Check out Global Calgary tonight at 6:00 pm. for more information

Left by doreen henderson on January 24th, 2007

I just heard the horrible news on the radio about another 4 horses being killed. It is unbelievable to me that anyone could and would do anything so appalling to another living thing. I am originally from the city of montreal where owning or even seeing a horse is a rarity not too mention a priviledge. In my opinion, anyone who would conceive of doing such a thing is a pathetic excuse for a human being especially for committing this act in such a cowardly manner.

Left by Rachel on January 24th, 2007

although i completly agree shooting these horses is wrong and those responsible should be gut shot themselves. theres is so much false info about these horses every thing from WHOS head count to the oragin of these ponys.however well meaning they are 90% of these people dont know a damn thing about these horses especially the permit system and how strictly its watched by organizations that govern it. it is absolute BULLSHIT about all the injuries to horses tame and wild involved in this program. i would love to see WHOS produce 1 tiny piece of proof as to killed or hurt horses from a permit holder. wake up people dont believe every thing you read or hear these horses survived just fine the last 100yrs out west with out all the ill informed dogooders who dont know which end of a horse gets up frist around to save them.

Left by Bill Smith on January 24th, 2007

he person that killed these horses cannot be that hard to find. It is a male 16-24, who feels like he has nearly no control over his life. He probably tortured animals when he was a kid. He has either spent his whole life in Sundre or he moved there when he was 12 to 15, and by killing the horses he believes he is taking something from the town, which undoubtedly rejected him during high school. He has access to a rifle, but does not possess a hunting license. He tells himself that if he can kill a horse, he can kill a man, and if the people that disrespect him aren’t careful, he’ll take them out, just like those horses. He has fantasies of power. He has trouble performing sexually.
Do you know this person?

Left by Anonymous Psych Student on January 24th, 2007

OMG, my heart is sitting in my stomach at the rate of the killings we will not have many wild horses left by the end of 2007!

Left by Lana Bollers on January 25th, 2007

Is there a way I could donate additional money to the reward to find the sick pathetic “human” that did this?

Left by Brad on January 25th, 2007

I have just read about the four additional horses which were murdered. I am sick. What kind of people would do this? There is surely a special place in Hell for them, and I hope they get there soon. Please tell me if I can somehow help. Sincerely, Nancy Mace, TAber Ab

Left by Nancy Mace on January 25th, 2007

These 4 four horses were they found west of sundre?? I was actually out riding on Jan 20th and i did come across one of the dead horses if this is the same group. i did immediatly contact someone who did report them.. this is soo sad i work and ride out there all the time !!!

Left by Jenna Vincent on January 25th, 2007

i do not think bill smith knows his history on how many horses were in the foot hills 100yrs ago compared to know if he did he would no thatif things keep going the way they are there will not be any left in the near future and horses get up front first

Left by ken mcleod on January 25th, 2007

I read the comments by Anonymous Psyh Student. These comments are really concerning and the police should be trying very hard to catch this individual before someone gets hurt.

When I read the article about the horses being shot, some questions came to mind.

When will this individual stop shotting animals who have to defence when it comes to a bullet?

How unstable is this individual and when will this individual graduate to killing another life form which is more challenging?

Is this individual reading your website
to read all the comments and take some sort of “sick” pleasure because people talk about him or her and this makes him or her feel important?

Is the killing some sort of sick game
( You can’t catch me type)?

As the horses bred and raised by humans have been encountering genic problems maybe from to much close line breeding, we may have to go back to the wild horses to cross their gene structure to correct and improve our domesticated livestock.

It is time for the Alberta government to pass legislation to designate the wild herds as protected and treat this kind of activity as a serious offense.

Left by Horse Owner on January 25th, 2007

I urge everyone on this board to contact Ed Stelmach:
Constituency Office contact info is:
Vegreville
Box 451
4945 - 51 Avenue
Vegreville, AB
Canada T9C 1R6
Phone: (780) 632-6840
Fax: (780) 632-6888
fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca

Fort Saskatchewan
9925B 104 Street
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Canada T8L 2E7
Phone: (780) 992-6560
Fax: (780) 992-6562

We need to get the word out. I have e-mailed him, as well as a generic e-mail address I found on the government site…

I also suggest we get CTV and ITV out there and put the news on the horses so we can put education and awareness out there for those that are unsure what is going on here!

