I am so very glad and honored to be allowed to be a guest on such a great blog. I came here and was so excited to see that we share a love not just of books, but for another of my greatest joys, horses. I love them. They are big, smelly, and wonderful!
So wonderful in fact that I wanted to make a documentary about them while in film school - I was not always trying to lure authors into the backseat of a car for video interviews like I do today for my site RomanceintheBackseat.com! I visited a number of horse rescues, protection groups, and shot interviews - none of which ever made it into the actual doc, but that lead me to The Bureau of Land Management's National Wild Horse and Burro Program.
Yes, America has wild horses roaming free, they have even been protected in America since 1971 with
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 - which states
"That Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people;"
Which I always found very poetic for a law. As readers and authors we are all seeking characters and tales that embody the spirit of a time and bring us closer to those who lived in the past, those whose lives today may be taking place on the other side of the country/world/street, or those filled with supernatural forces not found beyond the page. It is a feeling that tightens my chest when I see the magic of a horse running, mane and tail flowing back in the wind.
It saddens my heart that all the majesty comes with practical concerns. Land and water are precious commodities and in short supply for populations without natural predators and so it is that wild horses are culled from the herds and put up for adoption. What truly moved me in my visits to these adoptions and interviews with Mustang enthusiasts was the heart and love they received. The horses own natural curiosity and social nature that brings them to us while we are drawn to them makes for a great long standing friendship. Even those who had adopted older horses that never really got accustomed to being ridden, all they had to say was the love and joy they found in a mustang. They grow fat on no food, they drink less, they need no shoes, they carry twice the load with more ease, and one and all talked of the great spirit they found in the horse they adopted.
The Spirit that lead us to treasure these animals as a part of us and out heritage. I am a first generation American, the horses I visited at the adoptions have a far longer family history in this country then I. It is a tradition I am proud that we honor in the protection and preservation of wild horses and one I hope someday to support by welcoming a wild mustang into my life.
Please share any stories you might have about and I would like to thank everyone who has been able to open their stable doors to a part of our American Heritage.
To find out more about the project you can visit http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com or http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/aboutritbs.htm
20 comments:
Oh, Terry, I LOVE mustangs. My grandparents took my sister and I to an adoption when we were kids. we each got to pick one out and they picked a 3rd.
Fast-forward a dozen or so plus years and one of those mustangs accidently breed to a quarter horse (trail ride. horse gets loose and stuff happens sometimes) and out came the most perfect horse I've ever ridden.
He was amazing. curious and so eager to learn. you only had to tell him something once and he had it. We trained him in a matter of a couple weeks and had him on his first ride through the middle of town a day later. He just ate it up, pranced all over the place and had himself the very best time. He'd go anywhere I asked, through anything I wanted.
Grandparents ended up selling him and I was so upset to know he was gone (I had no idea until after he was sold, packed up and hauled off). It's for the best as I don't have the time a horse like that deserves, but was still hard to know he was just gone one day.
Hi Keri,
Thanks so much for your story!
I have never been lucky enough to afford a horse of my own - and my oh my you think a dog is a commitment I have known many a horse to live past 30!
It is a huge commitment, one I would like to make some day. At the adoptions they always had former adoptees there with their owners to talk with. These were some of the most gentle and sweet animals I have ever been around!
My favorite horse at the Ohio adoption was this amazing dark rich chocolaty brown gelding and you could just see the intelligence in his eyes, he was the horse who went for the highest price in the auction since I think others saw it too.
Some day. Some day I will be there to adopt and not just watch!
Terry Kate
One of the most wonderful holidays I ever had (it was my honeymoon, go figure) included a stay in Jerez and a trip to the Royal Riding School (Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre) where we saw the most beautiful Andalucians performing intricate dressage - and this was just in rehursal. We had no money at the time and you can visit the rehursals for free! :) It's a must if you ever get to the south of Spain.
OH wow... all this is making me want a horse again so bad! I love those animals. When I was little, I use to have one. And you are right, you can see their soul in their eyes. What I love most about these animals is their keen sense of people. They know who to trust and not to trust. And even though they can not "talk," they do let us know what they think!
I am sorry, I just started talking!! This is an awesome blog! Thanks for having Terry ***waving frantically*** She is an awesome person and has an amazing blog place!!!
Hope everyone has a great day!
welcome to the convert, terry. a friend's horse just broke my arm a few days ago, so i type sparingly, but i really appreciate your appreciation for the wild horses. :) i visited dayton hyde's wild horse sanctuary in sd a few months ago and was left in awe. i would love a chance to bring one of the spanish mustangs home, but have found there are horses aplenty around here that need saving. i've had the opportunity to bring home mare the owner could no longer feed and a baby that was going to be shot because of contracted tendons. both are doing wonderfully right now. i feel really blessed to be a part of the process.
Hi Terry Kate.
Honestly, horses scare me. Most likely because I really haven't had the occasion to get to know one. Then again, they are awfully big. And strong. But beautiful!!
Love your blog concept. What fun!
Lois, I'm so sorry to hear about your arm.
