Alpine mares and foals at RTF’s Lompoc headquarters sanctuary. Photo by Meg Frederic.
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Dear Friends,
Since we opened our gates in 1998, a priority of Return to Freedom’s mission has been to relocate or reunite as many rescued wild horses as possible with their family band members, from whom they’d been tragically torn during family-shattering roundups.
Today, I urgently need your help.
Several months ago, we learned that dozens of horses captured from Arizona’s Apache National Forest — band stallions, mares and foals — were at the sale yard in Bowie, Texas. With a colleague rescue organization on the ground there, we worked together to save as many of the family bands as possible from the slaughter pipeline.
We also committed to giving the stallions and their harem band-mares permanent sanctuary and began transporting them to California in April after the rains and mud cleared up. New pasture fencing was built to receive the dozens of new horses, including pregnant mares.
At the auction, 41 of the 45 Alpine horses were saved (four others were purchased by a local Texas rescue). Working with an Arizona group, we were able to identify most of the horses and their band members.
Coronado, left, and his three mares (Eleanor is the mare with the star). Photo courtesy of All Seated in a Barn.
But it wasn’t over…
About a week later, three more Alpine stallions and three more mares rolled into Bowie holding corrals. We were able to identify these horses — first, the handsome bay stallion Coronado, and — amazingly — his three mares, Eleanor, Stormy and Zamora were still with him!
Coronado and two of his mares huddled as closely as they could in separate auction pens, and we were able to acquire them — we were so happy once we could put Coronado and his mares in the same pasture! This summer, both Stormy and Zamora have now had foals, and Coronado is a wonderful sire, educator and protector!
Sadly, Coronado’s other mare, Eleanor, was very badly injured at the sale yard — unable to go through the auction. She was given to a local Texas rescue to receive vet care and unable to be reunited with her band. Yet, this month we have received photos which confirm that after receiving wonderful care and feed in recent months, she looks better than ever and has fully healed!
Friends, the expense has been great already…
Safe and happy: Alpine mare Tahli and her colt Carlson at RTF’s Lompoc sanctuary. Photo by Meg Frederick
Many of the horses contracted strangles (a contagious respiratory disease) at the sale yard and needed multiple treatments once in our care. The stallions were all gelded and any injuries were taken care of.
Now that the rescue is over, the costly long-term work begins — and we can’t do it alone.
Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, the horses are now in good health and we have been able to welcome the mares and weanlings here in one of our smaller special-needs pastures. Eleven foals have been born here — there is nothing more awww…-inspiring!
We need to raise $50,000 by November 15 to assure their care!
As I look out every day at the contented horses who have regained what seemed to have been lost to them forever, I have deep thanks in my heart for you.
To the wild ones, and those who stand with them,
Neda DeMayo
Founder and President, Return to Freedom