Freedom for Wild Horses

Have you ever wondered what wolves and wild horses have in common? Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West , a stunning film by Ashley Avis, is a breathtaking exploration of wild horses. Now, Ashley is turning her lens to wolves, revealing how their struggles echo those of wild horses.   Ashley Avis, a screenwriter, producer, and director of four feature films, founded The Wild Beauty Foundation t...

If you've ever wondered what it's like to connect with one of the most remarkable stallions I've ever encountered, this episode will bring you closer than ever. Journey into the heart of the Red Desert, where wild horses like Looking Glass, a vibrant leopard Appaloosa stallion, live out stories of resilience, loyalty, and freedom.    Tune in to see why wild horses like Looking Glass are more than...

Wild horses have long been symbols of freedom and the untamed spirit of the American West. But in recent years, these majestic creatures have faced significant challenges. This year, in particular, has been horrible for wild horses in America.   In this episode, I revisit key ideas to provide hope and direction for those who are passionate about protecting wild horses. As we reflect on their pligh...

The Checkerboard Litigation raises concerns about the BLM's adherence to the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM is prioritizing livestock interests over the protection of wild horses due to pressure from grazing associations. The roundup and subsequent captivity of these horses frequently result in inadequate living conditions, overcrowding, and increased risk of disease, which has l...

The BLM's controversial new plan, "The Path Forward", is a fast track to extinction for our beloved wild horses, and we need to talk about. Joining me for this important conversation is Debbie Coffey, writer, speaker, and long-time advocate known for her extensive work with many organizations to help the wild horses and burros.   Debbie helps me break down the deceptive language and faulty premise...

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently reused an outdated assessment and failed to conduct a new count despite severe winter conditions that reduced horse numbers. The roundup of the White Mountain Herd, which involved the use of helicopters, resulted in significant stress for the horses.    In this episode, I explain why I call the BLM's White Mountain wild horse roundup "a pre-zero roundup...

The stories of the Pryor Mountain and McCullough Peaks herds are more than just tales of survival; they are narratives of resilience, adaptation, and the deep interconnections between wildlife and their environments. This week, I delve into the lives of two remarkable stallions from these herds, Shaman and Tecumseh, drawing on firsthand experiences and observations.    As you'll hear, preserving w...

If you're interested in learning about what a wild horse roundup entails, listen in today. For the past three weeks, the Bureau of Land Management has been rounding up and removing wild horses from the North Lander Complex in Wyoming. This roundup started on July 1st and will likely wrap up in the next couple of days as they are close to their goal for removal. This week, I'm sharing what I saw at...

If you're interested in learning about the complexities of wild horse conservation, the ongoing battles against outdated practices, and the critical role of public support, listen in this week. I sat down with Simone Netherlands, the dedicated founder and president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.   Simone opens up about the challenges her organization faces, from dealing with state...

Today's episode serves as an update for the continuing litigation against the BLM. The BLM has plans to zero out herds in one area, reduce herd size in another area, and do a land grab spurred by the Rock Springs Grazing Association. To discuss this, I'm joined by the executive director of American Wild Horse Campaign, Suzanne Roy.   Listen in this week to find out how you can help with this very...

Have you ever wondered what a Curly horse looks like? Where wild Curly horses live and roam? What makes Curly horses so special? If so, this episode is for you.   I introduce you to a wild black stallion named Bubba who was my first introduction to Curly horses and tell you about these amazing animals. As you listen to this episode, I hope you will take action to help these special wild horses. Sa...

The BLM's online auction ended two weeks ago. My personal experience tells me that for both wild horses and their future human partners to benefit, you need to witness the horses in person. How they interact with other horses. How they move. What is their personality? This is very important. An online event simply cannot offer this. We need to make significant changes or completely dismantle the p...

I met Thor for the first time in 2011 when I saw him napping in the flowers on a summer's day with several families of wild horses, some of the wildest on the range. Immediately I thought that Thor was the most beautiful foal I had ever seen, with his blue eyes and distinctive faded Sabino Pinto markings. I would go on to follow Thor for the remainder of his life.   This week, I dedicate this epis...

