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Friday, June 28, 2013
BLM's Palomino Valley Adoption Center Dear Readers, I rarely post a BLM press release just as it comes to me. Today, I'm making an exception, but keep your skeptic's glasses on. Northern Nevada is in the midst of an over 100 degrees each day heat wave. Wild horse and burro advocates have repeatedly asked BLM to give the wild horses some shelter so that they can follow their natural behavior which is just like your's : SEEK SHADE WHEN THE SUN IS BEATING DOWN! Ever-responsive BLM communications person Heather Emmons tells me BLM installed sprinklers today in 3 large outside pens and 5 mare/foal pens on a trial basis to see if that will help cool things down. They're going to monitor them and see how the horses do with them. She also sent me a press release. I have repeatedly marked the BLM PRESS RELEASE as such because I have not been out to Palomino Valley to see these sprinklers for myself. Terri
Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center Installs Sprinklers to Mitigate Effects of Heat Wave
BLM PRESS RELEASE
Reno, Nev. – In expectation of continued
three-digit temperatures this weekend and to address public concerns,
the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Palomino Valley Center outside
Reno is installing sprinklers to three of the large, outside wild horse
pens and five mare/foal pens as a stop-gap measure to attempt to reduce
heat levels inside the corrals. BLM staff will observe how the animals
respond to the sprinklers, which could include avoidance, or chewing on
and rubbing against the sprinklers, which are foreign structures to the
animals.
BLM PRESS RELEASE
The use of shade shelters in corrals has been
considered and evaluated by BLM numerous times. Current policy is based
on the following principles:
BLM PRESS RELEASE
- Wild
horses and burros are accustomed to open environments and when their
nutritional demands are met, they do well against the natural elements,
including sun, rain, snow, and hot and cold temperatures. At Palomino
Valley, the animals are fed hay each day; mineral blocks are available
in each pen; and a continuous supply of water is available via automatic
waterers.
BLM PRESS RELEASE
- Open
corrals with plenty of sunlight have proven to be the best way to
minimize disease-causing organisms. The BLM's open corrals enable the
drying effects of the sun and wind to take effect. The corrals are
sloped to minimize the pooling of precipitation in the pens and to allow
it to channel to the exterior of the facility.
BLM PRESS RELEASE
- Due to
the temperament of the animals, the social hierarchy between the
animals, and their unfamiliarity with shelters, the BLM feels that
corrals without shelters are the safest approach. Shelters could create
a potential obstacle for animals running and playing in the corrals,
and cause significant injuries. The BLM has wind breaks and/or shelters
for sick animals. The “sick pens” do not have the same safety issues
because the animals are in a smaller area with limited pressure from
other animals.
BLM PRESS RELEASE
Weather conditions, as well as determining the most
appropriate way to address the needs of the animals, vary across the
country. What works well and is needed for a small facility in the
Midwest may not be necessary or work well for a large facility in
Southern California or Nevada. Each facility uses methods compatible
with local animal husbandry practices to provide the best solution for
maintaining the large numbers of animals for which the BLM provides
care. Nonetheless, plans are underway for the BLM to consult the
scientific research community to inform future options on this issue. BLM PRESS RELEASE
The Palomino Valley Center, located about 20
miles north of Reno, is the largest BLM preparation and adoption
facility in the country with a capacity of 1,850 animals. It serves as
the primary preparation center for wild horses and burros gathered from
the public lands in Nevada and nearby states. Visitors wishing to adopt
are encouraged to call the Center prior to arrival at (775) 475-2222.
Public hours for visiting are held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4
p.m. and on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m.-noon. BLM PRESS RELEASE
Labels: BLM, heat wave, Palomino Valley, press release, wild horses Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 7:05 PM 1 comments  
Does a 10 year old horse have a future?