Left by Lana Bollers on January 25th, 2007

We as fellow Equine Lovers have to take a stand for the Wildies.
Please everyone lets put our hearts and minds together to put an end to these senseless killings.

Left by Burnt Timber Paint Horse Co. on January 25th, 2007

In response to Bill Smith’s comments, what other sort of “proof” do you need besides a dead horse or in this case, horses, shot and killed and just left for the scavengers. And as for the horses surviving the last 100 years out west, let’s go back in time and discuss how the west has changed from the last 100 years until now. Any intelligent person would know that you can’t even compare? How much land did the horses have then, and how much land is there now for them to run free? With the mass exodus to this wonderful province of Alberta,with the amount of developments popping up daily, let’s predict how much longer these horses will be around, shall we?! And whether there’s a permit involved or not, what gives anyone the right to play God and end the life of any living thing.
Sincerely,
Do Gooder!

Left by Rachel on January 25th, 2007

there are also horses being shot and put into barrels for bear bait in the bronson forest in saskatchewan look on the net under the ken mcleod story wild horses canadian cowboy country magacine feature story and the sask. gov. do not care if they are shot i will try my best to save those horses to and the ones in western canada

Left by ken mcleod on January 25th, 2007

Dear people yes these horse shootings are the work of a pretty pathedic excuse for a human.It shows blaten disrecard for a defenceless animal it is the act of a true coward and my hope is he is caught and exposed for the piece of crap he is.All that aside these horses are not on the verge of extinction as WHOAS would have you belive. If you want to know how many horses are really out there go yourself and see there is horses running loose all along the foothills all the way to grande prarie and even way up north by fort vermillion and there is atleast 400-600hd in the sundre west area you dont have to belive me go look.get off your mislead butts and see for yourself. Secondly the real horse killer your not told about is the wolves. In the spring every mare you see has a colt on her by fall maybe 4 in 10 have a colt.Thats not from permit holders or goverment or even this wacko horse killer doing it.Its nature and you cant realisticlly do a damn thing about it.My question to WHOAS is why are you trying to blame this on goverment,horse catchers and grazing lease holders?These horses were here long before WHOAS was and are going to be here for a long time to come. Not winter,fire pretitors or man has killed off ferel horses yet.I can bet you long after all the media and concerned horse loving pubic has forgot about saving these poooor horses they still be a thriving large herd of horses in Alberta.and if that sick horse shooting SOB watches this site i’ll bet you get yours one day

Left by B.Smith on January 25th, 2007

for those people that say they see different heards than w.h.o.a.s please send your pictuers to them to help with the head count i think they are doing a great job they are trying there hardest to get a proper head count lets help them send what you have put your pictuers where your mouth is

Left by ken mcleod on January 26th, 2007

I have been to the mountains in hopes of seeing a wild horse, we went through Hinton, grand cashe and our resting place near Kootney Plains. We did not see one horse! So I am not sure how you are able to see all these horses Bill. It was documented at the end of the documentry that Slim was involved in that the last head count in 2006 was 200 head of horses. Yes horses do have other preditors and I don’t think the wolf is his worst as there are cougars in the foothills too. When you see three or four laying together you know damn well it is not a cougar or wolf pack at work.
I realize what you are saying Bill, but I don’t think you are as accurate as you think you are either.
Do you have photos of these wild horses that you have seen? Have you done your own head count? With your guesstimate of 400 - 600 horses I would guess you didn’t.
You need to look at it this way even if there are lets say 600 head of horses out there, would you not classify them as being on the verge of extinction? When you see 7 dead within a 30 day periord does that not cause you concern?
I know it does (cause you concern) and I really don’t think you putting down WHOA on this blog is in your best interest or the horses for that matter! If you want to help then help, show us your proof! Who was with you when you did these counts and how were they performed? Did you go out and walk amoung them to get to know each herd and how many horses were in each herd?
When someone says they seen a herd of five horses and three of which were shot, that tells me they know the herd and horses in the area. They have photos and documentation as proof…
This blog is not to argue about how many wild horses Alberta has rather it was created for us to discuss them and brainstorm on ways we can help protect them. Please keep that in mind.

