First Quarter 2015 Issue 4

MUSTANG MATTERS

Magazine

A publication supporting Lacy J. Dalton’s Let ‘em Run Foundation & The Wynema Wild Horse Sanctuary

Scientist, Author, and Wild Horse & Burro Advocate Craig Downer

The Wild Horse Conspiracy by Craig Downer

This stirring and amply-illustrated 313-page book—researched and updated over 7 years—has just been reissued with more detailed Index and expanded References. It fully justifies the existence of America’s magnificent wild horses and burros while countering the biased machinations against them. The author is a wildlife ecologist who possesses a keen love of words and grew up observing these free-roaming animals both on his trusty horse Poco and by foot. The book presents new evidence for horse evolution in North America and describes the horses’ major contributions to soils, plants, animals and humans. Despite being true ecological restorers, for centuries these highly-evolved animals have been unfairly targeted for elimination. Considering their major and long-standing help to humans, it is all the more unjust to blame them for ecological problems people have caused. As always, the wild ones stand ready to help us do the hard work that is now so desperately needed to restore our shared home in the world of Nature. In vivid detail, The Wild Horse Conspiracy shares the author’s 40+ years of personal experience with the West’s diverse and colorful horse and burro herds that he is committed to preserving. Even though these animals are protected under the 43-year-old Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, this law’s pure intent has and continues to be disregarded by the very agencies charged with its enforcement. The book explains 19 crucial points of law that must not continue to be ignored and outlines an urgently needed plan designed to reverse schemes that are causing these wonderful animals’ demise. Chapter IV of this 7 chapter book describes Reserve Design as a wise and caring way to establish naturally self-stabilizing populations, ones that are both viable in the long-term and harmoniously adapted, ecological speaking. Ch. VII especially discusses the vital lesson humanity needs to learn from these equine paragons of nature: how to share the Earth freely and in the process how to restore our own integrity, attunement and even virtue. The book warns of the tragic loss that would occur if these animals are not permitted to live at viable levels in the wild – especially in their evolutionary cradle: North America. This would be tragic for all of life, but the good news is that we can prevent this – and this amazing book shows us both the why and the how. A 4th generation Nevadan, the author has studied the endangered mountain tapir and is president of the Andean Tapir Fund, a 501 (c) 3 also dedicated to saving wild horses and burros. He is on the IUCN Species Survival Commission, a board member of The Cloud Foundation, and the author of popular and scientific articles and books, including action plans for endangered species. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys photographing nature and composing music. He is also the proud companion of mustangs: Lightning, a palomino stallion, and curly mare, Princess Diane.

Review by Christopher Palmer “I warmly congratulate Craig Downer on his wonderful book entitled "The Wild Horse Conspiracy." Reading his book has been an extraordinary education for me. I commend him for his determination to see justice done for wild horses. We need more people in the world like him--caring, passionate, and persuasive.”

To order this groundbreaking, photo-illustrated book signed by the author, you can purchase online at: www.andeantapirfund.com/TheWildHorseConspiracy.htm. This exciting book can also be ordered directly from Amazon in print and eBook format at www.amazon.com/dp/1461068983. Or send $25 (includes tax and shipping) to Andean Tapir Fund (tax-deductible) c/o Craig C. Downer at: P.O. Box 456, Minden, NV 89423-456 USA.

No Horse Clouds by Harold Roy Miller

D and I were drinking coffee and looking for Cloud horses

While watching the billowing turbulence of nature’s awesome forces.

We searched the low stratus clouds and then the high cirrus

But there were not any sign of horse clouds anywhere near us

Cumulonimbus clouds are the best because they’re fat and puffy

And they make the best horse images because they’re so fluffy

So we searched intently through the sky we scanned back and forth

We looked east and west then south and to the north.

We saw elephant’s clouds and I saw one that resembled a dog

D spotted what could pass as a dinosaur and I saw a huge hog

We also saw a strange looking giraffe that was just a little too big around

But there was not a horse cloud anywhere in the heavens to be found.

Now, when you have Equinitus Sightus, it’s a malady you can’t cure

And not spotting horses in clouds or shadows is very hard to endure.

I looked at D I was so forlorn and she could sense my dismay

If I couldn’t find a horse cloud to post, might as well throw my camera away.

