Posts Tagged ‘pryor mountains’

Bureau of Land (Mis)Management Excels at Manipulation Training

Posted: February 4, 2013 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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By Debbie Coffey ~ Director of Wild Horse Affairs at Wild Horse Freedom Federation
as published in the PPJ Gazette ~ Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

“The BLM also showed a video, but since a copy wasn’t included in the materials that were sent to me, for all we know, it could’ve been old episodes of ‘Mr. Ed’.”

BLM’s Manipulation Training

Cloud after BLM capture, Sept. 2009 ~ photo by Terry Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Cloud after BLM capture, Sept. 2009 ~ photo by Terry Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Did you ever wonder what made Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse & Burro Specialists so “special?” Was it because they had extensive training in equine sciences? Was it because they were range management specialists or biologists who took a BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program “training” class? Was it because they had a big shiny rodeo belt buckle?

After filing a Freedom of Information Act Request (FOIA) for documents relating to the training the BLM gives to Wild Horse & Burro Specialists, I wasn’t too surprised to see that the classes that the BLM offered, in which you, the taxpayer, paid for BLM and USDA employees to attend, (probably their travel, hotel accommodations and food), taught them to regurgitate boilerplate wild horse & burro “gather” plans(to round up the wild horses), and reviewed 82 pages out of the BLM manual (couldn’t they just read that at their desk, back at the office?).

It also included litigation, the history of the program, fertility control, the training and adoption agreement with the Mustang Heritage Foundation, and hundreds of other pages that stressed BLM’s range management and policies. Many of the instructors had backgrounds primarily in range management.

But how many pages, out of about 1,000 pages, actually dealt with wild horse behavior or health?

Based on the materials that were sent to me in response to my FOIA request, in 2010, at a 5 day BLM training class, there was 1 page regarding wild horse social structure, and 1 page about the Henneke Body Conditioning Scoring System out of about 400 pages of materials.

In 2005, at a 4 day training class, only 3 ½ hours in a 4 day training class, and about 47 pages out of 600 pages, were on wild horse health and handling.

In that 2005 training class, Terry Hensley, a USDA/APHIS vet was allotted 2 hours to speak on Equine Health Care, and although many pages seem to be devoted to administrative procedures, there were 31 pages on anatomy and 4 pages on the Henneke Body Conditioning Scoring System.

Ron Hall spoke about hoof care for 20 minutes (6 pages on hoof care). Fran Ackley and Sharon Kipping spoke about Animal Handling for an hour (6 pages on animal handling). The BLM also showed a video, but since a copy wasn’t included in the materials that were sent to me, for all we know, it could’ve been old episodes of “Mr. Ed.”

After being rendered almost speechless that the BLM would teach so little about wild horse behavior and health in their Wild Horse & Burro Specialist training classes, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, the real corker popped up: “Wild Horse & Burro Public Relations,” presented by Heather Emmons and Don Smurthwaite.

This included over 40 pages teaching BLM & USDA employees how to manipulate the public, in case the pesky public thinks they have a right to ask questions and get answers. What did these 40 pages include (in bold italics below)?

“The Spin Dr. is in”…tells these government agency employees that their PR person
“Deals with angry, hostile people” (would this be the public?) who need to vent…And actually listens to them…”
“schmoozes with the media and public” so you don’t have to
“Represents BLM on Camera” so you don’t have to and
Makes you “look good” (Good luck with that.)

“Working with the Media & Public”
“Heather’s Rule #1- People accept ideas from people they like and reject ideas from people they dislike…so…be First Brain friendly!” (What is “First brain friendly?”)

