final copy august issue of thundering hoofs

The WindDancer Foundation Inc.

“ThunderingHooves”

Prayer CircleYouth Equine AllianceLaura Allen Legal NotesSand Wash Basin HMABarefeet or Not?Sand Wash Basin ArtistMustang Monument

photo by © Pat Brennan

Fall 2014

WindDancer WindDancer Foundation Inc. Ambassador

Volume 3, Fall Issue 2014 Michael Anthony Studios Art Direction

Mission Statement

The WindDancer Foundation does believe that through interest, enthusiasm, and

education wild mustangs & burros will be reverred and

preserved as the great living symbols of man’s paramount,

cooperative and working relationship with another species.

The Wild mustangs and burros are the singular bridge to the

settling of the West and industrial progress of mankind. Without

them, today’s modern social and industrial progress could not

have occurred.

www.wind-dancer.org Page 1

Contents

Prayer Circle pg. 2

“Youth Equine Alliance” pg. 3 - 5

Laura Allen legal notes pg. 6 - 14

Sand Wash Basin HMA pg.15 - 26

Barefoot or Not pg. 27 - 28

Sand Wash Basin Artists pg. 29

Mustang Monument pg. 30 - 32

“Thundering Hooves” wishes to thank all these authors & photographers for

the following story content.....

Cover Photo: Pat Brennan

The Pryor Mountain HMA Michael H. Francis - photographer

“Thundering Hooves”

Wild Horse & Burro Prayer Circle https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayersforhorses/

Dear friends of the wild horses and burros,

We invite everyone who believes that together we can make a difference to join us in prayer. The prayer circle will be a group on Face-book so you will see the updates. Whenever you have prayers that you would like other ad-vocates to join with you and post them there on the Facebook page. What types of prayers will you find? Prayers for advocates’ traveling safety, prayers for horses to find homes, prayers for roundups to stop, and more. The best part about joining together in prayer is that you find friends that care about

the same things you do and you feel comfort and strength because you know that you are not alone. Also, when you see updates and praise reports, you can see the power of God at work. Lets all join together in prayer for the horses and burros and watch the Creator of all things good work to defend his creations from evil. It doesn’t matter what your religion or spirituality is. If you believe that a higher power is the only one that can save them, join us in acknowledging the Creator’s mighty power to save.

Thank you, “Wild Mustang Robin” Robin Warren, age 13, Las Vegas, NV


Las Vegas, Nevada

Secret Documents Revealed

Robin with Moose

We must continue to shout it from the roof tops that there is corruption and secrecy in the wild horse and burro management pro-gram. Here is the proof: http://www.yeas-page.com/#!Secret Documents Leaked/cwjb Many of you are experiencing compas-sion fatigue after speaking out time and time again for the horses and burros to seemingly deaf ears – me too! This week the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began rounding up wild horses in Wyoming. The BLM will remove 800-950 wild horses. They want to zero-out the area, no wild horses are allowed on that land because it is “checker-boarded” with public and private land intermingled. It breaks my heart. How could this deal have been made that strips the land of the horses? The BLM is adamant and so are the courts that due to a

previous ruling (2013 Consent Decree be-tween the BLM and the Rock Springs Grazing Association) the horses must be removed.I am here to tell you: Never get tired of doing good. Momentum is building. More and more people are finding out about this.

Roundup - Blm photo

Here is a great way to raise awareness for the cause. In a challenge issued by The Cloud Foundation, they asked us (and you) to tweet the Department of Interior about the BLM with the hashtag: #Justice4Mustangs.Here is another way: attend your local Re-gional Area Council (RAC) meetings. Laura Leigh of Wild Horse Education suggested this

“Thunderng Hooves”

in a recent post and we are listening. Leigh says, “RACs are often very vocal in recom-mendations to land use planning, where the WH&B Advisory Board is not. Land use plan-ning, and the subsequent documents, literally create the legal framework that specific actions are based on, including wild horse and burro roundups.” With your support, we will attend the RAC Meeting in Las Vegas tomorrow. The last time I attended a BLM staffer suggested that I ap-ply for the Wild Horse and Burro Specialist position. (Not within the BLM but within the RAC). I am considering “throwing my hat in” and I wonder what you think about it? Should I pursue a volunteer position with my RAC?Yes, I am just a kid, as I have a big passion for the wild horses and burros. I will not stop speaking out for wild horses and burros until there are “management options” that make sense and until corruption is rooted-out from the program. Did you hear that they have to transfer over 1500 horses because of a 2 million dollar discrepancy? Also that they estimate it costs $500-600 per head for capture and $500-600 for adoption? How can it be?

Why your comments are so important.....

Helicopter Chase

When my friends and I found out that our beloved Cold Creek wild horses are in danger of being decimated in a gather! All of us are devastated and we don’t know what more we can do to stop the roundups. When we found out about the planned roundup last year we made comments and started a petition. We even made a musical to express what we feel roundups are like. Many people showed up to the “scoping meeting” to object to the plans. The most memorable tes-timony was from Kevin about a Judas horse.“In the last helicopter roundup, I…saw in a newspaper publication a view from the heli-copter to the horses that were being rounded up. The lead horse was a trained what they call a Judas horse. It had a green bridal on that day but later I noticed some crows flying over a ditch down by Rattlesnake Hill, and by my investigation, saw it was the Judas horse.

Mustang Girls


Groups Meeting I was there - at the scoping meeting, the rally, and at the RAC meeting - to be a spokes-person for our youth because our supporters sent me! Thank you for helping us to document our efforts as we are determined to make this a success story to stop this roundup. Notes: another foaling season has come and gone without treatment. It is in fact illegal for our friends at Spring Mountain Alliance to help manage the horse population without ap-proval from the BLM. There could have been FREE help to the BLM (Bureau of Land Man-agement) for on-range management options, but red-tape is preventing it. I think the BLM

and Forest Service just want to keep round-ing up and stockpiling horses even though they have the power to make changes. Update: Here is a report on the RAC (Resource Advisory Council this week. Bot-tom line is: horse and burro advocates were turned away before the start of the meeting, as the meeting was not made fully available to us, and they shortened the “Drought/Wild Horse” agenda item from 30 minutes to 3 minutes after an extended lunch. The good news is, the meeting was covered on the local news station, which raised aware-ness of the impending roundup.

