What You Can do to Save our Wild Horses and Burros

I’m frequently asked what can be done to save our wild horses. The truth is, there are so many things. Saving our wild horses is a multi faceted task, that takes all of us.

Recently, I was asked to help spearhead a project that was the brain child of photographer Kim Newman. She wanted to engage as many wild horse photographers as possible, and flood the decision makers in Washington DC with images and stories of our wild horses and burros. I think I can be fairly sure in my assumption that the people making these decisions concerning our wild horses, have never seen one, and don’t know much if anything about their lives.

Kim reached out to a few photographers, and together we created a plan, gathered all the information, and made it easy for people to contact the right law makers in Washington. We researched who was on what committee, their roles, and most importantly, what we wanted to happen. Our ask is simple, stop the roundups and evaluate this situation from a science based stand point. In my last blog post, I talk about the insanity of doing the same thing over, and over and expecting a different result. We want to see this change.

After we had our information perfected, we contacted about 200 wild horse photographers. As of today, over 100 have responded and either sent in their photos and stories, or will be doing so in the near future. What a wonderful thing it is, to know that hundreds of wild horse and burro images and stories have landed on the desks of these Washington decision makers. How can they possibly not be moved by this? How can they ignore this issue that is so very important to the American Public. These are OUR wild Horses, on OUR public lands. We want them preserved for future generations to enjoy.

So, What You Can do to Save our Wild Horses and Burros is simple. I am adding our contact list, and the sample letter we all sent below. Simply add your story to the letter, print and mail. Don’t have photos to send? Then just send the letter. This link will open the word doc that can be edited. Letter to customize and mail.

And this link is the PDF showing all the mailing info for the 12 people to send your letters to. Contact list. If you would rather send emails, that has to be done through each individuals website on a contact form. The new Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, is at the at the top of this decision making process. Her email is feedback@ios.doi.gov and I would encourage you to make contacting her a top priority. Her phone number is 202-208-3100, they have been taking messages at this number.

I firmly believe that contacting any, and every news or media source is critical. Getting people engaged with what is happening with the horses can have a huge impact on saving them. People need to know we have wild horses, and they need to know what is happening to them.

And lets not forget the power of social media. Deb Haaland is on Twitter and Instagram as @secdebhaaland. Tagging her on anything wild horse related is a great idea. Also @Potus, and your representative. We are seriously running out of time, and anything and everything needs to be done to stop the upcoming roundups. It’s easy to leave a message for the white house at this email link.

Our newest campaign is going to be an ongoing one. Every Tuesday you can call, Tweet, or tag Deb Haaland on Instagram. All the information you need is in this graphic.

American Wild Horse Campaign also has valuable information and actionable items, as does Wild Horse education. So be sure to check those websites for even more ways to help save our wild horses and burros.

I have to hold out hope every day that our collective voices will be heard, and make a difference.