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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Death in the Desert
Photo by Craig Downer
" What you are seeing are the remains of a wild horse, discovered by Craig Downer, Terri Farley, and Don Molde on a recent excursion into the Calico Mountains looking for the living remnants of the herds..."
To read a report by biologist Craig Downer and human observer Elyse Garder, click here:
Humane Observer Blog
This wide-ranging blog includes feelings and facts, comparing the past and present plight of the Calico Range horses, their capture, captivity and Craig's coverage of our first trip back to the Calico range following BLM's disastrous round-up.
Best,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:36 AM 2 comments
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Dead of Winter: Foals forced from wombs by BLM
Kindness and care helped this premature foal survive, but he wasn't born after a reckless stampede
Dear Readers,
I wish Blogger hadn't gone out of service at the same time my laptop died AND I had to be on the road with no wifi.
But I'm back and you'll be hearing lots from me in the next few days, maybe more than you want.
I won't lie to you; all the warnings we gave BLM about the roundups in winter, are coming true.
Twenty six wild horses have died in BLM's Calico round-ups and that number does NOT include the twenty foals that died before they could live -- due to stress-induced miscarriages.
But the round ups go on.
I've had dreams about these mares, fleeing helicopters for miles, made awkward by their pregnant bellies, falling, getting up, galloping to catch their herd, jumbling together with another herd brought in by a second helicopter. Bodies slam together, as they are chased running and gasping down chutes,into metal sided trailers.
And then, when the mares have been robbed of last springs colts which try to huddle beside them, the mares go into premature labor.
Imagine these animal realizing in such a strange environment, at least this is one thing -- giving birth -- has remained the same. But the new foals come too early. Their mothers rip open birth sacks with their teeth, but when they tenderly lick the little nostrils clear so that the foals can breathe, they don't.
It's bad news. Awful news, but we're not letting our horses go without a fight.
Please watch for my (late) newsletter for recommendations on what you can do to help.
Hugs to you all,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 11:44 PM 7 comments
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Captured Calico Wild Horses Denied Shelter from Storms
Captured Calico Wild Horses Denied Windbreaks
BLM’s double-standards leave nearly 1000 captured mustangs in the cold
Fallon, NV (January 19, 2010)— 956 wild American mustangs rounded up off public land by helicopters in the past two weeks now stand in a feedlot-style Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracted holding facility outside of Fallon, Nevada on private land. The new Fallon facility is not equipped with shelter, windbreaks or protection of any kind for the horses. High winds, rain and snow are expected to continue through the end of the week. In Calico, herds can move to sheltered canyons for protection from the harsh winter weather. Yet, in Fallon, they are deprived of adequate protection despite recommendations from wild horse advocates. This is in direct opposition to BLM’s own standards.
“I’m confused by the double standard. Before members of the public are allowed to adopt a wild horse from BLM we must prove we have adequate shelter. Why doesn’t BLM have to meet the same standards?” asks Ann Evans, adopter of three mustangs.
Yesterday, members of the public reported an inhumane lack of windbreaks. No apparent effort has been made to tie canvas tarps on fences to block the howling wind and the anticipated driving snow. On Friday January 15, advocates asked local Nevada BLM staff, Directors and top-level Department of Interior (DOI) under-secretaries to intervene on behalf of the horses by creating wind blocks.
"Those that care about the welfare of the wild horses or burros are asking for minimal protection for these vulnerable animals. Wild horse families are being ripped out of their natural environment where they can take care of themselves, separated from their family members and incarcerated on a windswept plain outside Fallon where they have no ability to protect themselves from the elements. BLM then tells the public their actions are for the good of the animals,” states Ginger Kathrens, Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation (named for the famous wild horse Kathrens has documented for the PBS/Nature series)
The DOI and BLM responded that at the just constructed Fallon facility “weather is not that extreme to require wind breaks for healthy horses. . . they do not require protection from the elements to maintain good health. . . .there is nothing to be concerned about from an animal well-being standpoint.” Thus, no actions to protect the captured horses have taken place, not even for foals or sick horses. Advocates contend that the horses are more prone to strangles (equine distemper) due to the lack of adequate protection.