They teach The ABC Method in this presentation:
A is for Answer or Acknowledge
Answer if you can, but don’t repeat a negative
If you can’t answer, give a reason why
B is for Bridge
Make a transition to one of your key messages
C is for Control
Take the next question or bridge to another key message

They then teach how to “build bridges,” by saying things like:
“…and that’s a key point, but there’s another important one
…but let’s not talk about yesterday, let’s talk about today,
…at the same time, let’s not forget about this…
…which brings me to a point I’m sure your readers/viewers want to know,
…but we’ve found most people want to know about…
…let me tell you about something we just learned today…
…but it’s too bad that so few people know that…
…we do know the actual numbers and they show…
…on the contrary…
…our position is…
…that’s one point of view, but let me give you another…
…the other point of that issue is…
…our view is…

The PR gurus advise the Wild Horse & Burro Specialists to Use the ABC method
Be prepared: know your audience
Stick to your messages
KISS, not technical (KISS means “Keep it simple, Stupid”)
Emphasize the positive
Use headlines, sound bites
Don’t focus on detractors
Keep your cool
Never go off the record
Be aware of body language

And…
Know your audience – WII-FM (What’s in it for me?)
Be the expert
Don’t lie
Be clear about who you represent and don’t
Look the reporter in the eye
Don’t look at the camera
Expect dumb questions (Who do these people think they are?)
Don’t accuse anybody
Use gestures
Smile
Remember “live” microphones
Don’t apologize for bloopers, just go on.

Then, there was a special section on the Pryor Mountains, which Ginger Kathrens and the Cloud Foundation, Carol Walker, Deb Little and many other advocates, have championed.

Here’s what was stated (in italics) in this presentation:
“PRYOR MOUNTAIN GATHER (“gather” is BLM speak for “roundup”)

Stuff that stuck with me

The Basics
The gather started on September 2 and was completed in five days.
About 40 people from wild horse interest groups were on site the first day.
Most of them were vehemently opposed to the gather and adoption
Many of them said they were reporters, although they lacked credentials
The gather was successful. No injuries, no deaths, completed ahead of schedule

YOU Can Lead a Horse to Water but that
Doesn’t mean It will do What it Oughter

NBC was the major news organization covering the event.
A field producer was on hand four days before the gather began to prepare for the story.
In short, we set up the story well with the national media.
It didn’t turn out the way we hoped.” (Gee, I wonder what the national media saw that changed their minds after you “set up the story?”)
“Local reporters did much better.
Lesson Learned:
Sometimes, the story just doesn’t turn out” (Could this mean that the credentialed media didn’t buy their Public Relations bullshit?)
“Second Lesson Learned:  Take care of the locals”. (What do you suppose “take care of” means? Bribe them with a free lunch?)

“The Sky is not Blue.
Dirt ain’t Brown.
The Sun isn’t Yellow.
The stories we saw were amazing for their inaccuracy.” (This, from the agency that seems to think if they repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it.)
“Proud, fearless Cloud was reluctant to leave his band.” (Note the mocking attitude here)
See for yourself what happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw3q1_tCyZ4&feature=share&list=UUjxuLU5B_KLQDSuijIWA41w
 “The horses were fatigued and mistreated.”
(Apparently, the BLM PR person was unable to identify horses that were limping.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52YY0VYUeqQ&list=UUjxuLU5B_KLQDSuijIWA41w&index=25  

“If You Don’t Want to See it on Network News, Don’t Say It”
Count on cameras and microphones being on 24/7, even when you think you’re out of earshot.
Stick with your messages.” (This might be good advice for advocates to remember)

In what almost seems like paranoia, the PR people talk about “Ploys,” and assume that reporters might “interrupt, put words in their mouths, state lies for a reaction” or “ask for an off the record comment.”

The PR people train Wild Horse & Burro Specialists how to respond to any perceived “ploys.” Below, they present a perceived “Tactic” and then give your very special specialist a “Response” to give you or the media, including:

“Tactic Interrupts Response (Politely) “Please don’t interrupt. If you’ll let me finish my thoughts on this, I can answer your next question.”

Tactic Puts words in your mouth “so, what you’re really saying is…”
Response Don’t repeat the negative. “No, not at all. Let me clarify that point.”

