Joint effort by Vicki Tobin and R.T. Fitch
This little piece originally appeared on SFTHH on Christmas Day of 2009. As of late it has graced the pages of the December 2010 edition of TrueCowboy Magazine and SFTHH in 2011
Twas the night before Christmas on our public land
not a Mustang was stirring, knowing what was at hand.
They huddled in fear hoping someone would care,
in hopes that the advocates soon would be there.
The foals hid in cover while Mom stood her ground
while stallions ensured Sun-J was no where around.
With Salazar lurking and Cattor so close by
the bands must stay quiet and not blink an eye.
When out on the range there arose such a clatter
the Mustangs all knew, what was the matter.
They ran to take cover, on wings they did fly
for surely they thought that they all would soon die.
The visions of millions made contractors grin
while ranchers and wranglers high-fived a big win.
More horses removed by ignoring the law
hold on to your hats and stand back in awe.
The chopper did glisten on new fallen snow
sealing the fate of the horses below.
When all of a sudden, the bands all stood still
and watched as the chopper came over the hill.
They stood in amazement, can it really be true
the advocates appeared right out of the blue.
The horses retreated; not believing their eyes
for surely this is a BLM guise.
Then leading the charge, both lively and quick
were Downer and Holland and Fitch with a stick.
More rapid than lightening, Cate was in tow
with Simone close behind, telling all where to go.
Now Ginger and Wagman and Ann times two,
Oh Debbie and Grandma and Julie it’s you.
Now Vicki and Jerry and right there is Anne
now Terry and Marjorie with their cameras in hand.
Down the hill they descended toward the horses with care
and watched as the chopper, fled into the air.
The advocates came with injunction in hand
the decree shouted out, “this is our public land”.
“Enough is enough” the judge did declare
the horses were saved by the breadth of a hair.
Our work here’s not done, the advocates did cry
the choppers still flying, more herds could be spied.
Its back to D.C. with a permanent plan
to ensure all the horses can live on their land.
So love was delivered to the horses with pride
but the warriors must leave so that no more would die.
They climbed up the hill and turned back to the band
who all now had gathered on what was their land.
“We carry you with us”, R.T. did proclaim,
“We go to the White House to show them your way.”
The horses all bowed with a sign of approval
as they all now knew that there was no removal.
They neighed and they nickered to the spirit above
Thanks for sending the people who gave us their love.
Categories: The Force of the Horse, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Thank you.
A Christmas wish and prayer for the day when all equines will be given true respect, peace and most of all, the freedom from harm that they have so historically earned.
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From your words to God’s ear! Now, that would be a Merry Christmas indeed!
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I pray the wild horses and all horses will be saved in the New Year. The roundups and slaughter must be stopped. They need a Christmas miracle.
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That would certainly be a Merry Christmas.
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Beautiful RT! Let’s all hope and pray that day will come, so the wild ones will be where they belong, free and at peace. We certainly know that you have done your part, in helping to achieve this to completion, no matter what the outcome.
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A Christmas Wish for Our Wild Mustangs, May every Mustang be at Peace and Free for Christmas, and may the New Year bring to them the Freedom they were given by the American people who love them……………. May also all the Efforts by the Advocates be realized , all here in their own capacity have Labored for this one Wonderful Goal, In the New Year May all here have their Labor of Love and Promise brought into the Light and become Real for the Mustangs……………. Somehow I know it will happen………….May it be SWIFT, everyone here knows Freedom will come for the Wild Mustangs . Oh what a Wonderful Day it will be………………for all……………
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Beautiful….Yes, a Christmas miracle, PLEASE – for the horses, and let’s not forget the humble BURROS – upon whose backs is the sign of the cross – literally….I hope, I hope, I pray….
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“Legend of the Donkey”
Legend tells us that the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday followed Him to Calvary. Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the cross, the donkey turned away but could not leave. It is said that the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey. A cross marking found on many donkeys today remains a testimony of the love and devotion of a humble, little donkey.
“Just a Little Donkey”
Just a little donkey,
but on my back I bore
The one and only Savior
the world was waiting for.
Just a little donkey,
but I was strong & proud –
I gladly carried Mary
through the chaos of the crowd.
I brought her to a stable
where she made a tiny bed…
A place for baby Jesus
to lay His little head.
I pray the world remembers
that special Christmas night
when just a little donkey
carried Heaven’s Precious Light.
— Rita S. Beer
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I love this poem. It helps us remember the dear Burros also.
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This is absolutely beautiful!! All horses, the wild horses especially, need a real Christmas Miracle!! If we could stop the BLM, with help from Above, that would be the most amazing, awesome gift we could give our beautiful equine friends! That includes our little burro friends as well! 🙂 You should send copies to the president, as well as all major newspapers, magazines, & any others you can think of. We will continue to keep the horses in our prayers, we know at the very least, our Creator hears us, &, He will surely guide all of us in this long battle. God bless all horse & animal advocates, we ARE their voice.
