july 2013
magazine
Our July Buckle Bunny
Michele Anthony Strader by popular demand! The Sentient Horse The Fight of My Life The Reality of Horse Slaughter
Wild for Life Foundation Awards Gala Fusing Fashion with Compassion
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Photo courtesy of Bristol MacDonald
www.bristolmacdonaldequinephotography.com
FEATURES 8 Herd roun’ the waterin’ trough...Calamity 10 The fight of my life...Laura Leigh 20 The Wild Ones (Invocation)...Barbara Anne Dunn 22 The Sentient Horse...Missy Wryn 24 WFLF Fusing Fashion with Compassion 30 The Reality of Horse Slaughter...Karen Pomroy 36 Our July Buckle Bunny, Michele Anthony Strader 46 Shame, Horse Slaughter Update...Katia Louise 50 “One-Eyed Charley”...Buckaroo John Brand 54 One Mustangs Story...Melody Perez 58 Good Reads...Barbara Anne Dunn 59 A Fish Story...Jeff Hildebrandt 60 Mercantile Madness
Publisher
Equine Angle Marketing & Publicity California, USA
Editor in Chief ~ Director “Calamity” Cate Crismani
Contributing “Wriders”
Barbara Dunn * Missy Wryn * Karen Pomroy Jeff Hildebrandt * Katia Louise * Laura Leigh * Melody Perez Cate Crismani * Buckaroo John Brand
Buckle Bunny Cover/Pictorial Photographer Anne Felipe
Contributing Photographers
Christopher Ameruoso * Missy Wryn Laura Leigh * Melody Perez
Advertising Posse
“Calamity” Cate Crismani 818.642.4764
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herd roun’ the waterin’ trough From the desk of Calamity Cate Howdy Amigo’s & Amiga’s! Things are still tough out there for the rescues and the sanctuaries who have the leadership with the guts to keep going….can’t be easy. Take a minute and click through on any one of the non-prof horse rescues inside this issue and make a donation. Any amount helps. Significant amounts help significantly! Your support of trueCOWBOYmagazine over the years via subscriptions online or iTunes app and all the wonderful advertisers who help support our mission by advertising and promoting their products, services and events in its pages, is truly, truly appreciated. tCmag July edition focuses on the issue of horse slaughter and the re-opening of horse slaughter plants in the United States. New Mexico goes down first and we are all ashamed of those who dare to treat these kind animals so horrifically. This can still be stopped. Visit www.savingamericashorses.org to find out how. The fights still wage to stop the round ups and squash the horse slaughter bill so keep those emails going into your congressmen and senators...keep the heat on, sign the petitions and play them forward. It ain’t over till its over! There is a beautiful prayer, poem, an invocation for our wild horses submitted by poetress, author and Equine Advocate, Barbara Dunn on Pages 20 & 21...Recite it daily so that the horses may forgive us. Join us on August 3, 2013 in Carlsbad, California for the Wild For Life Foundation First Annual Fashion & Awards Benefit & Gala (pg.24) FYI, I am one of this year’s first three equine advocate award honorees along with Bing Bush, Atty. and Kimee Black, Philanthropist and Equine Advocate. Hope YOU can make it...it will be FAB! Besos & Rockets, Calamity Cate
www.buckarooleather.com
The fighT of my life‌ Laura Leigh "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." -- Aristotle I sit here scouring images and creating yet another document for the courts. Never has the court fight been so intense with three active cases. We continue to attempt to gain protections for our wild horses and burros from abuse and unjustified removals from our public lands. This process causes reflection on all I have seen. I have watched babies dying after being stampeded for miles in extreme cold and heat. I have watched pregnant mares and youngsters hot shot (electric prods). I have even seen a helicopter hit a horse that had given up fleeing from the predator above thinking his life was over. I have seen literally thousands upon tens of thousands of wild horses ripped from the land in the last four years. Yet my world has been hit by another darkness, I have breast cancer. One in six women in the US will come down with this life altering disease. It creates a strange mindset. You find you are fighting for your life... but what does that mean? I listen to friends tell me what they are cooking for dinner or the parties they are having and I usually reply "That's because you have a real life." I felt my life was a "function" of a cause and not much more. I am constantly either on the road, living in cheap motels or sleeping in my truck, documenting the range or a roundup, or creating documents for court and attending hearings.