I watched the clouds for a while longer but no horses appeared

I said, “I wonder why we there are no equines’ shapes, this sure is weird.”

She looked at me and said, “It’s obvious,” as she lifted her coffee cup.

“The reason there are no horses up there, is they have all been rounded up.”

The Story of Advocate Gayle Hunt by Gayle Hunt

No one but a little girl, or an ex-little girl, can

appreciate the curse visited on so many – the

mad obsession with horses. I was one of these

unfortunate children of the mane, addicted to the

smell of fresh and used hay, having a limited

vocabulary beyond horse talk. My parents chose

the usual remedy of finding the worst-tempered

pony available, which I deserved. Along the

way, family friends in Fort Rock, Oregon

mentioned some "wild horses" I might see en

route to their ranch. I never did, and now I realize

it was because they were caught and probably

consigned to the same fate as many today.

I went to work for the Forest Service in the early 80s. They were just beginning to implement the

provisions of the Act. I left for a time, and returned to that National Forest in 1992, finding that their

attitude toward wild horses had degenerated into one of disdain and resentment; not management in

any constructive sense. After observing and learning, I founded the Central Oregon Wild Horse

Coalition in order to save my job while making a difference for the local horses. We eventually

established a working relationship (that IS possible) which we enjoy today. The organization has

expanded into a response network for local issues and incidents, and hopefully for helping shape the

management of wild horses across the West.

We conduct the annual census of the local herd, using 80 - 100 volunteers in a 3-day blitz of the

territory. We step up when we're informed of a single horse who is failing in an adoptive home, and

we collect the reward funds when our horses are shot. We try to build wild horse training expertise

and an adoption market in Central Oregon through Train-the-Trainer/show/adoption events. And

through our MOU with the Forest Service, we'll be assisting with the writing of their new Wild Horse

Management Plan. Pray for us.

We also collaborate with other equine organizations, as the assistance network for wild horses in the

rescue community. The Rescue Revolution is an

example of how we prefer to interface with like-

minded organizations to assure that wild horses

benefit from appropriate training and informed

adopters. In short, retiring from the Forest Service

did not allow me the free time to paint wild horses

and write songs about them. But I make the time to

jump on my Mustang gelding, Fargo, and ride in his

mountains. He took care of me like the Virginia

Range stallion took care of his ewe; only I was

more vulnerable due to my limited intellect. It is

one of Creation's greatest miracles that wild horses

can figure us out, and still want to be with us. And

so, because of Fargo, because of my Warm Springs

Reservation boys, because of the devotion and commitment I see in others, I will persevere; until

together, we are able to change the present and the future for every wild horse.

Phone: 775-847-7322 Fax: 775-847-4705 Email: information@letemrun.com Web: http://www.letemrun.com

820 Cartwright Road Reno NV 89521

Tel: 775-847-7322

Membership Information

PRESERVE: We are working to set aside

huge tracts of land to provide

permanent grazing areas where the

wild horses can run free… safe from

encroaching development and safe

from human predators. Our ultimate

goal is to open the “Comstock Wild

Horse Sanctuary.”

EDUCATE: We believe that horses can

play a very special role in bringing

people closer to nature and to

understanding the delicate balance

that exists on our planet.

OUR GOALS

The LET 'EM RUN FOUNDATION is a

nonprofit organization in partnership

with government, business and

community, committed to the

protection and preservation of wild

horses and the heritage of the

American West.

The Let ’em Run Foundation is a not-for-

profit charitable corporation organized

under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S.

Internal Revenue Code. Membership Dues

and donations are tax-deductible as

charitable gifts. A copy of our IRS determi-

nation letter is available upon request.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

BECOME A MEMBER OF LET ’EM RUN! YOUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES WILL

HELP US SAVE THESE HORSES. You can also support the Let ’em Run

Foundation in the following ways:

• Estate Gifts ~ Include Let ’em Run

Foundation in your estate and

charitable giving plans.

• Grants & Corporate Sponsors ~ If

you know of a business or grant-

making organization what may be

supportive to Let ’em Run, please

contact us. We’ll prepare a custom

proposal for presentation to them.

