Voices for Horses

by Mara LeGrand

August 6, 2011

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Mara LeGrand-Wild Horses

Photos by Mara LeGrand

Mara LeGrand responds:

I am publishing this debate and link to the wildlife society because it is indicative of how different many see the issues for the wild horses. Dr. Horney is a professional, likely an educator, who clearly believes wild horses damage the range and, although cattle do also, he comments that they can be managed. We both think one another present biased opinions, but I made a film with a point of view and he expressed his point of view back.

I personally think neither of us have enough research to draw upon because almost all of the studies that are done go in with a particular bias, usually against the wild horses. I truly wanted more science to include in my film, but because all ranges are not the same and if studies are done they are done a few years before they are presented, there is a lack of currency in the studies. As we know, nature is an ever -changing dynamic, with different factors to consider each season, similar but not exactly the same from year to year. Solutions are needed for all of the natural system and right now, I think it's important to stop the round ups of wild horses until sustainable, humane solutions are figured out in a fair, unbiased way.

I made many attempts to interview professors and scientists at leading interviews but once I told them the film was about wild horses they treated me like a leper and didn't want to be involved. We are at a great divide - because like it or not we all have to share the dwindling resources of our planet. Why should the wild horses and burros have to be the losers for others to also survive? Send your comments - I welcome them.

~ Mara LeGrand

Dear Dr. Horney,

I am glad to hear you made it to see Wild Horses In Winds of Change, even if it didn't fit your way of seeing the issue. The film does reach beyond the wild horse advocacy circles and although it is not a Ph. D dissertation, filled with scientific reporting and data, it presents much food for thought. Of course a person must be interested in thinking with an open mind, thus the characterization of thoughtful. Many people see the holistic approach I present and do scratch their heads and dredge their hearts for solutions. I certainly do.

It is obvious if we take away most of the land designated for the free roaming wild horses, and we fence them into barren land masses and away from good water sources, their survival will be in peril. I'd like to know how much time you've spent with your backpack - following and observing horse herds? There are many who have - including environmentalists Katie Fite and Jonathan Ratner from Western Water Sheds. It's obvious to them and Wild Earth Guardians that cattle are the destructive forces on the range and are the main culprits of damage to riparian sites. Cows camp at water but I have seen many times, the horses come down a trail, twice a day, in small groups, take a drink and head back up the trail. This behavior has been noted in many field studies.

Corporate cattle that are dumped, are owned by absentee cattleman who don't know if the range is ready to be grazed or what their cows do. In the past ranchers moved their cattle and sheep from paddock to paddock and most of the ranchers were "men" of the land who knew if they didn't take care of it they wouldn't be able to make a living. Now most of the 12 million cows out there are strictly commodities and as they say, when the corporate boys are away the cattle will camp and at water holes play. There is no comparison between small bands of light hoofed free roaming horses to the same number of heavy cattle hooves. If it were even the same number we might have something to compare, but the impact of twelve million cattle dumped on the range every season does more damage to the environment in a few months than years of a few thousand free roaming wild horses. Fences prevent them from traveling as they need to and of course you mention their predators are gone. Where do you think their predators went? Perhaps their mounted heads can be found on the walls of your house or those of your friends? The point is the ranchers and livestock growers wanted the predators gone and with the help of the DOW and hunters - their wish was granted.

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by Mara LeGrand

August 6, 2011

Latest Comments

  • Mara's answer

    Good answer Mara. nature balances itself in a process, but if mankind continually thwarts this process and blames those who do not fit in with his idea of what should happen, then the balance is lost.

    Posted by Craig Downer August 13, 2011 22:13:08

  • Wild Horse Film critiques

    The wild horses are being set up by the established interests and being used as scapegoats for problems they themselves in their natural free state can help to change. the real problem is with getting people to change so as to live in harmony with a wild horse or burro containing ecosystem.

    Posted by Craig Downer August 09, 2011 19:28:37

  • Experience and Observation versus Conjecture and Myth

    How can 40,000 wild horses, mostly isolated in high mountainous areas, versus 12 million grazing cattle, be responsible for our environmental woes?

    Based on my over 50 years of equestrian experience and 15 years training mustangs, I can safely say most ideas associated with wild horses are myths supported by bias.

    Each herd and management area has its unique challenges for herd health and environmental conditions as Mara LeGrand pointed out. Assessments from helicopters, bureaucrats in Washington, and Cattle lobbyists are making decisions that have no scientific basis that reflect objective studies such as those demonstrated by the Grand Canyon Trust.

    Some herd management areas may be 200,000 acres for 250 horses but the horses actually inhabit the high treed areas and the cattle graze the grasslands. Wild horses remain and concealed to avoid capture. In addition, mustangs eat a lot of high protein brush, including tumbleweeds, instead of grass.

    Mara Legrand is trying to raise our consciousness during an emotional storm that is not saving mustangs or improving the environment.

    American Wild Horses and our western ranch traditions need to be supported so that a balance in nature can return. This either/or approach will destroy our western heritage.

    Critical decisions and sweeping rules and laws being made by politicians and BLM executives too far from the land, the people and their own "grass root" employees who understand specific areas, have created this totally disfunctional, management of our public lands.

    In the first year that a wild horse is removed from the range it costs the public over $3300 in care. Add in about the $2000 per horse for gathering expenses including the helicopter. This totals about $5300 per horse. If 10,000 mustangs are removed each year---oh my gosh--there is a lot of public money that could help compensate ranchers and find solutions rather than to fund the expensive gathers. We are able to manage wolves, bears, moose, etc., which are native to North America. Why not Mustangs? We just can't afford the present policies.

    There is no balance in nature because the humans have taken over Earth's environment. Management is impossible to avoid and can be beneficial. Humane Equine harvesting can prevent suffering, abuse and provide funds to assure proper care for all horses, not just mustangs.

    Solutions require flexibility, objectivity, and creativity. Thank you Mara Legrand for being a voice for positive solutions.

    Posted by Mary Lee Brighton August 07, 2011 12:43:13

  • Why the wild horses?

    Just a few hours ago I was wondering why the wild horses are targeted to being rapidly rounded-up and on the road to elimination? Genocide. Why the wild horses? Brutally rounded-up, injured, becoming ill, dying, dead. Why? And not any other wild ones, except wolves, bison. So I was heartened to read above Mara asking a similar question. Why is the wild horse not allowed its rightful place in the natural ecosystem? Natural predators are decreased due to man. And MAN is the main predator to the horses. The majesty, beauty, intelligence of the wild horse is breathtaking. The family system inspiring and works in managing horse stability and population. It has been well-researched and documented for decades the massive damage done to the range by cattle. And it does not take science to come to this conclusion. One can visually see the damage to grasslands, water holes. As for "science" re the so-called damage due to wild horses, yes, it is very common for biased findings on a hypothesis. The conclusion is what you want to find. An aspect scientific research needs to be constantly on guard for, but too frequently happens. All said, the bottom line is the powerful Cattlemen's Association, influential Power Brokers in D.C. Yes, the "old guard" is managing our wild horses. I am shocked at the lack integrity...intelligence. "Bias" is their hallmark. Mother Nature is rebelling at the destruction of our natural ecological balance. Then years later the powers that be work to restore what they destroyed. Thank you Mara for your excellent rebuttal to Dr. Horney. Dignity. Intelligent.

    Posted by Ronnie August 06, 2011 21:33:16

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