Tactic States lies for your reaction
Response Don’t repeat the negative. “No, that’s not true. Here are the facts…”

Tactic Machine guns questions at you.
Response “You asked me four questions at once. Please, let’s take them one at a time.”
Best: Start with the question you want to answer.
Bridge: “The most important question is…”

Tactic Demands answers to questions you can’t answer.
Response Give a good reason why you can’t answer, and tell when you can answer.
“That’s proprietary information.” Or “It’s just too early to say…” Add, “I should have the information in a week or two…”

Tactic False premise, no-win “When did you stop cheating on your taxes?”
Response “That’s a loaded question. (Bridge) The real issue here is…”

Tactic Speculation “Assume for a minute that…”
Response “I’m not going to speculate on that. (Bridge) The actual situation is this…therefore…”

Tactic Negative entrapment “What’s the most serious problem you face in…?”
Response Don’t repeat the negative. “Nothing comes to mind…(Bridge) but let me tell you about some challenges we faced and overcame…”

So, while teaching very little about wild horse behavior, family band structure, or wild horse health to their “specialists,” the BLM has chosen, instead, to hone in on how to evade your questions.

It seems BLM has a shocking attitude of disdain for the public, and apparently it’s so openly accepted that it’s even taught in classes. Even here, they’re told to expect “uneducated, annoying questions.” So, while you may think you’re having a conversation or dialogue with members of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, you’re most likely being controlled and manipulated. The BLM is staying on their message, and no matter what words they say, what they’re doing is “managing” the wild horses on our public lands to extinction.

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To learn more:

Cloud snaking some of his mares, to try turn back and get his mares that BLM kept in the pens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw3q1_tCyZ4&list=UUjxuLU5B_KLQDSuijIWA41w

Foals limping at the Pryor Mountain roundup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52YY0VYUeqQ&list=UUjxuLU5B_KLQDSuijIWA41w&index=25

Crow Elder talking about the Pryor Mountain Roundup (Cloud Foundation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a9yUJ5S8IE&list=UUjxuLU5B_KLQDSuijIWA41w

The Pryor Mountain Roundup by Carol Walker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW8KVMXrSpw

“Rollin’ for the Wild Horses”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfX2dTKbQHo

The Cloud Foundation at http://thecloudfoundation.org/

Straight from the Horse’s Heart at http://rtfitchauthor.com/

Wild Horse Freedom Federation at http://wildhorsefreedomfederation.org/

Animals Angels at http://www.animalsangels.org/

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Wild Horses: Hazards From Humans on the Pryor Mountains

Posted: August 4, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Report by Carol Walker (Advisory Board Member of  WHFF) as published on Wild Hoofbeats

BLM Hardware Puts Cloud’s Herd at Risk of Injury or Death

Photo by Carol Walker

Last month, I was on top of the mountain spending an idyllic few days with Cloud’s herd in Montana.  I have been making the trip twice a year up the mountain in the summertime every year since 2004, and it is one of the highlights of my year.

On this beautiful summer day, I was sitting at the waterhole near Penn’s cabin, waiting for horses to come down to drink.  This is usually one of the best opportunities to observe and photograph wild horse behavior, because I can watch the families interact and the bands interact with each other.  More senior stallions get priority, bringing their families down to the water first, and staying as long as they wish, before they move out and another band comes down.  Some foals fun and play as they run to the water, and many horses roll in it to cool off.

I was not alone this day – Ginger Kathrens and her intern Briana Foisa were there, and so was Tony Wengert. After at least 12 bands came down to drink, we started to wonder where Cloud and his family were. I joked that Cloud might be waiting to make an entrance, something is good at doing. Finally we could see Cloud up on the hill, running over to a bachelor stallion, but he and his family did not come to drink.  We had been waiting about 1 1/2 hours for him to come down at this point.

Suddenly Jan Liverance came running down the hill to us.  She told us that she had spoken to a family from Lovell, who had come up for the day, and they said they had seen a colt, running up and down behind a fence, unable to get to his mother, who was running up and down on the other side of the fence calling to him.  The family asked Jan if she knew anyone who could help the colt.  We all jumped up and stowed our gear quickly, and headed for our vehicles.

We were not sure where this colt might be, so our first thought was the FENCE , the hated fence erected by the Forest Service, that cuts the wild horses in the Pryor Mountains off from their historic summer and fall range.  We arrived there, and there were no horses in sight.  Luckily, the family drove up to us just then and explained where they had see the colt.  We headed back down the road, and stopped just above a barbed wire fence “exclosure,” and sure enough, there was a foal trapped inside, and it was Cloud and Feldspar’s baby.