The first time I used the "C" word I cried for five minutes without taking a breath. I tried to figure out how to postpone what I had started for the wild horses in court, leave and find a place to fight this cancer. I became depressed. I was crushed in spirit... "how could I have come so far to have it end like this?"
I went out just to take pictures of wild horses being wild horses, something I don't do often enough. It began to wash away all of the horror I have seen. I have faced obstacles in the past before. I was once told I would not use my arm again and end my life in a wheelchair. I have lost everything material three times in my life... A new clarity took the place of the depression.
As I sat in the golden light of that moment I realized that I truly have a life worth fighting for. As I realized the cancer, although it could eventually end my life and the surgery hurts and treatments likely will make me feel like hell, I will live and fight every day for what I believe in‌ I believe our wild horses and burros belong unmolested in our American West as symbols of the spirit of beauty and freedom. Cancer may end my life someday... but it will not take it. Our wild horses may be gone from our western landscape someday... but not without a fight. www.wildhorseeducation.org Copyright 2013 Laura Leigh
The Sentient Horse By Missy Wryn
Do you court your horse before riding? Do you wait for your horse’s permission before mounting? I was all set to go for a trail ride early Saturday morning as I bounded out to the barn to get my faithful Paco booted and tacked up to go. I had gathered all the necessary equipment, boots and saddle having them neatly ready to begin the preparation. I retrieved Paco from his paddock, led him to the tie ring and immediately bent down with hoof pick in hand and boot next to his foot. Paco & Missy on the trail 2012
I asked him to pick up his foot in my usual way by gently squeezing his fetlock area, but he wouldn’t budge. While bent over I told him “I’ll brush you after I get your boots on so let me pick up your foot” but he still didn’t budge. I leaned into him as I continued to squeeze his fetlock, even bumped him with my elbow to get his attention, but he was not picking up that foot. I stopped asking as it dawned on me, I hadn’t even taken the time to say hello, I didn’t even acknowledge him and in my haste I was treating him like a piece of exercise equipment that I could turn on and off. I put my tools down and threw my arms around his neck apologizing for being such a brute. I stroked his neck as I told him how much I loved him and he hugged me back by pressing me deeper into his chest with his chin.
He nuzzled me with his lips as I moved around him rubbing and scratching expressing my adoration. Once we had connected in mutual affection I bent down once again to ask for his foot but it was all ready raised in offering to me. Paco rubbed my back with his lips as I cleaned his hooves and donned each boot.
We had a spectacular enchanted ride in the forest as I stretched out my hands to the trees while my dear friend Paco carried me on his back with the reins lying upon his withers. I acknowledge Paco and all horses as sentient beings who thrive when acknowledged, not so different from human beings. Nationally recognized horse trainer Missy Wryn developed Training the Whole HorseŽ on the foundation of Do No Harm. Specializing in Iron Free (bitless-spurless) riding for both English and Western Pleasure riders, Missy teaches safer communication and control while deepening the relationship between horse and rider. Missy Wryn is also the founder of the Equine Support Center for Fibromyalgia, IRON FREE Riding, HorseMAREship, Sisters of the Saddle, DO NO HARM Today, Stop Poisoning Pets, People & the Planet for Profit, Nature’s Balance Care, and creator of the ALL-IN-ONE Rope Halter Bitless Bridle.
Visit www.MissyWryn.com for more information or call toll free 888-406-7689.
