Terri Farley

Thursday, February 28, 2013

MIME SKILLS: BLM gives lip service to cooperation

Dear Readers: One aged mare remains beside the trap where BLM took away her family. Video & story in Los Angeles Times : Read

Labels: BLM, Deer Run herd

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

BLM says: Thanx 4 yr ideas; still takin yr mustangs

Dear Readers,
This is how BLM explains the trapping of 11 wild horses.
The Deer Run herd has been zeroed out. They were going to star in an upcoming book, but I can't write as fast as BLM can strip our horses from the range.
Please note: information in press release contradicts existing fact from other sources, and BLM has yet to show their documentation

Advocates say all of the horses taken away TODAY.

BLM Nevada News

Carson City District Office No. CCDO 13-26

For Release: February 26, 2013

Wild Horse Bait Trapping Effort in Carson City to Continue

in Order to Prevent Safety Issues

BLM to Hold Adoption of Gathered Horses

Carson City, Nev. – On Jan. 23, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Carson City District Office began removing 11 problem wild horses on the outskirts of Carson City, Nevada. The horses are a part of the Pine Nut Mountains herd management area (HMA) that is adjacent to Deer Run Road in Carson City. These horses routinely cross the Carson River into River View City Park, where the BLM has received several complaints of people feeling threatened by the wild horses. The horses are outside of HMA boundaries the majority of the time and residents, especially horse owners, can quickly find themselves in potentially dangerous situations as domestic wild horse encounters can be very unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Two weeks ago, after gathering five of the 11 horses, the BLM took a break from bait trapping due to some community concerns, and the BLM met with constituents to hear their position and potential solutions. The community group submitted ideas that were considered, but they did not address and resolve all of the public safety problems. The BLM has posted the community’s proposals, as well as its information regarding the viability of these solutions, on its website at www.blm.gov.

“While the BLM recognizes that these horses have been part of the community out here for many years, we also have a responsibility to keep wild horses from creating a safety hazard or threatening the well-being of the community and its animals,” said Leon Thomas, Sierra Front Field Manager. “We truly appreciate the ideas people provided us for alternative solutions, but after thoroughly considering each one, they won’t truly eliminate the concerns from other community members. The community has offered a proposal that is a great starting point for working with local residents and the city to ensure we have long-term solutions in place, so we don’t find ourselves in this position again. I’m looking forward to getting the various groups involved.”

Four horses have been struck and killed by vehicles since 2010; however, the Carson City District isn’t always notified of collisions, so this number could be higher. Since June of 2011, the district has removed five stallions in response to complaints. These complaints ranged from concern for the safety of residents’ children, as some of these stallions approached residents’ children in an aggressive manner while the children were riding horses or caring for their own horse, to other stallions that were fighting with domestic horses through fences. In all complaints, there were safety concerns and property damage.

The BLM follows the Code of Federal Regulations 4720.2-1, which mandates the removal of strayed animals from private lands based on written request from landowners. The bait trapping is in response to several complaint letters the BLM has received in past months from private landowners.

The gathered horses will be offered for adoption as soon as possible, hopefully within in the next month or so, at Silver Saddle Ranch, and details will be forthcoming and will be posted on the BLM Nevada website at www.blm.gov.

The appropriate management level for the Pine Nut Mountains HMA is 119 to 179 with a current population of 293, so relocating these horses away from homes to a different part of the HMA would only add to the existing resource issues. Additionally, the horses could move back to the neighborhood if released. Any animals removed will be transported to the Northern Nevada Correctional Center outside Carson City, and prepped for the upcoming adoption.