Left by Lana Bollers on January 26th, 2007

Isn’t it possible to get an official head count on these horses? I’m sure that there are others(society or government funded programs)that will lend a hand in getting the information so that this can be taken seriously by more of the population. It’s a horrible thing that’s being done. Facts on these animals such as where they roam and how many there are would help the cause I would think? I would love to know about the process of making a wild animal a protected species. Anyone with information on this care to share?
L. Lennon

Left by L.Lennon on January 26th, 2007

This unjust,cruel killing has to stop! I camp every summer, west of Sundre, and have followed, and photographed, a particular herd, a bay stallion, two mares, and two foals, we have had the pleasure of enjoying them, and have over 600 pic’s of them, i hope that whoever is doing this to these beautiful, majestic creatures, is soon found, and prosecuted!!!

Left by kate on January 26th, 2007

The two aerial surveys were done a few months apart in the spring of 2006 in the Bow/Crow and Clearwater Forest Reserves. We counted less than 100 horses in our surveys and even in the government ones they only counted 191 head. We plan on doing yet another survey after the end of the March 1st capture season. While snow is on the ground and the animals are easier to see. I would challenge anyone to take a drive in the areas between the Bow//Crow and Clearwater forests and see if we are over-run with horses. As some would mislead you to believe. Doreen

Left by doreen henderson on January 26th, 2007

i not sure how someone would think a aerial survay done in months when theres no snow and lots of grass in the bush could be any where near acurate not to mention the heavy cover of bush and rough terrain. i also wonder how many wildies hang out by a road or in a large area of open country that you can drive by and see from your truck.im more inclind to belive someone that lives in that country and spends 5-6 days a week ahorse back way off the well traveled road or trail. when you can see herds of 12 or more bachler studs you know atleast 10 other herds contributed to that herd of studs.but i dont want to rain on your parade if want people to think there almost gone then go ahead if you want people to think horse permit holders are cruel and torture these horses cripple and kill them well go ahead.but thank god theres enough that know the real story.some horses are caught that are not worth keeping i have seen terrilbe looking little suckers come out of there but i also know of horses that made excellent saddle horses and cherished family freinds but you can go on trashing the capture system if you want thats your right.if i’m oneday reborn a wild horse i hope i get caught served hay every day maybe rode by some kid 1or2 times a week live to be 30-40yrs old in a nice grassie field somewhere .i think i would perfer that to pawing all winter seeing about 50-70% of my herd mates get ate by wolves and cats and dieing by the time i’m 12-14yrs old but thats just my opionion i guess we all have one. some are just more informed then others.

Left by B.Smith on January 27th, 2007

Mr Smith I think you are crazy! Do you realize how many good saddle and kid friendly horses are slaughtered each year, because there is no one available to purchase them except the meat buyers? What makes you think someone is going to want to pay good money for a wild horse when they can get a horse that is dirt cheap, papered etc… they don’t see these horses as majestic or beautiful..

The wild horses are not all kept and not all are slaughtered, majority of them are, because of injury due to the capture process. I saw one little black mare that was literally trampled she was in foal too. This mare was kept alive long enough to have her foal then euthanized…the foal was an orphan and had to be bottle fed…Mare’s have slipped their foals due to these capture’s, does that sound wonderful to you?

You need to look at our horse market and study this before you make judgements! You talk like you know it all, and good for you, maybe some day you will learn half of what you already claim to know. The people that learn the least amount are the ones that already feel they know it all…sit back read and listen to what is being said on this site…you may actually learn something!!!

Also a horse is not going to stay in the brush 24/7 have you ever seen a lush green forest ground?? They will want to eat grass not bark..so the aeral survey’s are the ideal way to obtain this survey. But you should know that, you know everything!

Left by Lana Bollers on January 27th, 2007

i know for a facked that wild horses live a longer life than some people say some of the wild horses i had 22yrs. ago are still going strong and they would be in.there30ys. they are good saddle horses and kids horses when they are trained properly they have larger brains than domestic horses rodeo contractors go to the wild to get the spirit they need.wild horses also eat willows in the winter and other shrubs and under brush bark from trees gives them different kinds of medication that helps them .forest fires gives the ashes to deworm them.wild horses mother nature .

