the wild horses, you and your staff are truly doing a disservice by not properly informing visitors on what that may encounter once they enter the boundaries of the park.  Repeatedly referring to the horses that are apparently “wild” and exhibit true wild horse behavior as “livestock” on your website is a disservice and danger to the public. 

Emails that have been sent to you and your office include emails from people who also ride domestic horses in the park.  They understand that when they come into the park with their domestic horses, they are entering the home of wild horses.  Even these people want to see Alluvium released.

Alluvium is a wild horse that was exhibiting normal wild horse behavior, and the park is punishing him for that.  The next time I am driving the loop road, and a bison stands in my way, blocking the road, can I call the park rangers and ask that this nuisance animal, who is hindering my experience, be removed?  I know if I get out and try to shoo him away or otherwise try to make him move or leave the area, he will exhibit aggressive behavior and can potentially harm me.

Of course, that answer is no.  Because the park is the home to the wildlife that live there and they always have the right of way when visitors are travelling through the park.  That is an understanding we all should have as we enter the park and know the chances of wildlife encounters.

The bison analogy is exactly what Alluvium is in danger of losing his freedom for – simply being a wild horse.  He is a bachelor stallion who wants a band of his own.  He believes he was given an opportunity to be a band stallion and was trying to win himself some mares. 

It is unfortunate that the person was bucked off their horse.  It was also unfortunate that someone was gored by a bison at the Painted Canyon last year.  I believe that bison is still wild and free?  You still have not answered that question.

The last two years have been incredibly hard for those who love the wild horses. The public very frankly, does not trust park management when it comes to the management of the wild horses.  Actions like these are driving that wedge further and raising new concerns about what lengths the park will go to in realizing their desire to eliminate the horses from the boundaries.

Instead of fighting with advocates, can we find some common ground and work together?  This horse has been sitting in the pens, without the ability to find shelter from the extreme sun and rain for a couple of weeks now.  That is viewed as callous and inhumane treatment and something that people believe PETA would be more than interested in hearing more about. 

The people who complained about Alluvium are gone.  There is no reason why he cannot be released back into the park. 

I have also requested copies of the complaint that was filed against Alluvium, and have yet to receive a copy.  Please let me know if I need to make a formal FOIA request for that document. 

Senator Hoeven fully believes that park management will work and collaborate with the public regarding the management of the wild horses.  The actions of you and your staff continually show us otherwise.  I have sent emails letting you know that our organization is willing to work with the park in whatever capacity you need, to help manage a genetically viable herd of horses.  I have yet to hear a response from you that shows a willingness to work together.  Please view this email as another formal request from our organization to collaborate with the park for the proper management of the wild horses.  Please let me know if you would like to meet in person and begin this collaboration so we can begin to build a new relationship where we can work together for the horses.

Thank you for your consideration.

Christine Kman
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates
www.chwha.org

Please take this simple action to demand Alluvium be set free: https://secure.everyaction.com/4bIr7BLQ60SHxHhJLAI_-Q2

If you have not already listened, Patrick Springer did a GREAT podcast this week that gave a lot of the history of this herd and a recap of the last two years: https://youtu.be/3VLZ9MEsiHU?si=7AqGLHbSpYiJXRaX

Also, please consider writing a letter to the editor about Alluvium like our friend Birgit did: https://www.jamestownsun.com/opinion/letters/horse-needs-to-be-returned-to-the-range-in-theodore-roosevelt-national-park?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3mrmsKMwp9GXe8jU9bXCzgC663Nx4zABeMU4hKV88pBsqsiDlDnDafmPk_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Thank you for your support and for continuing to fight for EVERY wild horse that calls this park home!

Have a great weekend!

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