EquuStyle Art & Travel's First Year Anniversary - A Celebratory Retrospective!

As we celebrate our first anniversary at EquuStyle Art & Travel, we reflect on the incredible journey we have experienced. In just one year, we have connected horse lovers with the stunning world of equine inspiration, showcasing everything from fine art to breathtaking photography, exciting horseback riding adventures, myriad nonprofits helping people and horses, and those advocating for freedom and protection of America's wild horses and burros.. Join us as we look back at some remarkable highlights that defined our inaugural year.

Exploring Equine Fine Art

Equine fine art is not just about images of horses; it captures their spirit, grace, and majesty. For many, equine fine art serves not only as decoration but also as a tribute to the bond between humans and horses.

This year, we presented a diverse group of talented artists whose creations go beyond traditional boundaries, bringing the beauty of horses to life. We showcased over 115 equine fine art and photography works, with styles ranging from vibrant oil paintings to heart-stopping photographs to intricate equine sculptures.

When you click on an image in this gallery, you will discover information about the artist and a link to the article about the artist in one of EquuStyle Art & Travel Magazine's first four issues.

“A Beautiful Day”by artist Susan Leyland is one of her signature-style Horse Block Sculptures.

Prolific Impressionist William "Bill" St. George was featured in the Spring 2024 issue.

Warm Bays and Blues by Melody DeBenedictis

“Night Herd” by American artist Michael Ome Untiedt is featured in the premiere Winter 2023 issue.

Capturing Moments with Horse Photography

Horse photography has emerged as a captivating art form, allowing us to freeze moments that tell powerful stories. Throughout the year, our readers were exposed to magnificent photography that highlights not only the beauty of horses but also the emotions they evoke.

From exhilarating action shots of two wild stallions fiercely sparring to serene portraits of horses as equine fine art, these images illustrate the stories horses convey through their movements. We were honored to feature several of the world's most talented photographers who share our passion for capturing the magnificence of these animals, creating a community where art meets advocacy. Several fine art equine photographers focus on mustangs to generate awareness about their wild populations through engagements on social media posts.

3 Brothers by fine art equine photographer Tony Stromberg.

"Picasso Runs Up" by preeminent photographer and dedicated wild horse advocate Carol J. Walker.

"Battle at Red Rock"by highly-acclaimed wildlife photographer and wild horse advocate Sandy Sisti.

Onaqui wild horse surrounded by golden sunlight in the Utah desert.

Otherworldly Horseback Riding Destinations

One of the year’s highlights was uncovering exceptional horseback riding destinations around the globe. In the Summer 2024 issue, we featured the enchantment of horseback riding in Iceland! We curated guides for two unique horseback riding adventures and retreats offered by Colorado-based Women's Quest. Imagine being enthralled by dramatic waterfalls, lupin covered valleys, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

Women's Quest is a best-in-class, boutique adventure travel company. You may choose from two outstanding once-in-a-lifetime horseback riding adventures. Each Icelandic equestrian experience showcases how horseback adventures foster deeper connections with horses while exploring diverse settings.

Make plans now to spend a life-changing week riding Icelandic horses through bright green valleys of lupin wildflowers, magical beaches, and epic waterfalls. Seeing Iceland's magnificient scenery on the back of a smooth-gated Icelandic horse is an adventure you will always treasure!

Photography Workshops to Capture the Essence of Horses

This year, we highlighted a series of photography workshops designed for enthusiasts eager to hone their skills. Led by experienced photographers, these workshops focus on techniques tailored to capturing the beauty and personality of horses. From the rolling hills of the American West to the snowy mountains of Colorado with Cowgirls with Cameras each location offers unique experiences that celebrate the bond between rider and horse.

Participants learn to utilize natural lighting, master composition, and understand horse behavior, helping them elevate their photography skills. Each workshop included hands-on experience, and insightful critiques from professional photographers, creating an environment for attendees to develop their artistry while sharing their passion for horses.

Traveling to See Wild Horses

The magic of wild horses continues to captivate hearts. This year, we took readers on journeys to renowned locations, including 23,0000 acres of high desert grasslands of The Wild Horse Refuge, the coastal pastures near San Luis Obispo, California and the picturesque landscapes of the American West where the Onaqui wild horses still roam. These trips not only offer unforgettable experiences but also enhance awareness of wild horse preservation efforts.

