The observation of the dying horse was made by RCMP Corporal Dave Heaslip with the Northern Alberta Livestock Investigation Unit in the Olds Albertan Newspaper, January 30th, 2007 edition. 

Whether you like wild horses or not, agree with their existance in the Eastern Slopes or not, we should all agree on one thing, that was a pretty cruel way to die.  All seven wild horses died a few feet from each other, at the two different locations and spent slugs were found at both crime scenes.  From what I understand, very large predators, even in packs, such as the wolf, don’t take down several prey at a time and side by side.  Unless however, the predator happens to be of the two legged variety, weilding a rifle.  It has been the observation of not only WHOAS members but the general public as well writing on this blog that the wild horse numbers are down.  Reporters came out to the foothills West of Sundre from CBC, television and radio, CTV, Global Calgary, The Globe and Mail, The Sundre Round Up and the Olds Albertan to the two kill sites.  Along with this,  the journalists spent several hours covering at least 100 square miles in search of live Alberta wild horses to film.  So where are all the horses? Why wasn’t the large area they went over teeming with horses?  Even the government’s 2006 aerial count using trained observers and researchers showed the horse numbers down, from 225 in 2005 to 191.  The government, in their reports admit to the declining numbers.  It is a fact that the buffalo, antelope and other species were driven to near extinction due to unscientific negative attitudes.  History tends to repeat itself, one species at a time.  Why wait until it is too late for the wild horses?  The reputable scientists and biologists continue to warn us of this danger.  Indeed THE SKY IS FALLING…  Doreen

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We just received word late this afternoon that four more horses were found by one of our WHOAS members. He brought the SRD out to the killing site. The deceased herd is that of a white stud, a mare and their two offspring, a yearling and a foal. This is within a few kilometres of where sixteen other horses have met the same horrible fate. Bob drove out there as soon as he got the call, however, it was dark before long, and he was unsuccessful in locating them. However, he will find their remains. It is chilling to think that the perpetrator is showing his contempt not only the horses, but society in general by killing again. It could be the work of a copy cat killer, however, I think it is the same psychotic, trigger happy individual, lifting his perverbial middle finger at everyone.

Doreen Henderson

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During a meeting with the Government officials and other stake holders almost two years ago now Wild Horses of Alberta Society had requested a moritorium on the capture season for at least one year. This was requested in order to study the herds as we felt the foal mortality rate was unusually high.  Instead the government listened to a few horse capturers present and big industry representatives and whereby ignored all the tax paying public’s letters supporting wild horses and all of our recommendations.   Furthermore, the Sustainable Resource Development extended the capture season an extra month to March 1st, when the mares are heavier in foal and included the month of November just for the running down and roping of Alberta’s wild horses.  We had specifically asked for this practice to be banned, as we feel it is totally inhumane.  A wild  horse is chased across terrain full of hidden obstacles and it is usually very icy and or snow covered.  The fleeing wild horse if roped, is suddenly jarred to a stop by being strangled and in its terror often will fight the rope to death by either breaking its neck or a leg in the struggle.  It is also extremely dangerous to the riders mount as we have personally seen.  We heard of an incident from a couple of years ago, where one of these so called cowboys ran his horse right into a tree branch, impaling it into the horses chest and killing it.  Wild Horses of Alberta Society had also requested that the number of wild horses removed during any given capture season be limited.  To date there is no limit on the number of horses that can be removed, the ratio is supposedly one mare for every three studs, but no limit to that combination.  Hence the wild horses of Alberta are quickly being aniliated, and our heritage wiped out.

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It was horrific to say the least to find the bloodied and scavenged remains of horses we had just visited a few months earlier.  The two  foals I had nicknamed Double Trouble because they were almost identical and were romping and chasing eachother amongst the adult horses, just like you might see children at play in a park.  The sire of these spunky youngsters was a handsome bay and was naturally protective of his family. We hope that this stud and the other mare (mother of one of the shot foals) managed to escape.  However, its possible that they too had been shot and ran into the cover of trees before perishing some time later. In the past we have discovered other horses that had done just that.  It is truly sickening.  I wonder about the sadistic perpetrator of this henious act, how demented and cruel he is likely to be with his own family as well.   Animal abusers are usually human abusers too.  Submitted by Doreen.