Let ’em Run Foundation Mascot

Comstock Mackay

A s an entertainer, I have traveled

all over the United States. After

years of exploration, I chose to make my

home high in the Nevada mountains

near the historic town of Virginia City. I

wanted to live in a place where wild

horses still run free, near people who

continue to value their history and their

heritage.

T he Let ’em Run Foundation was

created to preserve and protect

these beautiful, gentle horses who have

played such an important role in our

western heritage, and to make sure they

are here for future generations to enjoy.

These animals have truly earned their

place in the sun. Please join us in our

quest to… “Let ’em run.”

Who We Are GET INVOLVED! JOIN US! Let ’em Run offers several annual

membership packages to fit your budget

and your wishes.

FOUNDING SPONSORS/MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

Be one of the first one thousand members

to donate $1000 or more to the foundation

and be permanently recognized as a

Founding Sponsor of the Let ’em Run

Foundation. You will receive a special

private invitation to the opening of the

“Comstock Wild Horse Sanctuary” and will

have your name memorialized at the

Sanctuary Center (You may also make your

gift as a memorial to a loved one).

WILD HORSE PATRON ~ $99

For less than $10 a month you can

“virtually” adopt a wild pony and receive a

handsome Membership Certificate, Wild

Horse Crossing CD, an autographed picture

of Lacy J. Dalton, the Let ’em Run

newsletter and invitations to LERF events.

WILD HORSE WRANGLER ~ $49

Receive a handsome Membership

Certificate, the Let ’em Run newsletter and

invitations to Let ’em Run events (A special

Wrangler membership is available for $29

for students and seniors).

Please fill out the included application and

mail it in today.

820 Cartwright Road Reno NV 89521

Phone: 775-847-7322 Fax: 775-847-4705

Email: information@letemrun.com Web: http://www.letemrun.com

Membership Application

Type of Membership:

Founding Sponsor ($1000.00 or more)

Wild Horse Patron

Wild Horse Wrangler

Seniors/Student Special (date of birth )

Donation Only (please indicate amount)

Total:

$1000.00

Price

$99.00

$49.00

$29.00

$

American Express

MasterCard

Visa

Credit Card #

Signature

Method of Payment

Exp. date

Check

Name

Address

Phone

Fax

E-Mail

Founder & President Recording Artist/Songwriter

Lacy J. Dalton

Please Print

ULURU & EPONA Ayer’s Rock, South Australia, October 4, 2014, very early morning, ca. 1:30 AM

By Craig C. Downer, Wildlife Ecologist Dedicated to the whitish horse who lovingly welcomed me with her sweet whinny, which I heard in a vivid dream about Australia weeks before I went there. I may have met and heard her in the Snowy River country, NSW, toward the end of my trip.

Such an awesome connection There where Southern Cross burns. The Heavens open up Here at Uluru! Majestic, ancient rock Venerated by Aboriginals venerable, By all fellow species Including Kangaroos. World’s greatest Monolith, Its varying crimsons and oranges, Purples and mauves, Transpire throughout the day. And a preternatural glow At night suffuses this region Known as Uluru. A Powerful Melody Came to me At A.M. 1:30, As, lying under the stars I dreamt Of fantastic connections Universal in scope. Suddenly jolted awake, I looked up to see The constellation Scorpio Inverted to become A full-bodied Horse: Its beautiful head Where Scorpio’s tail once curled; Its graceful back and tail Vastly curved by linked stars! The right side of its long head Looked back to beckon me From out this vast Immensity Of Space and Time. --Oh! Bright eye glinting, Sparkling with a special Magic That I shall never forget! All the while