Left by ken mcleod on January 28th, 2007

I have a gelding in my pasture that is now 31 years old and is a decendant of the wildies from west of sundre. He is still perfectly sound, still has his teeth and the best feet you can imagine. He is extremely intellgent and very kind. These horses deserve to be allowed to live in peace. Studies from the USFS amd BLM show that the wild horses in the western US have been around since the spanish and is not far for a horse to travel from Wyoming, Montana or Idaho to Sundre. The bufalo did it and longhorn cattle were trailed from Texas to Alberta in the 1880’s I agree with the psych student that the perp is probably some impotent bastard.

Left by M Johnson on January 28th, 2007

I would just like to point out to mister Bill Smith, whose fake name is ridiculously over-used, that the wild horses are not simply free roaming livestock. They were native to this continent at one point, and have lived here (running wild) just as long as us humans have. My second point is that you make capturing the mustangs out to be all pretty and fun, and the horse gets to go home to a family who loves him, which is total BS! Very few people would rather go to the trouble of training a wild horse than just buying a lame-brained domestic one, so most of the horses get to go through the slaughter process. Now tell me this, Mr. Smith, would you want to be relentlessly pursued, tied up and captured, forced out of your rocky mountain home and then sent down the long painful road to the slaughterhouse? You would probably be injured while you’re crammed into a truck for sometimes days on end without food, water, or rest, you are seperated from your family and then trampled and kicked as you are loaded into a chute to await your death. You can do nothing but watch as your fellow horses are killed right in front of your eyes, and then it’s your turn. A 6 inch bolt is plunged into your head, but you’re still concious because it wasn’t aimed properly, you were struggling too much. You’re then hoisted up by your back feet and your throat is slit, and you are left to bleed away, still trying to gasp for breath. Does that sound better than running wild to you?

Left by Julie on January 28th, 2007

RE : Horses killed in sundre forest reserve.
lf l was the RCMP in that area , l,d be looking closely at the person who is leasing the area for his cattle to graze on.
Thease ranchers hate wild horses because they compete for the grass on which their cattle graze.
Just my opinion

Left by AL ROSS on January 29th, 2007

i would like to see a list from every one saying why wild horses should be kept when you talk to gov. mla. they will ask the same so lets get a good reason i will tell you mine in my movie and i have lots dr.notzke ask me that guestion and is going to use that in her speaches so she said remember all horses acseters came from the wild would you kill your ancesters you may want the true seed some day .

Left by ken mcleod on January 29th, 2007

I am still waiting for my reply from the government. Should come today or tomorrow hopefully!

I have never seen a wild horse, and someday I would love to see one. I have travelled through the rocky’s on several occassions and have only seen moose, bear, mountain goat and sheep. I have never seen a wild horse. When we went to Kootney area, we were told there were wild horses there, but I was not able to see any…I would love to see a wild horse…just once…to hear the pounding of their hooves, the whinny whispering across the winds…

I would like to see the local RCMP start to do driveby’s in the area where the horses were shot, that would deter the guy with the gun…with any luck they will catch him!

Left by Lana Bollers on January 29th, 2007

For forty years we have ridden the
area in question and would see large groups of horses at any given time. This past summer my sons family rode and we drove looking for horses for one week and could not find one single horse. Does this tell you something?
This crap has got to be stopped

Left by Betty McMillan on January 29th, 2007

do you people sit at home and cry when you hear about horses being shot? have you ever thought that these horses are competing with deer and other wildlife for food?

horses belong on farms or racing, not roaming the wild where deer and other critters are.

if you guys tried eating horse meat then maybe you would want to go shoot one for yourselves…it actually tastes really good.

Left by dirk diggler on January 30th, 2007

in the book.wild horses of canada.on page 110 dr.v.geist. environmental expert of the university of calgary wrote .the diet of deer. moose.caribou.elk.mountian sheep and mountain goat compared to the wild horse in his opinion/ barely overlap.there is mutch more on that page that says horses are a good thing for them to be out there with the wild animals in other books studies have showed the same.

Left by ken mcleod on January 30th, 2007

in 1979 i chariot raced aginst 54 outfits and and held the track record for five years to prove the capability of the wild horses.my team came from the wild.

