Run Wild
Forever Free
MY IDEA
THIS IS AN IDEA...
...a thought put out to the world as a possible solution to saving the Wild Horses in America.
It is meant as a point of discussion, a starting point and is open for suggestions and thoughts.
When we all work as one, then and only then, will we save the Wild Horses.
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TO BEGIN
1) Create one national organization to represent all Wild Horse interests, possibly with elected officials representatives. This organization would be the official voice of all wild horses in North America. Regional groups and specific interests would become part of this organization.
2) Create a completely new wild horse adoption system which does not include removal from public lands. A system of adopting herds in the wild.
4) Stop all capture programs. Return captive (presently unadopted) wild horses to public lands.
5) Re-direct present government funding to finance this new system.
6) Initiate humane wild horse population controls that does not involve castration.
7) Develop a system where all parties participate... the wild horse association, the general public, ranchers and the BLM.
Mustang Meg Photo
Mustang Meg Photo
Mustang Meg Photo
Mustang Meg Photo
​​​THE NEW WILD HORSE ADOPTION SYSTEM
1) Stop present system of adopting individual wild horses and burros from animals gathered and removed from public lands.
2) Change system from individual adoptions to herd adoptions.
3) Promote herd adoptions (herds to remain on land) to the general public, to schools, to business and other organizations.
​THE IDEA
The Idea is to create a new system for public land management of wild horses that provides a win/win/win situation for all concerned. This includes Ranching interests, the General Public and the US Government through the Bureau of Land Management.
RANCHING INTERESTS
Ranchers would sub-lease part of their existing lease agreements for public land use. Ranchers would reduce the number of livestock on public lands BUT be compensated for that loss. Ranchers would retain ownership of their leases but substitute a set number of wild horses for a set number of animal units allowed on the leased land.
Example: a 200 animal unit lease would be changed to 150 animal units plus 50 wild horse units. Still the same overall totals but with wild horses substituted for livestock.
Fees would be paid to the ranchers and based on fair market value of the lost animals on the land. These fees are guaranteed income for Ranchers. Ranchers do not need to downsize overall herds but only those herds on the leased land replaced with wild horses.
THE GENERAL PUBLIC
The General Public retains a heritage animal, a part of history and an icon of the West. The GP can actually participate in keeping these horses by contributing to their care and by interacting with the agencies involved through herd adoptions. This especially benefits school children who become involved with the lives of these wild horses.
THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
The BLM is no longer forced into caring for thousands of horses in large facilities. They no longer need to routinely ship horses to countrywide adoption sites. The BLM becomes partners with the wild horse management group and is no longer an adversary.
WIN because... ranchers will not have income loss by allowing wild horses to run free.
WIN because... the public takes an active role in wild horse care and management.
WIN because... the BLM manages wild horses in partnership with a wild horse advocacy group.
WIN because... wild horses remain running wild, forever free.