Disposable Animals

I looked at all... the cast-offs of human society.
I saw in their eyes love and hope,
fear and dread, sadness and betrayal.
And I was angry.
~ Jim Willis

I'm told the county administrators were getting tired of the wild horses and that the precipitating event was one unfortunate day when the free ranging horses made the mistake of wandering across a nearby highway. There was no car accident caused by these horses crossing the road, but nevertheless, they were rounded up and now they have disappeared. It seems someone was just waiting for an excuse to get rid of them.

The landscape immediately seems barren without these wild residents. They brought such grace and majesty to this mountain valley. I look out my window as I write this, gazing over the meadow where I should see them, and feel as though something vital has been erased inside me.

No Longer Wild And Free

It is more than the wild horses that is gone now. I feel a way of life has been eradicated. Wild horses are the spirit of the west... were the spirit of this place. They epitomize freedom. What happens when the spirit is crushed and freedoms are taken away? What remains?

To say nothing, to do nothing, stops nothing.
~ Roni McCall, Founder - The National Animal Abuse Registry

The wild horses here were innocent victims, as are all animals that have been discarded by humans. Many free ranging horses were once released by owners who no longer wanted them or who could no longer afford to feed them. And now they have had a double injustice done to them. They have been twice abandoned — once by individuals and once by the government. Surely they deserved better.

It is amazing how wild animals adapt. They have great resilience. Even in adverse conditions, the horses living here had learned to survive and make the most of their environment. They just peacefully went about the business of grazing and attempting to keep their band safe. Of course, resilience is no match when it goes up against those who do not have a deep reverence for life. The horses were pretty effective in fending off the attacks of wild predators, but it turns out they were outmanned.

Over the past few years, I have been a witness to the destruction of men who lack respect for wilderness, for wild creatures, and for life itself. Poaching has always been a common occurrence in many parts of the world, but I never expected it to impact my little paradise. I moved off the grid in large part to immerse myself in the beauty and peace of the natural world. Recent acts of violence against animals have destroyed the peace of what used to be a sanctuary.

In Kinder, Gentler Times

Animals cannot speak,
but can you and I not speak for them and represent them?
Let us all feel their silent cry of agony
and let us all help that cry be heard in the world.
~ Rukmini Devi Arundale

Last year I was made aware that a large number of pronghorns had been gunned down in this area. Once they were shot, they were just left to rot. Senseless slaughter. Next, I learned that one of the wild horses had been shot and killed by a ruthless archer. How can that not be considered pure evil?

And then there was the sport of gunning down mountain lions in their dens. This took place just up the mountain in my backyard. It doesn't stop there. Elk and deer are hunted out of season in an area that is not even designated for hunting any time of the year.

I am not naive enough to believe that Eden still exists on earth. However, I live at the base of one of the most sacred Native American mountains. It is also sacred to me. I care deeply about what happens here. I may not be able to change the world, but I am committed to protecting the sacred ground beneath my feet.

Wild Horse Shot And Killed

Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty
for what it is — whether its victim is human or animal —
we cannot expect things to be much better in this world.
We cannot have peace among men whose hearts
delight in killing any living creature.
By every act that glorifies or even tolerates
such moronic delight in killing,
we set back the progress of humanity.
~ Rachel Carson

This article is about the loss of our wild horses, but they are not the only living creatures being eradicated. Most recently I have written about the agricultural crisis precipitated by the death of our honey bees and the near extinction of our sea turtles. These are certainly not our finest moments as a civilization.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Do we not have a moral imperative as stewards of the earth? As animals are plundered, what are the impacts that go beyond the declining population of our wildlife? I believe we become less human when we fail to do all that we can to ensure that the earth is a place where all living creatures can survive.

I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
~ Helen Keller

What now? Where do we go from here? I care about every living creature that is trying to survive. I intend to do more in 2012 to help alleviate suffering. My actions will include: volunteer service in support of sanctuaries that are caring for neglected animals; joining forces with nonprofits focused on the mission of animal rescue and wildlife conservation; and the continuation of online publishing ventures that bring awareness and support to these worthy missions.

Consider supporting an animal rescue organization. There are many ways to help.

Colorado Horse Rescue
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue
Equine Advocates
Front Range Equine Rescue
Spring Creek Horse Rescue
Shiloh Acres Horse Rescue
Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue
Fresh Start Horse Rescue

I Wonder Where She Is Tonight... And Her Colt, Too

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.
~ Immanuel Kant

It helps to know that others care about the fate of animals as much as I do. I deeply appreciate your blessings.

WildFacesGallery
Koupie
Vladi
JoshK47
TravelingRae
inkserotica
kathysart
darciefrench
ToTheBrimm
AnthonyAltorenna
VickiSims
Ruthi
wordstock
Tipi
Ladymermaid
imolaK

To view more photos of the wild horses and burros, you may enter my Wild Horses Gallery on RedGage through this direct link:

Wild Horses Photo Collection Link

Once you enter the gallery, just click on the right or left arrows under each photo to view the next image. Additional photos are also presented on my Wild Horses In My Meadow web page.

Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent about things that matter.
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.