Left by ken mcleod on January 30th, 2007

I’m a biologist. I am also a resident of Sundre who spends a lot of time in the back country directly west of town.

Compiling population estimates based on infrequent aerial transect lines is only one step away from pure conjecture. 9 times out of 10 I am seeing multiple herds of horses in the FLUZ and the numbers have been increasing with the relatively mild winters we have been having. The populations show no sign of decline so please everyone stop the Chicken Little “sky is falling” routine. My only complaint is that the folks who shot the horses (if they were ALL shot and not predated by large carnivores) broke the law and did not utilize any part of them. Had they butchered and used the meat for human consumption I do not think that I would have any objection to what they did aside from the legal one.

Anonymous Psych Student. You are likely more of a danger to our society than any moron shooting a few horses. Save your pseudo-voodoo incantations for the PETA pages.

Left by Scott MacDonald on January 30th, 2007

It seems we have obtained more weirdo’s to the the message board…ummmm…

I bet their momma’s never taught them if they can not say anything nice then not to say it at all!!!

Mr MacDonald, do you have proof of your survey’s and numbers of herds, discription of horses within each herd, if so I would like to hear more of your surveys and how they have been conducted when you flew/month/date/year etc.
Can you enter it in journal format, so we can see for ourselves what the numbers are doing?

I did receive some kind of reply from the government and will keep you posted if I receive anymore, below is their so called reply.

Thank you for visiting the Alberta Connects web site. Following is the response to your question prepared by Sustainable Resource Development [SRD]

On 2007-01-25 15:50:00.0 you wrote:

I was wondering when the wild horses of Alberta will be protected. They bring tourism to the Sundre area. With numbers of only 200 (last counted in 2006) and seven deaths since January 1, 2007 surely this has got to be a concern! Horses do as much damage as the deer, moose, elk, mountain goats/sheep etc in the area actually a little less as they do not wreck the tree’s with antlers. They are as wild as the above mentioned animals; therefore should be protected as their numbers are dwindling. Not to mention people or a person is shooting these animals carelessly, where people ride their tamed horses, what should happen if he shoots a horse with a rider on it’s back? This is a huge concern not only for me but for people in the area to right across Canada. Please help us, help them!

Sustainable Resource Development responds as follows:

Thank you for taking the time to write to Alberta Connects. In regards to your inquiry about the protection of wild horses in Alberta. We will get back to you as soon as we obtain the necessary information

Thank you

I am taking off for a week, hope you all have a wonderful week, even the rotters on the board.

Left by Lana Bollers on January 30th, 2007

ok lana i will stay off of your message board i would not be mutch help anyway l.o.l.

Left by ken mcleod on January 30th, 2007

I agree with the “weirdos” on this page. So I guess that makes me a weirdo. I have never eaten horse meat as Mr. Diggler has suggested… but I also would mind trying it myself, he’s probably right about it tasting good. I’d like to comment on the indigenousness of wild horses. You guys claim that wild horses should be considered native since they existed here (in N. america) thousands of years ago.??? Do you know where their native range was? Were they anything like the horses we have today or were they an ancestor of a completed different phylogeny of horse relatives? My first guess is “no”, since the horses we have now are descendents from Eurasia.

Left by Stephen Weatherhead on January 30th, 2007

I think that the slaughter of these horses is indeed a shameful statement of society today. These horses have been out in these areas for generations, co-habiting quite well with other ruminants for the available forage, doing little damage to the grazing of the leased cattle. The cattlemen that lease these large tracts of land very cheaply and yet still object to the native animals are the same type of landmen who believe it is OK to chop down rainforests for cattle grazing land. However that said, those people will not willing change because they are driven by money rather than moral ethics.
We farm and I am well aware of the problems that wildlife cause cattlemen and farmers. Elk pose a much more serious problem for farmers that grow hay as they will even stand on a stack to pee on it so no other animals will then eat it. The moose love my shelterbelt willows, but that’s OK, as I consider myself a land steward not owner, and I’m willing to share.
The public also has to understand how dangerous this murderer (he is not a hunter nor a sportsman) is to the horses and those who are looking for him. You must be cautious sending a wildlife officer out tracking a person with this killer attitude.
I know around our farm there are serious problems with poaching. These poachers do most of their hunting from their vehicles and at night. It is a frightening thing knowing that people are down the road shooting at night. Report a poacher # 1-800-642-3800.
With more public awareness maybe we can start educating people that we all have to live together.
These horses are part of our western heritage, they are part of our diversity, our culture. They need our respect, our admiration, our protection.

