On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, Nevada wild horse advocates once again mobilized to rescue a group of wild horses captured by the state of Nevada from the Virginia Range lands near Reno and Virginia City. These horses were taken to a livestock auction, but thanks to the efforts of the Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund, with assistance from Least Resistance Training Concepts, Let 'em Run Foundation, and numerous other groups, the "Toll Road 17" were rescued. This ongoing effort has saved 99 wild Nevada mustangs from slaughter. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is proud to support this rescue by providing funding for the purchase and care of these horses, thanks to our generous supporters.
Latest Rescue of Virginia Range Horses
Report by Willis Lamm of Least Resistance Training Concepts
Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund recovered the Toll Rd. 17 from the livestock auction in Fallon on the evening of Wednesday, November 14. Reports indicate that Shannon Windle, President of Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund, initially allowed the first horse to go to Jack Payne due to shill bidding. However, the subsequent prices were slightly high but not outrageous. After the auction, Shannon bought the first horse back from Payne.
Among these horses are some historic ones, descendants of "Bubba," the grand sire of the old world buckskins that used to roam near the overlook on SR-341 before a wildfire devastated the area.
After the fire, Bubba and his band, along with Sentinel and his band, were relocated to the eastern side of the range by NDoA. Despite their rivalry, neither horse ever harmed the other.
Several of Bubba's offspring remained in the canyons above Toll Rd., and a few were among the 17 horses picked up by NDoA.
The allied groups collaborated to ensure the horses reached safe harbor, undergoing blood work, worming, and vaccinations. The entire group now enjoys a large protected expanse of land to roam and graze.
Assisting Hidden Valley with logistics were LRTC, Karen and James Mayfield from Wild Spirit Horse, Sheila Schwadel from the Fish Springs Posse, and land was provided by Shari and Eddie Floyd, with preparation and materials from Let 'Em Run and LRTC. Teamwork once again led to successful results. Thanks to everyone involved, both hands-on and behind the scenes.
Read reports of the previous Virginia Range wild horse rescues here and here.