Newsletter From “Saving America’s Mustangs”

Newsletter From “Saving America’s Mustangs”

We have attached a copy of a newsletter written by Madeleine Pickens of the Saving America’s Mustangs Organization We hope you enjoy the article as much as we did. Recap After the BLM Advisory Board Meeting in Denver On June 14, 2010, our voices were heard! Myself, along with dozens of wild horse advocates and supporters banded together to give our horses a voice of their own. I was proud to be among the company of so many distinguished individuals who really care as much as I do about finding a safe alternative to the wild horse and burro round ups scheduled since 2009 until the end of 2010. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management), along with the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board mediated a public workshop where anyone could attend and offer comments on their proposal their Wild Horse and Burro Strategy Development Document .  BLM’s J. Michael Harty mediated the discussion and it was he who initially came up with this workshop format.There was a considerable turnout which shows how devoted Americans are to their horses! These horses are a part of our heritage and should remain free to roam the lands as they did years ago. Some of the other attendees were: Elyse Gardner, Humane Observer and wild horse advocate Karen Sussman, President of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs & Burros Dr. Cassandra Nunez, International Society for the Protection of Mustangs & Burros Neda DeMayo, Return to Freedom (proposed Solider Meadows plan) Ginger Kathrens, Volunteer CEO of the Cloud Foundation Deniz Bolbol, In Defense of Animals Willis Lamm, Alliance of Wild Horses Carol Walker, Equine Photographer & Author of Wild...
Extreme Mustang Makeover

Extreme Mustang Makeover

The Extreme Mustang Makeover is a program presented by The Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). One hundred trainers from all over the country will be picking up a BLM Mustang between June 6-8. They will have until September 22 to work with their allotted horse and then present the Mustang in Fort Worth Texas. The horses will be judged on overall condition, behavior on the ground and under saddle and ridden through a trail/obstacle course. The horses will then be auction off on September 23. Kathe Smothers of Quiet Mind Horsemanship was one of the trainers selected for the program. Kathe was emailed the application from her friend Neda DeMayo of Return To Freedom a wild horse sanctuary in Lompoc Calif. Kathe works with some of Return To Freedoms young horses starting them under saddle and on the trail with the hopes of finding them foster homes. Kathe went through the selection process which began with 400 + applications. On May 9th, she was notified she had been selected. Kathe’s first experience with Mustangs began at the age of 11. She spent several summers at family friends ranch in Strawberry Nevada, while visiting they would round up the horses that roamed on the million + acre ho”Horse Trainer Kathe Smothers of Quiet Mind Horsemanship”mesteaded property and castrate the young stallions, brand the horses, check for injuries, worm, and medicate the horses. At that time all horses roaming on a persons property was considered that persons possession. It was an amazing experience for a young girl. Each summer Kathe was able to pick one of...