Encounter Nevada's Wild Horses with Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours

One of the most exhilarating and unforgettable experiences that Nevada has to offer is the chance to witness and photograph its magnificent wild horses. These majestic creatures, symbols of freedom and strength, roam the expansive landscapes, embodying the spirit of the untamed West.

Photographer and tour guide Marty Wright captures a wild stallion trying to kick a rival.

Wild Horses Carried Her Away

The allure of Nevada's wild horses captured Marty Wright's heart when she and a friend traveled to see wild horses in the Virginia Range during 2014. Marty clearly recalls the moment she spotted a dark bay stallion at the forefront of a family band of around 30 horses. Observing his leadership and the tight-knit relationships within the group was captivating. When he stopped and glanced her way, she felt an extraordinary connection. It was then she understood she had discovered a new passion.

One defining and transformational moment changed everything. Marty made a life-alterating decision to leave behind her home in Houston and career as a real estate broker, buy a jeep, and move to Reno.

She began photographing wild horses in their natural environment which led to a strong desire to advocate for their protection and preservation. She discovered immense joy in documenting the lives of wild horses and has followed several bands over the years, capturing the growth of foals and observing family dynamics.

After developing an unwavering dedication to the preservation of Nevada's wild horses, Marty established Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours. Her commitment to the wild horses is evident, from ensuring each tour is not only informative but also respectful of the animals and their environment.

Encountering Wild Horses

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey that promises not only adventure but also a deep appreciation for these stunning animals in their natural habitat.

Pine Nut Mountain wild horses

During a tour with Marty, participants will have the unique opportunity to observe wild horse families as they graze, gallop, and interact with one another, all while being surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Nevada desert.

With over a decade of experience in wild horse behavior and conservation, Marty enjoys telling the stories of rescued and wild horses, and educating visitors about their lives and the significant challenges they face to remain free. Teaching young children about the importance of preserving habitat for wild horse families is of great importance to Marty and other wild horse advocates like author Terri Farley who believes that "People won't care if they don't know what's happening to wild horses."

A quiet moment between a wild mare and her young foal captured by Marty Wright

Two wild horses in the Pine Nut Mountain HMA by Marty Wright.

Two wild stallions sparring captured by Marty Wright of Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours

Taking a wild horse tour in Nevada with Marty Wright of Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours.

A family of wild horses in Nevada captured by Marty Wright of Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours.

Tour with a Dedicated Wild Horse Advocate

Marty Wright (a.k.a. Mustang Marty) with her tour jeep she named "Nellie B"

The experience is enhanced by Marty's insightful commentary, where she shares stories about the history of wild horse families in the region, their behavior, and the ongoing efforts to protect their populations. She also enjoys teaching visitors about the social structures within herds, including the roles of lead mares and stallions. This understanding deepens one's appreciation for their natural way of life.

Marty continues to be actively involved with Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates which is a group of wild horse advocates who work hard to keep the Gardnerville, Nevada wild horses in the wild. PNWHA works in cooperation with BLM to avoid wild horses being gathered and spending their lives in a holding facility. One of PNWHA's goals is educate residents not to feed or water wild horses. https://wildhorseadvocates.org/

Traveling to Nevada to see wild horses in their natural habitat is more than just an adventure; it is an enriching experience filled with beauty, discovery, and a commitment to conservation. With Marty Wright as your guide, you are sure to leave with valuable insights and a deeper appreciation for these awe-inspiring creatures.

As you explore the wonders of the Nevada desert, you will not only revel in the beauty of wild horses but also play a part in the important mission of conserving them. So grab your camera, put on your hiking boots, and get ready for a journey that celebrates the freedom and majesty of wild horses in one of America's most stunning landscapes.

