Equine Rescue

Wild Horse “Operation Badlands” – Full Speed Ahead

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Help still needed to insure historic wild horses do not go to slaughter.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.  (Sept. 25, 2013) – The Cloud Foundation (TCF) and Legacy Mustang Preservation (LMP) are proceeding full speed ahead with Operation Badlands, an effort to insure that none of the historic mustangs being rounded up at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) this week end their lives on the floor of a slaughterhouse.

110 young horses will be auctioned off at Wishek Livestock Sales in Wishek, ND on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 at 11:00 am.  TCF and LMP have worked to raise awareness of the auction of these mustangs and plan to insure that those who do not receive bids from caring people offering forever homes will still find sanctuary.  TCF and LMP can currently purchase 22-24 horses that do not receive bids, transport them to Legacy Mustang Preservation in Louisa, VA, where they will be halter trained, gentled and cared for until they can be adopted permanently.

“We are trying to raise enough money to finance one more transport which is on hold until we get more donations,” states Ginger Kathrens, Executive Director of TCF. “More funds will allow us to take 10-12 more horses to Legacy in Virginia.”

The Badlands horses are part of the history of America.  Sturdy, colorful, and athletic, they descended from horses that once carried Mandan and Hidatsa braves to hunting grounds in the Badlands. They served the U.S. Cavalry Badlands remount station in this rugged landscape. They worked the lands with early pioneers who homesteaded the area.

“We tried to convince the Park to remove only half the young horses this year as forage is so great and to remove the rest next year,” added Kathrens. “110 horses, even those as beautiful as these, are tough for the market to absorb. If any young mustangs are purchased by kill buyers it will be a tragedy.”

In the past, TRNP wild horses have been purchased by kill buyers and have ended up going to slaughter, a practice the Park does not endorse but does allow.

TCF Board Member, Lisa Friday and members of LMP will be bidding against buyers who intend to take the horses to slaughter. “I just hope we have enough funds to secure a future for these young animals.” stated Lisa Friday.

A nationwide campaign to promote the auction has drawn the attention of many who are interested in purchasing their own piece of history. However, those who cannot attend the auction and take home one of these young horses can still help by donating to the Badlands Mustangs Fund.

Links:

Operation Badlands Moving Full Speed Ahead

Saving the Badlands Mustangs

Operations Badlands – Video

North Dakota Badlands Horse Facebook

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Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse News, Horse Slaughter, Wild Horses/Mustangs

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7 replies »

  2. It’s very unfortunate they would not consider Ginger Kathren’s request to remove half of the mustangs at this time and the remainder next year. I suppose that suggestion made too much sense. It’s really sad to see these beautiful mustangs losing their freedom and famiies…their lives will never be the same. Now, we can only hope they’re spared from going to slaughter! My heartfelt thanks goes out to TCF, LMP and to everyone taking part in the auction. I hope and pray all will be rescued and will do my part to help with a donation. Good luck and thank you.

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  4. If we all had a Penny for every tear we have shed for the Mustangs , the Mustangs would have no Problems we would be Rich and , we all know money talks , we could really speak Volumes in their defense, I lay awake for hours trying to figure out what we can do to end this greed Charade for the Mustangs ……

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