Moratorium & Calico Update

07 January 2010

Happy New Year, I know everyone is working hard to make 2010 a better one for our wild herds and the whole world. We are all making a strong and consistent call for a moratorium on wild horse and burro roundups but the best we’ve gotten from the White House so far is “no comment.” However, no one is giving up and the demand for a stop to the BLM’s inhumane and unnecessary roundups is only growing. The Calico roundup in NW Nevada began on December 28^th and already one foal has died and one mare was killed. BLM began the roundup on private land, barring the public from watching. Now some advocates have been allowed in but the roundup is still very much clouded in secrecy and mis-information as this massive removal of 2500+ healthy mustangs continues. Once at peace in their wild habitat, these wild horses are now being trucked to a feedlot-style facility without cover or even windbreaks where they stand in the cold, separated from their families and facing an uncertain future in costly government holding.

Ecologist Craig Downer and humane observer Elyse Gardner documented the amazing escape of “Freedom.” This beautiful black Calico stallion fought his way back to the range, escaping from the chutes, jumping a 6’ fence and then charging through a barbed wire fence to regain his freedom.  Craig and Elyse’s photo report is online here - please share this inspirational story.

An informative video overview of the Calico roundup is online now along with footage of the roundup going on NOW. Thanks to the great team of people working hard to document, observe and report on the Calico roundup- we must stop this blatant destruction of the Calico horses as BLM removes everyone they can find.

Protests started in Las Vegas on Dec. 31^st and continued in San Francisco, Chicago, Ketchum-Idaho and Longmont-Colorado last week (photos & media coverage here). People are standing up around the world to protest for America’s wild horses and burros. Freedom Friday will find folks protesting on the capital steps in Boston! On Sunday 1/10, supporters will gather again in Las Vegas to stop the roundups. New York City is 1/17 and Reno/Sparks is 1/18… more coming soon! Details on all the events are posted here. Please spread the word to all your supporters and members. There is a London protest happening today or tomorrow but we are awaiting time and date confirmation-- an intrepid group will gather outside the US Embassy in peaceful protest. Please contact me if interested and keep an eye on the website too.

·       Potential Protests

I’ve received inquiries about starting protests in Toronto, Italy, Tennessee, Georgia, Santa Barbara and more today alone—could we have a protest in every US state and many other countries around the world? A protest can be as small as a few people holding signs (dogs, burros and horses can protest too!)  In Defense of Animals and the Int’l Fund for Horses all have great information about starting protests and rallies- I’ve tried to put all this information together with some additions at a Protest Center on the TCF blog. (Photo of Denver protest 1/7 by

There are ideas for slogans and signs you can download to have printed as well. People have been coming up with some great ideas. Please consider holding a protest in your area and join an existing protest if one is already planned near you. People are not satisfied with the way our wild horses and burros are being sold down the creek by our US government. Their mismanagement is unacceptable. Make your voice heard for the wild ones.

I will send the unified moratorium letter with an updated list of signees to President Obama and Secretary Salazar this week again as we are now over 190 supporting organizations, scientists, authors and celebrities including Sheryl Crow, Ed Harris, Bill Maher, Lily Tomlin, Viggo Mortensen and more. Vicki Tobin (the hero behind keeping all this together and updated!) has the moratorium letter and the ever-growing list of supporters posted on the Equine Welfare Alliance here.

In addition to the 5,000-plus people who signed the first petition, over 2700 people have already sent their comments to the President and their representatives via the new petition. All individuals who haven't yet are asked to sign the petition online at change.org or sign a printable petition form (download here).

·       Media Coverage

There has been a substantial amount of press on this and we are not letting up—some of the most recent articles are posted on the TCF blog here (NYTimes, LA Times, USA Today, CNN, AP and more…)

Everyone is encouraged to watch & share this new “Wild Horse Emergency PSA” with Sheryl Crow and Viggo Mortensen from Moving Cloud Productions.

Please tell everyone about the protests, arrange your own and keep working back to calling for an immediate moratorium on wild horse and burro roundups. Calls to Obama (202-456-1111 or fax at 202-456-2461) and Senators (switchboard: 202-224-3121) need to continue too... along with media coverage. Folks can find local and national media here (thanks to Animal Welfare Institute). Please request that all press cover this story. Fact sheets and other helpful information are posted at the Protest Center. Remember to sign the petition online

-        Information - The Cloud Foundation is working on an expanded information center, stay posted!

Long Fact Sheet and Overview from The Cloud Foundation Click here for Fact Sheet

Talking Points from Int’l Fund for Horses Click here for one page fact sheet

Frequently Asked Questions from The Mustang Coalition FAQ About Wild Horses 12-09

Myths About Wild Horses and Burros from Animal Welfare Institute wild-horse-and-burro-facts-and-myths

2009_2010 Roundup Schedule online here.

Remember what Freedom just fought to regain and let’s continue to work for the protection and preservation of our wild herds in their homes. The updated BLM roundup schedule is online here.  The call for an immediate moratorium must continue.

We’re trying to keep up a constant stream of information and updates from The Cloud Foundation on Twitter and Facebook too—please join us there too and connect with others to protect the horses and burros.

Freedom breaks free-- photo by Craig Downer, 1/2/10

Thank you again for your support and Happy New Year!

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