Wild For Life Foundation Gala: Fusing Fashion & Compassion The Wild for Life Foundation’s First Annual Benefit Fashion Show brings the glamour of Hollywood to the picturesque seaside backdrop of Carlsbad, California on August 3, 2012 at Carlsbad British Motorcars. Headlining the gala will be celebrity designer JONATHAN A.LOGAN, whose clients include Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Brad Pitt and featuring the collections of local favorites BENTLEE WEAR and KARLENE KELLER. Awards presentation at 7:30PM, by Wild for Life Foundation honoring Cate Crismani, Publisher of trueCOWBOYmagazine, Bing Bush, Jr. Equine Attorney, Del Mar & horsewoman/philanthropist Kimme Black of Santa Rosa Valley, for their support in the fight to protect America's horses from cruelty. Katia Louise, President of Wild for Life Foundation and director/ producer of the movie “Saving America's Horses” will appear and present the Lifetime Equine Refuge Award of Excellence, Saving America's Horses Wild Awareness Award and the Wild for Life Foundation Equine Protection Award. “Calamity” Cate Crismani is recognized the wor ld over as the publisher of trueCOWBOYmagazine. Cate is a dedicated advocate for the horses and a key speaker in the landmark film “Saving America’s Horses”. But what most people may not know about her is she charitably donates a tremendous amount of exposure to many equine welfare organizations that work tirelessly for the protection of horses in need. Cate is also a Good Will Ambassador of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES. Bing Bush, Jr. is one of the Thoroughbred industry’s most prominent and well respected equine attorneys; named a Good Will Ambassador to WFLF’s SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES. Bing Bush, Jr. seeks to raise awareness as a voice from within the equine community. "I urge the leaders in the Thoroughbred industry to set an example for the rest of the industry to actively get behind SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES, the movie, and support the Safeguard American Food Exports Act." — Bing Bush Jr.
Lifelong horsewoman, philanthropist, Kimme Black, is a long time supporter of Saving America’s Horses, and the Wild for Life Foundation, she is an avid supporter the equine rescue community and beyond. Kimme works in areas of science and philosophy and a former theatre director, choreographer for countless production companies including Columbia Pictures. Ms Black also provides pro bono services in music, art, and theater for children with learning and behavioral differences. The event also features a Live Auction including authentic celebrity autographed movie posters from Saving America's Horses by Willie Nelson, Linda Gray and Ken Wahl.
WHEN: SAT, AUG 3, 2013, RED CARPET 6PM, 7:30PM AWARDS, RUNWAY 8PM WHERE: Car lsbad Br itish Motorcar s, 2598 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008 TICKETS: $50 FRONT ROW SEATING WITH GIFT BAG $40 RESERVED/ 2ND ROW SEATING $20 GENERAL ADMISSION
Admission includes complimentary wine, Champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Guests will be treated to live runway fashion show from these designers preceded by red carpet arrivals to begin at 6 p.m.
With high-end fashion display through philanthropy as the overall theme of the event, BENTLEE WEAR is committed in giving back to deserving non-profit organizations to maximize its awareness potential. This year, WILD FOR LIFE FOUNDATION will be the beneficiary of the event, a grassroots volunteer based organization whose mission is to save, protect and preserve wild and domestic horses. By hosting this event, BENTLEE WEAR aims to be a leading voice and inspiration to infuse creativity and generosity to the audience at large. “We’re excited about this fabulous event,” said Matthew Brown, “I hope that everyone that attends will not only be entertained but be made aware of what is happening to our wild and domestic horses in America. I’m humbled to partner with WFLF to produce this event and bring this much needed awareness to Carlsbad and the surrounding communities.” Click here to Get Tickets: http://wildforlife.eventbrite.com/
Show Hot Line: 760.500.2681 Visit www.bentleewear.com www.WildForLifeFoundation.org www.SavingAmericasHorses.org
www.returntofreedom.org
The Reality of H
By Karen
Founder and President of Equi www.equine
“The abuse of a harmless thing is the essence of sin” - Awtozer (1897-1963) Imagine being cattle prodded with an electric shot, and forced into a double decker trailer so crammed that you can’t breathe. You look around and dozens of horses, all shapes and sizes, all colors and breeds, some with missing tissue, broken legs, injured eyes and some with every protruding rib visible. You have no idea where this trip will lead, but you know it will not be a good ending. You travel for days, without food or water and arrive somewhere across a border, in a lot that reeks of blood, urine and fear. You have reached hell. You are loaded off the trailer, some horses too weak to stand, they are cattle prodded and dragged to the kill pen. The screams are deafening, and the smells are like no other, a far cry from the smell of green pasture on which you once grazed. As the horses are forced up the ramp, you know they will not come out alive. They have reached a hell that no living creature should reach! It’s your turn. You can’t fight. You can’t run. You must follow the horse directly in front of you. Fear does not describe the emotions you feel. As you are forced around the corner, you see your equine friends being stunned in the head with a “captive bolt gun”. A gun with a large metal spike so fierce it can render one unconscious. Blood is everywhere. The screams become even louder.
