Mustang Mission

It's been nearly ten months since the lawsuit against the National Park Service (NPS) began, which subsequently began my campaign to save Cumberland Island's Wild Horses.  I launched a petition in April, which now has 1,800+ signatures.  I began visiting the island regularly and recently released a document on my observations and research there.  Visiting Cumberland Island gave me a fun opportunity to film episodes which I've posted on Mustang Mission's Patreon!  I continue to learn so much about the horses and the beautiful island they inhabit. Over the past several months, I have communicated with the NPS.  Currently, they cannot discuss the horses due to the litigation, but have been open to hearing about my research. I have also sent my research to the person over the lawsuit and asked if we could discuss the horses again (we had a long conversation in spring).  I was told that there was no interest in speaking to me. One of the projects I've been working on is

I’m so excited to share this interview with you!  Recently, I was nominated for and received Dr. Karen Becker’s Game Changer Award.  As a recipient of the award, Dr. Becker interviewed me about America's Wild Horses and Burros and the work I'm doing to save them.  The video was just released last week! You can read the article and watch the video on Dr. Becker’s website .  Please take some time to look through her articles, as well.  She’s a fantastic veterinarian with a holistic approach to veterinary care.  My family and I have learned so much from her!

Recently, Georgia’s only wild horse herd, living on Cumberland Island, has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight.  The reason?  A few organizations and individuals filed a lawsuit, demanding that the National Park Service (NPS) manage the wild horses by causing them to die out (via fertility control). Cumberland’s Wild Horses need some management (there is not enough forage) due to the lack of natural predators on the island, but the NPS has never managed them.  That is the cause for this sudden push to eliminate horses on the island. However, we’re advocating that the horses remain on the island, where they’ve been and survived for the last 300 years.  We’re also advocating for minimal management using the safe, effective, and reversible PZP fertility control vaccine and that mares are carefully selected to ensure genetic diversity within the herd. I really encourage you to read more about this issue on my website. Now, I’m launching a campaign to “Save the Cumberland Island Wild H

Throughout the past year, I often asked myself questions to help me reexamine this mustang rescue purpose and how I can continue in this work successfully. Often, I have to remind myself why I began Mustang Mission. I’ll be honest, at times I’ve doubted my decision to start a mustang rescue. It hasn’t been easy, but as I continue pressing on, I realize more and more how blessed and honored I am that rescuing animals is a main part of my life. I want to share with you the questions I’ve asked myself and the answers to those questions. Why do I think that rescuing mustangs and burros is important ? Mustangs and burros are amazing animals. They are incredibly smart and talented. None of them should be wasting away in holding pens since the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) won’t consider releasing them back into the wild.  Most mustangs removed will become willing partners if given the chance.  Some mustangs aren’t great candidates for being gentled and should be released onto a sanctuary,

As you know, there are a lot of sad and horrible situations that come to light when rescuing horses. In this email, I wanted to give you a peek into something I recently saw on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) online auction coming up. I believe it’s important that you know what is happening to our mustangs and burros. The grim reality. This gelding is extremely thin - noticeable ribs, a thin neck, and protruding hips. This sorrel mustang is the face of mustangs that suffer in holding due to lack of care. Sadly, our tax dollars are paying the BLM to “care” for this mustang. I can’t know all the details, but it is very likely that this mustang is at the bottom of the pecking order in his holding pen and is being chased away from food. The holding pens are so crowded there is likely nowhere for this gelding to go where he can eat in peace. Honestly, he is so thin that he’s a horse I would’ve expected to see in a kill pen, not in the care of a government organization that receives bi

Happy New Year!  I’m really looking forward to this year.  There are so many exciting things brewing under the surface, and I have to admit that we are keeping a few secrets…😉 Last year was a fabulous year, and there were many changes, experiences, additions, and growth.  Click on the video below to get a review of 2022 and watch some special moments!

There are thousands of older mustangs in holding and most people won’t even consider giving one a home, and I understand why.  I’ve trained an older gelding myself - it’s not easy.  I’ve seen many older mustangs be passed up for adoption multiple times or sold for as little as $25.  They’re unwanted by most people. That’s one of the main reasons why I started Mustang Mission, to give these older mustangs a chance .  On this Giving Tuesday, will you consider donating to our facilities expansion fund to enable us to continue rescuing older mustangs?  Even a donation of $5 would be a huge help and we have a gift for you, too! It’s been almost a year since I won Alamo on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) online horse auction.  When I began browsing through the auction a year ago, I decided that I would choose between three older geldings.  One was dark brown, one black, and then there was Alamo.  After much prayer, thought, and speaking with a person who knew them on the range, I decid

Dear Friends, I can hardly believe that 2022 is almost over!  As I was looking back over this past year of so much growth, several “firsts” came to mind, but one particularly stood out: I had to say “no” for the first time to mustangs in need .  That was one of the most difficult moments for me.  Knowing that I couldn’t save these mustangs, who needed so much help, made me reconsider my decision to start a mustang rescue. Both times I had to say “no” was because we didn’t have room to take another mustang.  Even though fundraising for fencing may be a “boring” aspect of a horse rescue, it’s so important.  It means more mustangs saved - a difference made in their lives.  The proper facilities are the reason why we CAN save mustangs.  Otherwise, it would be impossible to rescue them. I know that this is only the beginning. I will have to say “no” many more times - even though it hurts - and I know it hurts you, too.  That’s why we’re in this together.   We can only bring about change tog