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[2007-01-04] -

The wildies in this photo are with us no more. Somebody decided they wanted to shoot them and our government and law enforcement agencies seem to have no problem with that. They get the same protection as rats.

The photo shows the two foals and the mare, the one closest to them, that we found shot and left on January 01,2007 . The picture was taken on Oct. 16/06, just a short distance from where we found the remains.

They were a herd of 5. We do not know if the stallion and the other mare made it. This makes it four horses this year, seven last year and five the year before, all shot and left within a mile radius. It is obviously the same sick individual commiting these atrocious acts.

We are offering a $4500.00 cash reward for information that leads to the identification of the person responsible for these needless inhumane acts. The two foals that were shot were born in April/May 06 and the mare was only 5-6 years old.

We also hear that the traps are back up and in use including on the Red Deer River Ranch. Many of the trapped horses are sold for slaughter.

Locals remember seeing the wild horses in the west country for over a century now. They certainly have potential for adventure tourism. It isn’t hard to find people who would like to go out and see a herd in the wild. If you have never had the privilege of seeing them let me assure you it is thrilling. It makes your spirit soar.

Regardless of how we feel about the wild horses they deserve more respect than what is happening. Please contact us and let us know what you think we should be doing to stop this cruelty. With more voices speaking for them, they may at least receive the basic rights that every animal deserves.

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Dr. Claudia Notzke, a Geographer and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management of the University of Lethbridge, has observed wild/feral horse populations around the world. She is a self described equestrienne and outdoors person, intimately familiar with horse behaviour and ecological and social issues pertaining to wild horses, based on decades of experience. In 2004 she spent several weeks in Mongolia, working on a Przewalski Horse re-introduction project in Hustai National Park. Recent observations include the Hutewald Projekt in Germany, which is one example of various undertakings in several European countries as well as Siberia, where re-introduced wild horses are considered ecosystem engineers that enhance and re-create biodiversity in flora and fauna. Furthermore, managers of these projects acknowledge horses as a species belonging to that particular environment in spite of their long absence from it.

North American Wild Horses are the focus of Dr. Notzke’s newest study. The areas of interest in Canada include Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, BC’s Brittany Triangle and Saskatchewan’s Bronson Forest, near Lloydminister. The American aspect of her study will include Wyoming and North and South Dakota. Particularly in Canada, she has found it challenging to locate any scientific data regarding wild/feral horses. Her analysis will include legislation and/or management strategies pertaining to the wild/feral horses or lack thereof, in the two countries. As an outcome of her international studies of how wild horse populations are viewed and handled, recommendations will be made, as to how these animals can be managed as environmental, social and economic assets. Dr. Notzke will address the contentious environmental issues regarding allegations of damage caused by free-roaming horses. Along with reviewing these claims, she will also examine the fall-out of the removal of the Suffield wild/feral horses. In view of the void of scientific data concerning the impact of free-roaming horses in Canada, Dr. Notzke hopes to awaken an interest among colleagues in the Life Sciences and to solicit their cooperation in initiating and supervising Graduate research in the under-explored field.

Dr. Notzke plans on interviewing experts in relevant disciplines regarding range-ecology, eco-forestry and paleo-ecology. The interviews will include other stakeholders as well, such as government officials, Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) and area ranchers affected by the free-roaming horses. Dr. Notzke spent several days observing the horses in the Eastern Slopes with the Henderson’s, Bob and Doreen (WHOAS) July 15 & 16, 2006, and in the Bronson Forest North of Lloydminister, with Ken McLeod and Ray Sproull, July 24th & 25, 2006. She plans on future trips in both those areas again, along with an excursion to see BC’s Brittany Triangle horses. In relation to these particular horses, to interview representatives of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, the Friends of the Nemaiah Valley, Biologist Wayne McCroy and BC Government officials.

Dr. Notzke’s most recent books include “Aboriginal Peoples and Natural Resources in Canada”, 1994 and “The Stranger, the Native and the Land”: Perspectives on Indigenous Tourism”. 2006.

Studies | 9 Comments »

[2006-06-14] -

The truck driver thought he spotted something dark colored moving across the road ahead and put on his brakes, it was pitch black outside and hard to tell if it was anything at all. Suddenly there was more movement; it was a herd of wild horses. He swerved trying to miss them and was afraid of losing his cargo or possibly worse. The small horse on the end wasn’t quite fast enough and got clipped by the front end of his vehicle. The young horse spun sideways and plunged down into the ditch. Darn it, thought the Driver, I killed it. He didn’t see how anything could survive a hit like that.