If you're a horse, how old is old? BLM sells wild horses over 10-years-old "without limitation" ; they can be killed and sold for slaughter, just like young horses which haven't found families. from their website: "In addition to placing wild horses and burros into good homes through the adoption program, the BLM directly sells animals that are more than 10 years old and those younger that have been passed over for adoption at least three times."After looking at the chart below, why do you think they choose that age? Does your > 10 horse have any value? EQUINE/HUMAN AGE EQUIVALENCY CHARTcreated by Katherine Blocksdorf read more about how this chart was made on Horses.comLabels: "without limitation", BLM, Equine age, Equine/human age equivalency, human age, wild horses Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:30 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 50 Months of State Images: What Will They Say about USA?
Christophe Kutner is an artist with a camera. He lives in Paris and New York. If you follow him around the Internet, you'll spend hours exploring exotic, eccentric, unique fashion images, but when I met him, he was searching for wild horses in Nevada. February 2013 he began an adventure that will go for 50 months. Christophe has challenged himself to reveal the real United States by publishing an image a day, creating a sort of collage portrait of each state in his Lost and Found Diary Wild horses will show one part of Nevada, but I can't wait to see what else Christophe captures. I'm sure it will reveal secrets of the state where I live.
"No matter the artistic point of view," he says, "It will meet with an undeniable sociological testimony, that will give us to reflect on what really is the state of united states today." Labels: Christophe Kutner, Nevada, photography, State of the Union Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:42 AM 0 comments
Monday, June 24, 2013 Top Model has a Heart for Horses SOJOURNER MORRELL MINGLES WITH MUSTANGSTop model has a heart for horses And you would be wrong. Sojourner and her friend Christophe (more about him, tomorrow) are ricocheting around Northern Nevada because Sojourner loves horses and wanted to see Nevada's mustangs. Lucky me! I was tagged by the Cloud Foundation to make that happen and was excited to give Sojourner copies of PHANTOM STALLION books in French and English. Over lunch with Shannon Windle of Hidden Valley Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, we made a plan to find wild horses and talked about world affairs. It was an eye-opening day in many ways. I so admire people -- like Sojourner and Christophe -- who are fluent in several languages. Really. We discussed American politics, mad cow disease, the treatment of mustangs by BLM vs. Nevada Department of Agriculture, at-risk teens, dressage, old-time Nevada divorce ranches and Cajun cooking. Following a back road through pine trees, we visited wild horses that had been rescued from kill-buyers in Fallon, Nevada. This rowdy bunch galloped around, putting on a Wild West show to prove they were still every inch MUSTANGS. Next, we found wild horses that well-meaning people have been hand feeding. It was nice for our visitors to see them close up, but as Sojourner said, "They're very accustomed to humans. That's not good, is it." I took a few snapshots with my phone, but Christophe is an internationally renowned photographer, so when some of HIS photos pop I'm, I'll alert you. In the meantime, you should know that Sojourner is determined to find a way to use her considerable skills to help save wild horses and I have a feeling that something magical may happen. Watch for updates! Terri
Labels: fashion, Hidden Valley Wild horses, mustangs, phantom stallion, Shannon Windle, Sojourner Morrell, Spanish Riding School, terri farley Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 2:40 PM 1 comments
Saturday, June 22, 2013 Love & Groceries Turn Dead-end Arabian into Dream Horse  
Dear Readers, This is an update from Palomino. Anything I added is in bold print.
When a horse is "given away for free, or sold for a very modest
price", how sure are you where they actually end up? Many people are
not aware that there is a huge, sadistic and ever growing market for
cheap and free horses. Here's how people looking for these horses appear like the perfect new owners --
People "rent" part of someone's
ranch to show the perfect new home for your horse, but they are in kahoots with the ranch
owner. Both buyer and property owner share in the profits.