A vibration most powerful Within my feelings itself composed. Melody there most certainly was Emanating from the Rock, Tuned to this vast Immensity, And on this precise, unique Perspective, Focusing, coalescing Its message Here, With Uluru and Horse Celestial … The “Brumby Down Under” If you will, Peering through and with Connections --So Soul-stirring-- Between and among ALL The vast and far-flung Galaxies and Stars, And with a Quintessential Energy, Better yet a Spirit, That brought Animation to the Whole. -- Oh! Lovely EQUUS … EPONA! You have risen higher than Man! Your Noble Virtue Throughout the Universe does Shine … Moving on, encircling, connecting, Saving this our World’s community … And All Universal Life as well. Gallop on in Freedom, For the sunken, earth-bound human Cannot you contain; And take me with you Wherever you roam … Upon your Celestial Back And unto that Most Perfect Goal God has in store Some Time, some Where For ALL! Author Craig C. Downer, Wildlife Ecologist, Andean Tapir Fund, P.O. Box 456, Minden, NV 89423. See www.andeantapirfund.com and www.thewildhorseconspiracy.org. Member Ecological Society of Australia, at whose annual convention in Alice Springs NT, he presented a poster on wild horses. This poem was originally for presentation to Nevada Poetry Society, Reno, November 15, 2014.

Our radio show "Mustang Matters" constantly attempting to disclose what is, in our opinion once again, the shameful, wasteful, unlawful, and cru-el treatment of wild horses that occurs here in this state. The great news is that the charges were dismissed! On August 23rd of last year, the First Annual Virginia City Wild Horse Faire was held at the beautiful Silverland Inn and Suites here in historic V. C. "Let 'em Run", The Wild Horse Preservation League, Hugh Roy Mar-shall, Robert Steiner, the VCT Faire Committee, a host of incredible vol-unteers, our great local musicians, and media folks worked together with Na-tive Americans, The Mustang and An-tique Car Clubs of Reno and Virginia City, nearly all the wild horse advoca-cy groups and many, many others worked, almost all without compensa-tion, to create a fabulous first time event on the Comstock. We had 50

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

The Let ’em Run Foundation

820 Cartwright Road Virginia City Highlands, NV

89521

FAX: 775-847-4705 http://www.letemrun.com

How You Can Help

Become a member of LERF! Your member-ship dollars go directly towards helping the horses. We are a completely all-volunteer organization!

Donate Generously! All donations complete-ly tax deductible!

Volunteer Your Time!

Donate Generously! All donations complete-ly tax deductible!

Purchase a “Wild Horse Crossing” CD. All proceeds go directly to helping the Comstock horses!

Donate Generously! All donations complete-ly tax deductible!

Tell Your Friends about Let ’em Run and these fabulous creatures!

Did we mention Donate Generously? All donations completely tax deductible!

January 2015

Dear members, family, friends, fans, and fellow wild horse advocates, Hap-py New Year! It has been some time since I have written you. The work for "Let 'em Run" has been going on full speed during the year. Last year, as many of you know, the Nevada Department of Agriculture attempted to prosecute myself and some of our best and most experienced advocates, including Willis Lamm and Shirley Allen of "Least Re-sistance Training Concepts". With the help of two amazing legal eagles, Allison Joffee, and Robert Hager (both attorneys here) the (in my opinion) trumped up charges were declared unfounded in court in Virgin-ia City. Also in my opinion, we had apparently managed to get "under their skin" there at the Dept.........

Photo by Ronni Hanniman

The Wild Horse Faire parade. Horses turned out on private property with permission.

some vendors, a fabulous parade along "C" St., a silent auction, a drawing with amazing prizes, and a concert with some of our finest area musicians, cowboy poets and celebrities. The event was a huge success, and will happen again this year on August 22nd, 2015. All pro-ceeds went to local wild horse advocacies to pay for hay, equipment, vet care, and so forth accord-ing to each group's needs. Please join us this year for an even bigger better Faire, and God Bless you all for being part of a terrific first-time event last year. This year has started out the same as many before, with the Dept. Of Agriculture rounding up horses faster than the advocates can place them. Sadly, it appears that the lovely Nevada B. Sanctuary is clos-ing its doors leaving around 60 of our Virginia Range Horses in proba-ble jeopardy. We also have 20 or so Virginia Range mustangs at the prison in Carson City awaiting res-cue. Our advocate sanctuaries are full to brimming, and even though advocates have placed 38 animals over the past couple of months, there appears to be "no room at the inn" for the recently apprehended mustangs, many known by name and family to local horse lovers. We are currently caught up in this new emergency, so if anyone has any ideas about tem-porary or especially "forever homes " for these beautiful animals, please let us know right away. We are sooooooooooooo stretched!!! So then another year begins with overloaded ad-vocates stepping forward on faith that the right answers will manifest for us. I spoke with Deniz Bobol of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign this morning, and she is hopeful that the long-sought Cooperative Agreement with ad-vocates and the Nevada Department of Agricul-ture will be signed into law in January. This will