We got a phone call on June 4, 2006 from a concerned woman from the Sundre area who spotted a very thin, injured wild colt grazing next to the busy highway. He was located next to the James River Bridge West of Bearberry, Alberta. She believed that he had been hit by a truck and would likely get hit again by another vehicle. The colt was alone and it was a matter of a very short time that something would get him. This pristine wilderness area is also home to the bear, wolf and cougar whose prey includes wild horses. His location was also within a half a mile of a herd of seven wild horses shot last fall. This poor little fellow was little more than a bag of bones on four legs, but he had a strong will to live. Apparently the caller had phoned a few government agencies for help and was told to let nature take care of it self. I reassured her that WHOAS was more than just political and we would do our best to help, which would include an attempt to rescue and rehabilitate.

On June 5, Bob checked out the area, found the yearling colt and spent about an hour and a half with him. Bob didn’t speak at all, just sat quietly and the colt after a while became curious and slowly came closer and closer. He became very bold smelling the front of the camera and the back of Bob’s head. When Bob got up to leave, the colt followed him almost to the car. Bob hurried home with pictures on his digital camera to show me and I insisted that we go back out there so I could see the colt too. After that meeting we knew that we had to bring the colt home. I had already named him Wyley, after the cartoon Coyote. Like the wild dog, the wild horse is considered a pest. Consequently, there have been countless attempts to eradicate them both from their natural environment. While the Coyote thrives today, the wild horse’ s numbers continue to dwindle. Wyley’s name is a sign of hope that they too shall carry on.

Bob wanted to make sure we went through the proper channels before trying to capture the colt. After receiving permission from the SRD to go ahead and get the colt, Bob got a holding pen ready with steel panels around a horse shelter to house the wild horse. Thursday, June 9th, 2006 Bob loaded up my mare Gypsy and drove to the location Wyley was last seen. He spent several hours driving and on foot looking for the colt. Bob was discouraged and about to give up but decided to try one last meadow. Gypsy had been less than cooperative the whole time, bored with hours of wandering around, however, her attitude was about to take an abrupt change.

She smelled something familiar in the air and put her nose down close to the
ground and appeared to be tracking something. Gypsy pulled Bob behind her just like a big dog tugging its owner around while on a leash. She whinnied and roared and quickly walked toward a group of trees.

The little colt came tearing out of the trees whinnying and making mouthing gestures of submissiveness to the mare. Bob said he would never forget the sight of the young horse. If a horse could cry he would have been. Wyley was so glad to see another horse after weeks of solitude in that harsh environment. Oblivious to anything but his new found friend, the colt quietly followed Bob and Gypsy to the awaiting truck and stock trailer. Bob tied Gypsy to the side of it and the colt stood quietly near her.

Bob slowly and methodically arranged the steel panels around the entrance of the trailer and unhurriedly led Gypsy in through them. When Wyley entered the enclosure Bob dropped Gypsy’s lead shank and closed the panels behind them. Wyley was frightened, knowing he was trapped, but didn’t try to break through them. Bob loaded Gypsy into the front of the stock trailer and then got in behind Wyley and slowly removed one panel at a time until there was one panel left attached to the trailer door. Wyley became a bit panicky and was bumping into the side of the panel looking for an escape route but finding none. Gypsy gave out a reassuring murmur and in went his front feet into the trailer and there he stood, back feet planted firmly on the ground. Again Gypsy called to the frightened colt and Bob tickled his back end with a pine tree branch, in jumped Wyley and Bob quickly removed the last panel and closed the door. I was speeding towards Sundre when I got off work and got the call. We met up at the Burger Baron parking lot and I looked into the trailer amazed to see Wyley pressed right up against Gypsy, tucked right under her chin just like he was her own. He looked frightened but otherwise okay. Normally a mare is not so kind to a strange young horse cooped up with them in a trailer but we had done a lot of praying about Wyley’s safe capture and I believe someone was listening. The whole incident was nothing less than miraculous.