He trotted up and down the fence, calling to his mother.  As we approached, I saw Cloud chasing bachelor stallions away from his band, and finally moving his band away to keep them together.

This fence was falling down in places, old rusted barbed wire, and it became clear how a foal could take a nap near it and possibly roll under it, and find himself trapped when he got up.

The priority at that point was to get the foal out and back to his family.  It was a holiday weekend, the BLM office was closed, and there was no cell service in the area anyway, so it was up to us to help him.  With no access to water or to his mother, the foal would most likely die. We moved very quietly and slowly, not wanting to panic him and cause him to run into the barbed wire, and injure himself.  At this point he was bright eyed and active, and watched us as we worked.

Finally Ginger and Tony and Bree got the bottom strands of the barbed wire pulled on top of the T- posts in a long enough area so that the foal might go underneath it and out of the trap.   We watched and waited for him to move out of the exclosure.  Finally he saw the opening, and ran out.  But his adventure was not over at this point.

Cloud’s family was nowhere in sight, as he had had to move his family away from the bachelor stallions harassing him.  The colt ran to the first family he saw, who happened to be Garcia’s band.  Garcia began chasing him, and we were terrified that Garcia might hurt or even kill him, and helpless to do anything about it.  Finally he stopped, and the colt saw Morningstar’s band. This family was a familiar sight, as Cloud and Morningstar’s families had been spending quite a bit of time near each other this last year.

He ran up, realized it was not his family, and then moved on, determined to find Feldspar.  As he disappeared down the hill, I headed to my vehicle, and Ginger, Bree and Jan followed the colt, and Tony headed to find Cloud’s band.  By the time I drove down the road, they had watched him come out on the hill above the waterhole, spot his mother, and carefully pick his way down the rocks to her, and then immediately begin nursing.  He was finally reunited safely with his family.

We were all incredibly relieved.  But this was not the first time a foal had become trapped in this “exclosure” and will not be the last unless it is removed. When I was up there last week, I was disgusted to see it still there, despite letters to Jared Bybee and Jim Sparks.

What is an “exclosure?”  According to the BLM it is a historical reference for monitoring range conditions – in other words, they fence off a portion of the range, keep the horses off it, and then can compare to the range that the horses are using to see how the horses impact the range.  But they are not using this exclosure any more.  They use small, portable “utilization cages” to do studies and monitor range conditions. They said they have no plans to dismantle and remove this dangerous range hazard, despite the fact that it is just above one of the two main waterholes on the mountain, directly in the path of horses traveling to water, and also despite the fact that if foals get caught in there, they can die.  Older horses and foals could become entangled in the downed barbed wire, or could impale themselves on the t-posts.  If the BLM is not using this exclosure, then they need to remove it, barbed wire, posts and all.  Why not remove it NOW before any other horses are harmed, and while they have trucks and equipment up on top of the mountain anyway for the bait trapping?

Please write or call Jim Sparks, Montana Field Manager, jsparks@blm.gov

Phone: 406-896-5013, fax 406-896-5281

and Jared Bybee, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, jbybee@blm.gov

Phone: 406-896-5223

Ask them to tear down and remove this dangerous wild horse hazard.  If enough people speak up, perhaps they will listen.

Click (HERE) to view this story through Carol’s Pictures at Wild Hoofbeats

Related articles

BLM Succeeds in Decimating Cloud the Wild Stallion’s Herd, AGAIN!

Posted: July 29, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Eyewitness Report by Carol Walker as it appears on Wild Hoofbeats.com

BLM Traps Members of Cloud’s Family Band

“Renowned photographer, author and Wild Horse Freedom Federation Advisory Board member, Carol Walker has just returned from witnessing a rerun, less the helicopter, of the BLM’s 2009 attack and assault upon Cloud’s herd in the Pryor Mountains.  Yup, you have it right, the over inflated egos that run the BLM field office in Billings, MT just aren’t happy unless they are chasing wild horses around and keeping their numbers so low that the hope of future genetic viability is nothing more than smoke in the wind.