An article by Founder and CEO Pat Craig details how The Wild Horse Refuge is developing a community of wild horse supporters who are purchasing land to ensure rescued wild horses will remain protected in their secure habitat. By sharing these stories, we inspire equine enthusiasts to witness these majestic animals roaming free.

Iconic stallion Michelangelo and Mia lean onto each other at The Wild Horse Refuge.

Wild horses on the move at Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation near Lompoc, California.

Take an amazing tour to learn about Onaqui wild horses with Jen Rogers and Wild Horse Photo Safaris.

Equine Therapy Nonprofits and Horse Rescues

At EquuStyle Art & Travel, we understand the healing power of horses. This year, we highlighted various equine therapy nonprofits making strides in improving lives. In addition, we focused on the admirable work being done everyday by nonprofit horse rescues, such as Colorado Horse Rescue.

Many nonprofits providing equine-assisted services may operate on a shoe-string budget but are able to deliver outsized results. Several equine-therapy organizations also make it possible for retired or rescued horses find a new purpose. Be sure to check out these extraordinary equine nonprofits, horses, and the stories about people benefiting from the healing power of horses.

The Right Step, Inc. in Littleton, CO provides adaptive riding lessons

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center provides clients equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT)

A client of Horses for Mental Health connects with a horse during a session.

Temple Grandin Equine Center offers equine-assisted services for people with disabilities.

An active military service man with an equine therapy horse at Operation Equine in Parker, CO

A young boy leading a Percheron therapy horse at Hope Reins in North Carolina.

Equine therapy leverages the bond between horses and humans to foster emotional healing and personal growth. By sharing inspiring stories from successful programs and the transformations they ignite, we aim to raise awareness and encourage our audience to support these vital organizations.

The Importance of Wild Horse Advocacy

Our commitment to wild horse advocacy has never been more significant. This year, we produced informative articles addressing ongoing challenges faced by wild horse as habitat loss as a result of aggressively removing large numbers of wild horses and burros.

We featured the extraordinary advocacy work of Ginger Kathrens filmmaker and Founder of the The Cloud Foundation who has been actively campaigning on behalf of wild horses and burros for more than 30 years.

As she was filming Cloud and his family (made famous through her own Nature series documentaries on PBS) Kathrens noted,"I began to realize that we were losing America's wild horses. They are being rounded up by the thousand, losing in an instant what they value most: freedom and family." Kathrens has witnessed and advocates because "Some of America's last truly wild horses live on our western public lands. They live in deeply bonded family bands within a complex society of intricate realtionships. And they are in danger of being 'managed' into extinction."

Ginger Kathrens has also written three books about Cloud. Cloud disappeared in late 2016 and his body has never been found; appropriate for a legend. In the spring of 2011, Congress declared Cloud an ambassador for all wild horses living in the American West.

Since 1997, Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation has been at the forefront of wild horse conservation, identifying and pioneering minimally-intrusive solutions at its sanctuary that can be implemented on the range for long-term herd management to keep wild horse and burro herds wild and free. Founder and President, Neda De Mayo believes “True conservation is only possible when all stakeholders have a voice and a shared desire to protect a resource. Time has taught us that we conserve what we love, we love what we understand, we understand what we are taught.”

Internationally-acclaimed wildlife photographers and wild horse advocates Sandy Sisti and Carol J. Walker reveal their long-standing dedication and unrelenting commitment to protecting and preserving America's wild horses.

To further inform the general public, Carol Walker launched a bi-monthly podcast Freedom for Wild Horses, which "explores wild horses and their families, behavior, and iconic symbol of our western heritage."

The critically-acclaimed 2022 documentary "Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West" was featured in the Fall 2024 issue. Our interview with director, writer, editor, narrator, and co-producer, Ashley Avis illuminated many of the controversaries surrounding the enforcement of the Wild and Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 . Her nonprofit, The Wild Beauty Foundation "seeks to cast a spotlight on stopping antiquated wild horse roundups, mass holding facilities, slaughter, and the breaking apart of equine families; along with the senseless torture and killing of wolves & wildlife. 

