R.T. Fitch’s life has been anything but ordinary. Straight out of high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force Band during the Vietnam era, and while stationed in Hawaii, he spent weekends at Sea Life Park training penguins, sea lions, and whales. His path through life has taken many unexpected turns—including more than a few lessons in love—until meeting his wife, Terry, brought a lasting partnership and a shared passion for animals.
Over the course of his adult career, R.T. worked internationally in multiple countries, gaining a broad, global perspective that colors both his worldview and his writing. Now rooted in Texas, he and Terry live on a small farm surrounded by four-legged companions with paws, claws, and hooves. Together, they have devoted years to equine rescue and wild horse protection.
An ordained volunteer chaplain and professional Santa Claus for a local historical society—with Terry by his side as Mrs. Claus—R.T. brings warmth, wisdom, and joy to every season. His work reflects a life of service, wonder, and connection to both people and animals.
He is the author of Straight from the Horse’s Heart, a moving collection of true rescue stories and spiritual reflections, and Fangs of Light, a supernatural tale steeped in symbolic and metaphorical storytelling. The first in a planned trilogy, Fangs of Light blends myth and mystery to explore themes of identity, redemption, and the power of empathy—offering readers not only suspense and intrigue but a deeper look at the light and shadow within us all.
Ree Drummond, who writes the popular “The Pioneer Woman” blog, is married to Ladd Drummond (whom she calls “Marlboro Man”), one of the partners of Drummond Land and Cattle, which has a BLM contract for Long Term Holding pastures for our wild horses.
Wild Horse Freedom Federation’s (WHFF) Director of Wild Burro Affairs, Marjorie Farabee has brought to our attention that this week the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be holding an annual hearing. It is interesting to note that with all of the controversy swirling around the TPWD’s policy of shooting wild burros on sight there is no mention of them or their policy on the proposed agenda, Marjorie intends to change that with your help.
We try our best not to promote stupid, hence we have not written about “Slaughterhouse” Sue Wallis as of late, but every now and then a written piece of trash blows by that just screams out for attention and this morning one blew in with a gust of smelly air from Lake Havasu City, AZ. An editorial was printed, without even giving away the author’s name for good reason, that placed the blame for a burro’s death in an auto collision squarely upon the ‘invasive’ burro…it shouldn’t have been there so now there is a need to get rid of all those potential impediments to traffic, forth with.
HOUSTON, (Horseback) – The case against individuals involved in the transport of Oklahoma based wild horses in the custody of the federal Bureau of Land Management has taken another turn, this time to the office of the United States Attorney in Salt Lake City. The 64 horses were seized from a Utah slaughter kill buyer and impounded August 5 and 6.
The three-day symposium held at the Marriott Residence Inn in Alexandria, VA from September 26-28, will address issues related to equine cruelty, slaughter, and America’s wild horses and burros.
Described as the first event of its kind, the International Equine Conference will bring together members of the equine welfare movement to discuss the political, scientific and legal implications of current international equine issues.
Wild Horse and Burro advocates couldn’t stop the controversial Twin Peaks round-up of more than 2,000 wild horses and 200 wild burros along the California-Nevada border because it has already happened, the 9th Circuit ruled.
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.
HOUSTON (SFTHH) – The Equine Welfare blog, Straight from the Horses Heart hit the milestone of 1 million unique views this day, August 16th, 2011. Originally intended to be a promotional platform for the heart rending book by the same name the blog soon became an internet megaphone for wild horse and horse slaughter related issues. Book author and publisher of the site R.T. Fitch says that he wouldn’t have it any other way:
On our blog we attempt to either post or write a positive and, hopefully, uplifting article for publication on Sunday. It is our hope that everyone has the opportunity to rest, relax and recharge their emotional and spiritual batteries before heading into another week of survival in a world turned upside down. The past two Sundays nothing, absolutely not one word has been published at “Straight from the Horse’s Heart”.
The Wyoming Tourism Board wants you and your family to come see the wild horses in Sweetwater County, but you better go quick. Beginning next month, federal officials and local contractors will roundup and remove approximately 700 of those horses (about 70 percent of the herd) to satisfy the complaints of the cattle and sheep ranchers in the area who don’t want to share land with federally-protected horses. The “cherished,” “living examples” of Wyoming’s western heritage will be penned in and then given up for adoption or sold at auction. Many will soon die. Some may even be slaughtered for meat. All will likely be gone from view in Sweetwater County. You and your family, having traveled to southwestern Wyoming, may be plum out of luck.
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