Robin Interviewing

RAC meeting


Animal Law Coalition

Can the Wild Horses and Burros be Saved?

Note from the Director of the WindDancer Foundation: I took this question up with Lau-ra Allen of “Animal Law Coalition” and this is our conversation I want to share with my readers, all photo’s by Michael H. Francis. Laura Allen, Esq. is the founder and Execu-tive Director of Animal Law Coalition which advocates for the rights of animals to live and live free of cruelty and neglect. Laura Allen is a trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience trying cases and arguing appeals in the state and federal courts in Washington, Illinois, Missouri and Arizona. She is a mem-ber of the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

WindDancer: There is an ongoing contro-versy regarding the interpretation of those management protections affecting the Wild Horse and Burro act from FLMPA (1976) and PRIA (1978) amendments. In 1971 the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act (WFRHBA) was passed to provide broad pro-tections for wild horses and burros on public lands. The law states that “wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West...They contribute to the diversity of life forms within

the Nation and enrich the lives of the Ameri-can people”. 16 U.S.C. §1331 et seq. Congress recognized the wild horses and burros are “fast disappearing from the American scene”. 16 U.S.C. §1331 et seq WindDancer: What are the legal protec-tions for wild horses and burros on our public lands?


Laura Allen: Wild horses and burros are supposed to be treated as “components of the public lands”. 16 U.S.C. § 1333(a) The law is clear that “wild free-roaming horses and bur-ros shall be protected from capture, brand-ing, harassment, or death” and entitled to roam free on public lands where they were living at the time the Act was passed in 1971. 16 U.S.C. § 1331 These legally protected areas are known as “herd areas,” and are defined as “the geographic area identified as having


been used by a herd as its habitat in 1971.” 43 C.F.R. § 4700.0-5(d). The WFRHBA also authorizes designation of specific ranges for wild horses and burros. “‘Range’ means the amount of land neces-sary to sustain an existing herd or herds ...and which is devoted principally but not necessar-ily exclusively to their welfare in keeping with the multiple-use management concept for the public lands”. 16 USCS §§ 1332(c), 1333(a). Though “excess” wild horses and burros are to be removed, BLM must protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death and provide these animals with humane care and treat-ment. 43 C.F.R. § 4700. “Humane treatment means handling compatible with animal hus-bandry practices accepted in the veterinary community, without causing unnecessary stress or suffering to a wild horse or burro.” 43 CFR 4700.0-5(e)

The BLM is directed to protect the wild horses and burros “in a manner that is de-signed to achieve and maintain a thriving nat-ural ecological balance on the public lands” and “protect the natural ecological balance of all wildlife species which inhabit such lands, particularly endangered wildlife species. Any

adjustments in forage allocations on any such lands shall take into consideration the needs of other wildlife species which inhabit such lands.” 16 U.S.C. §1333(a). The Public Range-lands Improvement Act of 1978 amended the WFRHBA to require BLM to determine appropriate management levels (AML) and maintain an inventory of wild horses and bur-ros to help achieve these goals.

The amendment also addressed “excess” horses defined to mean wild horses and bur-ros to be removed from an area “to preserve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship in that area” or for some other legal reason. See 16 USC §1332(f). The WFRHBA says that before



removing wild horses and burros, a determi-nation must be made that there is an over-population and removal is indicated “so as to restore a thriving natural ecological balance to the range, and protect the range from the de-terioration associated with overpopulation”. 16 U.S.C. §1333(b)(2). WindDancer: Can you explain the multiple use concept beyond the plain language of WFRHBA for my readers?

Laura Allen: The BLM has interpreted the WFRHBA to mean it can “manage” wild horses and burros with the goal of allowing multiple uses on all public lands including the herd areas. But, though the statute mentions “multiple-use relationship” in connection with

specified ranges, it is very clear that the di-rective is to manage these animals otherwise only to “maintain a thriving natural ecologi-cal balance on the public lands” and “protect the natural ecological balance of all wildlife species which inhabit such lands, particularly endangered wildlife species.” In effect, WFRHBA authorizes only lim-ited interference with wild horses and burros

in herd areas where they were living in 1971. Nothing about removing wild horses and bur-ros from herd areas where they lived in 1971 to allow multiple use such as cattle grazing, recreation for off road vehicles, mining or development. Also, protecting the ecological balance of all wildlife has never meant round-ing up and removing whole species. Especially when there is a law that explicitly protects their right to exist in historic herd areas. Even designated ranges managed under a multiple use concept are to be “devoted prin-cipally” to wild horses and burros. The wild horses and burros on these lands are not to be eliminated for cattle or mining or recreation or even secondary to these other uses. Despite the limited authority to interfere with wild horses and burros under WFRHBA, the BLM has decided, however, the multiple public use concept applies to all herd areas as well as ranges. BLM even issued a regulation that effectively rewrites WFRHBA to say the “objectives of these regulations are manage-ment of wild horses and burros as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands under the principle of multiple use”. 43 CFR § 4700.0-2 Yet, the WFRHBA says only that wild horses and burros “are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an in-tegral part of the natural system of the public lands”. 16 U.S.C. §1331.




WindDancer: Explain the authority of the BLM to integrate the Herd Areas (HA) into the “herd management areas” under the WFRBA?

Laura Allen: The BLM has authorized itself to divide herd areas into “herd manage-ment areas”, something not authorized by WFRHBA. 43 CFR 4710.3-1. In this way, with no statutory authority at all, BLM has limited wild horses and burros’ access to thousands of acres that were historically their herd ar-eas. This is done without thought about the horses’ seasonal migration patterns or avail-able resources. The BLM then removes wild horses and burros from the artificially created “herd management areas” on the basis there

is insufficient forage, water or habitat! BLM also targets them for removal if they cross the artificial boundaries into their original herd areas. While BLM has authorized itself to create herd areas into Herd Management Areas, its own regulations provide that “management of wild horses and burros shall be under-taken with the objective of limiting the ani-mals’ distribution to herd areas, 43 C.F.R. § 4710.4.”Herd area” is defined by regulation as “the geographic area identified as having been used by a herd as its habitat in 1971,” 43 C.F.R. §4710.4.

WindDancer: Does WFRHBA or FLPMA authorize the BLM’s multiple use concept for all herd areas?

