By Andrea Wogsland | Development
As we’ve shared previously, with your help, Return to Freedom has come forward to take in the 112-strong Gila herd, (including pregnant mares ready to give birth in the coming weeks), some of approximately 900 horses that the State of South Dakota found neglected on a property in Lantry, S.D. After traveling more than 1,200 miles from South Dakota to a temporary staging area in Nevada, they received a thorough health assessment and care before beginning their additional 219-mile journey to CA.
On May 1, 2017, a beautiful spring day, 59 mares, weanlings and yearlings travelled four hours to a private pasture in Lassen County, CA, ringed with ponds, wild flowers and juniper trees. Hooves clattered on the metal ramp as each thin, shaggy mare descended to new and unfamiliar ground. Nine foals scrambled from a stock trailer, greeting their mothers, extended herd and a new life with high-pitched whinnies. Click here to watch--be sure your speakers are turned up!
On June 15th, 25 geldings and seven stallions have also finally made the journey from the temporary staging facility in Fallon, NV to these pastures, where they have rejoined their mares and foals. It had been weeks since they had seen each other.
The first few off the trailer bolted up toward the trees while the rest ran toward the mares and the foals. Perhaps surprised by their arrival, the mares and foals ran from them until the herd circled around the lake and then rested back at the grassy area near where the unloading had taken place.
A physically charged scene ensued with the stallions squaring off, challenging and chasing each other, while reforming their harem bands. Click here to watch.
The following day, 16 males -12 gelded colts and 4 stallions – arrived to RTF’s headquarters in Lompoc, CA and joined the 7 ungelded youngsters who have been settling in since May. We’d like to thank you by having you be the first to see these photos by Irene Vejar of the horses arriving to Lompoc and a well-deserved and appreciated first meal at RTF! These horses are the first to be ready for adoption. To learn more about adoption, go to http://returntofreedom.org/get-involved/adopt/.
RTF is now assessing the Gila herd's viability for a conservation program and identifying the bonded horses and harem bands eligible for adoption to forever homes.
None of this reuniting of shattered families would have been possible without the support of caring people like you. We are grateful every time we see the Gilas living now in safety, but the work is far from done.
Our remaining task is long, intensive and expensive. To ensure a happy life for the horses, RTF and the Gila herd will still rely on the continued support of the many people who have followed their rescue, and the generosity of those who are just now learning the story of their long trail to their permanent homes which lie ahead of them.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of the #watchoverme #jointhegilaherd project!
Exclusive photos of the first adoptable Gila horses unloading in Lompoc for your eyes first below!
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