“When these horses were rounded up, some where limping and wet with sweat. They are now terribly traumatized, depressed and confused. Their immune systems are compromised, making them more vulnerable to illness, like strangles (equine distemper) and death,” explains Craig Downer, wildlife ecologist, third generation Nevada native, and witness to the Calico roundup.
“BLM continually tells the public and the media that the wild horses are starving and must be removed from the range. Yet, the BLM provides them with no shelter in dangerous weather conditions where the horses will burn fat reserves attempting to keep warm. No reputable rescue would place any horses in a situation like Fallon,” stated Hilary Wood, President and Founder of Front Range Equine Rescue..
When asked about the lack of windbreaks the BLM indicated that the contractor who built the facility was not asked to provide any shelters or windbreaks. BLM zeroed out a portion of the Dishpan Butte wild horse herd in Wyoming solely on the basis that the wild horses did not have cover according to BLM Program Chief Don Glenn.
“We owe so much to these mustangs—it’s a dishonor that our government does not provide wind protection from the harsh elements,” said Elyse Gardner, humane observer, Calico and Pryor Mountains roundups
The Cloud Foundation and the public call on Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, to stop the Calico roundup and take immediate action against the cruelty and mismanagement of the BLM's wild horse and burro program. Canvas tarps are affordable and readily available at various outlets in the Reno/Fallon area.
###
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 7:34 PM 1 comments
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Calico Horses on the run
It was a bittersweet day on the Calico range. The sage smelled spicy-clean and the mountains soared to meet the skies, but never, all day, was there silence.
Wildlife trails have been graded into roads for huge trailer trucks and the incessant beat of helicopter blades sliced through me.
People who think horse lovers anthropomorphize these animals should have been there today. These creatures have strong family bonds.
>Stallions battle minutes after they were forced from thousands of acres into tiny corrals.
BLM staffer: They're just fighting because they're crowded.
No, they're doing what they know; protecting a few square feet of ground and their families.
>Mares and foals are separated, able to see each other, but crying back and forth, wondering why they can't nuzzle or touch.
BLM staffer: They're a poor looking bunch.
>Hills resound as horse flesh slams metal corral bars and then, from a ridge, a black horse moves stiffly and calls to his family. They call over and over again, but the black hesitates.
BLM staffer: Don't worry, they'll get him in the next load.
Not band, not herd, or even bunch, but these wild creatures are named by the way they're transported away from home. And there's no attempt at understanding the confusion of this horse who's always know safety is with the herd, until today.
I'll tell you what, though, you all: I am more fired up than ever to fight for these horses.
This can't be allowed to go on.
Pictures soon.
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:47 PM 4 comments
Friday, January 01, 2010
Ripped from the Range
Frozen sweat, confused eyes, shattered families, suffering in secret
BLM's 2010 Gifts to the Wild Horses of the Calico range
NYTimes photo
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:57 PM 3 comments
Saturday, December 19, 2009
CALICO MUSTANGS
Dear Readers,
I'm going to be out of the reach of Internet and cell, where the wild things are, for twenty-four hours.
Before I go, though, I wanted you to see how the Calico horses really look. Check this out on YouTube: Starving and Inbred Horses?
The judge in this case plans to have a ruling before Christmas.
More info for you soon.
Hugs,
Terri
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:59 AM 0 comments
Death in the Desert
Photo by Craig Downer
" What you are seeing are the remains of a wild horse, discovered by Craig Downer, Terri Farley, and Don Molde on a recent excursion into the Calico Mountains looking for the living remnants of the herds..."