Laura Allen: Another example of BLM’s erosion of the WFRHBA protections is the rewording of the WFRHBA mandate “all management activities shall be at the mini-mal feasible level”. BLM’s regulation says “management shall be at the minimum level necessary to attain the objectives identi-fied in approved land use plans and herd management area plans.” 43 CFR 4710.4, 16 U.S.C. §1333. Two very different laws. So if a land use plan authorizes a land giveaway or increased recreation or mining, “manage-ment...at a minimum level” can mean round up and removal, according to the BLM. The BLM’s job is undoubtedly complicated by the mandate of the Federal Land Policy Management Act, which requires manage-ment of public lands under concepts of mul-tiple use and sustained yield. 43 U.S.C. §§ 1701, et seq. But the multiple use concept does not trump the WFRHBA protections



for wild horses. In fact, the statute makes clear that the protections under WFRHBA take precedence. FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. § 1732 (a) Yet, despite this, BLM has issued a regulation that provides “wild horses and burros shall be considered comparably with other resource values in the formulation of land use plans.” 43 C.F.R. §4700.0-6(b). The BLM’s land use plans make clear that contrary to WFRHBA, it does not decide to re-move wild horses and burros only to maintain a “thriving natural ecological balance to the range, and protect the range from the deterio-ration associated with overpopulation”. Nor are the protected wild horse ranges “devoted principally” to the use of wild horses and bur-ros. Instead, the BLM clearly embraces the multiple use concept for all lands designated for wild horses and burros. Indeed, the plan seems to be to eliminate or zero out the wild horses and burros in favor of increased de-velopment and recreational use, mining, and cattle.

WindDancer: I would like you to outline some background information on the legal protections for wild horses and burros?

Laura Allen: In a federal court ruling, “Colorado Wild Horse and Burro Coalition, Inc. v. Salazar, No. 06-1609 (D.D.C 2009),” shut down BLM’s efforts to assert even more power over the wild horses and burros. The BLM maintained it had the discretion to re-move an entire herd of horses even if they were not “excess”. The Court determined, to wit: the principal problem in maintaining wild horses in the West Douglas Herd Area is a major shift in wild horse grazing use pat-terns that has occurred since the early 1980’s.

It is probable that intense energy exploration and development occurring in the northern part of the herd area has concentrated use in the south....This change of use has resulted in overgrazing the Texas Creek drainage, and horse use in Missouri and Evacuation Creeks that are not a part of the 1971 herd area.... Ac-cordingly, it is this shift in the West Douglas Herd’s grazing patterns, likely caused by hu-man development, and not overpopulation, that formed the basis for BLM’s decision to remove the West Douglas Herd.’ The Court concluded, to wit: It would be anomalous to infer that by authorizing the custodian of the wild free roaming horses and burros to “manage” them, Congress intended to permit the animals’ custodian to subvert



the primary policy of the statute by capturing and removing from the wild the very animals that Congress sought to protect from being captured and removed from the wild. Defendants argue that the horses will not be “eradicated” or “eliminated” inasmuch as BLM intends to continue to manage the hors-es not in the wild but through private adop-tion or long-term care. ...But BLM’s directive is “to protect and manage wild free-roaming horses and burros as components of the pub-lic lands . . . .” 16 U.S.C. § 1333(a) (emphasis added). Congress did not authorize BLM to “manage” the wild horses by corralling them for private maintenance or long-term care as non-wild free-roaming animals off of the public lands. Upon removal for private adop-tion and/or long-term care, the West Douglas Herd would forever cease to be “wild free-roaming” horses “as components of the public lands” contrary to Congress’s intent to protect the horses from capture. Moreover, the statute expressly provides that BLM’s “management activities shall be at the minimal feasible level . . . .” It is difficult to think of a “management activity” that is farther from a “minimal feasible level” than removal.

WindDancer: It seems the goal now is for BLM managers of the wild horse and burro herds are now focused on removing them from public lands?

Laura Allen: From 1971 through 2007, over 267,000 wild horses and burros were removed from their homes by BLM. In 2001, BLM stepped up removals. Accord-ing to the Government Accountability Office, since then, about 10,600 animals have been removed, on average, per year.” Just since 2001 the BLM has removed over 74,000 wild horses and burros. “BLM has reduced the nationwide population in the wild by about 40 percent since 2000.” The BLM was filling holding pens with few prospective adopters until Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) convinced then Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) to push through an amend-ment to the WFRHBA in 2004. The Burns Amendment was buried in an appropria-tions bill that was thousands of pages long. It authorizes BLM to sell excess wild horses that are “more than 10 years of age; or ... [which have] been offered unsuccessfully for adoption at least 3 times.” 16 U.S.C. §1333. Any horse sold under this provi-



sion is no longer subject to the protections of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. 16 U.S.C.§1333. Since this amendment became effective, BLM has sold thousands of wild horses for slaughter. More room in the holding pens for more horses and burros. It is an understatement to say BLM does not manage the wild horses and burros to maintain “free-roaming behavior.” Instead, BLM has devastated herds and families and terrified and injured thousands of horses and burros rounded up by helicopters and run into holding pens. Incredibly, at least one con-tractor hired often by BLM to run down and remove wild horses and burros has a criminal record, convicted of using a helicopter to run down and steal wild horses from their homes on public lands and selling them for slaugh-

ter! BLM has worked to clear public lands of wild horses and burros, and most of its efforts in regard to these animals are concentrated on keeping them in holding pens or moving them to slaughter. The budget numbers bear this out. According to the GAO, the “percentage of the ... direct costs for holding animals off the range increased from $7 million in 2000 (46 percent) to $21 million in 2007 (67 percent)”

and in 2008 costs for holding animals was expected to account for up to 74 percent of the Wild Horse and Burro program’s budget. These numbers have escalated even higher in todays money of 2014. The wild horses and burros get notoriously poor care in holding pens. They languish and die of illness, injuries and broken spirits and hearts.

WindDancer: How does the BLM justify the removals?

