In frontier days ranchers respected mustangs for their speed and their stamina. They captured the finest stallions and mares to breed with their domestic stock. But by the 1920s, tractors began replacing horses on American farms. No longer a resource, the wild horse became a pest and a nuisance of use to no one. In the 1930s the U.S. Government authorized the removal of wild horses from the public range. Wild horses were killed in large numbers.

In 1971 Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act which proclaimed that mustangs are "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West and shall be protected from harassment or death."

Wild horses are now protected from human hunters, eliminating their greatest predator. Other than an occasional mountain lion attack, there are no natural predators. If not controlled, the mustang herds would grow so big they would overwhelm their range, leaving horses vulnerable to starvation, thirst and disease; crowding out other wildlife; using up much needed resources by rancher's herds; and causing even more problems as housing developments continue to spread into horse country.

When populations of wild horses, wild burros, or domestic livestock exceed the capabilities of their habitat, the environment begins to decline, and there is no longer a thriving natural ecological balance. Ranchers must remove excess livestock and state government officials must remove excess wildlife. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducts the removal of wild horses and burros from public lands. Their removal is based on years of monitoring the habitat and observations of the herd.

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Wild Mustangs need our help and we urge you to support those organization who help keep these maazing creature alive for future generations and help save the last of the American frontier. Keep the history of the Wild Mustang alive and well, educate children using Wild Mustangs information here and on other websites.

Attend the Wild Horse and Burro Expo to learn more about Wild Mustangs first-hand.

Support the Bay Area Equestrian Network, serving thousands of horse enthusiasts and equine businesses across northern California and statewide. The Bay Area Equestrian Network (BAEN) is a regional directory that helps you find horses, services and products in your area. This service is provided free of charge for California-based equine businesses, organizations and individuals.

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary: The Institute of Range Management (IRAM) founded by Dayton O' Hyde in 1988 is a 501© 3 non-profit corporation registered in the state of South Dakota. The institute's federal tax number is 46-0401462. IRAM owns 11,000 acres of private land dedicated to range preservation and a balanced ecosystem. IRAM's finest gift is The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, whose purpose is to provide not only freedom for un adoptable and unwanted mustang horses, but also a research area dedicated to solving wild horse herd management that will contribute to the well-being of wild horses everywhere. The Sanctuary's staff of volunteers are devoted to the spirit of the wild mustangs by giving America's unwanted wild horses a quality life. The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is a showcase where the public can see large herds of wild horses running free and come to understand our efforts toward land conservation and the preservation of our western heritage-America's Wild Mustang!

In memory of Codi Frazier We were very touched by this story and Codi's love for Wild Mustangs. Here are Codi's words of concern... "I am very worried about the wild mustangs, because I love horses. I have an Appaloosa named Lacey, that I nicknamed Magic because horses are very magical to me. I also ride other horses too, rodeo horses and drill team horses. I am allowed to visit the horses at the Salem Saddle club whenever I want to, and I love seeing all the different kinds of horses they have. I have always dreamed of having a horse of my own, and Lacey was given to me by one of my teachers at Cummings.

It is so sad that there are so many horses out there that are being killed by people that don't seem to understand that they have a right to live too! They should be able to run free and not have to worry about anything like they always have. I believe if enough people get together, we can save these wonderful creatures.

There are a lot of programs out there that are helping the horses. You can also help by adopting one. The Bureau of Land Management has a website were you can go and see the horses that are up for adoption. They have these adoptions all over the place. There could be one coming to your area soon. Check the Bureau of Land Management Wild Mustangs page for more information and updates. "

National Geographic has a wonderful series of articles about Wild Mustangs for educational use.