Left by Maureen on January 31st, 2007

Hi Ken Macleod, please continue to write. Lana was not refering to you. I enjoy what write. Doreen.

Left by doreen henderson on January 31st, 2007

This is unbelievable!! Do people want the mustangs of the Alberta mountains to become extinct or something? At this rate, they will be all gone by the end of 2007. This has to stop. It’s wrong and I want these horses left alone and to live a long and happy life.

They need our protection, and they need it now before it’s too late! Save the wild horses of the west. It’s the least we can do for them.

Left by Alexandra on February 2nd, 2007

horses came back to this country with man on boats.they were captured from the wild to start with.they escaped from man and went back to the wild.so why did that boat ride and man change who they are.did the boat ride change who we are?lots of people say domestic horses can not serfive in the wild so that proves that the horses that are in the wild are true wild horses.people say the ones in the foot hills came from loggers homesteaders and so on.how do you explain that?i bet there horses came from the wild.

Left by ken mcleod on February 8th, 2007

Good News, Article from Calgary Herald:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=da4ae7fd-f9e1-42c1-ae67-d984f61d2b49&k=0

Left by Jenn on February 8th, 2007

I am tired of reading what Mr Smith and Mr Diggler (false names) have had to say, they are the wierdo’s I am referring to!

Mr McLeod, I would like to see your info regarding your survey’s as mentioned in my previous post. The government surveys and the ones completed by WHOAS are and have been documented and televised. I am curious as to where you have seen the horses, and in what numbers each herd had.

Jenn that was a great article hopefully they find the rotter!

Left by Lana Bollers on February 9th, 2007

lana when my movie comes out you will see for your self what i have done.as for the ones in the clearwater area my camera is in the bottom of the clearwater river.i lost it when my boat upset.i am glad you care about the horses.

Left by ken mcleod on February 9th, 2007

What is with this Mr Smith and Mr Diggler (as we know are not their names)??? Have they ever seen a WILD horse, in the wild? They are not like a horse you see on the side of the road in someones pasture. They have been here for years, and why should they be killed, captured and not allowed to roam the west anymore?? I have lived in this area since I was a teen, never saw a wild horse up close until last year. The herd was magnificent, the stallion is so undiscribly beautiful, powerful and so aware of everything around him.
why is it that people that hear of something that is so beautiful have to go and destroy it? What do they think? I dont care and want to know what they think, as far as I am concerned they dont think, they dont care and they have no heart and their soul is black.

Left by Karen DeVouge on February 11th, 2007

is it possible that people in the area could buy the horse captuering contracts each year .but just do not use them.that is what they did in alaska to help save the bears.loook on you tube.com about alaska. bears.

Left by ken mcleod on February 11th, 2007

Ken I am glad you care about the horses, to care enough to create a film should hopefully bring it to everyone’s attention. I watched only one documentary created with Slim. It was very good and to see him so close to the wild horses!!!
I hope your movie makes it to all the local channels, keep us posted when it will be on…

Left by Lana Bollers on February 12th, 2007

lana. when my movie comes out you will see me sitting on a wild horse in a snow bank.wild horses comeing up to me in the meadows. horses laying down sleeping get within 30ft from lots of them.i have rode some of them back in to where they came from they showed me the trails that i had never seen before.my movie will be 2hr.long maybe more i hope you enjoy it.it should be out in 2months.i will let you know on this blog.

Left by ken mcleod on February 12th, 2007

That is awesome Ken, thank you…remember to let us know what channel it will be viewed on so we can let every one know about it!!!

Left by Lana Bollers on February 13th, 2007

what difference does it make about the wild horses of the past and weather these wild horses are related to them. These are wild horses, they have never been riden or raised by someone. They have done it all naturally, the survival of the fittest. The fact that some moron is shooting them is just plain crazy. It is very sad to say but I am sure that until he/they are caught more of the wild horses will die. He (the shooter) likely thinks that he is above the law and if he wants to shoot a horse he is going to. He is a sick individual and I am sure that some one out there knows who he is. Please turn him in and do us and our children a favor. Soon the wild horse will be gone and we will have lost some of our heritage.