"Husband and wife" or perfect
"couple" appear to be such animal people, but they're
skilled kill buyers
Buyer claims to need a number of gentle horses for a 4-H, church, at-risk kids program
Knight was advertised "for free to a good home". I did not see the ad , but was told about the horse. Since we are having a such a crisis nationwide where "free" horses are picked up and sent to slaughter, we jumped at the chance to pick up this Arabian. We had not seen him, but committed to picking him up the very day we were told about him. We changed his name and now BLACK MAGIC is at home with us, and doing very well, thanks to our local vet, but he might have ended up in the slaughter pipeline.
So, if any of you out there are looking for an equine friend, check out those
"free horses". They may l need training or special
supplements, but look at how Magic looks compared to when we brought him
home. He is a wonderful horse and has an enormous amount of potential.
P.S. Groceries, vitamins and medicine aren't free. If you can't take in a needy horse, please help Palomino do it ! You can donate here: http://chillypepper.weebly.com/donations.html Labels: Black Magic, Chilly Pepper Miracle Mustang, horse slaughter, Palomino Armstrong, rescue Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:55 PM 1 comments
Thursday, June 20, 2013 Anti-Mustang Mafia?
 Captive Mustang at Indian Lakes, private ranch (Cat Kindsfather photo) | Dear Readers,Sometimes what's NOT said is as important as what is said."The National Horse and Burro Rangeland Management Coalition," for instance, sounds like it might help wild horses and wild burros.No way.Ann Novak of Protect Mustangs says it best. "Notice how they avoid using the word 'wild?' We have heard they appear to be lobbying to get all the wild horses & burros in holding to be classified as non-wild."
Coalition members are listed below. I've seen many of them in court, offering legal a$$istance to BLM.
Labels: Anti-Mustang Mafia, bad news, Cattlemen's Association, National Horse and Burro Management Coalition, NRA, Safari Club, wild horses Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 2:51 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Writing by the Light of Western Stars
I didn't count on Western stars to create a sense of wonder.
What kinds of stories will grow out of this journey? Come along next time, and you can decide.
Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:00 AM 4 comments
Monday, June 17, 2013 Palomino's Miracle Mustangs & Other Friends Dear Readers,  For lots of us, it's the center of wild horse rescue. First, I visited Palomino Armstrong's Miracle Mustang rescue and became reacquainted with: Romeo and Collins, rescued mustang orphans HONEY BANDIT -- after his tough start, it's hard to believe this beautiful, glossy, friendly 3 year old was heartbeats away from death many times Donk, burro head of cougar control Bear and Soldier, rescued Dobermans Magic, rescued black Arabian A piggy whose name I missed (but I did snap his photo) Snickers, sweet Aussie TRAVIS -- Palomino's son! One of the coolest things at the rescue is the wild horse nursery. I thought I was walking into a bedroom -- and there is comfy bed, but there's also a cozy corral in one corner and a wall opens so that threatened foals that need food and care through the night can be "inside" where Palomino leaps from bed to tend them with round-the-clock care. Talk about dedication! More later, Terri Labels: Honeybandit, orphan foal, Palomino, Romeo Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 7:55 AM 0 comments
Monday, June 10, 2013 Just What are the Perks of being an Indigenous Species?