By promoting awareness and education, we seek to inspire our readers to unite for the protection of these iconic creatures. Our dedication to wild horse advocacy remains strong, as we believe that together, we can create a significant impact on their futures.

Looking to the Future

Reflecting on our first year, it’s clear our journey is just beginning. We are immensely grateful for the support from our community of horse enthusiasts, artists, photographers, advocates, and travelers. Your passion motivates our mission, and we look forward to further exploring the realms of equine art, photography, and advocacy.

In the coming year, we plan to expand our offerings, introduce new experiences, and explore deeper topics related to the equine world. Your feedback is invaluable, helping us create a platform that showcases art and travel while fostering a supportive network for everything equine.

A Toast to Our Journey

EquuStyle Art & Travel's first anniversary is a celebration of artistry, community, and our unwavering commitment to horses. We invite you to continue this remarkable journey with us as we explore the enchanting world of equine fine art, breathtaking photography, and captivating horseback riding destinations.

Here’s to many more years of celebrating the incredible bond between humans and horses!

Thank you for being a vital part of our story!

Filming Wild Beauty: How Ashley Avis Captured the Plight of America's Wild Horses

EquuStyle: Were you a wild horse advocate before deciding to write, narrate, direct, edit, and produce the film “Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West?

Ashley Avis: I grew up with horses, an experience that truly helped shape the course of my life and career.  However, it wasn't until my late twenties that I discovered the plight of wild horses in the Western United States when I was brought aboard to write and direct a reimagining of Black Beauty, which was released by Disney in 2020. 

In being tasked with modernizing Anna Sewell's iconic classic, which inspired my great love of horses as a child - I wanted to honor the spirit of what she had crafted.  Few people know Black Beauty was not written as a children's book - it was an animal welfare plea for the horses of Anna's time in the late 1800s.  And so, in researching modern-day issues horses are facing today, I began reading about the roundups, the cruelty, the corruption, and the startling inhumanity. 

That is what moved me, along with my husband and producing partner Edward Winters, to embark on Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West.  That independent documentary took five passionate years to craft.

A still of a wild stallion

Tenderness of wild horses

Closeup of a wild horse head

Wild horses on the move

EquuStyle:  What motivated you to make the film?

Ashley Avis: Originally, we went out to capture footage of wild horses in their natural habitat, so that we could bring authenticity to our narrative film, Black Beauty.  Ed and I raised a little bit of money to embark on that first trip to Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada - experiencing the extraordinary beauty of wild horses on the range, along with our first roundup.

The devastating Bureau of Land Management operation was on the Triple B Complex in Nevada.  I will never forget hiking with our heavy camera gear to the top of a mountain, while the BLM officials (several with guns) informed us we couldn't put up umbrellas in the 100-degree heat because it would "scare the horses."  Mind you, those poor mustangs were miles away from us, being chased at eye level by dueling helicopters. We were horrified.

What struck me about that day, as a former journalist, was that the agency had clearly hidden the "trap site" (the metal corrals where they stampede and capture the horses) so that the public, along with our film crew, could not see what was happening.  Trap sites are often where the injuries often happen, as horses break their legs and necks trying to escape, or get back to their families.  

After witnessing that roundup and realizing the antiquation and brutality of it - we wanted to know why.  We soon came to understand that wild horses were being eradicated by the federal government in deference to the commercial livestock industry.  A battle over land and powerful special interests.  We realized at that point we had to keep going, we had to create a second film - a Blackfish for wild horses.

EquuStyle:  What were some of the greatest challenges that you had to overcome to get the film funded and produced?

Ashley Avis: The greatest challenge besides raising the money, which is always hard - surrounded access. The BLM officials eventually got wind of what we were doing, and they did not want us documenting roundup cruelty, or the fact that BLM officials kill healthy horses for senseless reasons - those they deem blind, arthritic, or have a club foot.  The agency officials we came into contact with were deceptive, they routinely blocked the trapsites from our view, in one instance they even forced us away from shelter during a thunderstorm, making us stand out on the open range in the rain as we filmed.  They routined and flippantly denied our Constitutional rights as journalists. 

