Today I worked on a series of posts that outline the gravity of the roundup that happened to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses this week. I was going to start that series this evening, and then as my husband and I were leaving our shop in Medora, we got a message from a follower that there was a young horse down in the park with a leg injury. 

We quickly turned around and headed into the park.

We found 2023 Filly Aspen, lying on her side, near a small pool of water, unable to move.  There was a visible injury on her leg. 

Park personnel was on the scene with someone they claim was their vet. (seems mysterious that a vet JUST SO HAPPENED to be on hand at 5:30 pm on a Friday but ooookkk!)  I asked them what they did to her?  They had no idea what happened and were deciding on what to do next.  I asked how much GonaCon they gave her.  They said she didn’t get any.  Oh yeah, I forgot, they are now able to scan the horses with their newly installed microchips!  I said, “I hope you are happy.  THIS IS ON YOU!  YOU did this to Aspen!” and I walked away back to where Aspen was laying. 

Within MINUTES, my phone rang.  It was Superintendent Finley.  “Ohhhh Helllllooo Nancy!  How are you I said?” (sarcasm)

She said she was good and said, “We have a horse down and we need you to leave the area because they are going to euthanize her.”  I was apparently on speaker phone because when I asked, “What did you guys do to her?  How much GonaCon did she get?”  Blake McCann replied and said she didn’t get any GonaCon. 

I said, “You know what, it doesn’t even matter what you say, you guys have proven that you can’t be trusted.” 

She asked me again to leave so her people could shoot Aspen. 

We left and started heading home.  I called Nancy Finley back a short time later.  Wouldn’t you know it!  I got her voicemail!  I left her a message and let her know that we wanted a necropsy done on Aspen.  I asked her to call me and let me know when that was arranged.  I will update you as soon as I hear from her.

A short time later, the park put up this post on Facebook:

“Today we had a report of an injured animal. Upon investigation, we found a one-year-old female horse exhibiting lameness. The veterinarian examined the animal this evening and determined the humane course of action was to euthanize.

We have identified the animal as one that had been in the handling facility last Tuesday at which time the veterinarian evaluated a small cut on its front left leg. After the exam the animal was cleared to be released with its band Wednesday morning. Since then, the animal has traversed 5 miles with its band and the condition has worsened. It will be euthanized when it is safe to do so.”

After documenting this herd for over 8 years, I find it extremely odd that Aspen’s family was not with her.  Anyone who documents these horses knows that these horses stay together.  MINIMALLY, Aspen’s mom, Birch, would have been with her.  EVEN during their “low stress captures” when the babies were darted, the family ALWAYS stayed nearby. 

Something is wrong with the story we are being fed. 

What we DO know is that she got her injury during the UNNECESSARY roundup – while she was in the  “care” of the park. 

We also KNOW up until a week ago, Aspen was living her best life, wild and free, with her family. 

And then the helicopters went up and the rest, as they say, is now history.

A history we will never fully know because Theodore Roosevelt National Park DOES NOT know the meaning of the word TRANSPARENCY! 

Don’t let Aspen die in vain!  Theodore Roosevelt National Park needs to be held accountable not only for Apsen, but for the heinous actions they performed on our horses this week!

Please take a moment to send emails with our one-click Call to Action DEMANDING that Theodore Roosevelt National Park be held accountable for “this whole mess”! (Yes, I SEE you!) You can send your email here: https://secure.everyaction.com/brPfquNQ2EqN-6XVh-16Rg2

Then, please take a moment to sign our petition DEMANDING that these ridiculous collars be taken off IMMEDIATELY – before any other horses are injured because of the parks inhumane treatment of OUR wild horses! You can sign the petition here: https://secure.everyaction.com/x-5WrjPo20Cb4LGbj5PD-A2

Lastly, please take a moment to look at the Op-Ed that will be in TOMORROW’s Bismarck Tribune!  You can view it here:

We need your help!  We have a long road ahead of us!  We need your help to get federal protection for this herd so we NEVER have to lose another horse, like Aspen, because of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s continued mismanagement of this historic wild horse herd.  You can make your tax-deductible donation here: https://secure.everyaction.com/cBmDbRA6cUuzERpShcQOCg2

Thank you for your support.  Rest in Peace Aspen.  We PROMISE that you have NOT died in vain!

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