Unconscionable

10 09 2016

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This was supposed to be a post of joy and beauty, a snapshot memory from an exceptional day of mustangs and friends and mustang friends.

Then I found out that every National Advisory Board member *except* Ginger Kathrens, who has spent more than two decades fighting for the protection and good management of America’s wild horses and burros, voted to KILL 45,000 equines that have been rounded up and removed from their home ranges and now are held in government holding pens and pastures – all because of four decades of mismanagement by BLM.

That is not merciful euthanasia, as Carol Walker has said. Plain and simple, it is mass execution, mass slaughter, mass murder.

Even the thought and encouragement of such a thing is deplorable and despicable, and completely impossible to comprehend. A few years ago, when this was first proposed, it was learned that BLM already was planning counseling for the people it would task to go in and kill all those healthy animals. …

The good news is that BLM stopped the terrible mare-sterilization experiments it had proposed in partnership with Oregon State University. A terrific victory!

And in the style of one step forward, 100 back, BLM now gets most of its “advisory” board to encourage the slaughter of 45,000 wild equines.

Deep, deep thanks to Ginger Kathrens for continuing to stand up for the responsible and humane management and protection of America’s wild horse and burro herds.

To the rest of that “board” … what the outrageous hell are you thinking?????????????????????

Links:

http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org/media/lawsuits-public-outrage-halt-dangerous-blm-wild-horse-sterilization-experiments

http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/news/press-releases

http://www.wildhoofbeats.com/news/breaking-news-blms-wild-horse-advisory-board-just-voted-to-kill-all-49000-captive-wild-horses-in-holding

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This was the post I had planned …

This view comes to you courtesy of a marvelous day at the end of August. Spent with friends and mustangs in one of the most beautiful places on Earth (look at that scene and feel free to argue!?), it was a dreamy day set right smack dab in reality.

While sitting at the top of the world (the rimrock ledges that form the basin’s western boundary), it was another day during which I felt blessedly grateful for all the wonders of life, so richly expressed here in Spring Creek Basin.

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… Now … my heart cries …





To know and to love

9 09 2016

Maia

BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program’s National Advisory Board members are meeting now in Elko, Nev.

We hope those members help BLM employees consider the future of this mustang, as well as all the other mustangs that have no names known to humans, just to themselves and their families. Maia, in Spring Creek Basin, may be one of the lucky ones because she is known and loved, and here, we do all we can to ensure her wild life.

All mustangs deserve that effort.





Sandy, sunny spot

8 09 2016

Hayden rolling in sand.

Sandy spots make excellent spots in which to roll!

I didn’t realize my seat on the ground was going to be a front-row seat until Hayden walked over, pawed and lowered himself to the ground, then enjoyed a thorough roll – on both sides. He seemed to enjoy it very much … and so did I!





Golden greys and reds and greens

7 09 2016

Comanche and Hayden

That gorgeous golden autumn light is starting to make its appearance. At this point, it may still be called that gorgeous golden late-summer light. 🙂

Comanche trots after his mare on one side of a very narrow, very deep arroyo, while Hayden cruises along on the other side. Such a divide makes them both brave.





Pretty peeker

6 09 2016

Piedra

Continuing the peek-a-boo theme, Piedra tests her spying technique from behind a lichen-covered boulder. With those beautiful mustang ears, though, she falls a little short!





Brave … from behind

5 09 2016

Mariah and Terra

Terra – in back – is more of an alpha in the hierarchy of their band than Mariah, but sometimes, she’s just not that brave. 🙂





Near perfection

4 09 2016

Spring Creek Basin at sunset

The day really was that beautiful. Every day in Spring Creek Basin with the mustangs are beautiful days, but sometimes, God not merely smiles but beams. How proud he must be of the world Mother Nature rules.





Friends in low places

3 09 2016

Corona and jack rabbit

Corona didn’t seem to know what to make of her little friend, but when she walked on through the trees, Jack turned and hippity-hopped after her.





Yippee!

2 09 2016

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If these awesome folks look familiar, they should. They returned to Spring Creek Basin recently to install the water trough below the basin’s second catchment.

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In that first photo, they’re celebrating because this trough – shown filling with water – now is full of water for Spring Creek Basin’s mustangs. 🙂

Ginormous thanks to (top photo, left to right) Justin Hunt (BLM range tech), Pat Amthor (4CBCH), Kat Wilder (advocate), Frank Amthor (4CBCH), Garth Nelson (BLM range specialist) and Carol Capps (4CBCH)! Our mustangs have even more water, thanks to you all!





Grateful days

1 09 2016

McKenna Peak and Temple Butte

Another scene that needs no words.