The other great challenge was sadness.  As a horsewoman, witnessing these atrocities befall innocent wild horses; pregnant mares, newborn foals, and the brave stallions trying to protect them - was very difficult to bear.  However, my emotions were of course nothing compared to what they went through.

EquuStyle:  What were the conditions like during the filming?

Ashley Avis: A great deal of our Wild Beauty journey was truly spectacular - and I encourage everyone to get out and see the American West. 

Our crew drove over 20,000 miles over thirteen different states, and diverse landscapes.  The rich forests of Oregon, the crimson rock moonscapes in Arizona, the sagebrush seas of Nevada.  We had a tiny crew of five - it was myself, my husband/producing partner Ed, my younger brother/producer Richard Avis, our cinematographer Kai Krause, and a camera assistant.  My parents even joined us on one trip - while my Mom cooked food for the crew out of the back seat of their rental car.  It was a family affair.

Two young wild foals

Wild horse afternoon glow

Wild stallions sparring

Ashley Avis with wild horses

There were the darker moments as well, such as visiting the holding facilities where wild horses are warehoused like livestock.  These places are often cramped, dirt pens where there is no room to roam, or gallop.  The closely bonded families are separated, and you hear them cry for each other.  Sometimes there is not even shelter from the elements - heat or rain.  I have seen these government facilities flooded with rain and muck.  The BLM doesn't post photos like those on social media.  But that is the truth behind how they 'humanely manage' our federally protected national icons after a roundup.  

And most people find this shocking - our tax-dollars are paying for it.  The BLM's budget to 'manage' wild horses, which is largely spent on costly roundups and holding - is over 150 million dollars a year.

EquuStyle:  Did you or your film crew consider giving up when armed BLM staff were aggressive with you during the filming?

Ashley Avis: Never.  The more injustice we saw, the bolder we became.

EquuStyle:  What part of the film is most disturbing to you?

Ashley Avis: That's a hard question.  My gut reaction was when we went undercover in Texas, into the slaughter pipeline - covertly filming as wild horses and burros got auctioned off to kill buyers.  I desperately wished in that moment I had millions of dollars - I would have rescued them all.  

But I think the most disturbing part of filming Wild Beauty was seeing the horses we had come to know, after they had been subjected to a roundup. 

The herd we became closest to were the Onaqui horses in Utah.  We featured them in Black Beauty and got to spend years visiting them.  In the controversial roundup of 2021, my heart shattered as we watched those horses chased by the helicopters.  They ended up in a dirty, half-flooded holding facility - their once resplendent coats caked with mud, water halfway up their knees.  It broke my heart.  If you look into the eyes of a free wild horse, it stirs a sense of inexplicable joy and wild in you.  To then take in the same, clouded gaze of a horse who has been stripped of its family and freedom - you will be haunted for the rest of your life.

EquuStyle:  What part of the film is most hopeful to you?

Ashley Avis: Oh, so much.  Seeing the families in the wild.  Witnessing a filly grow up to become a lead mare, or watching a stallion engaged in a battle - then soon after striding over to gently nuzzle his sleeping foal with exquisite tenderness.  Those were the moments that made being out on the range so special, while also reminding us what was at stake in their protection.  And it brings me joy to be able to share that with people around the world.

The children also inspire hope.  Before the roundup of the Onaqui, we launched a campaign called "I Stand With WIld Horses" - encouraging young people to write letters to their Members of Congress, or to the President.  Suddenly hundreds of people were posting to social media, holding up signs with those words, tagging their lawmakers.  It was incredible.  When we arrived at a rally in Salt Lake City in Utah - there it was again on the Capitol steps "I Stand With Wild Horses."

I think there is great hope to be found in the next generation speaking out on behalf of our world in Wild Beauty.

EquuStyle:  How have viewers of the film responded?

Ashley Avis: It has been overwhelming to witness how audiences have responded, particularly in theater where you can really feel that emotion surge.  There are instances of joy, levity, and laughter - along with horror, anger, and a profound sense of injustice.

