Deb Walker: I Moved to Nevada to Be Close to Wild Horses

Deb Walker, American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign)

In celebration of National #PublicLandsDay, we're sharing our staffers' own most memorable wild horse experiences on public land. These are their personal accounts. We hope they’ll inspire you to get out there, explore public lands, and learn more about free-roaming horses and burros.

When I was younger, I experienced my first glimpse of wild horses in Owyhee above Elko.

My dad and I were in awe of watching these wild horses as they moved toward a pond, sipping along with the deer. Honestly, it was surreal. Later in life, we began visiting northern Nevada and again I met up with wild horses. I watched a little wild mare and her family graze nearby and again, was in awe of their dynamics and beauty. They were so naturally a part of the wide open space.

We'd visit the area every Thanksgiving and I'd gather my camera and coffee, and head out to go see the horses.

When we approached retirement from the Air Force, my husband asked where I might like to retire. It was an easy decision... northern Nevada where we could live as close to the wide open space where the wild horses lived. Perhaps I was called at a very young age to be part of keeping our wild horses wild on their home habitat.

I think my dad, who recently passed, would certainly approve. I am so grateful to see these wild horses every single day and work to keep them wild.

Deb Walker is the Nevada Field Representative for the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign). Prior to working with AWHC, Deb was one of the founding board members and President for the Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates which piloted a fertility control program with the Carson City Bureau of Land Management for the beloved Fish Springs wild horses and is a retired school teacher of 25 years. Deb lives outside of Gardnerville, Nevada with her husband, and her rescued animals which consist of two horses, three dogs, and a cat. She has two daughters and three grandchildren.