Please explain to me the advantage of being an indigenous species in the U.S., because I'm confused. The "They're not even native!" protest surfaces as people fumble for why wild horses shouldn't be left to roam. That argument grows shakier with new levels of DNA testing and recent fossil discoveries, but let's say it's true. Just what are... THE PERKS OF BEING AN INDIGENOUS SPECIESPrairie dogs, skunks, raccoons, badgers, rabbits and ravens are considered vermin. As such, they don't even qualify for a hunting season most places. Plink away at will at those native varmints. Bears, bobcats, gray wolves, deer, elk, fox and pronghorn are indigenous, but I can knock on my neighbor's door and see them hanging on the wall, dead and taxidermied with ingeniously cast-from-fresh glass eyeballs.To be fair, I hardly ever hear of nuisance hummingbirds. They're not only natives, they can fly backward. Mustangs should work on that. Native Alligators are spurring economic recovery in Louisiana. Swamp People-wannabes will pay to take to the bayous with guns, but I wouldn't call that a perk for the 'gator. Native centipedes and scorpions appear on reality TV, too, but they're likely to be Fear Factored to death. Yeah, so, I'm probably missing something, because I can't see what wild horses will gain if they are proven to be a native species of animal. Eaten, shot, hung on fences, walls... And don' t get me started on the treatment of indigenous people. Labels: indigenous animals, native species, vermin, wild horses Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:15 AM 0 comments
Friday, June 07, 2013 Nevada Legislators Vote to Protect Our Animals 
Dear Readers,
We have lots to celebrate! The Nevada Legislature just
concluded its 2013 session and Kevin O’Neill of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says
NEVADA LEADS THE NATION IN PASSING ANIMAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION!
Thanks
to Beverlee McGrath, lobbyist for animal protection, Carrol Able and
Shannon Windle of Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Campaign for
providing this information.
SB 72, ANTI-HORSE TRIPPING; substantially amended
PASSED
SJR 1, WILD HORSE RESOLUTION RE TOURISM; Encourages tourism of horses in their NATURAL environment, encourages cooperative agreements between the Dept. of Ag and rescue organizations.
PASSED
AB 264, PENALTIES FOR FEEDING ESTRAY HORSES; First offense - discussion only re illegal feeding, Second offense - gross misdemeanor.***
SB 82,BEAR HUNT STUDY RESOLUTION; Watered down from a prohibition
of a bear hunt to a 3-yr study to be conducted after the 2013 scheduled hunt.
AMENDMENT CONCURRED
AB 110, PROHIBITS DOG BREED DISCRIMINATION; watered down from original bill, but should be good news for those of us who like to kiss German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, etc.
PASSED and SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
SB 73, PROTECTS THE IDENTITY OF A PERSON WHO REPORTS ANIMAL
CRUELTY; clarifies that the person who reports should be withheld/protected,
not the entire report.
PASSED
SB 83, INCREASES PENALTIES FOR COCKFIGHTING PASSED SB 213, TRAPPING; watered down from original bill, currently requires some form of ID on the traps that are set.
PASSED
SB 245, PROHIBITION OF PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF EXOTIC ANIMALS; This was a great bill - it has been dramatically watered down to suggest “counties MAY adopt an ordinance pertaining to exotics”. The amendment which prohibited private ownership of great apes was rejected.
NO ACTION FROM THE ASSEMBLY
SB 371, PROHIBITS FEEDING BIG-GAME MAMMALS; will prohibit
'baiting' mammals for hunting purposes.
PASSED
AB 168, REQUIRES COUNTY COMMISSION TO APPOINT A 'PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVE TO WILDLIFE COMMISSION since hunters are the only members who serve on the County Advisory Board for the Wildlife Commission SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
AB 246, SWAP MEETS; A compromise bill, due to varied issues across
the state. Prohibits the sale of live
animals at swap meets/flea markets/open air markets unless an ordinance
PASSED
AB 345,
PREDATORS; Requires wildlife commission to establish policies for predator
programs and activities and 'manage' according to the BEST SCIENCE AVAILABLE. PASSED
***AB 264 calls for increased penalties against people who think it's fun and perfectly okay to feed horses in inappropriate places which may put wild horses at risk. A change to the law replaces the word “controlling” with the word “managing”. This small change opens the door that will bring wild horse advocates and the NV Dept of Agriculture together to develop humane methods of managing the wild horses of the Virginia Range – a cooperative agreement!Labels: animal cruelty, animal law, bear hunt, cock fighting, exotic animals, fed horse is a dead horse, feeding wildlife, horse tripping, Nevada legislature, pit bulls, wild horse tourism, wildlife commision Permalink to this blog post Posted by Terri Farley @ 10:46 PM 0 comments
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