Horse Slaughter
n Pomroy
ine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary evoices.org All of the horses are fighting for their lives. It may take seven times for the butcher to hit the “perfect” spot on her forehead to render the beautiful pregnant mare unconscious. The others you see are being shackled and hung while still alive and struggling. Their throats are slit, and they feel every bit of pain. You are next. There is no where to go. You close your eyes and hope that you receive a miracle, and you won’t endure the pain and blood shed you’ve just witnessed. But you know that you are not exempt from this brutal practice. It’s your turn, and you soon realize the “captive bolt”, the inhumane metal spike is faulty, and you are conscious while you are being shackled, hung, bled out, and your body is being dismembered. It turns dark, and it’s over. Over 100,000 American horses are being slaughtered each year in Canada, Mexico, Japan and other Asian and European Countries and now for the first time since the last horse slaughter plant closed in 2007, the practice rears its ugly head in the United States. First in Roswell, New Mexico imminently. There are reportedly over 70 applications filed with the USDA to transfer slaughterhouses from cattle to equine or to add equine slaughter as part of their existing beef products. Horse meat is considered a delicacy in countries overseas, and many individuals will pay as much as $30 per pound for what Europeans consider a specialized meat of choice. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 92% of the horses coming from the U.S. are sound, healthy and able to perform functions humans demand. Since the closing of the three slaughter plants in the U.S., a majority of the public thinks our horses are no longer being sent to their brutal death. The Japanese love their horsemeat fresh! Restaurant patrons can pick a colt or filly of their choice, just like we do here in the U.S. when we choose our fresh lobster from the tank. Shortly after the foal is chosen, a freshly prepared dish of horse meat is served.
Facts About Slaughter: Slaughter is a symptom of the problem of over-breeding resulting in over-population. The drug industry and breeding organizations have no reason to stop the production of thousands of foals each year. Those that don’t “turn out” as planned are sold for a minimum to slaughter. Slaughtered horses are not at the end of their lives. U.S. Department of Agriculture data states 92% of horses arriving at slaughter are healthy, sound and can be re-homed. Slaughter does not provide a humane service for “unwanted” horses. They are disposable and a cash crop for an industry that exists solely because a profit stands to be made in filling the demand in foreign countries for horseflesh. The market demand will be filled by companies and individuals who stand to profit from horse slaughter. Horses suffer tremendously during transport to slaughter. Since slaughter is the end of the road, the drivers and “Killer Buyers” have no sympathy, empathy and compassion. Horses are not bred or raised for slaughter and have been accustomed to close human contact, accentuating their horrific suffering as they are cast off to slaughter. Inhumane conditions and treatment of horses being transported and slaughtered in U.S. slaughter plants has been documented on video and photos. The U.S. slaughter plants are as inhumane as those in Canada and Mexico. Horse slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. According to the AVMA, of the 9.2 million horses in the U.S., 10% of horses die annually of either natural causes or are humanely euthanized, of those, 10% are brutally killed in slaughter houses – horse slaughter represents 1% of U.S. horses. These numbers can be absorbed by sanctuaries, rescues, individuals and less breeding.
What You Can Do To Help Send letters to the AVMA, AQHA, AAEP and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals opposing their practices. Urge them to limit the number of horses they introduce into the world and ask that they consider taking a % of the profit from each horse and give back to their long term care and safety. Suggest it would be a reasonable business move.