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Poem from man to horse
by: Simone Netherlands
I’d like to be the kind of friend, the friend you are to me,
I’d like to be the kind of friend, that’s there but lets you be.
I’d like to be the kind of friend just so I can repay,
I’d like to be the kind of friend that never would betray.
Cause when I went through hardships, I knew I could press on,
undaunted in my darkest hours with you to lean upon.
You carried me through thick and thin, you helped me conquer lands,
you let me steer you step by step your leads in my cold hands.
I wish I didn’t break your trust and cruelly let you die,
I’d like to give you all the answers when you ask me why.
Greed is something vicious and it kills you in the end
I’m sorry that I made you think that I was your friend.
I am oh so powerful, convinced it is my right,
that I can send you far away, the cruelty out of sight.
Mostly I’m just selfish and don’t think that I can see,
that it’s not too difficult to let you just be free.
Perform until you can no more, you are fast because I ask,
I know you give me all you can and it’s no easy task.
All you want is love and praise and you are never cruel,
if I could just be more like that and less of such a fool.
I’d like to say I’m sorry horse, and know that you have heard,
I wish that I could heal the pain and sorrow I have stirred.
And what you always do for me, I’d like to do for you;
wipe the grays from out your skies and leave them only blue.
So if I only had one wish then here’s what it would be;
I’d like to be the kind of friend, the friend you are to me.
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Simone, that is absolutely beautiful and moving. Thank you.
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A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE FROM HEAVEN ABOVE. DEAR LORD I PRAY THAT TODAY YOU WOULD PUT A HALO OVER EACH BELOVED HORSE ON THE RANGES ACROSS OUR NATION AND PROTECT THEM FROM DEATH AND ABUSE. I PRAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT BODIES THAT THEY WILL BE TOUCHED TODAY BY THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN ABOVE AND THEY WILL CHANGE THEIR DIRECTION FROM ROUND UPS TO LETTING GO AND LET OUR HORSES BE FREE TO ROAM ON OUR LAND THAT THE UNITED STATES PEOPLE OWN NOT THE GOVERNMENT. WE ARE THE LAND OWNERS AND WE THE PEOPLE WILL STAND UP TO PROTECT WHAT IS OURS. WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO TELL YOU GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES THAT WE DO NOT APPROVE OF YOUR TAINTED METHODS. BLM LEAVE OUR HORSES ALONE. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HORSES BUSINESS. OUR HORSES WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY NEED. LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART, SOUL IF YOU HAVE ONE AND YOUR TENDER VOICE. THEY CAN HEAR US AND THE BELLS ARE RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR. WE WILL BE RIGHT BESIDE THEM ALL THE WAY SO PLEASE DO NOT MISTREAT OUR HORSES FOR WE WILL HOLD YOU ALL ACCOUNTABLE IN THE LONG RUN AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM YOUR HORRIBLE STAINS AND MISS GUIDED WAYS. FOR THE HORSES THAT HAVE DIED AT YOUR HANDS YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE. DOCUMENTATION IS REAL AND WE HAVE IT SO PLEASE TREAT OUR HORSES WITH TENDER CARE AND LOVE ONLY. GOD BLESS OUR WILD HORSES, FREEDOM AND HONOR TO THEM. WE ARE THEIR VOICE.
JUDITH
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I love this! I love you all for your tenacity. I wish I could be with you and help, but I am with you in Spirit. Blessed Christmas to all, and a Better New Year for OUR horses.
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Wouldn’t this be the best Christmas present ever? It is my dream in the New Year that the wild horses all of a sudden decide to stand still whenever they hear a helicopter, to refuse to budge and to refuse to be rounded up. Stand your ground wild horses. You do not have to be pushed around anymore by that monster in the sky.
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My Christmas wish is that a Higher Power mysteriously grounds every copter from the sky, and turns the BLM in to suffer all the same Assaults that they needlessly inflicted on the Mustangs………………….. And are brought up on charges…….for all the Criminal Actions they have perpetrated ……………………..needlessly……………
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Beautiful!
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Mustang,wild horse of Asia,zebra,donkey,mule,draft,pony–Merry Christmas–and Peace — to all the horses of the world. @audreyc–what a wonderful poem.
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Some beautiful poetry here!
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We can all pray for DIVINE JUSTICE
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God Bless the horses, and God Speed and Bless the horse warriors, the true horse lovers, the ones who fight to save their very worthy lives and spirits! Thanks for sharing this!!!!!
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Thanks for sharing…
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Beautiful! Justice! Thank you!
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🙂
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Such a wonderful christmas gift to the horses this would be.
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