Laura Allen: The BLM is required by Na-tional Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321, et seq., to prepare Envi-ronmental Assessments or EAs or, if indi-cated, Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), for any proposed changes to public lands that may have a significant environ-mental impact. The law directs the agency to identify environmental concerns, consider alternatives including no action at all and take a “hard look” at the problem and mini-mize significant environmental impact. A significant environmental impact includes actions that are likely to be highly controver-sial or have uncertain effects on the quality

Animal Law Coalitionof our lives and that affect cultural and his-torical resources. 40 C.F.R. §1508.27(b). These evaluations as well as land use plans are full of words but have little substance when it comes to stating why wild horses must be removed from their homes. The BLM gives little consideration to the contribution of cattle, sheep or large game or off road vehicles to trampling and other “range deterioration”, if any, or their use of water. The BLM has issued grazing permits that allow thousands of cattle and sheep to graze in these herd areas. Cows drink 30 gal-lons of water a day, and cattle as well as sheep trample and foul waters. The BLM also never considered re-draw-ing the artificial “Herd Management Area” boundaries to include other water sources or even considered running wells or bringing in water during peak grazing times.


In most cases the BLM never takes a “hard look” as required by NEPA at the environ-mental impact of thousands of livestock occu-pying the same lands as wild horses and bur-ros and other wildlife, or the disruption and displacement that may cause to the horses and other wildlife, or alternatives to wholesale removal of the horses. (The Rangeland Health Standards are

used by BLM to determine the health of the land.) and apparently, the BLM prepares EAs or EIS depending on its goal. The range is deteriorating and without water allow the agency to remove wild horses and burros. Whereas if determined to be healthy the BLM will renew grazing permits. In a past example, a wildlife ecologist who studied Nevada’s wild horses and burros extensively since the 1960s, toured the tar-geted Seaman and White River and Caliente herd areas in August, 2009, immediately prior to the removals of wild horses. He noted few wild horses and saw no reason the BLM could not provide any resources these few horses might need. He emphasized the im-portance of the wild horses to the ecological



balance especially given that they are better suited to digesting coarse dry vegetation than cattle, sheep, elk, and deer. Horses, unlike other animals, are better at ferreting out remote water sources and even prolonging them for use by other species. This very wildlife ecologist actually found substantial trampling and obvious use by cattle. The few horses he encountered were, sadly, very frightened, an indication to him of harassment by people probably from the heli-copters used to corral and run them down. He also described lush vegetation, springs, rivers and a diversity of wildlife. But BLM is not really interested in range condi-tions. No one believes the wild horses and burros are being removed because of range conditions or lack of water. In the herd man-agement area of Lincoln and Nye Counties, the agency planned to sell 75,600 acres of the herd areas for development. Also, BLM plans a “multiple use” of the remaining herd areas but without any wild horses. The BLM pro-poses to increase cattle grazing which would be allowed on 11.2 million acres, develop roads and trails on 10.3 million acres for off road vehicle use, establish five “special rec-reation management areas” that would host a number of unspecified recreation activities on 1.2 million acres, create four special recre-ation permit areas for competitive motorcycle events and four routes for competitive truck events, and substantially increase oil and gas leases and other energy development and mining on all but 5% of the area with poten-tial resources. BLM has authority to sell or swap certain public lands, and in this instance, special laws such as the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004

108 P.L. 424, 118 Stat. 2403, for example, mandate the sale of certain land in the county for development and creation of a utility cor-ridor to allow water from the county to be piped to Las Vegas and its growing suburbs. Yes, the same water BLM claims there is not enough of to sustain the few wild horses liv-ing in “herd management areas” in Lincoln and Nye Counties. A deep aquifer will leave the county with an almost unlimited supply for development, recreation, and cattle and sheep. Nevada politicians who passed the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Devel-opment Act of 2004 and other such laws, and developers and other special interests claim-ing the water are as much to blame, of course, for undermining the protections of WFRHBA.

Sand Wash Basin - HMA

Sand Wash Basin Moffat County Colorado

Editor Note: The photo’s, and content came to me exclusively from Pat Brennan’s book, “Three Amigo’s” photo’s from Pat , Joe Tosh, and John Wagner.......

Sand Wash Basin lies about 18 miles NW from a little town named Maybell and 50 miles west of Craig, Colorado. The turn off of US 40 onto highway 318 crosses over both the Yampa and Little Snake Rivers. At about the 3 mile marker is a sign that reads, “Sand Wash Basin” on your right. Looking around at the scenery one would wonder how can wild horses survive out here in what seems to be nothing. The land is bar-ren with a few Juniper trees and sagebrush. As you drive through the area there appears more grass stretches over the landscape. Sand Wash Basin was formed by an ancient lake called Gosiute. As the water receded it left the remains of a thriving lake with rich deposits of algae, petrified wood, shells and creatures that enriched the soil, making the land very fertile for the rich grasslands that the wild Mustangs dine on daily. At roughly the 4 mile mark, on top of the mesa bench one could see your first band of horses or lone bachelor stallion, depending upon the time of the year.

Prior to driving into the Sand Wash Basin HMA stop at the local BLM office and pick up a pamphlet describing the wild horse loop. The area encompasses about 163,000 acres of free-roaming high semiarid desert land with-out fences. Make sure you take adequate food, water and a full tank of gasoline. Attention is to watch for rattlesnakes during your stay at Sand Wash Basin. The Basin is laced with old seismography trails, with some closed off to travel. The area is noted with signs and sightings for wild game such as Elk, Deer, Antelope, Coyotes, Foxes, Badgers, Prairie Dogs, Burrowing Owls, Eagles, Hawks and Buzzards. The BLM guidelines dictate a distance of one-hundred yards for both you and the hors-es protection and must be maintained. Its suggested to search for the BLM gov-ernment website to read the rules and regula-tions to observing wild horses on many of the HMA areas. Please read the posted guidelines at all areas, and consider traveling with an experienced observer and or wild horse pho-tographer. These people understand the wild horse habits, and know where the horses re-side on these expansive areas. Also download what maps are on the BLM website or stop by




the associated BLM offices for information. As always let someone know that you will be out on the HMA as one can’t rely on a cell phone coverages as mostly its very poor at best.

“Three Amigo’s”

As photographers go, these three men, “The Three Amigo’s” have left their marks as established specialists in acquiring inspir-ing, images of the Sand Wash wild horses.

Pat Brennan - a native of Colorado, born and raised here.......John Wagner - has lived most of life living near the wild horses in Dinosaur Colorado. In the early 1950’s he visited the Sand Wash Basin with his father hunting for rocks.

Joe Tosh - worked in the oil friends of Okla-homa, and moved to Colorado, also resides in Dinosaur, Colorado.