An Advocate Reviews Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours

"Marty Wright is the real deal. I’ve been involved with wild horse advocacy for 25 years and have had a lot of guides into the back country. The 2 days that we spent with Marty was one of the best trips I’ve had so far. She knows the horses, cares about their wellbeing and creates zero impact on their habitat. She is very respectful of how she brings you into their world. As a result, being with the horses on those terms was one of my most incredible “wild horse” encounters. Also, Marty is funny, warm and kind. Anyone who takes her tour is lucky to experience it!" —Angela Duffy Kelly

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Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours Featured on Wild Horse Adventures of Nevada

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Ways You Can Help with Conservation

At the tour's conclusion, you may wonder how to make a difference. Here are a few actionable steps you can take to support wild horse conservation efforts:

1. Support Local Organizations: Contributing to or volunteering with organizations dedicated to the protection of wild horses can provide critical resources. Marty supports Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang Equine Rescue (https://www.chillypepper.org/)

   
   

2. Raise Awareness: Share your photographs and what you've learned about wild horse management with your circle. Helping others understand these issues is key in fostering a greater appreciation and action. Marty posts regularly to over 9,000 followers on Wild Horses Carry Me Away Facebook page. Be sure to follow, comment, and share her posts.

   
   

3. Advocate for Good Policies: Stay updated on legislation affecting wild horses and lend your voice to support measures that enhance their welfare. Marty was a featured volunteer with American Wild Horse Conservation (https://americanwildhorse.org/)

   
   

4. Teach Children about Wild Horses: Children who take a tour and see wild horse families will share their experiences with others. Marty Wright often shares Terri Farley's enlightening books about wild horses.(https://www.terrifarley.com)

   
   

5. Encourage Others to Visit Wild Horses: Filmmaker and Founder of The Cloud Foundation, Ginger Kathrens believes that seeing wild horses in their natural habitat is essential for people to understand the issues facing America's wild horses and burros.

Sales from Marty Wright's Fine Art America website support her advocacy work

to protect and preserve Nevada's Wild Horses.

Shop today knowing that your purchase makes a difference!

Purchase Marty Wright's Images

The Wild One in the Phantom Stallion series by award-winning author Terri Farley

Terri Farley, wild horse advocate and author of the Phantom Stallion series shares, “Kids need to feel empathy as they will be our future leaders."

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All images Copyright Marty Wright Photography and Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Living Images by Marty Wright Photography and Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours.

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Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure with Wild Horse Photo Safaris

Memories of Onaqui Wild Horses Linger Long After the Photo Safari

Wild Horse Photo Safaris (www.wildhorsephotosafaris.com) is a labor of love and a offers unique, custom tailored, ecologically conscious photographic viewing experience through my business A Place In Time Photography, LLC (www.APlaceInTimePhotos.com).

My private year-round tours start and end in the small rural town of Tooele and can accommodate any photography skill level from novice or professionals. Even non-photographers who simply love horses and wildlife have raved it’s been one of the best experiences of their lives.  Tooele is very easy to access only a short 25 minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Pensative Onaqui wild horse

Onaqui wild horsepower!

Onaqui wild stallion rears

Onaqui wild horse grazes

By choosing to accompany me with Wild Horse Photo Safaris on range you are getting the advantage of a unique and customizable experience from someone whose life is entrenched the wild horses on a daily basis.  I've spent over 2,500 hours documenting the herd, the individual family members, their locations, patterns, hide outs and likes and dislikes.  This enables me to help my guests have the best experience possible during your tour. 

It also helps you to feel confident that our time with the wild horses is done in a way that is most at harmony with their location and comfort levels and with the intention of preserving their natural behaviors and surrounding ecological resources for years to come. 

While in Utah’s west desert, my guests will be provided with comprehensive information about the Onaqui herds, band structure and individual horses.  You'll learn their names, stories and what challenges they have had and may still face both on and off the range.  You'll also learn in real time about wild horse behavior and how to read their body language, mannerisms and interactions.

All of my photo safaris are private and limited to small groups traveling together to help ensure the best experience for you and for the Onaqui horses as well.  Tour lengths vary and range from 4 hours, 6 hours to sunrise/sunset per day and multi-day bookings can also be accommodated. 

