In July, 2009, in the high ridges and sagebrush basin that formed the Challis Wild Horse Herd Management Area just outside of Sun Valley, Idaho, a helicopter would appear on the horizon, move towards a herd of wild horses and change their world forever.

Nearly 400 wild horses who had roamed this land for generations were chased for miles over rugged terrain by the relentless object in the sky. Driven to a trap site, the herd said goodbye to their home, family bands and freedom, forever.

Elissa Kline, who had been photographing the Challis herd for many years, stepped forward with her two partners (Doro Lohmann and Jodi Herlich) to rescue as many of the mares as they could, keeping them together and keeping some part of their now shattered life in tact. Return to Freedom helped ensure their safety by funding their feed and care for 6 months. Many of the mares were pregnant.

Safe now with their young foals at their sides, the herd was cared for by the group of women until a permanent solution could be found. In the summer of 2012, Return to Freedom brought the Challis herd to the safety of the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary. Here they are safe and they are together.