Patrick Brennan of Denver, met both Joe Tosh and John Wagner on Facebook. Pat was introduced to the Sand Wash Basin wild horse herd and over time, “The Three Amigo’s” forged their friendship. John’s pas-sion for wild life photography resulted in two books: First Flight: Journey of a Man and an Eagle and The Magnificent Wild Mustangs of Sand Wash Basin. Patrick also published his photography book, “Three Amigo’s and the Mustangs of Sand Wash Basin. Pat’s intention was to illustrate both sides of the wild horses in their beauty, and life on the range. There books can be ordered..........


photo by © John Wagner


Who is SWAT? Sand Wash Advocate Team (SWAT) was formed in 2012 by a few people who recog-nized a need to organize the energy and ef-forts of individuals and groups in supporting the Sand Wash Basin land and wild horses. SWAT is 100% volunteer-driven. Volunteers perform all administrative work, planning and coordination, research, data collection and analyses, marketing and Internet activi-ties. Financial support is provided through membership and/or donations. 100% of every dollar received goes towards advanc-ing SWAT’s mission to, as citizen stewards, support the Sand Wash Basin land and wild horses in collaboration with the BLM. Four core goals support this mission: herd docu-mentation, herd population management, range support, and education/marketing/pro-motion.

What makes SWAT unique? SWAT is unique for several reasons: it serves to bring people with a shared passion together for a simple, honorable purpose – to support the land and horses; it works by collaboration – honoring professionalism, respecting others and promoting transpar-ency; and it has capitalized on the power of the Internet to communicate and mobilize supporters worldwide in helping preserve,

protect and manage a distinct, beloved and iconic herd of Colorado – Sand Wash Basin, Colorado’s largest HMA. SWAT’s members and supporters exist within and beyond the typical geographic radius of an HMA. All efforts are 100% do-nated and activities related to SWAT pay it forward’ for the land, horses and future generations to enjoy the land and horses of Sand Wash Basin.


photo by © Joe Tosh


had the vision of a private sanctuary working directly with a single HMA. Bringing support to the Sand Wash Basin land, horses on the range and horses off the range is a partner-ship that Michelle hopes will inspire others to follow. Victoria Gagner joined Michelle and GEMS to help articulate, plan and lend a hand in realizing this vision. Victoria first heard about Sand Wash Basin in 2008 when she happened to read an article about the area and was in-trigued by the opportunity to camp, hike and explore among wild horses on public lands. Aleta Wolf learned about Sand Wash Basin in 2010 through Pam Nickoles, a wild horse photographer she met via Facebook. Aleta and Pam met in Sand Wash Basin in early September of 2010 and to Aleta’s surprise it was one of the most incredible days in her life! Aleta is a Colorado native, living in the Denver metro area her entire life, and had never seen a wild mustang until that day. Pam was Aleta’s mentor and showed her how to conduct herself while in the presence of wild mustangs. Wild mustangs surrounded Pam and Aleta on that special day and they tried

History of SWAT It began when the desire to help a Herd Management Area (HMA) met with existing efforts in documenting the Sand Wash herd. One of the goals for the Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary (GEMS) was to work with the BLM to support an HMA. In the course of investi-gating HMAs to learn about support groups, Michelle and Victoria had the good fortune to meet Nancy Roberts and Aleta Wolf and the journey began. GEMS identified several goals as part of working towards it mission – one goal be-ing the need to work ‘upstream’ in efforts to manage wild horses on public lands. Work-ing upstream meant collaborating with the BLM to manage the horses on the range while working downstream to facilitate adoptions of those taken off the range. Michelle Sander founded GEMS in 2011 with the mission of bringing education, awareness and training to the public about the critical situation facing wild horses, while offering a sanctuary for those horses in need. Offering a new model as a working example of collaboration and effectiveness, Michelle



Sand Wash Basin -HMA

to get as many photographs as possible. Then Aleta learned that the horses had names and live in family bands. Pam shared with Aleta that Nancy Roberts tracked the wild horses, and that she should contact Nancy to learn more about them. So Aleta located the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse page on Facebook and saw the exquisite photo albums Nancy Roberts had created. That is when Aleta be-gan creating a database of the horses – as-signing identification numbers, grouping the family bands and tracking their offspring – all because of her personal interest and use… or so she thought! Aleta contacted Nancy and arranged to meet on her next trip to Sand Wash Basin. Aleta showed Nancy the data she created to identify the horses when visiting the range. Nancy thought the system would be quite use-ful for documentation purposes and that was the beginning of their friendship and many long hours of working together to track the over 300 wild mustangs in Sand Wash Basin. Nancy would drive the range several times per week, and then report her findings to Aleta. This process was the start of our current doc-umentation system.

Nancy Roberts I moved to The Yampa Valley in 1984 and knew of the wild horse herd in this area. In 2008 the Blm conducted a roundup at the Sand Wash Basin area. Afterwards 21 wild horses were brought to the local fairgrounds for adoption. I saw my future gelding, a chest-nut weanling with a large blaze. I fell in love and I adopted him and now named Odakota. It become an obsession to know more about these beautiful wild horses with frequent vis-its to the Sand Wash Basin. I spent the winter gentling and bonding with Odakota. It was quite an experience as he was wild as snot! It took me about 20 hours over several days to finally touch him and




Adoption of Odakota in the Blm Corral

from there it was amazing training this little wild horse. The next year, 2009, I decided to go out to his home range and see where he came from, what I saw changed my life... The first day I spent driving around Sand Wash Basin it took me about 5 hours to even see a my first horse. When I finally did I was amazed. They did not look or act like domes-ticated horses and where they lived seemed to have no food sources! It was desert wilder-ness, so vast and full of beautiful life! To see the wild horses amongst this land was a sight to behold! I was addicted and promised to myself I would try to help them in some way. I was to return 400 more times, went through 2 vehicles, and documented the wild horses by their small family bands. I thought if I put a name on the individual horses and yearlings I could remember each of them in my head. About this time I bought my first computer. I was in my late 40’s so with my new computer and camera I started my ID campaign with the Sand Wash wild horse herd. Most of them had been captured and released from the horrendous , cruel round up by The Cook Contractors (See Carol Walker’s video “Round Up Wreck”). Most

were so skittish yet a few bands let me into their secretive lives. This is where I learned of their hardiness, dependence on family, and the strong relationships they formed amongst each other. I just could not believe the state of “their pasture”. The land was raped, but I knew the wild horses were not responsible for this dev-astation, this was a sheep camp, and not a

secret. I witnessed thousands and thousands of sheep grazing the land in early spring of 2010. The giant herds came through Seven Mile Ride and pulverized the landscape. They got stuck in the pristine water holes, left their smell and carcasses. I was aghast, not just for the horses, but for the land itself! I decided visit the local BLM office and explain to them what was happening. They

