There was excellent news out of the ERSD today and that was that there will be no capture season this year. For that I thank all of you who wrote your e-mails, letters or signed on line petitions. I do strongly believe it was your voices that were listened to by the government. That was the the main objective that we wanted for this year. Now the work will continue in order to have the wild horses re-designated as a “Heritage Animal” . There is still a lot of work to be done along this line and it will take a bit of time in order to convince the government of Alberta that this would be beneficial for all parties involved.
Some of the things that will have to be done includes having document proof of the interaction that the horses have both with domestic cattle on the grazing leases and with all other wildlife that co-exist on the range that the wild horses occupy. What impact do the horses really have on the natural grasses and forages throughout their range? Only one study has been done in Alberta, (Salter 1972) In my years of documenting the wild horses I have accumulated many binders of information and made notes on most of these points. In order to hopefully protect the horses I am working on collecting the data and producing a paper. It is hoped that when completed I plan to present to the stakeholders committee where they can have a true understanding and the role that they play in the current ecosystem of our Alberta foothills.
The other initiative that I am working on is the creation of a research and rescue facility for wild horses that may need it. One individual has offered for use for this purpose a section of land next to the forestry. This would be an excellent location to facilitate further research into the wild horse behaviour. It would also allow adequate range for horses that need to be rescued for what ever reason. It could become a focal point for the public to witness the wild horses first hand. This will take some funds but I am sure through e-mails that I get that there are donors out there who would readily help get this off the ground.
The other important task that is necessary is to have an accurate count done throughout wild horse country on the number of wild horses that inhabit it. There are individuals willing to help out with this too. So the work continues but with renewed optimism that we can succeed in our goals and objectives.
As you all may know this winter has been incredibly mild and lacking snowfall, which you can see in the above photo of Sandor’s herd enjoying the sun and the open grasses. His mares are heavy in foal and last year’s babies are thriving. It is good to know that the mares in foal that we do see will be able to carry through their pregnancies without worry.
Bob
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society 
my response to ‘Good News’.
Thank you Bob and others for doing such great works to help bring our wild horses as a Heritage Animal! The horses say thank you too.
Donna
LikeLike
Great news Bob; thank you for your hard work!!!!
When the time comes for you to get started working on the research & rescue facility I’d like to help any way I can, either through donations or hands-on help. I’ll watch your blog for more info.
LikeLike
Thank you Bob and everyone else that has helped to fight for the cause. I do not agree with man interfering with the wild horses, namely the capture and slaughter of these majestic animals. Let nature take it’s course, wolves, coyotes, bears, cougars etc will keep things in check.
LikeLike
Hello,I live in ontario but I strongly feel the wild horses deserve a place to live in freedom from human interference. I also agree with others that the horses need a piece of land where they can be treated for illness and cuts etc.The federal goverment needs to protect these horses.
LikeLike
This is great news! This is only the beginning, thanks for all your hard work!
LikeLike
Thank You Bob & everyone else for getting things this far,the door has been opened for input & I hope things can happen to get these horses classed as a heritage species,I think they are as much heritage as anything we have.One thing that the department has never done in any letters I have got back is ever even mention wild it is either feral or free running loose horses etc.I hope there is some way to prove they were here long ago,Some of the people I talked to over the years that knew where the wild ones were years ago are not with us any more & we all know there has been some turned loose over the years in some places but that is not all of them & I think some people get hung up on that issue.Is there any value in catching some &testing them,just wondering?
LikeLike
So Wonderful to hear this news …thank you for all the work you have done and to many others also…what an exciting accomplishment …now can only hope the rest of the world will follow suit …what a great example to the rest of the world …thank you Sincerely Angela
LikeLike
We need to protect these animals they are our history, they helped make the big nation, and we couldnt have done it without them, I am from Ontario, and a horse lover, I would like to see the Federal government do more to protect and look after our wild horses.
I thank you for all your work.
LikeLike
What happened to the stallion from the “trouble” post? If he has been gelded and gentled I would be very much interested in adopting him. I have one BLM Mustang mare from Nevada and three other horses. My Mustang mare is needing to be retired and I need a new buddy for the trails. He would be well loved and well cared for. Please email me if he needs a home. Thanks!
LikeLike