The Mustang Messenger

Volume 14, Issue 1, January 2015 Page 2

We’re on the Web! http://www.letemrun.com Helping people help horses.

allow us to do feeding to divert wild horses from roadways and populated areas where they are a dan-ger to themselves and motorists. In addition,the agreement will allow us to do compassionate birth control to keep the population manageable. Advocates have also asked for trained volunteers to assist public safety personnel in horse rescues and nuisance calls. This will result in huge savings and a

lot of good trained help for the understaffed Agriculture Depart-ment here. Personally, I don't see the downside to this agreement, and cannot, for the life of me, un-derstand why in the world the state would take so long to re-instate a program that has been so successful in the past. Soooooo, dear friends and sup-porters, I will sign off this first week of 2015 with great hope, immense gratitude for your contin-ued support and a continuing vi-sion of Eco-Sanctuaries here, where our wild horses can be com-passionately managed, tourists can interact with them in non- invasive ways, and where once again, the wild horse can be honored and treasured as a valuable and im-

portant part of our state's brand, and another great reason to visit Wild Nevada. Thank you all, may God Bless and Keep you well, happy and prosperous through the New Year and for all your years to come.

Lacy J. Dalton and all of us here at "Let 'em Run"

Rescuing a wild horse that fell into a sewage treatment plant pond in Sparks.

HAAY - Helping Animals And Yourself

Welcome Business Associates and Friends.

We are currently working on a project to preserve the American Wild Horses!

HAAY.org- Helping Animals And Yourself, is a resource tool for helping animals and community live in symbiosis. Thinking Globally, Acting Locally. Supporting Existing Careers and Creating New Ones. Community & National Educational Programs: Local- Environment, Heritage, Eco Tourism, Farming & Resourcing -Hay/Grass -Fertilizer, Youth, Native American, Veterinarian, Trainers, Large Animal Emergency Evacuation Volunteer Certification, Search and Rescue, Disabled, Rehabilitation, Team Building, Psychotherapies, Juvenile, Prison, Volunteer, Fundraising, Advocate/Awareness, Alternative Resources, Communications, Recreation and Community Adventure, Celebrational &/or Photo Events, Exercise, and more!

Home page - http://www.haay.org

VC Event page - http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/events.html

Seeking: Interested Participants, Green- Alternative Resources, Sustainable Living Concepts, Arts, Music & Skilled Talents (of all kinds), Concierge, Theme-minded People,etc. - http://www.haay.org/wanted-skilled-talents News & Vote - http://www.haay.org/national-animal-news

- http://www.haay.org/wynema-ranch-movie Media and Film

Thank you for also visiting our Calendar, Education & Community Programs as well as Supporting Business Pages. Some are still being developed, so thank you for your support and patience while we are in this process! If your Business is listed on the Supporting Business Page, and you find an error or would not like to be a supporter, we apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact us to resolve any issues. Contact - http://www.haay.org/contact

Please join us to stay tuned for up and coming events and programs.

Brockway Lakeview Cabin

Bedrooms: 1 plus loft * Beds: 1 Queen, 1 Futon * Bathrooms: 1 * Max Occupancy: 4 * Pet Policy: No Pets

220 Park Lane, Kings Beach, CA 96143

Welcome! Come join us and get your reservation today in beautiful Lake Tahoe. This cabin helps financially support the wild horse preservation cause. A percentage of the cabin rental proceeds will go to wild animal charitable organizations. If you decide to join, you will be able to choose from our list or have it divided between all equally. We look forward to hearing about your fabulous getaway soon! Click below to check for availability and booking. https://www.vacasarentals.com/unit.php?UnitID=363&adults=1 *Required* Once your reservation is booked, please send us a copy of your confirmation to our main office at haayewe@aol.com and cc: to our human resources 4thwisely@gmail.com. Thank you! (If you are a charitable Organization and would like to be added to our list, don't hesitate to contact us for further information. We will be more than happy to help you out.)

