Most of us believe the horse was brought over by the Spanish, but in fact, this beautiful creature was here long before that. We now have fossils that prove the horse did in fact, originate in North America.

The Native Americans have a saying, "the grass remembers them." Horses readily took to the western plains, because they started out there, long ago. They died out, possibly because they were over-hunted, or because of drastic climate changes, but they are a re-introduced native species, not a introduced non-native species. You can visit Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and see the fossils for yourself.

We have relied on the horse for many things, for many, many years. Without them, The West surely would not have flourished and become the United States of America, the birthday we celebrate this weekend.

Please take a few moments to watch our video, and while you are enjoying your holiday, giving thanks to our forefathers and for our freedom, please remember to thank the horse by taking action and letting your representatives know how you feel. Right now, in particular danger, are 11 herds of wild horses in Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management is planning to "zero out" all eleven herds on the basis that they are over-populating the area they have been given on which to survive. Zeroing out means taking them all away! The deadline for public opinion on this matter is July 6, 2009, (however this is something where you should voice your opinion even after that date as it is a trend happening across the entire country). This is expensive, morally wrong, in direct opposition to the mandate of the Wild Horse and Burro Act which was signed into law in order to protect and preserve the wild horses and burros of our country, and not based on true research and facts. It is a move to clear the way for cattle ranching on public land, and other destructive practices like gas and oil leases and mining. The Bureau of Land Management is supposed to protect our public lands, not sell it off to the highest bidder. Please make your voice heard, stand up for the wild horses and stand up for our public lands. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave!

You can easily contact BLM Director John Ruhs by clicking here...the letter is already written for you and will go directly to his email at his office so it can be read by Monday morning.

Fact: America’s wild horses are being eradicated in violation of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse & Burro Act, which protects them as “living symbols” of our Nation's spirit. 

Fact: From over 2 million in the 1800s, fewer than 25,000 remain on our public lands. 

Fact: There are now more wild horses in government holding pens than remain in the wild. 

Fact: The round-ups continue, and a recent change in the law opens the door to thousands being sent to slaughter.

Fact: Although in-the-wild management would save millions of tax-dollars, special interests have been successful in pressuring the government to systematically remove wild horses from public lands - specifically corporate cattle interests who want our horses replaced with private cattle for subsidized grazing.

For more information about our wild horses, and to hear interviews with Ecologist/Biologist Craig C. Downer who has studied the horses for years, plus country western sensation Lacy J. Dalton and wild horse advocates, please click here.

We hope you have a very safe and happy fourth of July and thanks for helping our symbol of freedom! Please know that it does not matter where you live, you can help the horses!

To learn more and  help the Wild Horses, visit www.wildhorsepreservation.com and
sign the petition.