One of the wild horse supporters found in the Calgary Herald archives this letter written in 1983 by Norma Bearcroft. At the time there was another group trying to save the wild horses both in BC and Alberta. She is also the author of a book on Canada’s wild horses. It is really interesting to see that the government is still using the same arguments against the horses as they did way back then. It goes again to show that the old prejudices against the wild horses are still there and it appears the reasoning behind them making their outlandish decisions.
An argument used by the ESRD against the wild horses is that the numbers are escalating at an alarming rate. This even defies even biological factors. This article indicates that populations have been higher in the past. Other research into the history of the wild horses in Alberta’s foothills also shows
this fact.
Bob
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society 
The science community states a feral horse is a once domestic horse that has reverted to its natural state, that remains untouched by humans however if that once domestic horse produces any offspring, that remain untouched by humans, than it and any of its offspring are defined as wild as long as they remain untouched by humans. untouched refers to, not tamed or trained. therefore these wild horses in Canada, are many generations of offspring from once domestic horses and are indeed wild horses as defined by the Science community.
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Don’t public lands belong to all Albertans? The management and sustainability of this treasure managed by a government who does not believe in education, social programs or health care and now states wild horses do not have a right to exist along side other wildlife and cattle on these public lands! Be aware people, what next!
And by the way just what classification do wild horses fall under.
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Hello Bob,
Let me just say that I commend you and all who have been supporting you throughout the years in regards to saving Alberta’s wild horses. I have been an advocate since the 80’s and was once a weekly letter writer to our then Government. Life changes came about and I lost my ability to continue my quest. Well, times have changed and I am once again able to get back on the bandwagon…..and that I will. I have absolutely had it with this Government of ours, and the hand in pocket money exchanges that keep everyone sustained. If there aren’t dollars involved, it’s of no consequence. Bob, I promise to continue my fight along side you. This Government cannot pretend to deaf to the people forever. Don’t give up, which I know you won’t. Together, with all the supporters you have, we can make a difference!!
Thanks so much for everything!!
Doris
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In a recent CBC Calgary radio interview, an SRD spokesperson told three outright lies: the wild horses have no natural predators, most of the horses go to uses other than slaughter, the herd size is increasing at 20% annually. The first two are obviously absurd but the absurdity of the third may not be as obvious.
Any population that increases by 20% a year would double in size in about 4 years. Even a population that increases at only 10% a year would double in 7 years. Does this sound even remotely like what is actually happening? A 20% growth rate means the present herd of about 1000 horses would have been about 700 only 2 years ago,when SRD did the last capture off about 150 horses. These folks can’t even lie effectively or do simple arithmetic, never mind manage our natural resources.
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Lamargo L. Petersen: 65 years ago my first pony was a bay like these. He was a survivor of log hauling by sleigh that over ran the 6 up team on a downhill runaway. He would never allow anything other than a drag sled for picking rocks off the field. He was a plucky riding pony, could singlefoot like a dream, you felt like you were in a rocking chair. Many of the survivors of those teams are the ancestors of those wildies today. RIP Tony.
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