It moves me to tears when people walk out of the film angry - but with passion.  And they say things like, "I didn't know this was happening.  This is wrong.  What can I do to help?"

EquuStyle:  After watching the film, what action or actions do you want viewers to take?

Ashley Avis: Awareness is key.  We must urge our Members of Congress to take action and to stop the brutality and corruption against wild horses and burros, before we lose them completely.  This is a fight over land and special interests, and wild horses have been caught in the middle.

We are asking people to become educated by visiting www.wildbeautyfoundation.org - and to make calls to their Representatives, urging them to co-sponsor The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 3656) which if passed, would end the use of antiquated helicopters in the roundups - helping to curtail this cruelty.

EquuStyle:  How have wild horse photographers and advocates Kimerlee Curyl, Carol Walker, and Sandy Sisti used their influence on social media to promote the film?

Ashley Avis: I often stay, particularly to children - storytelling has great responsibility.  We are all storytellers, so what are we choosing to put out into the world?

There is such rich storytelling in art and wildlife photography.  The stunning work of Kimerlee Curyl, Sandy Sisti, and Carol Walker is so affecting - each image is a glimpse into a world, into a story.  And these extraordinary women don't stop there - they are also tireless in their advocacy.  They use their artistic gifts and social media platforms to bring wild horses to new audiences to inspire change. 

Before I met Kimerlee Curyl back in 2017, I was so moved by her photography that her images became references to how I wanted to cinematically explore framing "Beauty" in our feature film Black Beauty.  She is very inspiring to me.

EquuStyle:  Have horse rescues and sanctuaries been approached to promote the film to their supporters?

Ashley Avis: We have spread the word far and wide, encouraging everyone to share the film, and to get the message out not only to the equine audience - but to a global audience.  We also provide links to the documentary free of charge for educational purposes - to schools, universities, and other groups. 

EquuStyle:  Are any other organizations helping with the marketing and promotion of the film?

Ashley Avis: The long-term ripple effect Wild Beauty has is something we will never fully know - so many people and organizations around the world have shared it.  We are appreciative to every one of them, because it is teamwork that will ultimately inspire change.

Noted collaborators during the years it took to create Wild Beauty were Western Watersheds Project and The Cloud Foundation.

EquuStyle:  In what ways has the film impacted the mission of Wild Beauty Foundation?

Ashley Avis: In every way imaginable.  Black Beauty led to Wild Beauty, which led to our first rescue of thirteen horses (any horsewoman will understand me when I joke... I promised my husband I would start with one...).  Those "Lucky 13" inspired the creation of the foundation, which led to using our platform as filmmakers to shed a spotlight on the issue.  Things only got bigger, and as The Wild Beauty Foundation became a voice in the space - we soon found ourselves on the way to Congress.

Our mission as a nonprofit is to raise awareness that inspires fundamental change to protect the horses of our time, through film, education, rescue, and advocacy.

EquuStyle:  Have you noticed an increase in the number of youth and adults seeking information about how to advocate for wild horses?

Ashley Avis: I am blown away by the messages I receive - not only from adults, but from children around the world who want to know what they can do to help.  I recently hand-delivered about fifty postcards from kids to individual Members of Congress when I visited Washington D.C. in April.  The impact those letters have is incredible - their sincerity cuts through the political noise and inspires lawmakers to listen.

EquuStyle:  Do you think your recent meeting on Capitol Hill was productive? Did you accomplish the goals you set beforehand?

Ashley Avis: Nothing moves very quickly in Washington, which is the hard truth.  However, I do feel we successfully launched a pretty large boulder down the bureaucratic mountain during our most recent trip, this time screening portions of Wild Beauty within the United States Capitol.

We were lucky this past April to have Oscar-nominated actress Diane Lane alongside us.  Diane saw the documentary and asked how she could help.  Her presence opened so many doors, and we added several new co-sponsors to a bill we are fighting for.  We have such incredible champions now - notably Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) who is the sponsor of The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (D-PA), among others.

EquuStyle:  H.R.3656 - Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023 was introduced in the House on May 24, 2023. What can citizens do to influence the passage of this vital legislation?

Ashley Avis: Awareness.  So many people, including horse people, simply do not know this is happening. 

