Jeremiah Lohman, a Pontiac resident and Native American veteran, is deeply concerned about the fate of American wild horses. Upon discovering that these majestic creatures are being sent to Mexico for slaughter, Lohman was compelled to speak out. His connection to these horses is not just personal but cultural, as they hold significant value in Native American heritage.
Discovery of the Slaughter
Lohman, who is part Crow Indian, learned about the grim fate of wild horses through a website. This revelation was particularly distressing as wild horses are native to areas like Montana and Wyoming, Lohman's home state. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) reported that at least 1,700 horses were sold by the Bureau of Land Management to a known slaughterer, Tom Davis.
“The reason they are doing it is because they don’t want to take care of these horses any longer, they want to get rid of them,” Lohman said. “... I couldn’t believe it.”
Impact on Native American Culture
The Bureau of Land Management manages a population of about 35,000 wild horses, removing approximately 9,400 annually, often using helicopters. Lohman is troubled by the sale of these horses to Mexico for slaughter, as they are integral to Native American culture, akin to the bison.
“They’ll get rid of the horses like they got rid of the bison,” he said.
Lohman questions the government's motives, emphasizing the cultural importance of these horses. He believes it is irresponsible to disregard their significance.
“That’s irresponsible ... because they don’t want to take care of these horses,” Lohman said.
Advocacy and Public Response
Many have rallied behind this cause, signing petitions and writing letters to bring the issue to President Obama's attention. In October, a letter penned by Rep. James Moran of Virginia, supported by 15,000 signatures, was sent to the president, urging an end to the roundups.
Lohman's greatest fear is the potential loss of these horses for future generations.
“We won’t have any to show our grandchildren ... as an American Indian, you’re destroying our culture,” Lohman said.
Originally Posted By The Oakland Press