Left by sherry on February 18th, 2007

I have just read all of the postings on this web-site. I want to say it is nice to see all of these people with so much passion for the plight of the wild horse. My heart is glad as because of their efforts there will be wild horses around longer. As to the hecklers on this site. I see that you are too much of a coward to leave your real name. Is there something that you are not telling us? Do you have information that you are unable or unwilling to share? I will include you in my prayers even though I don’t know your real names. I like to think there is hope for everyone.

Laura from Saskatchewan

Left by Laura Fredsberg on February 19th, 2007

Anyone interested in attending or wanting more info on the Sunset Riders 4H club Fundrasier & Presentation givin by WHOAS President Bob Henderson please visit or web page at http://sunsetriders4hclub.spaces.live.com. It will be updated frequently with more info as it becomes avaliable

Left by Carrie on February 19th, 2007

is hunting season open at the same time these horses are beaing shot?if so i would be looking at trigger happy hunters from the u.s. evidence found at the seen tells me that it is some one from the u.s.because of the whatch.and the same time every year tells me that is his hunting time.

Left by ken on February 20th, 2007

june july 2006. canadian cowboy magazine. dewey browning story.he may be a good contact for w.h.o.a.s. it would be interesting to see what he feels about the wild horses.if his son kirt would be for saving the wild horses his word would go a long way.lets hope this will happen.

Left by ken on February 22nd, 2007

Very nice site! Good work.

Left by Antonio on March 1st, 2007

it looks like to me that the people in the east. sable island.novascotia.newfoundland.have there wildhorses.as a heritage and a symbol of freedom.they must be the true horsemen that realy care.but i can see that the horsemen in the west are starting to as well.there are to many cows in feed lots and in the foothills that are poluting our water.the people that own the large feed lots do not live in canada they just use us for a barn yard.i want to thank every one that is for our wild horses.

Left by ken on March 1st, 2007

northwest saskatchewan/s tourist guide. circle the northwest. on page 29 -32 they are enviting the hole world . to come and see the wild horses of the bronson forest. 2005/2006 free .

Left by ken on March 4th, 2007

..Rather helpful information you have here. Grazie!

Left by Treno on March 6th, 2007

Okay I received my letter today from Ed Stelmach (sp), anyway he said because the horses are not classified as wild but rather ferril, and that they came about as farmers could not care for them, so released their horses… I don’t think he is looking far enough back in my opinion, anyway… said their are hunting laws in place to protect them and if someone wants to capture one they have to obtain proper permits and special care has to be taken so the animal’s do not get injured…

I don’t have the letter here with me at work, it is at home I was going to bring it scan it and turn it into a pdf file and send it to those who wish to obtain it.

If you would like a copy of this letter, please e-mail bob and/or Doreen and I will try and get you a copy tomorrow…

Lana

Left by Lana Bollers on March 12th, 2007

stelmach would not know a wild horse if he seen one.he would only contact the office that is in charge of that area and around you go.i had the same bs.here.the only way it will work is get a million names on a protition.my movie will be out in 4.6 weeks i hope.we need more puplic awarenes i hope to be on a talk show soon.i am waiting for a reaply now.if so that should help.

Left by ken on March 12th, 2007

I have been waiting for your answer from Ed Stelmach and wish it was different.Looks like the issue is if they are wild or not.I dont think it matters if they are related to the spanish breed or not .Some oldtimers saw them out there 100 years ago & how long were they there before that?They are alberta wild horses,how long does someone think they need to be there before they are wild?When dealing with govt.personal letters get most credability then phone calls then petitions get the least.Lets not get hung up on a few negative responses.

Left by Wallace Wilson on March 12th, 2007

Well let me know if you need anything Ken… I will try to help… When I was reading the letter I felt like and said this…. “Ed you are such a dumb ass” I mean he should of completed a little research before replying in a letter, does he not realize what a dumb ass that letter makes him look?
Sorry I shouldn’t swear, but holy SNAP!