To read a report by biologist Craig Downer and human observer Elyse Garder, click here:
Humane Observer Blog
This wide-ranging blog includes feelings and facts, comparing the past and present plight of the Calico Range horses, their capture, captivity and Craig's coverage of our first trip back to the Calico range following BLM's disastrous round-up.
Best,
Terri
Labels: BLM, BLM round ups, Calico Complex, Craig Downer, Elyse Gardner, mustang deaths, wild horses
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:36 AM 2 comments
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Dead of Winter: Foals forced from wombs by BLM
Kindness and care helped this premature foal survive, but he wasn't born after a reckless stampede
Dear Readers,
I wish Blogger hadn't gone out of service at the same time my laptop died AND I had to be on the road with no wifi.
But I'm back and you'll be hearing lots from me in the next few days, maybe more than you want.
I won't lie to you; all the warnings we gave BLM about the roundups in winter, are coming true.
Twenty six wild horses have died in BLM's Calico round-ups and that number does NOT include the twenty foals that died before they could live -- due to stress-induced miscarriages.
But the round ups go on.
I've had dreams about these mares, fleeing helicopters for miles, made awkward by their pregnant bellies, falling, getting up, galloping to catch their herd, jumbling together with another herd brought in by a second helicopter. Bodies slam together, as they are chased running and gasping down chutes,into metal sided trailers.
And then, when the mares have been robbed of last springs colts which try to huddle beside them, the mares go into premature labor.
Imagine these animal realizing in such a strange environment, at least this is one thing -- giving birth -- has remained the same. But the new foals come too early. Their mothers rip open birth sacks with their teeth, but when they tenderly lick the little nostrils clear so that the foals can breathe, they don't.
It's bad news. Awful news, but we're not letting our horses go without a fight.
Please watch for my (late) newsletter for recommendations on what you can do to help.
Hugs to you all,
Terri
Labels: BLM death statistics, BLM round ups, Calico Complex, foals, helicopter, miscarriage, premature foals
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 11:44 PM 7 comments
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Captured Calico Wild Horses Denied Shelter from Storms
Captured Calico Wild Horses Denied Windbreaks
BLM’s double-standards leave nearly 1000 captured mustangs in the cold
Fallon, NV (January 19, 2010)— 956 wild American mustangs rounded up off public land by helicopters in the past two weeks now stand in a feedlot-style Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracted holding facility outside of Fallon, Nevada on private land. The new Fallon facility is not equipped with shelter, windbreaks or protection of any kind for the horses. High winds, rain and snow are expected to continue through the end of the week. In Calico, herds can move to sheltered canyons for protection from the harsh winter weather. Yet, in Fallon, they are deprived of adequate protection despite recommendations from wild horse advocates. This is in direct opposition to BLM’s own standards.
“I’m confused by the double standard. Before members of the public are allowed to adopt a wild horse from BLM we must prove we have adequate shelter. Why doesn’t BLM have to meet the same standards?” asks Ann Evans, adopter of three mustangs.
Yesterday, members of the public reported an inhumane lack of windbreaks. No apparent effort has been made to tie canvas tarps on fences to block the howling wind and the anticipated driving snow. On Friday January 15, advocates asked local Nevada BLM staff, Directors and top-level Department of Interior (DOI) under-secretaries to intervene on behalf of the horses by creating wind blocks.
"Those that care about the welfare of the wild horses or burros are asking for minimal protection for these vulnerable animals. Wild horse families are being ripped out of their natural environment where they can take care of themselves, separated from their family members and incarcerated on a windswept plain outside Fallon where they have no ability to protect themselves from the elements. BLM then tells the public their actions are for the good of the animals,” states Ginger Kathrens, Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation (named for the famous wild horse Kathrens has documented for the PBS/Nature series)
The DOI and BLM responded that at the just constructed Fallon facility “weather is not that extreme to require wind breaks for healthy horses. . . they do not require protection from the elements to maintain good health. . . .there is nothing to be concerned about from an animal well-being standpoint.” Thus, no actions to protect the captured horses have taken place, not even for foals or sick horses. Advocates contend that the horses are more prone to strangles (equine distemper) due to the lack of adequate protection.
