VIRGINIA RANGE HORSES
These next 6 horses were rescued from the State of Nevada's Dept. of Agriculture wild horse removal/adoption program. The herd of horses that live on private lands in the Virgnia Range are not federally protected like BLM horses are. They fall under the management of the state. These horses live particularly close to humans and have been coming down from the hills into the neighborhoods and roads. They are endangering themselves and drivers on the roads. They are considered "nuisance" horses and are captured by the Dept. of Agriculture. The state will not return the horses to thier herds no matter what age or condition they are in. They will use some of the captured horses in their prision training program where inmates gentle the horses and then they are offered for adoption. The unchosen horses have 2 months to find homes before they are subject to go to livestock sales where they are most often purchased for meat. Lifesavers rescued these mares just before their timeclock ran out.
Some of these mares have injuries that need treatment. Some if not all are pregnant. They range in age, but most are considered "older" and the gentling process could be challenging.
The Nevada Dept. of Agriculture is not too fond of these horses and would just as soon seem them all gone. The last count of the herd numbered 1200 horses. The agency official who runs the program said that they need to remove 600 horses from the range. He had no qualms about admitting that he would send them off to sales if no adopters come forward in a short amount of time.
The Virginia Range horses are in grave danger. As of 11/02 there are still 7 old studs (ages 12-20) that are running very short of time. Stallions of age are very difficult to gentle and at that age it's a health risk to geld them. These guys need a sanctuary where they can just live out the rest of their lives naturally. Unfortunately Lifesavers does not have sanctuary property suitable for wild horses yet. We are working on it, but will need a great deal of monetary support to ever be able to realize this dream.
Hopefully there will be a resolve for the old studs where they will not go to the sale.
The removal and dispersal of Virginia Range horses will be ongoing and a continued threat to the horse's lives. Please help us with your continued support.
Elke - 2 year old pregnant mare from Virginia Range in Nevada. Elke is still wild, but has a calm nature and will probably be gentled soon. She will be available for adoption when fully gentled.
IT'S A BOY!
Our fourth little bundle of joy is named "Willow". - ADOPTED
Bay mustang colt born 3/30/03
Petticoat - 2 year old red roan pregnant. mare from the Virginia Range in Nevada. She is still wild and will not be available for adoption until gentled.
IT'S A BOY!
The fifth foal born this year is "Rhesus".ADOPTED
Bay mustang colt born 4/24/03
Darryl - 12 year old mare from Virginia Range in Nevada. Definitely pregnant. Darryl is a large mare and is still wild. She seems to have a pretty calm manner so may gentle fairly quickly. Darryl will be available for adoption once fully gentled.
IT'S A BOY!
His name is "Zeb" and he's our second birth this year.
gray mustang colt born 3/18/03
Bethlehem - 12 year old black mare from the Virgina Range in Nevada. Beth has an injury to her left eye and is blind in that eye. She is pregnant. Beth is still wild and will not be available for adoption until fully gentled.
IT'S A BOY!
Bethlehem's "Blessing" is our third foal born ADOPTED
bay mustang colt born 3/19/03
Fallon - 15 year old pregnant mare from Virginia Range in Nevada. Fallon is still wild and will not be available for adoption until well gentled.
IT'S A BOY!
Finally "Phoenix" decided to join us in the world
flashy sorrel mustang colt born 6/22/03
Topaz - 8 year old pregnant buckskin mare from the Virginia Range in Nevada. She is still wild and will not be available until fully gentled.
IT'S A GIRL!
Welcome our first baby of the year - "Sahara" - ADOPTED
palomino mustang filly born 2/28/03