Onaqui Wild Stallion

Onaqui wild stallions sparring

Beautiful Onaqui wild horse

Previous guests routinely rave about the undeniable spirit of the Onaqui wild mustangs and share that they can’t stop thinking about them long after returning home. 

·         Devona from Arizona shares “What a wonderful experience of light and joy with this wonderful lady.  She has devoted years with dedication and love … holding them in compassion for the rest of the world to witness.” 

·         Lisa from Arizona says “I can’t really find the words to express how my experience with the horses affected me.  It was amazing, breathtaking and soul stirring.  I absolutely fell in love with the Onaqui. They are so special. I fell in love because I was able to hear their stories, history, family dynamics, etc. from someone, Jen Rogers, who has a passion and love for these horses that can’t help but rub off.  It’s contagious.” 

·         John from Virginia shares “It exceeded our expectations.  We saw more wild horses than we could have imagined.  We were able to get close, but not disrupt them in any way.  We can’t say enough good things about our guide Jen.  She knows everything about the horses.  She knows them all by name, how old they are, which horses are in which small group and the behaviors of each horse.  Jen loves all of the horses and is a passionate advocate for them.  Thank you Jen for the experience of a lifetime and one of our best days ever.”

Conservation efforts, including photographic documentation, education and protection, have always been at the forefront of my mind even as a young girl.  I spent long hours near woods and streams learning to identify tracks and understand wildlife behavior.  This has carried me through the years as I traveled abroad exploring several countries where I loved volunteering time and photography skills at animal sanctuaries or private reserves.

An affectionate moment between two Onaqui wild horses in Western Utah

My prior travels and interest in conservation set the foundation for me to start my own locally based 501c3 non-profit Red Birds Trust (redbirdstrust.org) to help preserve and protect the Onaqui wild horses both on and off the range.  Red Birds Trust has worked with various other wild horse advocates around the US to speak for the betterment of the care of the Onaqui wild horses, held numerous range clean up events, sanctuary spotlight events, and assisted in the placement of 150 Onaqui wild horses to date.  Many of these Onaqui we rescued have been bought from kill pens and were slated to be sent to slaughter after they were rounded up off the range and their placements with private owners fail them.

Wild Horse Photo Safaris

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EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Jennifer Rogers of Wild Horse Photo Safaris for sharing an excellent article and her gorgeous photographs. As founder of the wild horse advocacy nonprofit Red Birds Trust, Jen Rogers dedication to educate the public about protecting and preserving America’s vanishing wild horses and, in particular the Onaqui wild mustangs, is immensely inspiring.

All images copyright Wild Horse Photo Safaris -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Jennifer Rodgers and Wild Horse Photo Safaris.

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

Spirit, the Kiger mustang stallion who was the muse for the animation team for Dreamwork's 2002 animated film, "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." Now 29 years young, Spirit still enchants people of all ages from across the globe who visit him at Return to Freedom's American Wild Horse Sanctuary in Central Costal California. Photo: Ondrea Hidley

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.

Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary provides a forever home for wild horses and burros. RTF protects family and social bands for their lifetime. After the rescue is over, RTF needs your ongoing support to make this possible. Photo: Bari Lee

“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.

The waterhole. Return to Freedom uses regenerative holistic grazing practices at its sanctuary. By imitating natural herd movement of grazers when large predator populations were present, we can restore balance in our ecosystems. By managing under grazing and overgrazing, more water can be absorbed into the root systems- diverse native grasses return, waterholes are healthier, replenished and sustained throughout the seasons. Photo: Meg Frederick Photography

“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

Return to Freedom hosts experiential programs and events in nature’s classroom for all ages. Wild horse photo safaris, herd immersion, tours, workshops and more! For more information: https://returntofreedom.org/visit/ Photo: Cathy Wallace

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

Hart Mountain Herd. Photo: Cathy Wallace

“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

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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.

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