If you are in the market for a horse, adopt from a legitimate and reputable horse rescue organization. Do not support pro-slaughter and breeding organizations. Become educated as to their breeding practices. Refrain from purchasing products made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Ask your Representatives to support H.R. 503 the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, introduced by Representative John Conyers (D, MI), ask your Senators to support S-727 the Senate bill for the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D, LA), request your Representative support HR 1018 ROAM Act, to Restore our American Mustangs, request a co-sponsor of the bill, introduced by Nick Rahall (D, WV) Help introduce into office the classification change of horses from livestock to companion animals. If you live in a state that is suggesting horse slaughter plants be re-opened and/or built, please oppose this re-introduction. Support legitimate non-profit horse rescues, sanctuaries and lobbying groups. BE HEARD!
www.bristolmacdonaldequinephotography.com
Bristol MacDonald
Our July Buckle Bunny
Michele Anthony Strader Our Smokin’ July Buckle Bunny, Michele Anthony Strader A descendent of Susan B. Anthony, who blazed the trail for women’s equality and rights, the passage of the 19th Amendment and published a newspaper called, “The Revolution”, our July Buckle Bunny, Michelle Anthony Strader is no stranger to taking up the cause of freedom. And as a former thoroughbred owner, she favors the rescue of TB’s from slaughter. “My American heritage and love of horses compels me to take a stand to help our mighty horses and stop equine slaughter plants from reopening here, sure, but to stop it internationally. We kill enough animals for meat and byproducts. Horses? Really?” It’s of extreme importance, that we, as a united group of concerned Americans keep up the fight to protect our wild mustangs, stop equine slaughter internationally and preserve our American Western Heritage.
When asked to contribute to the cause, Michele rose to the occasion even in the 102 degree weather in Lancaster, California at Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. The day was hot, dusty and windy, but our July Buckle Bunny never complained. “It was for the horses and to help raise awareness of their plight”, she smiles. “I am proud to know that I am a descendent of one of the most controversial and forthright women in history, Susan B. Anthony. She made so much change for all women, regardless of race, creed or religion. The point then was equality and freedom. And that is still the point today. The wild horses can be viewed as a metaphor for humanity and our right to freedom that is challenged daily.”
Shot on location at Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue, Lancaster, California Photographed by Ann Felipe Creative direction and styling by Cate Crismani
Saddle up, Subscribe! Help Support Our Mission to Save Our Wild Mustangs & Burro
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Shame, Shame, Shame Horse Slaughter Issue Update
by Katia Louise & the Wild For Life Fnd. The U.S.D.A. has given the green light for the gruesome practice of horse slaughter to resume on U.S. soil despite the fact that it puts people and horses in harm's way. How can the USDA approve horse slaughter inspections when the FY14 Agriculture Appropriations bill currently includes the defunding language? The FY13 Agriculture Appropriations as signed by President Obama, March 26, 2013, did NOT include the defunding language... and that is bill which is still currently in place. The FY14 Agriculture Appropriations bill has not yet been fully passed. USDA inspections must take place on site at each U.S. slaughterhouse in order for its meat product to be legally available for interstate commerce. A former ban on the spending of taxpayer dollars for USDA inspections of horse slaughter, had helped to keep foreign special interests from slaughtering our horses inside the U.S. The inclusion of that defunding language in the appropriations bill was however quietly stripped in Nov 2011, by Senators Blunt, Kohl and Congressman Kingston, leaving America's horses virtually unprotected. The bill sat idle through 2012 and in January 2013 the House simply carried over the existing language therefore the 2013 bill does NOT include the defunding clause. This bill was passed by the Senate on Mar 21, 2013, and signed by President Obama, March 26, 2013. Proponents of slaughter argue that it would be better to slaughter horses in the U.S. where we can supposedly insure their humane treatment. But numerous governmental reports and undercover investigations show that USDA inspections fail to stop insidious abuses from taking place inside our slaughterhouses. Substantial documented evidence reveals egregious violations and a total lack of enforcement by the USDA in U.S. horse slaughterhouses before they were shut down in 2007. If horse slaughter plants are reopened in the U.S., horses will undoubtedly suffer torturous agony on U.S. soil again.