Left by Lana on March 12th, 2007

I am wondering if there has been any support from groups like the Outfitters association,Freinds of the eastern slopes,Alberta trail riders association or maybe historical societies.I havent got a copy of the letter yet that came from the premiers office but I think what needs to happen is to get as many people as possible together with all the issues addressed& go to the powers to be with as much support as possible.They make decisions with the information & advice they have to work with.

Left by Wallace Wilson on March 19th, 2007

I had been reading one of the letters that bill smith had sent in and… what a bunch of crap! There are not going to be wild horses around for a long time. 400 horses is not a lot! And not only are our horses slowly dieing out from god knows what, the U.S is sending us their horses too! Why? To be slaughtered! And im sure that is what is happenening to our horses too. If you want to know how I know this, it is because I have been doing research for a project I have been working on for school, and no matter what i go on it keeps saying the same thing over and over. Now there isn’t really anything you can do to help your wild horses, you have to let your police handle that, but you can donate money and grain and hay to a horse rescue shelter, you can even volunteer there. I’m only 13 and i am going to start volunteering when the snow is comepletely gone. So if you actually want to make a difference you should try some of the things i suggested.

Thanks!!

Bye!!!

Left by Alex on March 30th, 2007

well, that was one very interesting message board, i must say. very informative and very much full of a bunch of crap.
i am appalled out of my mind how ignorant and how compltely stupid some people can be. can those wild horse-bashing people not see that the wild horses of alberta are more than wild animals, but an engima of the west? an epitome of dreams riding on horseback thorugh mountains, spotting a protective stallion standing over his herd.
i can only sincerely hope that some people realize what they are saying. do they know how much pain and suffering these majestic, loyal creautres go through when they are slaughtered? by saying horse meat tastes good, we should try it, those people are joking, making fun of the hours of suffering and terrible, terrible conditions all horses for slaughter have to go through.
what a harsh, harsh slap in the face when these people twist around stories and words so that wild horses are no longer wild.
i have long been interested in wild horses and i am well aware of their plight. my novel which i have been working on, includes this plight, and the general sterotypes against wild horses and riding.
please. let’s not go and kill what’s left of ancient ancestry, mystery, before something gets done. please don’t let what’s left of our natural heritage to be butchered (to put it lightly) and served on a silver platter.
we have to do something. and some people need to realize their wrong-doing.
please keep at it WHOAS. i actually joined your soceity in 2003, and was so proud to be part of this movement towards justice.
whoever else is out there, helping this cause or similar causes, i can only applaude you. horses deserve more than this fate, to be bashed on the internet and shot inhumanely. because the government doesn’t care, we have to.
without further ado,
-kelly

Left by kelly g on April 12th, 2007

Well I am only 14, so I will not pretend to know a lot. But what I do know, is that we live in a busy world. It is caught up in it’s own injustices and it’s own problems. But what our society dosn’t realise, is that we are killing off our own dignity by killing innocence. It dosn’t matter what the animal is, is dosn’t matter if it is dieing out or not. It still has the same right to live a long and decent life like the rest of us. They are like the human race except for the fact that they know no wrong. They don’t mean to break peoples fences, and they don’t eat the food meant for cows out of malice, they do it because it’s the only thing they know. Maybe we should take a second and think, Hey! Maybe the horses were thinking that they should send us all off to be butchered because we ruined their home. Im just trying to say, that doing the wrong thing is wrong, wether you do it to an animal or a human being.

Left by Alli on April 18th, 2007

save the horses

Left by jill on September 26th, 2007

It is amazing how, that a domesticated herd of horses, left to pasture, fed over winter months, eventually became a herd of “wild horses” that were finally proclaimed as a species that have been here for over 100 years???
Think about the financial gain, nonetheless, and even promoted by the office of tourism, and the local MLA???

Left by Citizen near Bronson Lake on November 16th, 2007

citizen near bronson lake; it is amazing ,that you do not know your history up there…as to how long horses have been in that area.???wild horses roamed that area long before white man..they are being fed..only in the last few years..so they can be captuerd..for there financial gain…chased by quades..skydooes..and shot for bear bate..but i guess that is ok…for the citizen of bronson lake…

Left by ken on December 4th, 2007

bill smith should really mind cause he really made himself sound like the killer himself! that is just sick about those horses that is really sad cause horses are basiclly part of me !

Left by jennifer on December 4th, 2007