We hate to bring you this news on a Sunday but it is timely and Carol speaks for the horses and their voices need to be heard.  

AP has released a poorly contrived and somewhat sleazy (IMHO) version of the BLM’s assault and if you have the stomach for it you can view the disrespectful article (HERE).  Meanwhile, Carol’s comments contain finesse and respect so please take a moment and visit her blog to view all of the compelling and corresponding photos that go along with this story of greed, stupidity and male chauvinism gone wild.

It’s enough to rip out your heart while your anger meter pegs-out at 100%.  Nuff said!!” ~ R.T.

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Cloud walking up and down in the trap, looking for lost family members ~ photo by Carol Walker

I just spent two days in the Pryor Mountains of Montana. Normally this time of year it is a beautiful and peaceful place to be.  Most of the horses in the herd are up in the high meadows, foals are playing, and it is peaceful, especially in the early mornings, my favorite time to be out photographing them.

Not any more.  Near the large reservoir water hole, there is a bait trap set up by the BLM in order to capture the 40 young horses they plan to remove from their homes and freedom forever.  There are panels with mesh around them, two openings, and in the middle of the trap, goodies for the horses which can include mineral blocks, hay and other items that the horses tend to find irresistible.

There are also signs warning people to keep back 300 feet.

The very first thing I saw was scuffling and rearing and screaming, coming from Prince trying to keep other horses from coming into the trap.

In the course of the morning, I watched as 10 bands went in and around the trap stallions fought, chased each other and when in the trap, ate the goodies. Knowing that when the BLM personnel arrived, many of the young horses would be caught in this trap and be taken from their families was extremely depressing. I also worried that some of the horses could be seriously injured.

I watched as Cloud appeared from the trees with his family following him, and proceeded down to the trap.  Most of the horses in the trap ran out the minute they saw him approach, but a couple ended up getting chased out before Cloud allowed his family inside. As I left, Cloud’s family had been in the trap at least an hour, and the BLM was on their way to start removing horses.

I knew that three members of Cloud’s family were on the list to be removed and as it turns out, this was Agate, Feldspar’s daughter’s last day of freedom.

When I returned the next morning, most of the horses were not in sight, but Cloud appeared next to the trap.  His family stood next to the trap as he entered. Then I observed Cloud pace around in the trap. He did not stop to eat the goodies but kept smelling the ground, walking back and forth – I do believe he was searching for his lost family members, Breeze, Lynx and Agate.  He only left the trap when his mares headed down the hill toward the water hole, and he ran to catch up with them, but kept looking back to the trap.

I had seen Cloud’s strong loyalty and devotion to his family and his drive to keep them together once before, at the roundup of 2009 when they released his band he kept driving them over and over back toward the corrals because he knew some of them were missing.  The wranglers finally had to drive him away on horseback.

I went down to Britton Springs to observe the horses that had been captured and who will be available for adoption soon.

I want to be very clear.  I am glad that they are not using a helicopter to round these horses up this year. Bait trapping is more humane and should be used as much as possible as an alternative to helicopter round ups.

However, I completely disagree that this removal of 40 young horses plus many foals is necessary, and I have maintained this since the Scoping document was published last year.  This herd needs at least 150 adults to ensure its genetic viability.  They are using birth control to maintain the population.  Removing horses at the same time as using birth control makes no sense and spells trouble for this herd and for any other herd. The best possible solution would to be to tear down the fence cutting these horses off from their historical summer and fall range, and to continue the use of birth control ONLY to maintain the population.

Removing wild horses from their homes and their families and their freedom and keeping them in captivity, whether it be in short term holding, long term holding, or adopted is not the solution. Managing these herds in their herd management areas as the primary species in these areas is.