Sheep on Sand Wash Basin - HMA

will need hoof care.


went all hush hush and directed a man to speak with me. The gentleman explained the sheep grazers are the stewards of the land and it was in their best interest to graze the land properly but not what I witnessed on the Sand Wash Basin. Through my eyes I saw fragile desert lands being overgrazed to the point there was only rock left and these wild horse, and other wildlife of which I spent hours just to locate, were getting the blame and I knew this was wrong. I cried to myself for the land and the beautiful wild horses and at that point decided to go public and bring awareness to these horses plight.... I began putting my in-formation including photo documentation on my facebook page and named it “Sand Wash Basin Wild Horses.” My new facebook page has grown over time. It has fueled my passion for many visits to Sand Wash and bring home over time hun-dreds of photos. It became my way to spread the vision of this great beauty of wild horses and their home ranges. The mustangs were not “scrawny” they were robust, big boned and hardy. The went from living in extreme heat to extreme cold. It was just amazing to observe these wild animals who had adjusted to living in this extreme environment. Over time I made up numerous albums separat-ing the mares, stallions, foals etc... and had

counted up to 150+ wild horses. By 2012 the herd was pretty well documented, people were getting along as well the BLM became involved in a positive way . The foals had names on the face book page and had become a success with over 40,000 likes! I found myself burned out from all the driving and needed a dramatic lifestyle change and ended my documentation in 2012. Now their were other photographers working together on the photo albums. One woman stood out for her ability to ID the wild horses but lives in New Zealand! This process proved you could document a wild herd in cyber space.

About this time I was approached by a group called “SWAT”. These folks wanted my documentation. I had spent over $1,000 dol-lars getting individual ID cards made up for the horses. There was a woman in Denver who took my photo’s and data and created a fancy spreadsheet. We became a team and went down to see Fran Ackley, natural resource specialist at Canon City prison to show him what we had accomplished. Fran was impressed insisted he needed an organized group to work with on this project and SWAT became that group. They now have an under-

Nancy on Sand Wash Basis - HMA




standing with the BLM and a good working relationship. Over time SWAT worked in ear-nest to convince the Blm they were that group up for this task. In good faith SWAT adopted the remaining Sand Wash horses from the 2008 round up under the name of GEMS. I believe in group but differing in opinions sup-porting the use of PZP which I believe is old school technique and not the only option for our herd. There needs to be a more open dialog with the Blm. I continue to run the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse facebook page to give our sacred herd a voice. I continue to ride my mustang, Odakota, through the hills and am bringing awareness to the fine people of Steamboat Springs, the place I now call home. Even though my rep-etition has been considered controversial I will continue to voice for the wild horses of SWB. They are beautiful as is the land they call home and it all need to be protected. I will be happy when I see this as a National Wild Horse preserve.

Nancy’s First Trail Ride On Odakota

Editor Note: It was through Nancy and friends effort in the beginning that put a bright light on Sandwash Basin HMA with the the public. Her enless drives out to the range putting ID’s on the horses with photo’s!!

The Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary (GEMS) is located on the eastern plains of Colorado, approximately 65 miles from Den-ver. . Perched on the Palmer Divide, at the northern tip of the Black Forest, 900 acres of large open meadows and quiet shelters of draws and trees, is home to former wild American Mustangs, Spanish Mustangs and Burros. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of her late fa-ther, Gerhard K. Sander, Michelle Sander and a team of dedicated and passionate individu-als are carrying on a vision to provide a place for the animals and for people to connect with nature and reconnect with themselves. They aim to be an initial step resulting in a long term positive change.

In 2011, the sanctuary was started with five registered Spanish Mustangs, now known as the Foxton Five. An early influence to GEMS was a gentleman named Adam Edwards. He saw the importance of bringing awareness to these original Mustangs and heard of a story

Gerhand K. Sander


Sand Wash Basin - HMAthat would bring the spirited family of five to the sanctuary. The Foxton Five were on a pack trip with their owner, Dave Merrill, who found himself out in the back country suffer-ing from a heart attack. He was able to bring the horses back down to the safety of their home, however, reached the hospital too late and passed away shortly thereafter. His estate went up for sale and with it, the fate of the Mustangs. This was the start of the GEMS Spanish Mustang Educational Herd, now 19 horses in size, they are able to showcase his-toric genetic lineages. For GEMS, providing support to the Amer-ican Mustangs includes a model of working with the Bureau of Land Management and a specific local Herd Management Area, they have chosen Sand Wash in northwestern Colorado. This will allow them the ability to help the horses on and off the range, in turn, being able to alleviate pressures on the hold-ing facilities. The Sand Wash Advocate Team (SWAT) is an on the range project of GEMS.

in time for Christmas 2012. They spent 6 months in the corral, getting used to being handled and groomed, then were turned out for a bit of freedom on an 800 acre pasture to enjoy the green grass of summer. The GEMS training and adoption program officially kicked-off this April with the adoption of two horses- Regal G and Wynonna , two former Sand Wash Basin wild horses. Burros, being an especially endearing and important part of Colorado history, led the passion for the GEMS Burro Program. As a

Soon after the decision to support Sand Wash came another group of Mustangs to the sanc-tuary, these mares had been rounded up in 2008 from Sand Wash as babies and had basically grown up in the Canon City holding facility. Their arrival to GEMS was just

GEMS Sanctuary

training platform, we particpate in a Humane Society of the United States program called the Platero Project. The main goal being to increase adoptions and understanding about the versatility and abilities of the Burro as an integral part of our current society and lives. Educational tours, on-site therapy pro-grams, natural horsemanship training, adop-tion opportunities and retreat facilities will support this non-profit’s goal in becoming a self-sustaining organization. Plans to build a retreat center with a centralized meeting space and cabin-like accommodations for overnight guests will promote the connec-tion between horses and people and become a resource center for learning. Talking to the public and to children about the importance of their history and why they