There is something about the west that strikes everyone—the vast landscape, untamed plains, ancient Indian camps, and wild horses and burros.  While all of these aspects have captivated the hearts of Americans for decades, mustangs are widely renowned for their beauty, strong family ties, and the freedom they greatly cherish.  But when we dig deeper, a question may arise, “Why do we really have wild horses and burros?”  When Hernan Cortez came to the new world in 1519 1 , he brought with him gorgeous Spanish horses.  Their descendants are what we now know today as the American Mustang.  Burros were later transported to America in the 1500’s 2 on another Spanish boat.  As the years went by, they began to be used by the Native Americans, and later by cowboys exploring the west.  These hardy animals were prized for their strength and intelligence.  It was then, as the west became settled, that the wild horses and burros became known as the western icon for beauty, freedom, and family.  T

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 Today is such a special time to celebrate our freedom as Americans. I’m blessed to spend this day, for the first time, with two icons that represent freedom. Although their freedom of living wild was taken away, I’m grateful to have been able to give them back their freedom of choice and thankful that they have chosen to accept life with humans! Alamo, who is a true mustang warrior, inspires me every day to keep fighting for the mustangs and burros’ freedom. I hope that you’ll be constantly reminded throughout today to thank God for our freedoms and for those who thought of the future generations over themselves, and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May their sacrifices never be forgotten or taken for granted. I pray that each of you have a blessed, safe day celebrating! Please take a moment now to thank God for our freedoms. Mustang Mission T-shirts with this design ⬇️ are on sale today ! Use the code: FREEDOM15 to get 15% off!

Thanks to all of you, this little mare is safe! She arrived at our rescue yesterday and is doing so well. Her expression gets brighter and more alive every time I go out to check on her! She is very thin, but I can already notice her gaining weight. She gets all of the hay she wants and is enjoying Alfalfa Pellets. I can’t wait to get her on the feed I give my other mustang, Alamo, as it has done wonders for him. As Rune has just stepped into a new life, she needs a new name, too. I’d like to introduce her to you as Ember! Ember represents all the mustangs in kill pens, and she is a wonderful reminder to me that there is hope for those horses. Thank you again for your support and prayers! It means so much to me, and I thank God for all of you. ~Erin P.S. There’s a big story behind our drive home with Ember… stay tuned for a blog post about her rescue story!

Thank you so much for your donations, kind words, prayers, and support! Rune is safe and in the care of a wonderful mustang trainer, who is keeping her for a few days. I am so grateful to God for working everything out. It is a comfort to know that He loves and cares for each of these animals. Four days ago, Rune was the typical mustang in the horse slaughter trade - her future looked grim. Now, her future is filled with hope because of your generosity and prayers! However, we are still raising funds for round pen panels and Rune’s care. Again, thank you so very much! I pray that God blesses each one of you abundantly! ~Erin Phillips

  We will never forget Alamo's life in the wild and why he was removed.  May he inspire many Americans to stand up for wild horses and stop the roundups.  Every wild horse and burro deserves to stay free. "The earth is the Lord's."  Psalm 24:1 📸 PC: Greig Huggins

It is such an honor to have been featured in our local newspaper, Effingham Herald, with Alamo!  You can read the article online.

Our wild horses and burros have been facing serious challenges from the government, and this year is no different.  The Bureau of Land Management is planning to remove "at least" a record of 19,000 mustangs and burros this Fiscal Year 2022.  But we mustang advocates and lovers have had enough.  We're trying even harder to bring about a change for our wild equines.  The Cloud Foundation, along with many wild horse advocates, are demanding a hearing for wild horses and burros.  Please join in on taking action for our wild horses by  submitting your comments .  Thank you so much for standing up for our wild horses and burros! "The earth is the Lord's." Psalm 24:1

This is a common statement made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and many believe it without question.  The BLM's claims are correct and science based, right?  Maybe not.  Let's dig into this deeper - you may be surprised at what we find. First, we need to begin by saying that BLM's leadership is very much against wild horses and burros.  Why?  Because ranchers in the livestock industry hate wild horses and burros since they compete for the forage on the range.  Ranchers have a lot of power and money to use in the BLM's decision making.  Not to mention, that nearly every member on the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse & Burro Advisory Board is for livestock and against wild horses; this is obvious by the statements they make and how they vote during board meetings. The BLM's method for population counts is not efficient.  The Double Observer Method is done over several days where the BLM counts wild horses and burros from an airplane 500+ feet above gr

Throughout the West, wild horse and burro herds are racing towards extinction.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with other government agencies, seem intent on driving them out of their rangelands and imprisoning them in holding pens – funded with our tax dollars. Although advocates all over America are working for these animals’ freedom, the BLM finally released their overdue Report to Congress last year, which the senate passed.  This new plan outlines the removal of 220,000 mustangs and burros in the next twenty years.  There are already 50,000+ mustangs and burros in holding pens. In this plan, the BLM will reach the “Appropriate” Management Level (AML) of 26,715 wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of land.  This means that each wild equine remaining in the wild would be expected to cover and use about 1,000+ acres. At the Paul’s Valley Off-Range Corral in Oklahoma, wild horses and burros are housed in a private pasture until their adoption.  Surprisingly, on just 400

 We are offering a free mini guide to advocating for wildlife!  Get yours today!

The Bureau of Land Management just opened up registration to the public for an opportunity to comment at their Virtual Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Meeting.  This is their biggest wild horse and burro event held each year.  Three comment slots are open: - Public Comment Session 1 - June 30, 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. MT - Public Comment Session 2 - July 1, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. MT - Public Comment Session 3 - July 1, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. MT Go to this link ( www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/get-involved/advisory-board ) to register.  Our wild horses and burros need our voices!