I would say, after four trips to Washington D.C. in the past three years - perhaps half the Members of Congress we have met with know anything about the roundups, and if they have heard of them - they rarely know about the brutality.  Your calls and emails to help educate their staff do make a difference.  So please, if you're moved by this article - make that call, send that note, visit istandwithwildhorses.org to share your thoughts using our automated form.  Please be moved to act.

EquuStyle:  Why do you think politicians are reluctant to pass legislation to stop cruel helicopter and fixed aircraft roundups of wild horses?

Ashley Avis: The deep pockets and ceaseless lobbying by the livestock industry - which is determined to eradicate wild horses from their rightful habitat in favor of commercial cattle and sheep grazing.  The helicopter roundups are also a business.  The contractors are awarded hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars to do this work - and they certainly don't want to lose that money train.  The most awarded contractor by the BLM has been paid over thirty million dollars.  

We are up against several powerful opponents.  But we are not going away.  

EquuStyle:  After learning more about the motivations behind the BLM, livestock ranchers, politicians, and other critics of wild horses, do you believe wild horses have a chance to remain on public lands?

Ashley Avis: I do.  The BLM is, unfortunately, doing a great job of deceiving the media, whether it's telling stories out on the range that are not based on fact or science, or putting out news stories that state wild horses are overpopulated, degrading the rangeland, etc.  They use this 'reasoning' as false justification to remove a few hundred federally protected wild horses, before releasing thousands of cattle and sheep to graze on precisely the same land.  According to the BLM's own data, livestock are the leading reason for rangeland degradation at figures over 70% - but they don't tell the press that. 

I cannot imagine a world in which we lose nature.  I am encouraged by the public outcry that has resulted in part from Wild Beauty being available to a global audience - and I do believe we will change this.  But to be successful, we need to band together and fight.

EquuStyle:  What are the Wild Beauty Foundation’s current and future strategies to advocate for protecting and preserving America’s wild horses?

Ashley Avis: Currently, we are working hard on the passage of significant legislation to protect wild horses, while planning our next Washington D.C. event.  For the future, we are developing a video curriculum for children in schools called "Wild Horse Week," and constructing a plan to grow our efforts at the foundation.  If you can help in any way, let us know!

---

Wild Beauty Foundation

Instagram

Facebook

Shop to Support Wild Horses

Return to Freedom: Paving the Way for Lasting Wild Horse Conservation

In 1997, Neda DeMayo founded Return to Freedom (RTF), a national non-profit wild horse conservation organization. In 1998, RTF opened a sanctuary in the rolling hills off California’s Central Coast to give back some of what these wild horses lost when captured. The sanctuary’s precedent-setting focus is in keeping rescued family bands of wild horses intact and educating the public about the diversity, lives, and challenges of these closely bonded sentient beings.

“I wanted to create a place where people of all ages could experience that horses live in herds…that these herds are made up of smaller family and bachelor bands who suffer immensely, just as we would, when ripped from their families, their freedom, and from everything they know,” Neda DeMayo.

While the majority of Americans are unaware that wild horses still roam some of the most desolate and remote areas in the West, for decades, the American mustang has been fighting for survival on the front lines of a battle over the use of precious natural resources—forage and water.

Long seen by ranchers as an invasive nuisance and competition with their livestock for forage and water, wild horses have suffered brutal persecution. In the 1950s and 1960s, the inhumane treatment they suffered was exposed.

For the past twenty-six years, RTF has been at the forefront of wild horse conservation, identifying and pioneering minimally-intrusive solutions at its sanctuary that can be implemented on the range for long-term herd management to keep wild horse and burro herds wild and free. As a solution focused organization, RTF collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders including advocates, animal welfare organizations, sanctuaries, land owners, diverse associations, agencies and legislators. RTF bases its work on guidance from leading scientists in genetics, ancient DNA research, proven safe and humane fertility control, and regenerative holistic land management.