39 McCullough Peaks wild horses were rounded up in Wyoming recently, and these beautiful but scared beings are currently at the Rock Springs corrals awaiting adoption. So for this week's episode, I'm sharing what you can do to help give them a soft landing.   I'm joined by Sandy Sisti of Wild at Heart Images and Gina Kuttrus of For the Love of Aria who are working diligently to inform everyone abo...

Have you ever wondered what it's like going out in the wild looking for wild horses in Oregon? Sonya Spaziani, otherwise known as Mustang Meg, has been following Oregon's wild horses since 1994. She joins me this week to share more about her experiences documenting, following, and photographing wild horses and educate all of us about why we need to preserve them.   Learn more about Mustang Meg's j...

"What does it take to adopt a wild horse?" I've been getting many questions like this one from people who want to help the 39 wild horses that were recently rounded up from the McCullough Peaks herd in Wyoming. So, I'm diving into my answer in this week's episode.   Listen in for helpful guidance on the BLM adoption process and how to determine if adopting a wild horse or burro is the right choice...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live with Mustangs? Today, I want to introduce you to my "boys." I love to see them running for hay, playing in the cool early mornings, or sleeping in the sun in the afternoons. While they will always be wild at heart, at least I know that they now have a safe home.   Listen in to hear the story of how Claro, Cremosso, Micah, and Helios came to live...

Have you ever wondered how wild horses evolved in North America? I think it's very important to understand the history of horses so that we can better understand what we might do to help wild horses in the future. Dr. Ross MacPhee is with me today to do just that.   Dr. Ross MacPhee, Director of Science at Rewilding America Now, is a renowned paleontologist and former curator of Vertebrate Zoology...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to listen to the whispers of wild horses? Listen in to today's interview with Anna Twinney, where we will discuss her new film Whispers from the Wild Ones , her nonprofit organization The Way of the Equine Warrior, and her years of experience with wild horses around the world.   Today's conversation reinforces how crucial it is that we protect wild hors...

If you've ever wondered what it's like to photograph wild horses and their families, tune in this week to hear my two special guests and I talk all about it. Angelique Rea has spent years photographing, documenting, and falling in love with wild horses, specifically a wild mustang named Romeo. Sandy Sisti is an acclaimed and globally recognized nature photographer, gallery owner, and a volunteer a...

Today's episode focuses on the intersection of our beloved wild horses, ecosystem/land health, and various government agencies and livestock industries more interested in profits. I'm joined by wildlife biologist and executive director of the Western Watersheds Project, Erik Molvar. The Western Watersheds Project is a conservation nonprofit whose mission is to protect and restore wildlife and wate...

It's a new year, and while it may be easy to get bogged down in all that's wrong, I'm encouraging you to dream with me of positive change for our beautiful wild horses.   In this episode, I list a course of positive actions that we can and should take to protect all wild horse families, today and into the future. Wild horses are valuable in and of themselves, and they inspire us. They remind us wh...

During the holiday season, we are all reminded of the familial bonds we have. Families don't necessarily consist only of blood relatives, and perhaps unsurprisingly, this is true for wild horses as well. Wild horses aren't just roaming free, they're living in tight-knit families.   However, roundups by the Bureau of Land Management are disrupting these tight-knit bands and causing physical, emotio...

Are you curious about what's it like to photograph horses in the wild? Have you been dreaming about visiting one of the Western states and seeing the wild horses in person? If so, this episode is for you. I share my expertise photographing wild horses, emphasizing the importance of understanding horse behavior and habits to capture great shots. Allow yourself to drink in the magic of spending time...

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law which gives the public the right to access records from any federal agency. Debbie Coffey is an expert in obtaining FOIAs, and has used her skills in aiding advocacy for the wild horses and burros with many organizations and for many lawsuits. She joins me this week to discuss the increasing complexity regarding obtaining FOIAs, the BLM's dire...