HONEY BANDIT – THE STORY OF A TRUE “MIRACLE MUSTANG” by Palomino Honey Bandit Armstrong

It all began in 2010. As Jennifer Gillespie and I headed out, quite early I might add, to observe the round up in

the Twin Peaks area near Litchfield, CA. It was about 3:00 a.m., and I have to say that this whole trip was

orchestrated and planned down to the second by our Lord God.

We arrived too early and drove right by the still darkened Litchfield corrals. We then tracked back and found

out that we had just missed the entourage and so we headed out to try and find them. We spent several hours

mourning the loss of the horses as we drove around areas where it was obvious the

horses had lived only hours before. All at once I heard that voice in my head

saying to go back NOW to the corrals. We drove in and I opened the door. I no

more than had one foot on the ground when I overheard someone talking about a

“foal.” Of course I ran right in and asked what was happening.

I spoke with Amy Dumas and she told me it was nothing, that a little guy had

stopped nursing that very day and they had brought him and his mama in. He was

still very young, and as his mama apparently had no more milk, I offered to bring

him home. I explained that our specialty was “critical foal care” and she said she

would have to talk to her boss. Jennifer and I went outside and wandered around

for a bit and then I walked back in. I told her I did not understand why they would

not want us to take the baby as they were definitely not set up for 24 hour care.

Her boss, who had apparently come in unknown to us, asked me how soon we

could get the trailer there. I told him a couple of hours and called Matt.

Well I do have to point out that Matt was home packing the boat for our honeymoon. When I asked him to

bring the trailer, he just said, “You are crazy.” I still had not seen the baby yet, and Jennifer wanted to know if

I thought I should see him first. I told her it really didn’t matter ‘cause we take any critical baby no matter

what, so I wasn’t worried about it.

For the next few hours we were given a tour around the facility. I want to stress, as I did back then, that there

were probably close to 300 fat and seemingly content horses. They were obviously being well fed and cared

for. The babies were all fat and happy and everything seemed to be going as well as it could for wild horses

stuck in corrals.

Finally we got to see Honey Bandit. Now the reason for his

name is that he is our “Honeymoon Bandit,” as he stole our

honeymoon. Instead of embarking on a fun and romantic

filled adventure, we began a year-long vigil where we spent

literally, and I mean oh so literally, 24 hours a day, 60

minutes an hour with that baby. Honey Bandit was

extremely weak and was covered in rough coarse hair along

with, what we found out later to be, over 97 open bite and

kick wounds from trying to find a mare to nurse on. His legs

were raw and nasty from the severe case of scours that he

had obviously had for quite some time. His eyes were

sunken and his chest bone protruded so sharply I honestly

didn’t know what it was. This baby was hours away from death and I could not believe we were getting to

take him home.

We gave him some milk and they gave me some electrolytes for the way home. Amy assured me that he was

not dehydrated or emaciated and indicated that the bites and open sores would not be painful as he was a

mustang and they are really tough. We found out later he was deaf from getting kicked in the head, but PTL

his hearing returned after about 4 months.

We got home and placed him in his makeshift nursery. Although it was about 80-90 degrees and we had him

covered in blankets, his core temperature was only 92 degrees. Most vets will agree that normally a baby with

a temp lower than 95 is deadly. I dribbled fluids into him as fast I safely could throughout the night and the

next morning we headed to the vet. During the night he had slipped into a coma. We carried him into the

vet’s office on a blanket. Honey Bandit’s legs were completely stiff

and the vet tech said “I can’t move his legs.”

Doc said, “That is because his body is already entering rigor mortis.”

Honey Bandit started to leave 3 times. I could feel his spirit and soul

leaving and I would reach in his mouth and grab his tongue. I don’t

know how I knew to do this, but it was the only way I could reach him

and 3 times he came back. The vet told me I should just let him die

quietly but there was NO WAY this baby had gone through two weeks

of hell, starvation, and being kicked and bitten by the other horses just

to die on that blue mat.

When we had finally gotten to meet HB at the corral, his mother was

nowhere to be found and no one could locate her. Apparently there had

been a report by BLM’s vet a week earlier indicating that he was not doing well. However, we knew nothing

about that at the time. Our Doc Lynn (who was in constant contact with the BLM vet throughout his

treatment) said his bloodwork and the condition he was in showed that he had been starving for two weeks and

his body was eating itself.

