Terri Farley

Monday, September 02, 2013

Ransoming wild horses: The Ft. McDermitt rescue

Ft. McDermitt rescue

As ransom soared past $30,000 and smoke from the Rim Fire passed the "unhealthy for all" stage, wild horse advocates lined up to rescue horses. As part of a coalition effort, I was on the ground at the Fallon Livestock Exchange as liaison for two days.

Curiosity has not been abused out of them...

From American Wild Horse Preservation, Aug. 27

A judge last Friday issued an injunction temporarily blocking the sale of the Ft. McDermitt horses at auction. The sale continued with the auction of branded horses, about half of whom were sadly purchased by kill buyers.

On Wednesday August 21st, the same judge lifted the order, clearing the way for the horses to be sold to the highest bidder. Clearly, we disagree with the verdict and with the actions of the federal government, which was complicit in making these horses available to kill buyers.

Following the ruling, we did everything we could to save the 149 horses from slaughter, and after an amazing collaborative effort, these horses are safe.

Our coalition partner The Cloud Foundation, secured the involvement of Victoria McCullough and the Triumph Project of Wellington Florida. Florida State Senator Joe Abruzzo, negotiated with tribal vice chairman Arlo CRutcher on Ms. McCullough’s behalf to purchase all the horses for rescue.

25 horses went to to Ellie Phipps Price --of Dunstan Wines-- ranch in Northern California; 6 were taken in by Return To Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary before arriving at their permanent home at a wonderful ranch in Montana. 25 more stallions were transported by Saving America's Mustangs to their new home at Mustang Monument: Wild Horse Eco-Resort. Mares were saved by Liberty For Horses being taken to a temporary location at ranch in north Reno. Mares and foals were transported from the stockyard yesterday by Sally Summers of Nevada Horse Power, and other mares and foals were transported by Sally Summers of Nevada Horse Power. A special shoutout goes to Laura Leigh of Wild Horse Education for her help on this situation - she was side by side with us during the slaughter auction and every step of the way in the fight to save these horses.

Many thanks to Willis Lamm of Least Resistance Training Concepts and his volunteer brigade for mobilizing the transport, as well as facilitating the gelding of the 25 former free-roaming stallions in preparation of relocation to a California sanctuary.

All photos by Cat Kindsfather