How did wild Pryor Mountain Mustangs get from Montana to Lockwood, California? It was a journey from starvation and the threat of slaughter to safety at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
In 2000, a herd of 110 starving mustangs was discovered crowded into two acres in Montana. Most of this herd had been captured by the Bureau of Land Management and adopted by an elderly caretaker with the hopes of preserving the magnificent Pryor Mountain Mustang line. But his health had declined, his finances had dwindled, and his property was sold. The stallions had not been gelded, allowing them to breed with the adopted mares in an uncontrolled manner. When their foals were born, conditions became so crowded that their umbilical cords were torn from them, leaving open and infected holes. Neighbors tipped off local authorities who confiscated the herd—many in danger of winding up auctioned to slaughterhouses. Redwings helped find other organizations to help with the placement of these horses.
The Pryor Mountain Mustang is special because its Old World heritage has been genetically confirmed. This tough horse, derived from the horses of Portugal and Spain, has ranged the rugged mountain areas between Wyoming and Montana for 200 years. Native Americans, particularly the Crow, likely brought the Mustang to the Pryor Mountains where they enjoyed a symbiotic relationship. The horse and the people maintained a close link in all aspects of Native American life. We at Redwings feel that this centuries-long bond with humans give it much honor.
Redwings placed the most malnourished horses in safe care until they were strong enough to travel, and then facilitated the transportation of several of the herd to California. The remaining that survived from the original 110 were placed at other sanctuaries. Today, 18 mustangs freely roam a dedicated 30-acre habitat at the Redwings sanctuary in Lockwood. We allow them to be nearly wild with very little need for human interference. Redwings hosts special excursions into their pasture, allowing visitors to see them act much like the wild herds before acting like friendly and inquisitive ranch horses.
Redwings encourages visitors to enjoy the daily adventures of this herd. We’ll have you meet the other animals too. The horses, ponies, burros, and Colonel the steer all share the unfortunate story of abuse, neglect, and slaughter.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, at 47240 Lockwood/Jolon Road, is open Monday–Saturday, 10-4. Call 831-386-0135 to schedule a tour. For directions and more information, see www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org.
1 comment:
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