We took our unconscious little man home and I administered I.V. fluids every single hour for twenty minutes

for the next 7 + days. Our of each hour, we spent the 20 minutes doing fluids, 10 – 15 minutes dripping milk

into his mouth, about 10 minutes treating his wounds, and about five closing my eyes. We drove back to the

vet every single day so we could check his bloodwork. There was no way we could afford the $1000 nightly

fee and he would have for sure died without all of us pulling him back to life. These babies instinctively know

when they are left alone, that it is usually because they are going to die. It takes everything you have – every

bit of emotion and love that you can pour into that little soul to bring them back to life. We spent the next

week or so flipping him over from side to side as he couldn’t stand up. The dogs stayed close, watching over

and nurturing him, which helped a great deal.

During the next few months I still went from getting a “he probably won’t survive” to him having a tiny

chance to maybe having a 50/50 chance. He would spike an incredible

fever which almost killed him, and had just about every other issue a baby

can have. We actually had to staple his left eye to keep his eye socket from

collapsing inward. We had to put him in a sling because he could not stand

up very long or get up and down. Ladies from all over America sent him

their leg warmers. Folks came together like I have never seen to help with

his vet bills and brought endless bags of blankets. Jennifer saved us by

driving the 85 mile round trip at least once a week to take the soiled

blankets and wash them.

I slathered medicine on his open wounds as tears poured down my face. We

were exhausted and only survived due to the amazing folks that brought

food and were there with us. I spent more hours throughout those longs

scary nights on the phone with Shirley, often sobbing my heart out as I

could hardly bear what he was going through. Folks came and would stand

and cry.

We were flooded out when there was a big storm, so we packed up Honey Bandit and all our medical supplies

and HB and I spent the night at a friend’s place in their historic 100 year old barn. It definitely took a village

to save this baby. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one who was involved in this miracle.

A year later the television reporter talked about a day that no one thought would ever come. Honey Bandit

was out playing and running around. Wow – nobody really thought he was going to pull through. When you

are taking care of a baby like that you don’t think about if or what will happen. You just spend every second

loving them and willing them to live and doing everything you can. The success we have is ultimately God’s

Hands guiding us to do the right thing. I am so very grateful that He wants us to do this, and it is obvious each

and every time.

We have not had one baby yet where someone didn’t say, “Oh, that baby is fine – it looks healthy to me,” and

then we go through heck on earth as the baby nearly dies, time after time. These babies can crash in minutes.

The day HB had his temperature – I think it was almost 105, which is close to where it can cause brain

damage. I just had that feeling when I looked at him. I know who gives me those feelings. PTL that God

guides us to help these little ones. We immediately started cooling him off which saved his life. If we had

been inside making lunch or doing whatever that alone would have killed him. This is why it is literally 60

minutes an hour that someone is with them.

Today Honey Bandit is a pretty happy and seemingly very healthy 4 year old. He has no scars, which is

amazing, although his eye is still pretty sunken in on the left side. I am not riding him, as there was so much

damage done to his organs it always made me stop and think. For all we know he is perfectly healthy, but he

could also have tired organs. He deserves a good life and he has a ball playing the stallion or (band leader) at

Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang. Honey Bandit has visited schools and we took his story to Washington

D.C. We will be forever grateful that the folks at Litchfield let us bring him home, and it just shows that just

because folks are very knowledgeable about adult horses, that it is a whole different ball game when you are

dealing with an orphan foal.

You can contact me at Palomino.honeybandit@gmail.com or join us on Facebook at Palomino Honeybandit

Armstrong. We love visitors and are open pretty much anytime folks want to come and visit – unless we are

out picking up a baby. You can reach us at 530 474-5197 or 530 339-1458 and if you have a baby emergency

or a question, please do not hesitate to call Day or Night!

THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!