Seven days have passed since Bob rescued Wyley. In that week the colt has had to undergo penicillin and anti-inflammatory/pain reliever injections. His puss filled wounds on his swollen back leg and several other cuts will take time to heal. However, he can buck with all four off the ground and rear in protest, so we don‘t think any permanent damage has occurred. Wyley has been de-loused as he was quite itchy and had a strong odor about him. We had believed that wild horses could not have a parasitic problem if they were to survive in the wild. Upon de-worming, Wyley seems to have proven that theory as he only had one round worm in his droppings. Furthermore, we have had domestic colts bought from auctions that were badly infested with parasites.

Wyley has a voracious appetite, devouring all the hay we give him, and finally has chewed at the mineral block today for the first time. He has put on some weight, which is a very good sign. Wyley likes to be groomed, although still very shy. He hasn’t shown any signs of aggression towards his keepers. We have had far more unruly domestic foals that have tried to bite, kick and strike us and Wyley hasn’t tried anything of that nature. He is a gentle timid colt.

His new domestic herd consists of five other horses he visits safely with through the panels. He won’t be able to join up with them until he has recovered from his wounds, has been tamed and halter broken. One of his herd mates is a former wild horse from Suffield, Alberta. Warzone, named after the military base he came from  is a fourteen year old gelding who still behaves like a stud in some respects.  He is intensely protective of his herd and possessive of his mares. Wyley, like Warzone, will not be able to be re-introduced to the wild as he will be too accustomed to people and whereby an easy target for the Horse Meat Hunters. Instead he will lead a fairly pampered life. Wyley will attend horse shows and clubs as the representative for his relatives, still precariously living in the wild. I am confident that he will steal the hearts of others as he so quickly has stolen ours.

Doreen Henderson

Watch for new news about Wiley.

Wyley The Wildie | 47 Comments »

Just returning from a month in India doing a story on their people, the much sought after photojournalist, Patrice Halley, came to Olds on March 25 and 26th, 2006. His mission was to get winter shots of wild horses along with interviewing members of the Wild Horses of Alberta Society executive.

Bob Henderson and Bev McCracken took Patrice out West in search of free roaming horses to photograph. Along with finding horses for him, they also provided Patrice with information on the society and current critical issues surrounding the wild horses, which include an alarming dwindling number.

Patrice interviewed a few area ranchers as well. His book is on the last of Canada’s wild horses. The other wild horses include the endangered Brittany Triangle Horses of BC and the protected Sable Island Wild Horses. Patrice’s work includes a Canadian Geographic Documentary on these horses.

Feature stories published or soon to be published on our Canadian wild horses include magazines in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the French version of Canadian Geographic. The goal of his book is to gain public awareness and protection for these horses.

Patrice Halley World Renowned PhotojournalistPatrice has a passion for all kinds of wildlife, and a few examples of other animal species publications include in-depth coverage on the recovery of the American Bald Eagle and the Caribou Migration. Patrice’s most recent book called Far North, Published by Les Editions de’l Homme, is a compilation of 15 years of travel in the Canadian Arctic.

Patrice’s has a profound knowledge of animal behaviour Human ears appear hostile to a horse because they seem to point back. Holding his hands above his head and moving them like horse ears, Patrice makes the wild horses stop and take another look. This herd had started to run away prior to Patrice making that hand gesture.

Patrice’s work is not exclusive to wildlife, he has a keen interest in people, and has done articles on the Inuit of the Artic, and the Nahuas, Indians of Mexico, to name a few.

He also does Corporate projects on a selective basis. Patrice works with companies that are respectful of the environment and have a social conscience. A few companies listed include Air Canada, the Canadian tourism Commission and Precision Drilling.

WHOAS was honoured to show Alberta’s wild horses to Patrice and to be included in his upcoming book, and look forward to its publication.

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2006-04-24] – WHOAS members did a preliminary aerial survey April 2, 2006. The results appeared grim, as they only spotted 41 horses. However, WHOAS is hopeful that a large number of horses were under the cover of the the trees. The area flown over was between the Red Deer River and Clear Water River and the Forestry Trunk Road, east to the Forestry Boundaries, covering the wild horse designated area. We had planned to fly again April 9th however, the weather forecast was not in our favor, so the flight has been postponed to April 23, 2006. Plans are underway for an indepth Aerial Survey in July which would involve at least five aircraft, each covering a specific section of the designated area. The count in the government aerial survey in 2005 was 220 head.

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