Wild Horse

The “insightful [and] even-handed” (Outside) story of a heroic animal whose existence is in danger. The wild horse, popularly known as the mustang, is so ingrained in the American imagination that even those who have never seen one know what it stands for: freedom, independence, the bedrock ideals of the nation. But in modern times it has become entangled in controversy and bureaucratic mismanagement, and now its future is imperiled. In Wild Horse Country, Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times reporter David Philipps traces the rich history of wild horses in America and investigates the shocking dilemma they pose in our own time.

When the Spanish explorers brought horses to North America, the horses were, in a sense, returning home. Beginning with their origins fifty million years ago, the wild horse has been traced from North America through Asia to the plains of SpainÕs Andalusia and then back across the Atlantic to the ranges of the American West. When given the chance, these horses simply took up residence in the landscape that their ancestors had roamed so long ago. In Wild Horses of the West, J. Edward de Steiguer provides an entertaining and well-researched look at one of the most controversial animal welfare issues of our timeÑthe protection of free-roaming horses on the WestÕs public lands. This is the first book in decades to include the entire story of these magnificent animals, from their evolution and biology to their historical integration into conquistador, Native American, and cowboy cultures. And the story isnÕt over. De Steiguer goes on to address the modern issuesÑ ecology, conservation, and land managementÑsurrounding wild horses in the West today. Featuring stunning color photographs of wild horses, this extremely thorough and engaging blend of history, science, and politics will appeal to students of the American West, conservation activists, and anyone interested in the beauty and power of these striking animals.

Gorgeous photographs and an evocative text sing the praises of a real-life herd of wild horses running free in Arizona, in this ode to the beauty of these glorious creatures. Between one breath and the next, / the Wild Horses appear. Gliding through trees, / weaving between cactus and rock. In beautiful poetry and vivid photographs, Melissa Marr shares her feelings of awe while watching a real-life herd of majestic wild horses in Arizona. When they appear, the wind itself seems to stand still. They are grand in their movements as they do all the things horses do--splash through rivers, care for young, stomp and whinny. It is clear they are not tame, and this is part of their beauty and power. How lucky are we to be able to witness their strength and speed and magnificence!

A vivid first-person study of a notorious equine ritual—from the perspective of the wild horses who are its targets Wild horses still roam the mountains of Galicia, Spain. But each year, in a ritual dating to the 1500s called rapa das bestas, villagers herd these “beasts” together and shave their manes and tails. Shaving the Beasts is a firsthand account of how the horses experience this traumatic rite, producing a profound revelation about the durability of sociality in the face of violent domination. John Hartigan Jr. constructs an engrossing, day-by-day narrative chronicling the complex, nuanced social lives of wild horses and the impact of their traumatic ritual shearing every summer. His story generates intimate, individual portraits of these creatures while analyzing the social practices—like grazing and grooming—that are the building blocks of equine society. Shaving the Beasts culminates in a searing portrayal of the inspiring resilience these creatures display as they endure and recover from rapa das bestas. Turning away from “thick” description to “thin,” Hartigan moves toward a more observational form of study, focusing on behaviors over interpretations. This vivid approach provides new and important contributions to the study of animal behavior. Ultimately, he comes away with profound, penetrating insights into multispecies interactions and a strong alternative to humancentric ethnographic practices.

In this large-format, special edition book by award-winning photographer Drew Doggett, discover the story of the wild and free horses of Sable Island as told through over 100 exquisitely reproduced photographs and personal writings. This book comes encased in a protective slipcase and with a companion print.

An exciting adventure story of a wild horse born on the open range, captured by an unscrupulous rancher, then befriended by a young girl. "The rapid pace and tense drama will easily mesmerize readers...provides a timely peek at the plight of wild horses, which is an ongoing environmental issue."--Booklist

Established in 1967, the Ghost River Wilderness Area, located along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta, is one of only three provincially designated wilderness areas in the province. As such, it is supposed to have the strictest form of government protection available in Canada, with development, motorized transportation and recreational activities either tightly controlled or altogether forbidden. This has not been the case, however. It is in this beautiful, threatened and geographically remote area that Maureen Enns, a well-known artist, author, educator and conservationist, has come to discover an incredible world inhabited by wild horses, one of the region’s most elusive and iconic creatures. Descendants of the original settlers of the area have been known to describe the “wildies” of the Ghost Wilderness as ugly, nondescript, Roman-nosed and useless animals. But such descriptions stand in sharp contrast to some of the athletic and beautiful stallions, mares and foals that Enns has encountered. Using a stunning combination of drawn and painted images, conventional and remote photography (using hidden cameras activated by heat or motion) and traditional stories told by Peigan and Stoney Nakoda people, Enns invites the reader to join her as she untangles old myths regarding Alberta’s heritage and reveals some uncomfortable realities facing the province in the 21st century. The wild horses, wolves, moose, deer and bear profiled in this book have had little contact with humankind. As communities, developers and governments struggle to understand the impacts of conservation, recreation and development in sacred places, it is becoming more and more difficult to keep the “wild” in wild animals. This project is passionate plea for understanding, conservation and action.

Cowboy and photographer Dayton Hyde presents images of and describes his experiences with mustangs and other wild horses around the country, also covering wild breeds around the world, and discusses preservation.