Mustang Mission

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) frequently states that wild equines are overpopulated, and many believe it without question.  The BLM's claims are correct and based on science, right?  Maybe not.  Let's dig into this deeper - you may be surprised at what we find. First, it is necessary to note that the BLM's leadership is very much against wild horses and burros.  Why?  Because many 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 influence in the BLM's decision making.  Not to mention that nearly every member of the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse & Burro Advisory Board is for livestock and against wild horses; this is obvious by their statements and votes during board meetings. The BLM's method for population counts is not efficient.  The Double Observer Method is conducted over several days as the BLM counts wild horses and burros from ...

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 worki...

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 s...

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...

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 per...

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 i...

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

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

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.  Su...

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