Treat wild horses humanely

Susan Miller Staley, Evanston Resident
Posted 5/5/21

Letter to the editor

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Treat wild horses humanely

Posted

Editor:

Again — the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is at it again. It is taking more than 2,000 wild horses from their natural environement, putting them in corrals and auctioning off to “unaware” buyers who have no idea how to handle a horse that has never been handled by humans.

Unfortunately, many don’t even get this opportunity because they are hauled to Mexico for meat. Mexico is not equipped to handle such a situation. People of any conscience should be raising their voices in protest. We are expecting “normal” behavior from beautiful creatures that have run wild their entire lives.

Greedy people who want the entire environment for their personal enjoyment have caused this situation — like the 100 goats in Jackson that were shot because backcountry skiers wanted the backcountry for their own enjoyment. Until these skiers saw these goats from aircraft, they had no idea they even existed.

Years ago, Wild Horse Annie from Montana followed a BLM truck with blood dripping from the back. It was filled with wild horses going to slaughter. For years, her protest allowed some protection for the wild horses in Montana — until a younger generation turned it over.

We have to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. “What happens to our animals will eventually happen to us.” I remember that slogan in the ’60s. We’ve become a country of violence, and yet many fail to recognize the writing on the wall.

These horses are meant to run free where they’ve survived for years. The BLM is not a friend to animals, yet they have fooled so many, hiding the real truth behind their actions.

Wyoming is in a crisis, and until we start to behave in a humane manner toward the gift that is wildlife, we will reap what we sow. I expect little help from the one who created us. It doesn’t look favorable; however, we must never forget to count our blessings, for they are many.

Susan Miller Staley

Evanston