In the absence of a federal ban, over 100,000 American horses are shipped across federal borders to slaughter plants in Mexico and Canada each year and from there the horse meat is shipped primarily to the EU. America’s horses are treated with many substances known to be toxic to humans; substances that can be lethal when ingested by humans, and many of which have been banned from the human food chain in most countries. Watch and share this new PSA ser ies from WFLF, "International Health Alert" and "Duped", the U.S. hor se slaughter cover -up puts people and horses in harm's way. Now more than ever, we need to multiply support and momentum to help the horses. Stand with Us and stand united for the horses. Join the Saving America's Horses Initiative by pledging to keep the safety and the welfare of America's horses 1st. The Saving America’s Horses Initiative strives break the cycle of animal cruelty for America’s horses through cultivating action and inspiring social change for the protection of equines from abuse, cruelty and gruesome death. If you oppose horse slaughter - “SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is a scorched earth weapon aimed at incinerating the lies and ending horse slaughter with laser sharp truth... An intelligent, powerful film... it's agent Orange to the lying, malevolence and greed that continue to exact a terribly cruel toll on horses and people. Please support this film,” -Paula Bacon, former mayor, Kaufman, TX.
Support the powerhouse documentary "Saving America's Horses" to help get this important film out to the public, onto TV and DVD. More ways to help: Call the main Capitol switchboar d at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the office of your state representative.. Urge them to strongly SUPPORT the defunding of horse slaughter inspections. Also urge your state representatives to support the protective federal legislation: The Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 is a Bi-Partisan Bill that will protect the people and the horses. Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and ask the President to take a stand against horse slaughter. Learn more: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/advocacy.html
www.wildhorserescue.org
“One-Eyed
Bending genders in
By Buckaroo
Charley Parkhurst lived an interesting life. He was a stagecoach driver, worked in a livery and was born Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst…yep, Charley was a female! Charlotte was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire about 1812. She was abandoned by her parents and was placed in an orphanage in Massachusetts. When Charlotte was a teenager she ran away from the orphanage and began working in a livery stable owned by Ebenezer Balch in Worcester. Many people believe that Charlotte began her new identity as a male after her escape from the orphanage. It is not know exactly when the transformation occurred or what her movements were for about 20 years. “Charley” debut as a stagecoach whip with help from Ebenezer Balch. She worked in Providence, Rhode Island for a while and then landed in Georgia. When She came back to Providence in 1849 she learned of the gold rush on the American River in northern California.
A stagecoach driver and friend of Charlotte’s, James Birch wanted to start up a stagecoach line from the goldfields to Sacramento. He promised her a job and they started on their way to California. The journey took six months. In 1851 she made her way to the goldfields and was employed by birch to drive coaches in the Mother Lode country. In 1854 Birch organized the California Stage Company. Charlotte “Charley” was a chief driver for Birch. She was familiar with the entire Sierra Nevada foothill country. From Sacramento and Stockton to as far south as Monterey. She ran the coach line from San Francisco to Oakland. As you can imagine many “legends” and stories came about from her journeys as a stagecoach whip in California.
d Charley”
n the 19th century
o John Brand
One story involved a highwayman known as Sugarfoot. Sugarfoot had very large feet and used burlap sacks as shoes. Sugarfoot stopped Charlotte’s coach, stuck a shotgun in her face, and ordered her to throw down the strongbox. Charlotte did, but warned Sugarfoot, “Next time, I’ll be ready for you.” She started to wear six-shooters. A year later Sugarfoot and his gang stopped the coach again. But this time she began blazing away at them as they drew up on her coach. She flew down the trail and later when the posse returned to the site they found Sugarfoot dead and two of his gang wounded. Charlotte was proud to say she never had a passenger suffer an injury while on her coach. She took her job very seriously and was at all times professional. She loved her horses, calling them beauties, and giving them lots of love and care. Charlotte was good in a fight and put anyone in their place that mistreated horses or other animals in her presence. In the 1860’s Charlotte retired from driving stagecoaches. She suffered an eye injury while shoeing a horse and had to wear an eye patch. She was then called “One-Eyed Charley” In her retirement, she led a quiet life of raising cattle and growing vegetables. She died on her ranch from cancer. It was at this time when the physician who pronounced her dead at the ranch did the autopsy and found out Charlotte’s secret. Well, the story of Charlotte’s secret life as a man spread like wildfire throughout the west. Her decades long masquerade as a man shocked and baffled many. Even though she was only five feet seven inches tall, clean-shaven and spoke little, no one questioned her gender. She spoke with a “whiskey go to page 62