“When these horses were rounded up, some where limping and wet with sweat. They are now terribly traumatized, depressed and confused. Their immune systems are compromised, making them more vulnerable to illness, like strangles (equine distemper) and death,” explains Craig Downer, wildlife ecologist, third generation Nevada native, and witness to the Calico roundup.
“BLM continually tells the public and the media that the wild horses are starving and must be removed from the range. Yet, the BLM provides them with no shelter in dangerous weather conditions where the horses will burn fat reserves attempting to keep warm. No reputable rescue would place any horses in a situation like Fallon,” stated Hilary Wood, President and Founder of Front Range Equine Rescue..
When asked about the lack of windbreaks the BLM indicated that the contractor who built the facility was not asked to provide any shelters or windbreaks. BLM zeroed out a portion of the Dishpan Butte wild horse herd in Wyoming solely on the basis that the wild horses did not have cover according to BLM Program Chief Don Glenn.
“We owe so much to these mustangs—it’s a dishonor that our government does not provide wind protection from the harsh elements,” said Elyse Gardner, humane observer, Calico and Pryor Mountains roundups
The Cloud Foundation and the public call on Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, to stop the Calico roundup and take immediate action against the cruelty and mismanagement of the BLM's wild horse and burro program. Canvas tarps are affordable and readily available at various outlets in the Reno/Fallon area.
###
Labels: BLM, Calico Complex, Cloud Foundation, mustangs, round-ups, wild horses
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 7:34 PM 1 comments
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Calico Horses on the run
It was a bittersweet day on the Calico range. The sage smelled spicy-clean and the mountains soared to meet the skies, but never, all day, was there silence.
Wildlife trails have been graded into roads for huge trailer trucks and the incessant beat of helicopter blades sliced through me.
People who think horse lovers anthropomorphize these animals should have been there today. These creatures have strong family bonds.
>Stallions battle minutes after they were forced from thousands of acres into tiny corrals.
BLM staffer: They're just fighting because they're crowded.
No, they're doing what they know; protecting a few square feet of ground and their families.
>Mares and foals are separated, able to see each other, but crying back and forth, wondering why they can't nuzzle or touch.
BLM staffer: They're a poor looking bunch.
>Hills resound as horse flesh slams metal corral bars and then, from a ridge, a black horse moves stiffly and calls to his family. They call over and over again, but the black hesitates.
BLM staffer: Don't worry, they'll get him in the next load.
Not band, not herd, or even bunch, but these wild creatures are named by the way they're transported away from home. And there's no attempt at understanding the confusion of this horse who's always know safety is with the herd, until today.
I'll tell you what, though, you all: I am more fired up than ever to fight for these horses.
This can't be allowed to go on.
Pictures soon.
Terri
Labels: BLM, Calico Complex, round up, terri farley, wild horses
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:47 PM 4 comments
Friday, January 01, 2010
Ripped from the Range
Frozen sweat, confused eyes, shattered families, suffering in secretBLM's 2010 Gifts to the Wild Horses of the Calico rangeNYTimes photo
Labels: BLM gather, Calico Complex, mustangs, wild horses
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:57 PM 3 comments
Saturday, December 19, 2009
CALICO MUSTANGS
Dear Readers,
I'm going to be out of the reach of Internet and cell, where the wild things are, for twenty-four hours.
Before I go, though, I wanted you to see how the Calico horses really look. Check this out on YouTube: Starving and Inbred Horses?
The judge in this case plans to have a ruling before Christmas.
More info for you soon.
Hugs,
Terri
Labels: BLM lawsuit, Calico Complex, mustangs shot, wild horses
Permalink to this blog post
Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:59 AM 0 comments