You can check the BLM website page for information on the removals, and they will also be posting information on the adoption for these young horses once they have scheduled it:

http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/billings_field_office/wildhorses.html

Click (HERE) to view Carol’s Pictorial Essay of this Assault

Cloud’s Release in 2009 BLM Stampede ~ by R.T. and Terry Fitch

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Tribute to a Wild Horse Legend: Conquistador

Posted: June 9, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Open Letter from Ginger Kathrens, volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation

Abused by the BLM, now forever free

Conquistador cruelly captured and removed from his home by the BLM, 9/2009 ~ photo courtesy of the Cloud Foundation

It is with great sadness I report to you the death of the magnificent band stallion, Conquistador. We were shocked to learn of his passing from our dear friend, Effie Orser, who noticed that she did not see him while visiting the scenic pasture where the three bands (Conquistador, Trigger, and Shane) live just outside of Wilsall, Montana. She searched and found his body in a small, grassy gully.

Several days later, Lauryn, our vet, Lisa Jacobson, DVM of Big Sky Equine Veterinary Service, and I went to see if we could tell what might have happened. There were no marks on his body or any wounds of any kind. The ground was completely undisturbed around his body ruling out colic or any other painful struggle. Lisa concluded that he died suddenly, but it was impossible to tell why. It could have been lightning. There was an electrical storm the day before Effie found his body. He could have had an aneurysm. When we looked in his mouth we could see his teeth were quite worn down, causing me to wonder if he was older than we might have imagined. His birth date is 1990 on the BLM roles. He was an adult bachelor stallion when I arrived on the scene in 1994, so I never knew exactly how old he was. He was in great condition, and he had stolen Trigger’s yearling daughter, Josie, just last month, so his drive to expand his family still burned in his stallion heart.

There are several memorable film moments of Conquistador, both of which are in the first Cloud film, Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies. Near the beginning of the film, there is a sequence of Raven rushing out to confront bachelor stallions, one of whom was Conquistador. I remember thinking how much bigger he was than Raven. Of the bachelors, it was Conquistador who did not back down and he and Raven went toe-to-toe and then butt-to-butt. Despite the difference in size, the older, more experienced, Raven made his point. If Conquistador wanted to win a mare, he’d have to look somewhere else!

The second sequence in which Conquistador is a major player is near the end of the first film. I did not know if Cloud had made it through the winter when he was four going on five. He had worn himself out fighting and running in an attempt to steal Mateo’s band. He was thin and lame going into winter.  Then, in late spring, I saw him on the meadows below Penn’s cabin fighting with Conquistador. The two were bent on stealing mares from the blue roan band stallion, Plenty Coups.

Cloud had to back Conquistador off to have a chance to win a mare and he did so. During the racing and fighting Plenty Coups injured his leg but gamely tried to run Cloud off. The end of this drama is unknown to me as Plenty Coups and Cloud disappeared in the fog. Only the birth of Bolder to Plenty Coups’ black mare, Pococeno, revealed that something significant happened during the stormy days that followed.

Later, Conquistador successfully started a family and he did so out in the Custer National Forest where the competition for mares was less intense. I called him our “explorer” for he would travel with his family far down on Crooked Creek and then out toward Sage Creek and I wondered if he had been born out here. For years he lived in peace with his mares and foals in the Forest Service lands, taking up permanent residence on a vast Forest Service ridge called Commissary. His band and the bands of Trigger and Bo lived there year around. Shane ventured onto Commissary Ridge in 2009 shortly before the roundup. The ridge is a cattle allotment and I believe this is the reason all the wild horses that lived there were captured in the September helicopter stampede and removed.

We had no idea that BLM intended to permanently remove all of them, young and old alike. This included 19 year-old (or older) Conquistador and 21 year-old Grumpy Grulla. We pleaded with BLM to, at the very least, spare these two older animals but our requests fell on deaf ears.

With the help of wild horse supporters in the area and donations from individuals and organizations around the country, the Cloud Foundation was able to acquire all the older horses and keep them in their original family bands. These are our Freedom Families. Two bands of the four remain. Shane, the younger dun band stallion, stole Bo’s band in early spring 2010. And now Conquistador’s mares, Cavalitta and Josie are also with Shane. We hope to create a “young” band with Pistol, Trigger’s nearly two-year-old son; Augustina (Conquistador X Cavalitta, a coyote dun); and Lily, Shane’s dun daughter. We remain committed to giving them what they value most—their freedom and their families.

