In June 2009 the BLM (Bureau of Land and Management) in the US released plans to destroy wild horses in holding areas as well as those still remaining free on public land. The BLM has cited poor range condition as the reason for removing the horses, but this doesn’t make sense to many of those who have visited Cloud and his herd over the past few years as plentiful snow and rain has produced good range conditions!

A wild palomino stallion, Cloud, has been documented since he was born by Emmy-winning filmmaker Ginger Kathrens. Her knowledge lead to the emergence of The Cloud Foundation (@thecloudfound on Twitter), which is dedicated to the preservation of wild horses on public land. “Human over management is jeopardising their future survival,” says Kathrens on the foundation’s website.

Kathrens’s films and books have firmly planted Cloud’s existence in our collective consciousness and the threat to the wild horses, and to Cloud’s survival, has recently gained much exposure as the BLM carry out their plans. However, it isn’t just the plans that have caused upset, it is the way in which the horses are being rounded up – at the wrong time of year and in such a manner – that has caused the most concern.

Being chased down a 5,000 foot mountain by low-flying helicopters in over 95°F heat caused some mares to colic and many of the horses became lame. An informative and detailed description of the events can be found on author R.T. Fitch’s blog Straight from the Horse’s Heart.

The capture of Cloud’s herd can be viewed here (by R.T. Fitch):

Watch the lame and tired horses after capture and re-release:

Clearly there is much controversy surrounding these captures. NHR has gathered some links from some of the best sources so that you can go straight to the heart of the story.

Cloud the Stallion’s Facebook page
Cloud’s Facebook page now has over 2,000 fans. The links section on this page contains around 30 links from followers sharing and discussing information. To view these links and information click here.

Straight from the Horse’s Heart
An extremely informative and emotive blog from author R.T. Fitch documenting the development of Cloud and the wild horses’ capture. The name of the site is the same as his book – the profits of which go straight to Habitat for Horses (where he sits on the board of directors).

The Cloud Foundation
Non-profit Cloud Foundation is dedicated to preventing the extinction of Cloud’s herd through education, media events and programming, and public involvement. You can donate by clicking on this link here.

Wild Hoofbeats
Site from Carol Walker, photographer and author of ‘Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses’, has followed the wild horses on Montana’s Pryor Mountain for the last six years and photographs them two to three times a year. If you don’t get goose bumps as she describes Cloud defiantly turning to face the helicopter then we don’t know what will!

You Tube
Click here view countless films from the Cloud organisation and other supporters of the foundation.

What can you do to help?

1. Petition against the removal of Cloud and his herd
The BLM already has 33,000 horses in holding, so to capture more through these ‘gathers’ with market conditions the way there are is irresponsible. The horses are not damaging the range and this petition asks for just 20 of the younger horses to be taken as these will stand the best chance of adoption. By going to the Care2 petition site you can join the fight. The target is 15,000 signatures and currently has just under 12,000.

2. Adopt a wild horse
The National Wild Horse Adoption Day is 26 September and more than 25 locations across the US are hosting wild horse adoptions. For more information, please visit the National Wild Horse Adoption Day site. For information on where the adoptions will be taking place, please click here.

3. Fight for the release of the older horses and reform of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Programme
Here is contact information as provided by The Cloud Foundation:

White House Switchboard 202-456-1414 (fax: 202-456-2461). Ask for Senior Advisors: Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod. Ask for Michelle Obama too (her office is receiving a large number of calls)

Call your senator’s switchboard 202-224-3121 and ask that they support S1579, The Restore our American Mustang (ROAM) Act

Call the Senate Committee of Natural Resources on 202-224-4971 (fax 202-224-6163) Ask that they push the ROAM Act through immediately, it must go up for a vote soon in the Senate.

'Cloud's Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns'
Watch a clip from Kathrens’s film, which demonstrates the complexities of the wild horses' social group: Cloud persuades his favourite mare to allow his amorous intentions, which prompts a respectful face off with his father (who is also keen on Cloud’s love interest!).