by Sioux Dallas
Wild mustang roam freely over hundreds of acres through various states. My research turned up some interesting facts. Paleontologists have discovered that horses were here for millions of years. They became extinct in North America after migrating to Asia, Europe and North Africa. All of the continents were joined like a huge puzzle until the march of the glaciers.
Archeologist Ruth Gotthardt examined a well-preserved carcass found in a permafrost layer. The stomach contents could still be recognized and the flaxen mane was still on an intact hide. Analysis made by Dr. Richard Harrington revealed it to be possibly 25,000 years old. A bone sample was radiocarbon dated and supported his theory.
Even before the Spanish explorers brought horses here the Plains Indians had small horses. Historians found that Norsemen were here before the Spanish and brought the little horse still seen today in northern countries. They are about 13 hands and very sturdy.
July 23, 1642 Louis LaVerendria came from what is now Bismarck, North Dakota and on August 11, 1642 found the horses he had heard do much about.
Many people have been protecting the wild mustangs as part of our history. Laws were passed to take care of them, but it wasn’t until 1971 when President Richard Nixon signed a bill that fully protects them. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) under the department of the Interior has control over 264 million acres in 12 western states to protect wild life.
Mother Nature breeds better horses was the comment of one Forest Ranger. These wild horses have sound feet, sound minds, respect leadership and are willing and quick to learn.
Warm Springs Correctional Facility in Carson City, Nevada brings in about 30 horses at a time for selected prisoners to train. Teddy Roosevelt said, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of man.”
The wild mustangs are adopted for about $125.00 each, but the fully trained horses by the prisoners start at $150.00.
Horse lovers can see pictures of these prisoners and horses on the Prison Horse Adoption internet.
I was inspired to write this story when I listened to a news bulletin and heard that the wild mustangs were being stolen to be sold for dog food or to send over seas where people love horse meat. One rancher found dead mustangs on his ranch. Two of the horses were still laying there with hindquarters cut out and the rest rotting. I’m also saddened to learn, from reliable sources, that the BLM, who is supposed to protect wild life, is falling down on their job. It seems that a new group of officers have moved in and are not being as diligent and compassionate as they should.
The characters in my story are from my imagination but most of the events have been in the news.
Other books by Sioux Dallas
Liisa
Desperate Wish
Sharon
Death in Three Quarter Time
The Perfect Spouse
Montana Madness
Dangerous Hilarity
Amish Dilemma