Conquistador’s legacy lives on, not only through Augustina, but also in his homeland, the Pryor Mountains. Two of his sons, Garay (Conquistador X Mariposa) and Grijala (Conquistador X Cavalitta) became band stallions within the past year. Grijala stole Lakota’s band after a clearly vicious fight last summer. He also has another son, Hernando, and a grandson, Hamlet, who may also carry on the Conquistador line.

No human, other than the BLM people who freeze branded him, ever touched Conquistador. His indomitable spirit had long left the body I stroked that rainy late May afternoon. I choose to remember him in life—proud, regal, ferocious in battle, but patient and kind to his mares and foals. He was  unforgettable.

Happy Trails,
Ginger

Click (HERE) to view pictorial collection of Conquistador by TCF

Amateur Wild Horse Photographer Picked as Finalist in Photo Contest

Posted: March 16, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Horse Rescue, The Force of the Horse, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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By R.T. Fitch ~ President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Terry Fitch Photos Selected for Finalists in Equine Photography Competition

"Peaceful Moment" by Terry Fitch

Once again I am proud to report that my wife, Terry, has several photos that have been selected by the nominating committee  of the Equine Ideal: Winter 2012 Photography Contest as finalists in their annual online competition.  In the past she has won honors for a head shot of a rescued horse (click HERE) as we, with Habitat for Horses, released him at Willie Nelson’s ranch on his first day of adopted bliss.  Last year she won ribbons (click HERE) for a shot of the famed wild horses of the Pryor Mountains and this year she is up for ribbons on two different head shots of our very own Pele who was rescued from a slaughter auction through the efforts of Habitat for Horses.  Pele is half quarter horse and from the neck up he is pure wild mustang, we can see the beauty that heralds back to his wild roots as he glides across our pastures in play.

There are many other fine photos entered in this equine photograph contest, including another by Terry, but should you care to support her please click http://www.equinephotocontest.com/peopleschoice.asp and hit the link (Go to Amateur Category) in the bottom of the text box.  Terry’s two “Head Study” shots are currently on row ten halfway down the page and being that awards are a sheer matter of numbers (votes) we are concentrating on the photo, pictured here, Peaceful Moment…which for fun loving Pele is a rare moment, indeed.  If you would like to vote for Terry’s work please note that at the top of the page is a drop down menu that says “Your choice” which would be Peaceful Momentand to that right of that is a spot to enter your email address, simply for a verification response and to ensure that people do not vote more than once from a single email address.  Voting ends at midnight this upcoming Sunday, the 18th of March.I thank you for your support and assistance for if there was ever a time for something positive and happy to twinkle or sparkle in Terry’s life, now would be that time.

Keep the Faith.

Erasing the Memory of Cloud the Stallion

Posted: January 6, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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A special letter from The Cloud Foundation‘s Ginger Kathrens

BLM Plans to Steal the Babies from Cloud’s Herd

“The following is a plea from my personal friend, Ginger Kathrens.  There is nothing contrived or over-inflated in her urgent plea for help as I have personnally looked into the vacant eyes of those who manage the BLM office in Billings Montana and there is not a heart or soul to be seen.  They do what they do to the special horses of the Pryor Mountains because, and I quote, ‘We Can’!

As volunteer President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation I publicly state that we stand beside Ginger and the Cloud Foundation in asking you all to click on the link at the end of this letter and follow the guidelines on how you can help in stopping this BLM travesty.  We cannot stand quietly and let Cloud’s herd disappear into the night, we simply cannot allow it!” ~ R.T.

Dear Cloud Friends;

I know many of you have already sent in your comments to the BLM regarding the planned permanent removal of 30 young Pryor mustangs, but I’d like you to consider adding a special plea for Echo, Cloud’s little grandson (BLM name is Killian).

In April 2010, Bolder’s black mare, Cascade, gave birth to a pale colt. It was early May before Makendra and I could get up on the Pryors to look for the colt that supposedly looked like Cloud. We spotted Bolder and his family far out on a still snowy, finger-like ridge on Sykes. We could see a little colt lying in the snow under a juniper tree. He looked snow white but, on closer examination, I could see his stockings and the blaze on his face. On the tip of his nose he had a pink snip, just like his great grandpa Raven, his grandpa Cloud, and his father, Bolder.