One Musta
by Melod The moment I saw the picture of this one blue-eyed bald face mustang, I knew there was something special about him. Known as 'Headlight' to the rodeo as a bucking horse, I immediately emailed my friend Sandi Claypool from Monero Mustangs. This stunning elder mustang was up for 'bidding' as he was being retired from the rodeo circuit. We contacted 'Mary Williams Hyde', good friend and known rodeo photographer who had followed this rodeo bucking horse since she first began photographing him in early 2007 as a stud. Headlight was born to the 'Blossom Ranch' on tribal lands in Owhee, Nevada. Blossom Ranch raises about 400 horses, and they too thought 'Headlight' was special and tried to make him into a saddle horse later that same year. He was ridden about 10 times but after being a stud for so long he didn't turn out to be a very good saddle horse. Thus began his life as a rodeo bucking horse being hauled to ranch rodeos though Nevada and Idaho. Wally and Teola Blossom have always known that Mary Williams Hyde has had a soft spot for him, this past fall at the Western States Ranch Rodeo Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada they informed her that they were going to have to take a load of older horses to auction and that 'Headlight' would be one of them to go. Mary's 'connect' with 'Headlight' prompted her to bring the 'Blossom's' to an agreement to let her try to find 'Headlight' a home. With Facebook she began a series of posts, and there begins the story of 'Headlight's' run for freedom.
angs Story
dy Perez
Monero Mustangs made the connect after I contacted Sandi, and began the bid to secure his 'retirement' as a wild mustang on the 5000 acre sanctuary located in Tierra Amarilla. As a Fine Art Painter, I was hopeful for the opportunity to meet this mustang. My heart was captured from the time I saw his posting on facebook. With one blue eye on that bold white face the pictures posted of his head turned looking back revealed an incredible presence in his photo's, I thought, 'How much more presence does this mustang have in person?'. The wait until Feb 14th was almost agonizing as Sandi and I waited, among the hundreds of others on facebook who had been rallying to see his bid 'won' to Monero Mustangs. Finally the calls were made, and the approval of the bid was accepted for 'Headlight's' retirement to Monero Mustangs. We were all enthralled! I got on the phone and began seeking a transporter that could assist in getting 'Headlight' to New Mexico. AVG Transport and Celso Rubio were incredibly gracious to offer free transport as they were as taken with this mustang bucking horse as the rest of us. Months went by coordinating his capture on the Blossoms ranch, getting his transport papers filed, and dates for Rubio to transport as they were offering a free ride to Monero Mustangs.
For me personally, it worked out that I was able to catch a ride home with Rubio from Nevada from an event I rode out with Craig Downer to. The timing worked out wonderfully, I was able to photograph and meet this mustang in Nevada and ride home to Monero Mustangs with him! I was up early the morning I arrived in Nevada with camera in hand to meet Headlight for the first time. I was so excited, I didn't even wash up or brush my teeth before I went out, haha! As I slowly approached the roundpen, he moved off quickly with his round rump facing me across the pen and that glorious head and blue eye turned back at me. I got some great shots and just spent some quiet time in his presence that morning, and presence He does have. go to page 63
www.thecloudfoundation.org
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
The “Freedom Collection” from
Designed by Pamela Robbins www.horseworship.com 888.60.HORSE
Good reads Reviewed by Cate Crismani
“Our Captured Hearts” ~ the Poetry of Equus, Volume 1, written by Poetess, Author and Equine Advocate, Barbara Anne Dunn, captured my heart upon reading the first poem. I sobbed quietly as I assimilated Dunn’s powerful words of equine imagery and freedom. Ms. Dunn is also the recipient of the IGHA Legion of St. Francis Award for her work in equine welfare. Her exquisite poetry imparts her intense respect and love of the mighty horse and is an homage to them that most horse lovers will relate to at once.
The book opens with “The Wild Ones” (Invocation) that we have reprinted here on pages 20 and 21. Go back and read it newly as your own personal homage to the mighty horse. As a horse owner and lover, I am compelled to read these spiritual passages over and over. Order your own copy of “Our Captured Hearts” at www.ourcapturedhearts.com www.darkhorseranch.com If you love horses then you’ll love this sagely touching collection of poems by Barbara Anne Dunn. And, like me, you’ll be waiting for Volume 2.