-BLM-

SAY GOOD-BYE

Labels: BLM, Carson City, Deer Run herd, Leon Thomas, Sierra Front, zeroed out

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Monday, February 25, 2013

Rocky Tries Out a Saddle

Dear Readers,
Do you remember this photo of Virginia Range orphan Rocky, the Rockstar "dancing" in a human house, all decked out in his diaper?
He's growing up and trying out different gear now and PALOMINO ARMSTRONG, rescuer of many wild foals, sent along a letter and photos of his progress.
"Because of snow and ice, my plans to take the Rock Star out in the round pen to be "saddled up" were foiled. Thanks to our awesome nursery though, I was able to safely bring him in and we practiced saddling up.

"Man" enough to wear pink (and a saddle)

First of all, I know he is a boy, and the blanket is pink. But he is a very manly mustang and can wear it well. Also, the saddle does not fit him properly (of that I am well aware), but for saddle training it is perfect. It is light and, as he will only be about one year old on March 12, 2013, that is very important. It also has the appropriate things to hang on his sides and the straps to go under his belly and between his legs.

"As is very evident, the Rock Star has absolutely no concern about wearing his gear and moving around in it. He trusts us completely and loved the attention. By the time he is ready to ride, the gear should be about as comfy and non-existent as his mane to him."


ChillyPepper, the first wild foal saved by Palomino Armstrong								Click here to read more about wild foal rescue

Labels: orphan foal, Palomino Armstrong, Rocky the Rockstar, Virginia Range wild horses

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

We Must Be Allowed to See the Treatment of OUR Horses

Dear Readers,

If we can't get BLM to change their treatment of wild horses out of a sense what's humane and right, we must make them allow cruelty while the whole world is watching.

Offering a whiff of sage to the wild ones - photo by Cat Kindsfather

That's what the following court case is about. That's why I testified yesterday & will return today.

coverage from HORSEBACK MAGAZINE:

The case of Laura Leigh v. Ken Salazar, U.S. Department of the Interior, et al continued in Federal Court in Reno, Nevada, February 19, 2013.

Two years ago, Leigh, a photojournalist, claimed viewing restrictions at the Silver King roundup of wild horses violated her First Amendment rights. Though she was denied injunctive relief, Leigh appealed.

The case continued with an emphasis on the press and public’s diminishing opportunities to document wild horse round-ups throughout the West, beginning in 2001 and continuing to the present.

Witnesses included: Elyse Gardner, humane observer at Pryor Mountain, Twin Peaks and Calico Complex round-ups; Sally Summers, director of HorsePower, an organization which originated Nevada license plates which picture a wild white horse and burro, proceeds from which benefit equine rescue; Bill Bauer, a veteran observer of round-ups in several states and Terri Farley, author of fact-based fiction and an early observer of wild horses round-ups in the Calico Complex.

As testimony ran into the second half of the day, Judge Larry Hicks issued a “heads up,” saying witnesses had established variable and diminishing opportunities to view wild horses at round-ups and BLM pens, however the court needed clarification on what constituted reasonable viewing opportunities.

Over the objection of Department of Interior Attorney Eric Peterson, Judge Hicks declared Leigh “the most knowledgeable journalist to observe wild horse roundups,” and let her take the stand to define reasonable access.

Citing the number of worldwide readers who depend on her research, Leigh insisted “unobstructed views” of her subjects and the ability to identify mustangs as individuals was most important.

On Wednesday, February 19, Federal witnesses are expected to state safety concerns regarding public attendance at the wild horse roundups and facilities they manage.

Labels: Attorney Gordon Cowan, Bill Bauer, Elyse Gardner, First Amendment, Judge Larry Hicks, Laura Leigh, press access, Sally Summers, terri farley

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Running Sage

Photographer Cat Kindsfather first sighted RUNNING SAGE in the wild.

Dear Readers,
Most of us want wild horses home on the range.
When BLM or the Nevada Department of Agriculture rips them off their lands and threatens their lives, however, we step up to help.
Mustang photographer Cat Kindsfather first photographed a dappled gray colt she called Running Sage in the wild.
When he was rounded up, she came to his rescue and he now shares pasture land with other herd members who were taken away from their wild homes.