Children at GEMS


Sand Wash Basin - HMAshould support these animals is part of the Great Escape’s strong commitment to educa-tion. It was this that has attracted the Three Amigos of Sand Wash Basin and their Wild Horse Youth Outreach Program to them. The vision for the GEMS Educational Outreach Program has already filled booth spaces at many different community events and school playgrounds. Either by bringing presenta-tions with Mustangs and Burros to schools and events or bringing the school buses to the ranch for an afternoon, they aim to tell the world about these amazing beings. GEMS looks to the ancestors of our past for inspiration, as Chief Seattle so eloquently said, “We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man- all belong to the same family....Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”

Visit the GEMS Website at: www.greates-capesanctuary.org

Three Amigos of Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Youth Outreach Program

The future of the American wild Mustang may rest in the hands of our kids today. This is something that the Three Amigos think and talk about often. We believe that if all the wild horse lovers and fans would make an effort to carry the story of the American wild horse and their plight to the kids in their classrooms, and we wondered what kind of impact that effort could have on the future of our beloved

Mustangs. We concluded that it would make a big difference-thus this program was born and is now a reality. We started to put together all of our many contacts in the wild horse world and began recruiting people all over America to directly work with teachers by taking a presentation package of materials about the wild Mustangs in America on a previously arranged day with the local grade school teacher or school. Ini-tially the target ages for these presentations will be 6 to 10 year old kids. Presentations for older kids will be developed in the future.

The presentation will be given in tandem with a lesson plan the teacher already has sched-uled for their classroom. The materials pack-age will include the following: A children’s book about a real wild horse at Sand Wash

Out Reach Program



Colorado, a professionally produced DVD presentation on the wild horses of America. In That 10 minute DVD is the cutest story about a little newborn foal called May Day. His story appears in this book on pages 37 through 40. Each class will also be presented with a pic-ture puzzle of actual wild Mustangs that the kids can put together in class. All the materi-als will be left with the school for future use with other presentations by their own teach-ers or area volunteers that are part of this pro-gram. In addition to those volunteer presenters, there were eight of the top wild horse artist that stepped up to the plate by donating their time and talents to illustrate with their draw-ings and paintings a children’s book: Three Amigos of Sand Wash Basin Present- The Story of Kissy. This is a true story of a little 4 month old foal that lost her mother to natural

causes and had to survive the winter with the help of her wild horse band family.

The goals of this initial program are simple-

a) To inform the kids that wild horses still exist, provide a simple version of the history of wild Mustangs- and that they can still be enjoyed and experienced in person with their families. Job One- to excite them about wild horses.b) Encourage them to learn more about the horses by providing a list of organization and websites that they can explore in class or at home with their family.

(Reprinted with permission from the publi-cation of Three Amigos of Sand Wash Basin Updated 2014 Edition, Publisher Blurb)

Other Wildlife on Sand Wash Basin


Be Quick Horsehoeing


“Three Amigo’s” - Joe Tosh, Pat Brennan, John Wagner

Hoof Notes - Pat Hall (Be Quick Horse-shoeing)

To shoe or not to shoe? That is the ques-tion. This seems to be a highly debated is-sue these days. The decision should be based

on the best information for the needs of the owner and the horse. Let’s start with why we shoe horses. The answer is when the hoof wears faster than the horse can produce new foot. Early foot care included rawhide wraps, strap on sandals and later metal. The avail-able materials and terrain of the geographic region determined what type of foot care was attempted. This still happens today from the land of plenty to third world countries. Steel, aluminum, plastics, and boots are just some of the choices we have today. Without disre-spect, the west was won by the repeating rifle, colt revolver and the horse shoe. Many of our horse-shoeing ideas came from the US Cavalry. The native American warriors would have many horses in their

Be Quick Horsehoeing


bands. The more prominent braves would need more horses to do everything from hunt-ing to warfare. Riding one horse too often would wear the feet to the point they would be sore and therefore useless. The Cavalry could mount more soldiers on less horses and could keep the horse sound longer with the use of a steel horse shoe. Natural selection was fairly even as the native American horses were off the range as well as many of the remounts the Cavalry were issued. These horses worked hard on very abrasive surfaces. Today the mustang herds are some of the last natural selection horses left. Nature culls the poor footed and lame, leaving the I

have found three things we can influence as hoof care providers. First, Balance: Medial-lateral, Anterior-Posterior and Dorsal balance are achieved when the hoof is properly loaded under the limb. Second, Break-over: The rotation lever in the anterior phase of flight can be increased or decreased by shoe place-ment or trimming. Finally, weight: Placement of weight on the shoe will encourage flight toward the source of the weight. This is most prominent in gaited or show horses looking to enhance a gait characteristic. Barefoot, the first two items can help the horse to achieve the goals of the owner. The third doesn’t apply. However, knowing the pros and cons of all three help to make deci-sions that can help with treatment of injury or lameness. Many years ago I was shoeing in a barn in Loveland, Co. A young mother was having a day with her son. She asked me if I could keep an eye on him for a few minutes. A few minutes turned into 50. I had him roll-ing my magnet around to pick up nails and keep him entertained. Then he asked me what I was doing. I told him “I was shoeing his mom’s horse”. He asked me Why? The next 45 minutes I answered his question. I would finish a statement and he would follow with the one word question. I realized when his mother came back, just how much informa-tion he got from me. The young mother got the break she desperately needed. I found a real pearl from a five year old boy. Knowledge doesn’t always come from the mainstream sources.

This is where the cowboy rides away. With a little help from his farrier. Thanks, Pat Hall CJF

strongest, healthy animals to survive for the next generation. We benefit from this process when we adopt these horses. Nature breeds for hoof quality. Most of these animals can be worked a lifetime without a steel shoe. They will need hoof care. Like humans, each horse is an individual and will have specific needs. No one style of hoof care will fit the needs of all horses. A hoof care provider should offer a range of choices to fit the needs of the horse and clients. have found three things we can in-fluence as hoof care providers. First, Balance:

Sand Wash Basin Artists

Page 29 “Thundering Hooves”

Karen McLarin

Lee Mitchelson

Linda Martin

Sara Ross

An Arizona native, grew up with the out-doors as the backdrop for her adventurous spirit. With a preference for being outdoors, painting landscapes and horses was a natural choice. Karen stepped out of her comfort zone and practice of painting horses in the wild, to do a rendition of John Wagners photo, Jigsaw.......

