THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

 The helicopter loomed in the sullen sky like some prehistoric predator waiting to scoop up it’s next victim. And – it’s next victim?  A herd of peacefully grazing wild horses of the Calico Mountain range in Nevada.

Whap, Whap, Whap – the chopper’s blades broke the silence and whirling winds created a storm of dust like they’ve never seen before. The horses raised their heads in terror and did what horses do when being threatened by a predator… They ran for their lives...they ran, and they ran.

And some tried to slow down so their babies could catch up. And some tried to turn back home where they thought they’d be safer. But the helicopter would plunge down on the horses  if they dared to go off course, so close they almost touched their backs.

So they ran as hard and fast as they could, but they could not outrun the torment of the helicopter.  Mothers having to leave their babies in the dust to fend for themselves, stallions having to leave their bands, just to survive…

             And then...more heartbreak. 

They were run full speed into a trap.  The stallions captured in one pen...the mares in another.  And they huddled as close to each other’s pens as they could – their cries piercing the air...wailing for their families. 

The foals and yearlings were separated in yet another pen – behind the mares.  They were confused – lost and frightened.  And they huddled too, as close to the mare enclosure as they can.

            And they cried out...

And all the mommies instantly moved closer to the babies’ enclosure just to try to comfort them in some small way.  How could the horses understand this act of cruel capture?  How could they possibly understand...

 It made me think of how our government treated the Native Americans...they forced them off of their homelands and imprisoned them in small housing developments.  They promised them things that would never come true and they never were able to go home again. 

Almost 2,000 horses gathered from the Calico range and, more than 50 wild horses now dead.

Then there's Freedom.  One incredibly brave stallion determined to survive - unwilling to give up his independence, his way of life.  As he was captured and stuffed into the over-crowded metal corral he made a decision...to escape or die trying.

Nostrils flaring, panic setting in, this mustang turned as if to say “You can’t take MY freedom!”  And as he turned...he flagged his tail waving goodbye to his loving herd members wishing they would follow, but knowing they probably wouldn’t.

This majestic, healthy black wild mustang...

Took a leap of faith and a breath of certainty and jumped over the 6 ft enclosure that imprisoned him and his family members.  But we wasn’t free yet.  There was yet another fence to conquer.

So again – Freedom called on every ounce of power he could muster from within and ran headlong into the barbed wire that separated him from the long and lonely trail back home.

As he bounced off the wire he fell on his back, reeling from the pain of the barbs cutting through the flesh on his chest… but he stood up and tried again.  This time…

The brave horse smashed thru barbed wire and raced with a painful limp across the range in the direction of the only home he’s ever known.

Nearby horse lovers who witnessed this escape spontaneously named him “FREEDOM” and cheered as the mustang, flew across the range.

Friend, you know the most important thing we, as wild horse lovers, must do is speak out!  For our wild horses...for FREEDOM!!!  And FREEDOM is why I’m asking you to contact the BLM and tell them you Stand For Freedom!

And when you Stand for Freedom everything that Freedom stands for, please also remember that LIFESAVERS WILD HORSE RESCUE has nearly 300 previously rescued horses that need your love and support. We desperately need to feed them all every day and to rescue more horses from the dismal future that the BLM has in store for them.

Sincerely,

Jill Starr

photos used by permission. (c) Craig Downer