“True conservation is only possible when all stakeholders have a voice and a shared desire to protect a resource. Time has taught us that we conserve what we love, we love what we understand, we understand what we are taught.” Neda DeMayo

Conservation

Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation's work focuses on three main areas:

• Humane Fertility Control -Population management utilizing a non-hormonal reversible fertility control.  In 1999, RTF was the fourth project in the world to use fertility control on large populations of mares under the guidance of the Science and Conservation Center

• Historical Herd Preservation- Conservation program to preserve the earliest strains of Spanish mustangs that are at risk of disappearing, such as the Choctaw Indian Pony, Colonial Spanish Mission Horses, early Sorria types as seen throughout various herds including the Sulphur Springs herd. These horses were the foundation of the American mustang and became more diverse as larger breeds came to North America and returned to a natural state over the past few hundred years

• Regenerative Holistic Land Management

Sanctuary:

Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary:

• Intact Family & Bonded Bands-Keeps family and bachelor bands together, from the range to sanctuary or reuniting after capture

• Wild Horses & Burros-Currently provides sanctuary for 500 wild horses and 50 burros

• Senior & Special Needs-Currently maintains a senior population of 60 horses over the age of 27

• Rescue-Has rescued over 2,000 horses independently and through collaborative efforts

Education:

Return to Freedom reaches hundreds of thousands of people through programs, events, multi-media and film.

• Programs & Events-RTF hosts experiential learning programs at two of its locations, providing private tours, photo safaris, herd immersions, and a variety of equine workshops for hundreds of visitors of all ages each year

• Herd Immersion & Observation-Visitors learn through sensitive observation in nature’s classroom

• Regenerative Holistic Land Management-RTF’s natural herd and land management are the foundation of its educational initiatives

• Volunteering-RTF has a volunteer program, including an “In Residence” option for volunteers who want to help at the sanctuary for an extended period

• Native Species-RTF educates that the horse is native to North America

Advocacy:

Return to Freedom has developed a unique, nationally respected voice on policy issues by advocating for humane, science-based wild horse management alternatives rooted in its decades of hands-on experience with hundreds of wild horses.

• Ending Roundups-RTF advocates for the redirection of funds spent on expensive and traumatic roundups toward viable and minimally intrusive alternatives that would enable wild horses and burros to remain on their rangelands

• Fertility Control-RTF continues to tirelessly advocate for the use of non-hormonal, reversible, proven safe and humane fertility control on the range for wild horses and burros. Fertility control was initially mocked by the BLM and other stakeholders, but RTF persevered, advocating that slowing down—not ending—reproduction, was a viable alternative to endless roundups and warehousing tens of thousands of once wild and free horses and burros

• Selective litigation

• Ending Horse Slaughter-RTF is a leading voice in the fight to permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States as well as the export of American horses for slaughter

“The BLM needs a proud vision for America’s mustangs,” says Celeste Carlisle, RTF biologist. “The BLM has the tools but needs to nourish a culture shift to achieve a non-lethal, multi-faceted approach to manage healthy herds on healthy rangelands across the West. The antiquated and traumatic capture and removal policies are treacherous, inhumane, and are not a long-term solution. The battle over the use of our public land grazing and water resources is not about how many livestock versus how many horses but rather how grazing is managed on the land.”

RTF has embraced holistic regenerative grazing practices at its sanctuary and considers these practices critical to addressing the impact from climate change and long-term solutions on the range.

“Mustangs have long been the scapegoats for the mismanagement of public land grazing,” explains DeMayo. “Whether grazing livestock or wild horses, if we implement holistic management practices, grazing mammals are part of the solution not the problem. At the sanctuary we have been able to take overgrazed and under-grazed areas and, in just 3 years, restore diversity in insects, wildlife, grasses, legumes, and increase the duration of water holes.”

In addition to its advocacy work, RTF continues to execute large-scale rescues to further its original mission of keeping family bands intact.

Most recently, in December 2023, in collaboration with colleague organizations,  RTF rescued 46 members of the Alpine herd that were removed from their home in the Apache National Forest in Arizona. The captured horses ended up at an auction in Bowie, Texas, where thousands of horses are purchased by kill buyers and sent to Mexico for slaughter.

