Press Release August 17, 2005
Looking For Freedom –Abused Horse find a Safe Home at the Sanctuary
Starved wild horses from the Gardner ranch have moved to their new home. In September 2003, in what is now deemed the largest animal abuse case ever, hundreds of wild horses were removed from the Buellton, CA ranch of “Slick “ Gardner after County investigators found the animals nearly starved to death. The County seized the wild horses, acquired by Gardner through the Nevada State USDA as well as some 250 Shoshone horses he purchased (the check bounced). 125 of these horses in the most critical condition arrived at Return to Freedom in Lompoc California where they were held as criminal evidence while they were restored to health.
The wild horses that arrived at Return to Freedom were severely malnourished and suffered various health problems. Already at full capacity on their 300 acre ranch, Return to Freedom struggled to meet the horses’ needs for food and veterinary care. Now nearly 2 years later, Return to Freedom has secured a safe and suitable home for 29 of these now gelded horses at the Institute of Range and American Mustang’s (IRAM) Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota.
“I knew that we would eventually need to find a permanent home for these horses—our limited acreage simply cannot sustain the number of horses that we currently have at our sanctuary. Still it is a little sad for me to let these horses go. I have watched them become strong and healthy again here and we have a special bond of trust and friendship. But they will stay together and will be going to an 11,000 acre sanctuary in South Dakota, where they will remain forever. These horses have been through a lot and I know that they will be happy and well cared for there” commented Neda DeMayo, founder of Return to Freedom.
“A few weeks ago the first shipment of these wild horses arrived at the IRAM’s Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota, tired and weary after traveling for many miles from California. The geldings thundered off the trailer sending clouds of dust into early morning sky of their new home. Shortly after arriving, they settled down to munching on hay provided for them in the corrals. After a brief time to adjust to their new surroundings they will be turned out to run free on the Sanctuary,” reported Susan Watt, Program Development Director for IRAM.
The last trailer load of the wild horses from Return to Freedom arrived in South Dakota August 17, 2005 in very good condition. Soon all 29 of the geldings will be given their freedom again to run free after many long months of captivity. The Institute of Range and American Mustang was founded in 1987 by Dayton O. Hyde, to provide a permanent sanctuary for American’s un adoptable wild mustang. The wild horses that make their home on The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary live out their lives running free.
Susan Watt
Program Development
Institute of Range and American Mustang
P.O. Box 998
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747
www.wildmustangs.com
iram@gwtc.net
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Dayton O. Hyde, Founder
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President: Dayton O. Hyde
Secretary: Robert Friese
Treasurer: Richard Blue
Program Development:
Susan W. Watt
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
P.O. Box 998
Hot Springs, SD 57747
www.wildmustangs.com
A 501 c 3 non profit corporation
registered in the state of
South Dakota
Federal Tax Number
46-0401462
Toll Free: 1-800-252-6652
or 1-605-745-5955
Fax:1-605-745-4339
Email: iram@gwtc.net