A Fish Story By Jeff Hildebrandt
Give a man a fish; you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you know what they say; He’ll learn to lie, drink lots of beer and buy a big old boat. Then he and all his buddies will go some place remote to spend the weekend goofing off; not working in the yard. And his wife will just get even with her well used credit card. She’ll buy more kitchen gadgets, at least one pair of shoes with matching purse and sweater set. And since it’s hard to choose she’ll meet her friends for lattes and ask what they suggest. Then they’ll go off together, suddenly obsessed with searching for the perfect blouse and frilly lingerie. So when it comes to fishing, all he has to say is never mind, he’s staying home to help around the house. Besides, it’s so much cheaper to spend time with his spouse. http://cowboyupamerica.blogspot.com/
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The materials that go into the making of Buckaroo Leather Tack and the cr aftsmanship employed in its making are elements of the highest importance. It represents an organization proud of its establishment in 1979, and ever since catering to horsemen and women with two generations of experience and knowledge applied in the making of riding equipment to the most exacting standards. Beautiful Hand crafted Old West styling scalloped Spur straps. Hand tooled Hermann Oak Bridle leather. Medium oiled for a rich Golden Honey color. Available in floral carving or basket stamping. Style SS709. Order yours today for the holidays!
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www.savingamericashorses.org
from page 51 One-eyed Charlie
tenor” and often wore pleated shirts over oversized trousers and was never seen without her leather gauntlet-like gloves in public. While on the road she slept in the stable with her horses and never bathed in public bathhouses. She also swore like a long-shore man, smoked cigars, and chewed tobacco. She gave up a lot to live as a man. Her life was a lonely one she had no close friends or relationships for obvious reasons. So why live as a man? The reason is not know, but there is speculation that she became Charley to earn a decent wage and work at an occupation that offered excitement and challenge. Between Christmas 1879 and New Year’s Day 1880 Charlotte was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery near Watsonville, California. Rather an appropriate site for Charlotte, “Charley”…being such an “odd fellow”… Story gathered from “Legends of the Wild West” by James A Crutchfield, Bill O’Neal and Dale L Walker
www.speakingofhorses.com
From page 55 ~ One Mustans’s Story
We drove through the cool of the night that evening making our way to Tierra Amarilla early the next morning to deliver Headlight to his new 'retirement' home. Sandi along with the staff, supporters, transporters, and ourselves were anxiously awaiting this day for a long time. He unloaded without a hitch and bonded quickly with a white mustang bachelor named 'Solsticio' the first few minutes we were there. They were turned out the next morning together and have been together since on the sanctuary. I re-visited the sanctuary a couple of days later along with photographer 'Sherry Kysely' and artist 'Karen McLain' to photograph and visit with Headlight as he was learning to embrace his new found freedom. He is interesting to watch on the range, if you stand...he stands...if you sit, He runs little circles around you stopping occassionally and turning that beautiful eye your direction. One wonders what he is thinking as he stares with that crystal eye at you. One wonders if Headlight realizes how fortunate he is to have been 'chosen' outside of the others in the group that were sent to auction. He is a special mustang, and his story of retirement to freedom a special one to embrace. He carries an incredible presence, and he seems to know it too. This story has a wonderful ending for many involved, knowing Headlight will live out the remainder of his days as wild and free with the other 120 plus wild mustangs on the landscape there at Monero, surrounded with incredible views being photographed and painted by enthusiasts for years to come. For his story is a good story that we would hope for all mustangs to experience. It has taken months, and many involved to see it come to pass, and for that we are all grateful. Would all mustangs be as fortunate as this one-blue eyed mustang known as 'Headlight'. Monero Mustangs offers tours and you can personally schedule a visit to Monero and see Headlight among others on the range enjoying a life of freedom. The support to our nations sanctuaries are critical for the preservation of mustangs like Headlight and others. Learn more about the preservation of our American Wild Mustangs, learn more of the countless organizations and sanctuaries that depend on our financial help to be available for these mustangs and equids. We can't save them all, but we can save some, we can make the difference
www.runninghorses.org
www.kippys.com