Matt, Palomino & The Gang Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang

Equine Rescue & More - Rescue/Rehab Project LRTC

chillypepper.weebly.com www.whmentors.org

LETTER TO NEVADA STATE ASSEMBLYMAN MARK MANENDO Citizen Lobbyist Julie Keller Makes Reflector Request to Legislature

Good Afternoon Assemblyman Manendo,

Per our recent conversation on Facebook, I live in Texas but I have registered as a nonpaid lobbyist for the 2015

Nevada Legislative session. My main concern, and central focus, is to get the Strieter Lite Deer and Wild Animal

Reflectors reinstalled on Highway 50 East, as well as other dangerous highways and state roads, to curb some of

the collisions between motorists and wildlife, especially wild horses – which can be devastating as you know.

As it is explained on the website, www.Strieter-Lite.com, the reflectors are designed to work between dusk and

dawn, which is when approximately 70-80% of wild animal strikes happen. The Strieter-Lite Reflectors can

reduce nighttime collisions by 78%-90%. They were extremely successful before (in Nevada) and can be again.

They were removed to widen the highway, inadvertently destroyed by NDOT, and then replaced by fencing and

other expensive, unsuccessful measures to attempt to stop these tragedies.

While going through the BDRs, I noticed that you have quite a few (23, 43-17, 50-56) in legislation. Would you

be able to speak with me about some of these bills and their effect on wildlife, open space, and transportation? So

far, I have not found any information on meetings for these bills. I might be putting the cart before the horse, no

pun intended. You might not have these meetings scheduled yet. But if you do, I would appreciate that

information.

I was hoping to come there the last week of February and meet with not only NDOT, but legislators as well. Do

you think that is too soon for meetings to be scheduled? If not, and there will be scheduled meetings at that time,

perhaps you could point me in the right direction for meetings I should attend.

Either way, I hope to meet with you when I am there as I look forward to learning more about what is happening

with the wild horses, motorists, and traffic safety. Please feel free to contact me at the number listed below if you

need further information, have any questions, or have any advice.

Thank you, in advance. I really appreciate any assistance you can give me.

Sincerely,

Julie A. Keller, Rep.

Strieter Corporation

1109 Celeste St.

Crowley, TX 76036

(775) 830-7739

LACY J. DALTON’S

Let ‘em Run Foundation T-SHIRTS!

The Dalton Girls (Emilyn Roberts and Jean Barnes) are selling these beautiful, high quality T-Shirts to support our

American Heritage, the Wild Horses and Burros of the U.S. All monies from the sale of these shirts go directly to Lacy J

Dalton’s Let ‘Em Run Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3. Visit www.letemrun.com for further details on the foundation.

Contact Emilyn Roberts at 775-742-5338 to order your shirts now. Thank You for supporting OUR American Heritage,

the Wild Horses and Burros. T-Shirts 100% pre-shrunk cotton in the following Kids’ Unisex sizes M, L for $17 each. Adult Unisex sizes: S, M, L, XL for

$20 each and XXL, XXXL for $25.

Kids’ Medium

Kids’ Large

Adult 3XL

There is something

about the outside of a

horse that is good for

the inside of a man.

~Winston Churchill

Wynema Ranch Wild Horse Sanctuary prides itself as an eco-friendly rescue and

rehabilitation refuge for America’s wild mustangs, burros, and mules. For these majestic

creatures that once roamed the range free, a safe haven and alternative to slaughter has

been conceived.

The premise upon which this sanctuary has been established is that all our rescued

animals are given the best chance for a rewarding life in their new restricted regime, and

that each animal will be given a new purpose.

Wild horses and burros that willingly attach to people and establish a bond through a

process known as “gentling” will be given an opportunity for permanent homes under the

watchful eye of the Wynema Ranch Wild Horse Sanctuary Adoption Program. If

circumstances change for their adoptive family, return of adoptive animals will be

accepted.

Other horses will be given opportunities to participate in programs to help heal, self-

empower, and inspire returning veterans, veterans’ families, at-risk youths, foster youths,

recent parolees, and those struggling with addictions.

Additionally, our rescued herds will join in helping to educate the public, especially our

community’s youth, through programs offered at the ranch about the heritage, the

behavior, and the beauty of one of America’s most cherished icons−Wild Mustangs.

The true legacy we aspire to achieve is:

Working together, we hold the space to ensure those beings that once roamed free, can be

as wild as they need to be, under the protection of the Wynema Ranch Wild Horse

Sanctuary.

www.wynemaranch.com