An Independent Artist living in the middle of Vir-ginia’s horse country. She has painted Equine and Rural Virginia Country Life since 1979. Linda hopes to edu-cate the public, document the heritage of the Mustang in America and reconnect average Americans to their Living Horse Heritage. Linda successfully completed a year-long project of painting a living wild mustang horse a day, five days a week in December 2011. The project is called the Mustang A Day Challenge. Linda has completed over 400 paintings of wild horses. For more information: www.LLMartin.com or on her blog, MustangADayChallenge.blogspot.com

As a child, Lee Mitchelson covered ever paper she could get her hands on with drawings of horses. She says, “My head has always been in the clouds. I could imagine and hear horses absolutely anywhere. She now lives in Arizona and has a small herd including two mustangs. Lee is entirely self-taught in animal art but studied landscape painting with her friend and mentor, California plein air painter, the late Karl Albert, a col-league of Edgar Payne. For more:.www.leemitchelson.net.

Horses have had a profound impact on my life; vir-tually everything that is good in it came via the equine. Appreciating the here and now through the eyes of a horse, total wilderness immersion during back country camping trips and endless artistic inspiration are a sam-pling of the impact the horse has had on my life. Grow-ing up in Nevada I have an affinity for the mustang, and some familiarity with their plight. Sara has painted a series of free roaming wild horses with permission of various wild horse photographers. A portion of all proceeds are donated to help mustangs

Mustang Monument


Madeleine Pickens

Founder of “Mustang Monument” Philanthropist, Animal Lover, Animal Welfare Activist

Launched with great success earlier this summer, Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco Resort is luxury philanthropic tourism at its very best. Nestled within three mountain ranges in the Nevadan desert, Mustang Mon-ument was founded by animal lover Mad-eleine Pickens who has created a resort which combines unbeatable off-radar luxury with a foundation that saves the wild Mustang horse, a sacred symbol of American heritage.

A fantastic opening year, visitors have com-mented on how life-changing the experience is. With authentic, hand-painted Native tipis overlooking the Nevadan desert, and the chance to see the wild mustang in an envi-ronment of freedom and peace, the resort is able to suspend the realities of everyday life which leaves guests feeling ‘relaxed, inspired and spiritually nourished’ after their stay. Accommodation Creating a whole new meaning to the word glamping, the ten hand-painted luxury tipis are an attraction in itself. Experiencing the Wild West in these Native American struc-tures lets guests connect to the stunning Nevadan landscape while being kept in the upmost comfort and indulgence. With just ten tipis these beautifully appointed dwell-ings remain exclusive, highly sought after, and a once in a lifetime experience. These Native American inspired abodes are decorated with sunset colors of running horses, meaning when light shines through

Mustang Monument

in the early hours, a warm glow envelops the entire tipi; a truly welcoming way to start the day. Decorated cushions are lavishly piled on top of hand-made quilts and opulent king size beds; a delicious trifle of sumptuous textiles and fabrics. And if the tipis seem just a little too ‘wild’ the recently launched wilderness cottages are a luxuriously tempting alternative. A heady blend of glamour and the great outdoors, the ten super chic, luxury cabins are spacious, breezy and fresh whilst still retaining a co-siness to make guests feel at home. Warm, earthy tones and the rugged elegance of ex-posed wood all work together to produce a rustic, yet completely luxurious living space. Evenings can be spent relaxing on the porch looking out onto the dramatic horizon; the sun setting and the beautiful Mustang horses peacefully grazing against an authentic Wild West backdrop. And after a day hiking and horse-riding guests are able to completely indulge in the understated opulence of the newly introduced

wilderness cottages. Sinking into an indulgent king sized bed complete with crisp white lin-ens and soft faux-fur quilts will guarantee a night’s sleep in peaceful luxury. Dining Extremely health conscious and with a touch of extravagance, Madeline Pickens has ensured the gastronomical side of this Wild West experience is pure luxury. No tins of beans being eaten around the campfire here, instead guests can expect freshly made salads and soups, organic vegetables and delicious grilled and roasted meats. As a passionate vegetarian herself, Madeleine can cater to the most specific of dietary requirements. However, not completely losing sight of the iconic Wild West touches, after dinner guests can cosy around the campfire toasting marsh-mallows, a real Billy the Kid experience, albeit with a cocktail in hand. When exploring the valleys and mountains, Madeleine organizes gourmet picnics to be ready to greet hungry horse-riders and hikers.


Mustang Monument

Doorstop sandwiches, freshly made lemon-ades and sticky chocolate brownies all await the guests to refresh them before the next part of their adventure. The Mustang Monument Saloon is host to the pre-dinner drinks. Cocktails and canapés at the ready, guests can unwind after a day’s activities in the authentically styled ranch saloon, complete with dark woods, cow hides and genuine saddle bar stools with stirrups. Activities While Mustang Monument Wild Horse Eco Resort is very much focused on the salvation of the Wild Mustang, the resort does offer a myriad of options for those in search of more than a riding holiday. The ranch is submerged within three mountain ranges, and with the curation of Clay Nannini, Mustang’s very own cowboy and rodeo champion, guests are able to explore and experience a wide rang-ing, off the beaten track Wild West adventure. Derelict gold mines, once thriving, are now abandoned and can be found with a little ex-

ploration. Old ghost towns nestled among the Nevadan desert valleys are fascinating, yet ee-rie; a reminder of the pioneers who saw such potential in the gold giving mountain-scape. Trying your hand at being a cowboy at Mustang is a must. Supervised by Clay, guests can ride out against the Wild West backdrop on one of the resorts many beautiful horses; and even a handful of mustangs that have been broken in. Learning to lasso is a regular pre dinner cocktail activity. And guests can leave their stay with a little taster into life as a ranch hand. With two resident Native Americans, Mustang Monument is very in touch with the culture of the original inhabitants of America. Native American workshops are available where guests can make their very own Native American Moccasins or learn authentic bead-ing skills. And one of the best ways to relax after a day of adventure, with marshmallow in hand, is listening to Native American tales and legends, and watching their mesmerizing traditional dances.


final copy august issue of thundering hoofs

Documents

wild horses

education wild mustangs

sand wash basin artists

types of prayers

nv thundering hooves

facebook page

las vegas

pat brennan