In the 1971 wild horse and Burro Act -- Congress found and declared that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene.
In 1971 Congress said: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.
In 2004 a surreptitious bill authored by Montana's Senator Conrad Burns, who is largely bank rolled by cattlemen and oil interests, opened the door to the slaughter of thousands of these living symbols of our Nation's spirit. The first 41 wild horses were slaughtered this month, and 10,000 more are in holding pens awaiting auction.
Who are these cattlemen that want our wild horses killed? According to the article "Cash Cow," by Paul Rogers of the San Jose Mercury News (1999), 10% of all federal grazing leases are held by lessees that control 65% of the total public land. These lessees include several billionaire ranchers. See The Tale of the Rolex Ranchers and the Living Legends
The federal grazing program costs taxpayers at least $500,000,000 annually, including millions of dollars spent on emergency feed, drought and flood relief, and predator control. Privately owned livestock including more than 3 million cattle grazing on public lands are subsidized by American taxpayers, but comprise a mere 2.5% of the total beef consumption in the United States.
With a bit of luck and properly placed outrage, H.R. 297, a bill introduced by Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV), ranking member of the House Resources Committee and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), will pass. This bill will restore the 'The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971' to its original language.
For more information I recommend visiting: The Cloud Foundation site aims to be an important source of information for wild horse lovers.
Save Wild Horses See comments by Ginger Kathrens creator of the "Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies" television documentaries for PBS and co-founder of the Wild Horse and Burro Freedom Alliance
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