DEATH OF WARHORSE
I came into the world born of a Spanish heritage. My ancestors rode across the mighty plains, always at the beck and call of the bugler’s sound. They never wandered from the fight, but were ridden victoriously by gallant men dressed in blue. Even the natives that rode on our backs did so with much pride.
Wagon trains were used as well as chariots rushing to bring your people to special homes. The pony express used us to deliver the news and mail always at a pace, quick and swift. Even when wars broke out between various countrymen, we fought hard and long beside your side.
My ancestors were proud of the victories they had fought and won. They boasted for centuries to the young about what it was to battle for honor of the soldiers carrying them, sometimes even when wounded. While some gave of their lives, others rode on in victory. We stood watch at night, warning of dangers not asking for much.
But alas, here I am, born not as a racing thoroughbred or an Arabian, but as a mighty warrior — a warhorse ready to do battle when called. Mount me with saddle or just mount my back. I will take you to the edge and back. A warhorse always at your command.
Suddenly, I find myself no longer in need. I am placed in a box after being chased off my land. The box tacks me to where I do not know. No longer feeling freedom, but contained within. Where are you taking me? Where are you sending me? Am I no longer of need or value to you?
As the gate closes on the mighty Warhorse, he will be forever wondering why was he born, only to be removed from his free land and sent to slaughter. The death of the mighty Warhorse, who has lost his value, suddenly becomes an afterthought to those who cannot see that the once mighty wild mustang is a true noble breed.
The wild mustang of the Wild West was said to come from Spanish Conquistadors but for others it was already here. Running free across the land never to be a bother or burden. But now rounded up by the 100s and placed in pens by the government. They get sold at auctions and adopted, but some end up, like Warhorse, heading to the slaughterhouses, for there is no love for him.
Don’t let his life end up as slaughter food, but let him ride out his days in the open ranges–wild and free. He served his country and should die as a hero, not as a nuisance.
Please note: There currently over 50,000 wild horses being held in the holding management areas by the Bureau of Land Management agency or BLM. Every day they are rounding the mustangs up and removing them from their native lands because they say there is a drought issue and that the horses are suffering.
They use helicopters to chase the mustangs across the ranges regardless of the age of the horses.
Young or old, even babies (foals) they chase with the helicopters into holding pens where they then send them to various places to wait out their fate.
For some they will end adopted but for the most they will end up in places like this for the rest of their lives.
This is where they lived only to be held in fenced in areas.
Don’t let the last picture you see be this. Help set them free to run again.
For more information go to Save the Onaqui wild horse and see for yourself.