Since arriving at RTF’s sanctuary in Lompoc, California in 2024, 11 Alpine foals have been born, bringing the total number rescued to 57. RTF is now responsible for the lifelong care of these magnificent animals, which is as costly as it is rewarding. Working collaboratively, in 2023- 2024, RTF also rescued 20 burros at risk of being sold for slaughter.

Target & Azure - Cathy Wallace

Tata Wakan - Lori Sortino

Burro Love- Irene Vejar

Red Desert herd- Bari Lee

Ares band-Bari Lee

Sanctuary - Lori Sortino

Burros by Bari Lee

Target & Azure by Bari Lee

Spirit - Susan Papa

Sponsorships not only help offset the cost of these large-scale rescues, but also allow RTF to continue its mission of conserving America’s wild horses in the long run so that future generations will be able to see them running free on our public lands.

Please consider sponsoring a horse, burro, or herd. Sponsorships also make great gifts all year long!  With your support, these animals will be able to live out their lives as close to free as possible alongside their family bands.

If you are interested in visiting RTF, sign up for a tour, workshop or program.

To learn more about RTF, visit ReturnToFreedom.org.

THE ISSUE

Public pressure led to the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act at a time when herds were vanishing.

The 1971 law handed oversight of wild horses and burros mainly to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The agency set a maximum population target of 26,785 wild horses and burros — fewer than 1,500 more than when the law was enacted out of concern for their survival — on Herd Management Areas in 10 Western states.

The BLM operates under a mandate that it manages our public lands for “multiple uses.” These include other wildlife, energy extraction, recreation and the grazing of private livestock that greatly outnumber wild horses.

For decades, the agency has failed to control wild herd numbers by using helicopters to chase horses and burros into trap sites before shipping them away from their home ranges.

The BLM has chosen not to use a tool that Return to Freedom and a majority of wild horse advocates and other rangeland stakeholders now support: proven, safe and humane fertility control. Used right, it would slow reproduction.

The BLM says it will use fertility control, but only after it reaches its population targets. Population modeling by ecologists shows fertility control must be implemented immediately if capture-and-removal is to ever be phased out.

Over the past five years, the BLM removed 57,997 wild horses and burros from the range while treating and releasing with fertility control just 4,936.

In March, the BLM estimated 73,520 wild horses and burros still roamed the ranges that the agency manages.

Tragically, nearly as many—63,000 captured wild horses and burros—are being warehoused in overcrowded corrals or on leased pastures at an ever-growing cost to taxpayers of more than $109 million annually.

WILD HORSES ARE NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA

Wild horses are a reintroduced native wildlife species. The horse originated in North America 53 million years ago and went through all its adaptations, including its last adaptation leaving the world the one toed horse, Equus Caballus, on this continent.  Over millions of years, in an ongoing migratory journey across the Bering Land Bridge, the horse travelled throughout Eurasia, across the Iranian Plateau and dispersed throughout the world.

DNA evidence shows that the horse remained in North America at least as recently as 5,000 years ago. How they disappeared — if, in fact, they ever actually became extinct here — is a mystery. When Cortez landed in Mexico in 1519, he brought horses from Spain. Others followed. From these reintroduced animals came the great numbers of wild horses that eventually changed the culture of the Plains Indians. The Spanish horses soon adapted to the same ecological niche their native relatives had once thrived in. Long before the early settlers pioneered the West, the wild horses were already there as a reintroduced, fully adapted wildlife species.

Learn More at Return to Freedom

Follow Return to Freedom on Facebook

Follow Return to Freedom on Instagram

Return to Freedom is on Pinterest

Watch Return to Freedom on YouTube

---

EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Neda DeMayo, Founder and President, Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation and Christina Tsirkas, writer and wild horse advocate for their comprehensive article, beautiful photographs by professional photographers, and the holistic regenerative grazing video.

All images copyright Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from the professional photographers or Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation.

#ReturnToFreedom #WildHorseConservation #NedaDeMayo #wildhorses #wildmustangs #wildburros #rescuedwildburros #rescuedwildhorses  #WildHorseSanctuary #NonprofitWildHorseConservation #RegenerativeHolisticGrazing #WildHorseEducation #WildHorseAdvocacy #WildHorsePhotographyTours #WildHorseTours #equustyle #equustylemagazine