A young version of a familiar sight

I named him Echo because he looked so like Cloud. But, I was to learn that his resemblance to Cloud was much more than skin deep. We laughed as he ran and lept off the ground. Here he is playing on Sykes Ridge when he was a few weeks old.

His dun sister had been born in the snow on the day Makendra and I hiked out to photograph the band. Here is footage of curious Echo meeting Kicks-A-Lot (BLM name is Kiva) when she was just one day old.

Echo and his new sister, Kicks-A-Lot

Outgoing is an understatement for Echo. In the months that followed I watched him develop into quite a precocious little fellow. He played with yearlings when he was just a foal. As a yearling he would march right up to band stallions. Well, I thought, you’ll become a great band stallion if you don’t killed first. His brave, yearling exploits usually ended with him running back to his mother to nurse!

Echo playing with the yearling, Shaft, in summer 2010. Both could be removed in 2012.

Cloud & his grandson (Photo by Carol Walker)

Echo has unusual genetics (his mother is perhaps the only off-spring of Cloud’s rival, Mateo) and he is the only young palomino on the mountain. He is a powerful, athletic colt who will pass on his strength to his offspring—if he gets a chance.

The removal of Echo will be a personal tragedy for me. Although I believe that Cloud will live for many more years, he will not live forever. When he is gone, we will still have Echo as a physical reminder of the great stallion who inspired me, and so many of you.

Three generations left to right: Bolder, Echo, Cloud (Photo by Deb Little)

Echo - Dec. 2011

I ask you to speak up for Cloud’s Echo. Thanks so much for fighting for his freedom!

Happy Trails,
Ginger

P.S.  The Cloud Foundation does not support the removal of any young horses from the Pryor Mountains—certainly not at this time of year, and certainly not 30 youngsters, which will leave the herd under populated and vulnerable to eventual die-off.

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BLM Plans Annihilation of Cloud’s Herd

Posted: August 17, 2011 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
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Information supplied by the Cloud Foundation

BLM Only Accepting Snail Mail Comments to Increase Difficulty

The BLM Billings Field Office mailed a Scoping Letter to interested parties on July 28th, stating their intent to reach an “Appropriate” Management Level (AML) of 90-120 adult wild horses, one year of age and older in the Pryor Mountains. If they carry out this plan 45 to as many as 75 horses would be removed in 2012. We cannot allow this to happen.

Our position is clear—there is absolutely no need for any removals.

It is important that you respond to an action which would threaten the continued existence of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd. Please write a factual letter to the BLM using some of the information provided here. Remember that BLM will not consider your response unless it is clearly your message — no copying of the list supplied here. Please use your own words to communicate your polite outrage at such an unwarranted proposal.

You will note in our list of recommended response topics, the support of PZP, the one-year infertility drug. This comes as a departure for TCF. However, the remotely delivered drug given at the correct time of year has reduced the foal population and it has given us a good argument to fight for no removals. We still strongly believe in the long-range goal of natural management without helicopters or bait traps or drugs. We see PZP as a means to an end, and that end is a hands off strategy in which Mother Nature calls the shots as much as possible.

Please read on and create a powerful message on behalf of Cloud, his family and herd. BLM will not allow emails, so send your letters directly to the BLM (see address below). If you can only send an email, send it to us at info@thecloudfoundation.org and we will copy it and mail these emails to the BLM. The reason for BLM opting out of email is that we crashed their server last time. Well, let’s send enough mail to bury them in recycled paper this time around!

Letters need to be postmarked to the BLM by August 30th.

Thanks so much for standing up now to avert a disaster for the herd in 2012.

Happy Trails!
Ginger

P.S. – If you mail your letters directly to BLM, please consider emailing us a copy for our records. Your comments are important to us and, on more than one occasion, we have used an idea from a supporter comment that never occurred to us. We strongly recommend you ask for a return receipt to your letters. 

You can mail your letters to:
Jim Sparks, Field Manager
BLM Billings Field Office
5001 Southgate Drive
Billings, MT 59101

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