Update On The Wild Horses!
Today I went to the BLM wild horse and burro center to see the Onaqui herd. I saw a lot of horses I recognized in the wild, they rounded up a total of about 200 horses. This includes the General, the paints, the roans, Praire Roses greys, and my favorite Marv. The BLM has informed me out of the 200 horses only 25 will be returned. All the females will have a two year contaceptive shot and the BLM assured me that in three years there will be 200 horses out there again. The BLM informed me that the horses that they could not capture during the roundup have been scattered approximately within 100 square miles and it will take them 3 months for them to band together again. They also informed me that the amount of horses in this horse management area which consists of 48,000 acres is only 200 horses. I talked with three different BLM officials and could not a consistent answer of why they were rounded up. They told me the horses that don’t get adopted will be shipped to Oklahoma to live their lives in a beautiful green pasture with flowing rivers. He told me with conviction that a healthy horse in never euthanized. He told me that this is totally against there policy. A policy I am still looking to find! I have taken the time to sign many petitions, contact the local news and sent a letter to the white house and governers. Please take the time to do the same! On a lighter note as my wife and I were leaving one of the wild horses actually walked up to the fence and let me pet him. It tore my heart out!
This is a picture of one of the numerous corrals the horses are corraled in.
The General in the wild and now corraled.
Scrutiny in the wild and corraled.
Standing Tall in the wild and corraled.
The Proud One! My favorite of all!
Here is a link to a couple of petition sites! It only takes a moment!
The American Wild Horse Preservation
IDA
Sherry Osborn
Hunny dont believe anything they tell you.. they lie!
frogster
This is such a shame, and I know how you feel about this Gene, you are a very kind person, I just hope to God they are telling you the truth.
Anne-Marie Lad...
Thank you for sharing this update with us, Gene. Some disturbing information (the inconsistencies and promises of green pastures!!) but also some slightly positive, if one is to believe the officials!! I will post this on Facebook too. :)
lianne
Gene I’m so glad you didn’t give up – and that you followed through on efforts to find out more information. So good of you to share this update! But not terribly comforting news either is it? Don’t give up Gene!
louisegreen
Thanks for the update Gene, I would not believe anything they say either since they seem inconsistent. I’ve signed the petition. Good luck!
F.A. Moore
Keep the campaign up Gene. The horses need you. The horse was probably telling you that. He or she knew that you respected them. They remembered you.
Thanks for the update. The article in Inside Solo will be out tomorrow or Sat morning at the latest. I’ve journaled a a sneak peek, here. Your name is on the cover.
Your photos here with the horses in the wild and the same ones identified in the corral are heartbreaking, but powerful. I will edit the article to point to this journal, too.
peace,
Frannie
Sande Elkins
Brings tears to my eyes, Gene. I will sign the petition and send emails first thing tomorrow!
PrairieRose
Oh God dear Geno….......you know how much this breaks my heart….......I know you are hurting to see this…........I’m going to cry…...........I hope all these beauties will live a good long life….......they certainly don’t look as magnificent in those pens as they do in your beautiful shots of them in the wild…...........Thank goodness you here to enlighten us of the what’s going on….......this is the worst news you and I want to hear…............thanks for bringing the petition to our attention….....it’s a bloody shame dear Geno….............. :(((((
Arla M. Ruggles
Thank you SO MUCH, Gene – for posting the FREE images next to the captives. That puts a “face” on them.
Wild horses do not belong in pens.
Desert horses do not belong in OKLAHOMA.
Thank you for speaking up for them!
lorilee
My heart cries with you. Thank you for capturing their beauty for us to appreciate and love!!!!
Katagram
what the hell is wrong with these people?
?!..I have already signed one petition and I will continue on and on..I am so sick of hearing how the BLM and DOW are putting down deer, elk and bear because they are getting to close to humans..and yet every story is about how stupid people are by trying to feed, grab or chase these wonderful creatures..AND NOW THIS ! ! I am VERY ANGRY Gene…and I am behind you, beside you ALL the way!!!
Vickie Emms
thank you Geno for the update. It’s not all that a happy one, but at least you found some of your horses. They seemed to know you from what you say, and know you will do all you can so they can be free again. They begged. I think the horse in the last photo has sad eyes. It’s heartbreaking for sure. If Canadians can sign the petition link, I certainly will.
Nancy Polanski
My heart so totally landed in my stomach when I read that many of the horses were “your” horses. But then I felt somewhat relieved by the time you said that they won’t euthanize a healthy horse.
.....I’ve just written, erased, written and erased again some messages to convey my feelings, but I now realize that there is nothing I can say that will describe how I feel. Just know that I feel close to you now. You and the horses. Thanks a million for the photos.
Karen McLain
Thank you for the update. My heart has been miserable all day. I have finished 19 paintings from the herd, and have 3 more to go before the exhibit. During the past few months, I have told many people about how much your herd has touched me. I will write letters and cross post this to see if we can get any help from other folks out there. Please let me know personally, if there is anything I can do. I sure would like to know why they are doing this. The BLM web page says the area can handle 210 horses.
http://tinyurl.com/9960l3 some of those paintings are on my blog
Kimberly Peers
Hi darlin, I have signed the petition as well as placed it on my facebook in hopes of getting more help. After reading your update and viewing the pictures, i am crying. I have appreciated your views of these magnificent beasts and pray to God that he look over them. And God help the fools if they are lying to you or disrespect those horses!
Irene Burdell
This is so sad Geno, I feel for you as it is so obvious how much you adore these horses . I really hope they are telling you the truth and they will not put them down.
Rosemaree
Oh Geno I am so sorry to hear that these stupid humans have once again decided that they need to interfer in what they need not. As for the declaration that the ones not adopted will live out long happy lives I too have some reservations about that. These magnificant creatures captured and broken just doesnt seem right. I am so sorry that you have had to see them in this condition as I know that you love to se them running wild.
If I was able I would adopt them all as I know you would too.
I will keep these beautiful creatures in my prayers and you too.
xo Rosemaree
Leslie Nicole
I don’t know why they just don’t leave them be! What harm can they be doing? Thanks for your post and the awesome photographs.
Marvin Collins
I signed the petitions Gene. I just don’t get why they don’t leave them alone and I don’t trust these people at all. Excellent work!!
Sean Farragher
its a shame that they cannot be left alone,,,,,,
skieslimit
This really sucks, they don’t look very well taken care of either!!!
Linda Gregory
It broke my heart to read your first post, Gene, and the only good thing about your second is that you’ve found the herd. I hope the BLM people are telling the truth, but I don’t have a good feeling about them. Keep up the good work. We need more of your fabulous photographs.
dinghysailor1
your images have such unique power to move geno.. and i know you will use them well.. thinking of you
maggie
:))
Leeo
Keep at them Gene! Glad they have you to fight for them while they can’t fight for themselves. Please keep us posted.
greenstone
dont ever give up! i wish you the power of every wild horse wishing free! me and everyone with a free soul are standing with you,and beside you. if there is anyone we can contact or sign a petition, please let us know! the very best of luck friend…........georgie
Leena Hedman
Beautiful fight you are fighting for these innocent ones, kudos to you! Keep us informed, maybe we can at least sign a petition.