Terry, I love this post on mustangs. My parents adopted two; unfortunately, one had to be put down after an injury. However, my mom's mustang had been replaced by two mustang-mixes. Though my horse is not a mustang, she keeps up with the herd pretty well. I can tell you that my next horse will be a mustang - they are by far the healthiest, hardiest animals I know. And talk about easy keepers! A few flakes of hay and some stream water is pretty much all our herd gets. We have the farrier out every other year to check their feet. That's it.
The mustangs have made us realize that you don't have to have a ton of money to own a horse, as long as you still treat them like a horse. They don't NEED blankets, barns and all of the crazy stuff that us humans force on them.
Lois,
So sorry about your arm! And if I did not live in LA CA or NJ my whole life - very little open space other then blanketed barns I might consider taking one home. I know exactly what you mean about there being horses everywhere in need of help. I know a lot of states are being hit hard - California being one of the worst - daily on Craig's List there are horses free to a good home. Then there are the ones that were abandoned when their owners stopped paying their room and board.
Thank you so much for sharing and GunDiva it is always great to hear from someone else confirming the news! Ferrier every other year! Now that is a dream compared to some of my experiences.
Helen I never doubt that they are big, and they are complicated and intelegent animals but there are those out there with the softest of hearts, even then watch your toes - they are not lightweight dance partners!
Cecile love -- Waves -- Right back at you babe!
Thanks everyone.
Terry Kate
Oh, I love the wild horses.
I don't think I was completely aware of them until the Viggo Mortenson move Hidalgo. After seeing that I did a little research.
I've never owned horses. Did take riding lessons once. Learned I had a natural seat and I posted well, whatever that means. They made is sound like a good thing. Probably so I'd pay for more lessons. (g)
Then they wanted me to jump things and I said, "I don't think so." LOL!
I have always loved horses.. I think they are the most regal of animals.. They are as you said Majestic... I have a niece who is horse crazy and is taking riding lessons and loves to work in the barn. She would sleep there if her mother would let her... When I see her on horseback, I shudder how this young girl can handle such an animal, but she is a natural.. She has such grace and poise on that horse.. It is very lovely to watch..
Hi Debra and Kathleen,
It is nice to see you both! I was never a jumper - gave me anciety which spread to the horse and all and all was not the best situation. R.F. Long mentioned dressage in her earlier post and that is my true riding joy. It is not the flashiest of disciplines out there like barrel racing or jumping 6' fences, but it is all about concentration and communication with the horse to work together making intricate patterns.
Debra if you have a natural seat that is a big compliment. I used to get told I was an advanced rider with a beginner's heel. Sigh...
Thanks for sharing everyone!
Terry Kate
Terry, welcome! I'm late--power company had the electricity off today for tree work.
I've been interested in the wild horse and burro issue for years. Wrote about it years ago, and now I'm at it again. It's the backdrop for both ONE COWBOY, ONE CHRISTMAS and COOL HAND HANK. Hubby and I have always had horses in our lives. He has land and family in the Dakotas on Standing Rock (Lakota reservation) and that's where they are now.
I just skimmed your post. I just got home from the dreaded grocery shopping chore, so I'll be back in a few.
I started riding when I was in college back East. I'm not very good, but I'm persistent. We raise Paints. The first time I saw my husband he was working with a colt, and I fell hook, line, and sinker.
I've been interested in a couple of particular wild horse bands. There's one in Western ND, believed to be descendants of horses take from Sitting Bull when he and his people surrendered. Another band in Nevada--the "seeing eye" horses I wrote about in THE LAST TRUE COWBOY.
My new books are about a fictitious wild horse sanctuary I patterned after the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in SD.
This is a subject close to my heart. Thanks, Terry!
Welcome to the convertible, Terry Kate! Sorry to be chiming in late but it's parent teacher conferences this week and things are wild.
For those who don't know about Terry's fab site, Romance in the Backseat has lots of fun pages for readers and she's always coming up with new fab ideas! Check it out!
Hey, Terry! Great to see you here and love the facts about the mustang. One of the best movies of all time was Hiladgo. I love the horses in it. Would love to go over and see them run in Wyoming. Thanks for taking your time to blog about them!!
I just love horses. Growing up they were my favorite animals. I used to beg my mom for lessons but since I was (still am) allergic to horse hair, she didn't think it was a good idea. After I started working at a laboratory after college, one of my coworkers mentioned a barn that stabled her horse and she took lessons there. We got to talking and I started to take lessons one a week. It was great fun and I did that for several months (maybe 3) until I found out I was pregnant. Haven't gone back yet (and the baby's now 13 months) but I would eventually like to again. Thanks for the great blog, Terry!
~Nicole
Thanks for an interesting blog.
Great Interview Terry. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for coming today, Terry. We really enjoyed having you!!
Hello All,
Nicole I am so sorry to hear about your allergies! I am a lucky one to escape that fate since everyone else in the house is allergic - hence our fabulous now 16 year old red poodle. I hope you get back in the saddle! It has been years for me really. Or more then one I am pretty sure.
Angelle - I enjoyed Hidalgo too - all the talking about it makes me want to go take it out of the library. For a film person I honestly own very few dvds - odd huh?
Cindy thank you so much for having me here, Kylie thank you for the kind words, and Kathleen thank you for bringing attention to this great cause in your books!
Terry Kate
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