Wild Horses on the Silver Screen
There’s no doubt about it, wild horse populations are sharply declining in the United States and the cause is not something to take lightly. I have a passion for protecting Wild Horses and dream of one day being able to adopt one of my own (or maybe more than one!) But, until I’m able to take one of these amazing animals into my own herd I hope I can make others aware of their plight and hopefully inspire you to take action on their behalf. Organizations like the American Wild horse Preservation are doing what they can to help, but more help is crucial to the survival of these ancient American icons.
Two movies that have been circulating on the indie film circuit highlight the harsh actions the government is taking and help shed more light onto this cruel behavior. The first documentary, American Mustang, is told by a young girl and is playing in 3D. The footage in the preview of the roundups is almost too painful to watch. If you have a hard time making it through the Sara McLachlan SPCA commercial, this will probably be just as tough to sit through. But I’m thankful for the message and the impact that this film will hopefully have on all who go to see it.
The second, Wild Horses, is a work of fiction but features real issues facing the Mustang today. The main character witnesses a brutal round up and is faced with the hard decision of how to respond. Even though the script is fiction, the issues are 100% real.
So what can you do? Call your local independent movie theater, and request show times for both of these movies! Another easy way to get involved is to donate money to the American Wild Horses Preservation and to share the knowledge with other passionate horse lovers through Facebook, Twitter, blogs and the good old word of mouth. Getting the word out is just as crucial as funding and every little bit helps. If you’re in a roundup area, you can get involved in a protest and help spread the word to others. There are many wild horse sanctuaries across the US that need donations of all types (money, feed, hay, supplies, etc…) and some offer sponsorships for specific horses. If you’d like to do more, consider adopting a wild mustang from the BLM… or a whole herd if you have the space and the resources to care for them. Some sanctuaries are also in need of foster “parents” for horses until they find a permanent home. No matter where you are, there’s always a way to help out and every effort benefits the cause. I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes and I hope it inspires you to take action!
“Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?… It is because people think only about their own business, and won’t trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, nor bring the wrong-doers to light… My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”
– Anna Sewell, Black Beauty