WATCH THIS VIDEO: as they recognize each other & celebrate Family reunion for Running Sage

Enjoy,
Terri

Labels: BLM roundup, Cat Kindsfather, Running Sage

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Friday, February 15, 2013

You want to know WHAT about wild horses?

Dear Readers,

Photo from RETURN TO FREEDOM

Whether you're working on a school project or simply curious, if you have questions about where wild horses came from and where they're going, this new ABOUT WILD HORSES page at RETURN TO FREEDOM will be lots of help.

Enjoy!

Terri

Labels: Return to Freedom, school projects, wild horse facts

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

14 Valentine's Days

Dear Readers,
Many of you are writers.
Like me, you struggle to select words that will bring your characters to life.
One of the best descriptions I've heard comes from an unlikely place: President Obama's State of the Union message earlier this week.

Such an important speech must've been crafted by several people, so I don't know who gets the credit for this description of a victim of gun violence, a teen named Hadiya Pendleton.

"She was 15 years old. She loved Fig Newtons and lip gloss. She was a majorette. She was so good to her friends, they all thought they were her best friend..."

In a few sentences, we know this girl.
That's the beauty and the heartbreak of good writing.
Best,

Terri

Labels: characterization, President Obama, State of the Union, Valentine's Day, writing

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 2:30 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Pipelines to the Horse Mafia

Dear Readers,

Discovery of horse meat substituted for beef in British groceries has led reporters to stories that sound like the basis for a grotesque new thriller, except that sources confirmed the ugly truth of Romanian peasants selling wild horses and worn-out work companions to an underground economy trafficking in disguised horse meat and
Secret Slaughter

Not all contributors to secret slaughter are struggling for survival. Horse meat analysis reveals the presence of performance enhancing drugs used in equine athletes.


Didn't win enough? Fractured bones stressed too young? Didn't measure up to breeder's standard?

Guess which breeds of American horses are sent to slaughter most often?
Ugly answer to come in a later blog post.
Shuddering,
Terri

Labels: equine athletes, Horse Mafia, horse slaughter, performance-enhancing drugs, Romania

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Wednesday, February 06, 2013

How to: Live with a Wild Horse

How to You Pick the Right Mustang for YOU

MUSTANGS 4 US is a website that's been described as Disneyland for Mustang-lovers and it will give you some questions to consider.

From color and conformation to where to find a "used" wild horse, you'll discover guidance for
Choosing the Right One

Plus the site has lots of cool stuff, including t-shirts with this logo

BLM Adoption Schedule, by State

HiddenValleyWildHorseAdoptions

Want to Bond with a REALLY Wild Horse?

BLM is trying something new. If you are experienced with wild horses & a qualified adopter you might be lucky enough to adopt one of 20 yearlings available this Saturday, February 9, right where they were captured.
For more information, check out: Adopting a mustang on its home range

After you adopt

There's lots of help available to assure you & your mustang get off to a good start. If you want to learn to put your HEAD where your HEART is, check out WILD HORSE MENTORS .

Labels: adopt on the range, birthday party, BLM, Hidden Valley horses, LRTC, picking a mustang, wild horse mentors

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Sunday, February 03, 2013

Good Morning, Beautiful!

Back From the Brink of Extinction

In 1997 only 30 Poitou donkeys of France were left alive

Many think the Poitou (pronounced roughly like this: pwah two) was originally bred as a mate for horses to produce huge, strong mules, but in the Middle Ages they were prized as riding animals for the rich because of their extremely friendly nature & ability to get along with other equines. In fact, today's Poitou breeders believe you should have plenty of land if you want Poitous, because they love company!

When the desire for big strong mules faded, Poitous were sold off in herds, and many ended their lives on dinner plates.

Now, thanks to a conservation program, it looks as if the friendly dread -locked donkeys will survive.

Want to read more?Click here: Poitou Donkey

Labels: conservation breeding program, endangered, France, Middle Ages, mule, Poitou donkey

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