Magazine Articles

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

Robin Black
Mar 4
5 min read

Updated: Mar 20

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.

A white horse rears up as a brown horse stands behind, snow flying around them in a snowy field. Energetic scene. — 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.

A photo of a herd of wild horses in Nevada by Marty Wright of Wild Horses Carry Me AwayTours — 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."

Tour with a Dedicated Wild Horse Advocate

Marty Wright guiding a wild horse tour with Wild Horses Carry Me Away — 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

Ways You Can Help with Conservation

A photograph of a wild horse family by Marty Wright of Wild Horses Carry Me Away Tours

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:

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/)
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.
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/)
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)
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

White horse with flowing mane under a starry sky, moonlit landscape. "Phantom Stallion: The Wild One" text on a red label. — The Wild One in the Phantom Stallion series by award-winning author Terri Farley

Collage of "Phantom Stallion" book covers with horses in dynamic poses and vivid backgrounds, including mountains and forests. Titles include "The Wild One" and "Mustang Moon". — 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."

Please read EquuStyle Art & Travel's Disclaimer https://www.equustyle.com/disclaimer

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.

#wildhorses #wildhorsetours #martywright #wildhorsescarrymeawaytours #wildhorsephotography #Nevadawild horses #horses #wildhorseconservation #wildhorseadvocacy #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure with Wild Horse Photo Safaris

Jen Rogers
Sep 3, 2024
4 min read

An image of Onaqui wild horses galloping in Western Utah — 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.

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.

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.

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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RedBirdsTrust.org

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.

#wildhorsephotosafaris #JenniferRogers #professionalfineartphotographer #OnaquiWildHorses #PhotoSafaris #photographwildhorses #wildhorsetours #wildhorsephotography #wildhorseadvocacy #RedBirdsTrust #wildmustangs #wildhorses #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Rescued Wild Mustangs Roam Freely at The Wild Horse Refuge

Pat Craig
Nov 30, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Mar 4

Restoring the freedoms that Colorado’s horses have historically enjoyed for decades.

A small family of wild horses roaming freely at The Wild Horse Refuge. — Wild horses roam freely on more than 23,000 acres at The Wild Horse Refuge near Craig, Colorado

The origins of the Wild Horse Refuge began back in 2020 with the overpopulation of free-roaming mustangs within the Sand Wash Basin (SWB) near Craig, Colorado. The area is officially managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and with nearly 1,000 horses living at that location, a decision was made to round up and remove more than 700 hundred horses.

Once caught and transported to a holding facility near Canyon City, Colorado, the BLM planned to offer the horses for adoption through numerous public auctions. In response to this controversial program, several of the Sanctuary’s supporters began calling and donating toward an effort to save the mustangs.

With the Sanctuary having a 10,000-acre rescue facility located near the town of Springfield, Colorado, the organization was asked to rehome the captured mustangs at that location. In response, dozens of mustangs were immediately rescued, with many more being added in the following months.

A small family of wild mustangs freely roam 22,000 acres at The Wild Horse Refuge located near Craig, Colorado — A small family of wild mustangs enjoy their freedom

As the number of rescued mustangs began to approach 100, the Sanctuary began looking for additional land to increase its carrying capacity. A large historical ranch was located in northwest Colorado, which ironically, happened to be just 35 miles from the horses’ original home within the SWB.

Offering more than 23,000 acres of lush pastures and wide-open terrain, the Sanctuary purchased the property in January of 2023. As a result, many more rescued mustangs were rescued and now run freely across the same hills and valleys where their ancestors had once traveled. Renamed “The Wild Horse Refuge” additional horses are now able to run free and range naturally at this location.

The Sanctuary has full-time staff living on site to monitor the horses day and night and also sends veterinarians and behavior specialists regularly to ensure the horses’ needs are being met. The organization’s goal is to restore the freedoms that Colorado’s horses #wildhorses have historically enjoyed for decades.

Although The Wild Animal Sanctuary #thewildanimalsanctuary happens to be the world’s largest carnivore rescue organization, rescuing Lions, Tigers, Bears and other large exotics, the organization has also rescued horses for all 43 years of its operation. Being avid supporters and knowing the organization’s mission very well, Governor Jared Polis and First Gentleman, Marlon Reis, reached out to the Sanctuary with a request to assist the horses. Their concerns were driven by compassion, but they also considered the mustangs #wildmustangs to be an important part of our Colorado’s history and what many Americans believe to be a strong symbol of the American West.

Two wild mustangs affectionately lean onto one another, appearing grateful for their freedom at The Wild Horse Refuge near Craig, Colorado — Two wild mustangs affectionately lean into one another, appearing grateful for their freedom

The Wild Horse Refuge #thewildhorserefuge is asking those who care about these majestic creatures, or happen to be interested in protecting an important part of Colorado history, to go to their website at https://www.WildHorseRefuge.org to learn more. Additionally, for those who would like to tour of the Refuge, the website offers a way for individuals and groups to schedule visits.

Video Gallery

Watch this episode of 60 Minutes which aired January 28, 2024 about the monumental effort by The Wild Animal Sancturay team, including Mr. Pat Craig, Founder and Executive Director and Monica Craig, to rehabilitate and remove animals from the shuttered Puerto Rico Zoo.

60 Minutes

Equustyle Art & Travel magazine appreciates Mr. Pat Craig, Founder and Executive Director of The Wild Animal Sanctuary, providing us with such a well-written article and beautiful photographs of the wild horses presently at The Wild Horse Refuge. Consider taking a tour of The Wild Horse Refuge to see wild mustangs in the wild. And please make a donation to help more wild horses return to the wild.

#wildhorserefuge #wildhorses #coloradowildhorses #Colorado #horses #wildmustangs #rescuedwildhorses #horsesancturary #rescuehorse #sandwashbasin #thewildanimalsanctuary #equustyle #equustylemagazine