Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!

I wanted to take a few moments to share some information we have been sharing on Facebook. You can follow us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ChasingHorsesWHA

Every day on our social media pages we share information about a different horse that is part of the TRNP herd.  We have started having what we call Throwback Thursdays, where we talk about iconic horses that have passed away.

Sadly, this week we lost 2 older horses in the herd, so they both became part of this week’s Throwback Thursday. 

Earlier this week, 2004 Mare Little Gray passed away.  Little Gray was a long-time member of Stallion Wild Rye’s band.  After Wild Rye lost his band, Little Gray ended up with Stallion Illinois.  Last summer when her daughter Luna had to be euthanized due to West Nile, she ended up with Stallion Cagney.  Imagine living to the age of 22 in the rugged badlands of North Dakota!

Wednesday we received word from the park that 2005 Stallion Georgia’s Boy passed away.  Again, 21 years living in the rugged badlands AND being a band stallion fighting and defending your band pretty regularly is amazing in itself!

The losses to the TRNP herd are far from over.  For a glimpse of what is to come, we have every horse in the park listed on our website by age.  You can view that page here: https://chwha.org/the-horses-of-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/

Now that the park has been forced to keep the horses and as federal legislation still sits waiting for a vote on the Senate floor before it moves over to the House, the future management of this herd still has a lot of question marks behind it.  Superintendent Daniels assured me in our last meeting that there is no longer any equation where there are NO horses in the park.  We also know that the federal legislation also calls for there to be not less than 150 horses. 

We will continue to bring the age of this herd to the attention of the park and our elected officials in our meetings.  The age of the herd and the low birth rate of foals every year causes concern as to the ability for this herd to continue to survive and thrive.  Past management practices of removing all the young horses, aged 6 months to 3 years old, left us with a predominately older herd of horses.  Through years of mismanagement and making the elimination of this herd a top priority, I do not think that it has been clear enough to everyone how close were coming to completely losing this herd – OUTSIDE of the 2021 Environmental Assessment. 

Another issue that is not often talked about is the growing number of bachelor stallions in the park.  For an example, Georgia’s Boy’s band is currently being held by his son, 2021 Stallion Finn.  While I have no doubt that Georgia’s Boy taught his son well, reality is that there are at least 5 -7 bachelor stallions in that area that will no doubt be eyeing this young stallion trying to take his band.  Some of those bachelor stallions are former band stallions, like Teton and Wild Rye, that have experience that can outweigh Finn’s youth/strength. 

No matter what, we have 19 bachelor stallions who are trying with everything they have to become band stallions.  There are not enough new fillies being born to support that group.  Granted, not every stallion gets to be a band stallion.  That also doesn’t stop the fighting between the stallions and the stress it puts on the mares.

I share all this with you today because we know things have been quiet – the park has told us that they are committed to a positive path forward with us with regard to the horses.  We are working hard on redefining our relationship with them.  They are also aware that as much as we will support our favorite national park, we will not put that support over advocating for best management practices for these horses.  That includes conversations with members of the US House on the legislation that will be coming their way soon and the amendments we are hoping they will implement in the House version of the bill, if they are not addressed in the Senate. 

Although it may not seem like it, there is still sooooo much that needs to be done to get these historic wild horses the proper management they deserve.  We have worked way too hard over the last 5 years especially to stop now and let things go back to what they have always been. 

We hope that you will consider making a donation to help support the work we are still doing to protect this herd. We are a very small nonprofit and we depend on your donations to help keep us going.

We have also been asking that you consider becoming a monthly donor.  Imagine if a small number of our followers pledged $5 per month!  That would easily take care of our monthly expenses and help support our work.  Donations can be made through our website or PayPal by clicking the links below.

Donations can be made on our website: https://secure.everyaction.com/pIMNkwr21021HO0xWm0UOg2

Donations can also be made via PayPal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XNYNCNVLTULGC

We also have an amazing opportunity to attend a 3-day event July 2-4 in Medora!  This is going to be AWESOME and we cannot wait to share the details with you as that all gets ironed out!

We will also need your help to make this event a success!  We will need brochures, more coloring pages and items for crafts for kids.  You can make a donation specifically for this event here: https://secure.everyaction.com/0gcZkMjeAkmt_zfGj9gnvQ2

We can also use your help to make this event a success!  If you are interested in volunteering your time to help us, please send an email to us at info@chwha.org

As always, thank you for your continued support and have a great weekend!

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