Saving Wild Mustangs: The Story of Cloud the Stallion

Local filmmaker Ginger Kathrens embarked on what she thought would be a simple project: filming wild mustangs. However, her journey turned into a lifelong mission to protect these majestic creatures, inspired by a stallion named Cloud.

Initially, Kathrens believed capturing footage of mustangs would be straightforward, as she assumed they simply grazed all day. However, upon visiting the Arrowhead and Pryor Mountains, she found the task more challenging than anticipated. The mustangs were elusive, and her early attempts resulted in shots of 'butts and dust.'

This challenge sparked a passion in Kathrens, leading her to document the herd for over 19 years. Her dedication earned her the title of the 'Jane Goodall of wild horses,' and she founded The Cloud Foundation to advocate for their protection.

On August 2, Kathrens, along with volunteers and horse enthusiasts, attended a fundraising event titled 'Celebration of Wild Horses through Art and Music' at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts. The event featured equine artwork by 27 artists and a musical performance by Cindy and Bill Loos. The exhibition, coordinated by Tracy Miller, runs through August 31.

Kathrens' work primarily focused on a white colt she named Cloud. Her efforts resulted in three PBS 'Nature' films, chronicling Cloud's growth into a stallion leading his own family. Through her films, Kathrens learned that freedom and family are paramount to these horses, with stallions providing strength and protection year-round.

Her documentation of Cloud is unique, as it is the only continuous record of a wild animal from birth. Despite Cloud's severe injury in a territorial fight, Kathrens was relieved to hear reports of his survival at 19 years old.

During the fundraiser, Kathrens shared her experiences and announced her upcoming film, 'Cloud Encore,' focusing on Cloud's offspring. The following week, she screened 'Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions' to a full house at the Tim Gill Center for Public Media. The film highlights the harsh realities faced by the herd, including the detrimental impact of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) interventions.

The Cloud Foundation, alongside Friends of Animals, recently filed a lawsuit against the BLM to halt a helicopter roundup of 800 wild horses. These roundups, Kathrens argues, are traumatic and costly, with taxpayers spending over $46 million annually to maintain nearly 50,000 wild horses in BLM pens.

Due to the lawsuit, the BLM postponed the roundup, as noted on Cloud the Stallion's Facebook page. Protests against the roundup are scheduled for August 25 in Wyoming.

Kathrens firmly believes that such practices are unjust. 'The wild horses are icons of freedom, and we need to protect them,' she asserts.

Originally Posted By The Gazette