Supporter Sunday: Kimerlee Curyl's Journey with Wild Horses
Supporter Sunday: Kimerlee Curyl's Journey with Wild Horses
Kimerlee Curyl shares her emotional journey of adopting a wild mustang from the Great Divide Basin. Her story highlights the challenges and joys of bringing a wild horse into her life and her ongoing commitment to preserving these majestic creatures.
Tuesday Oct. 25: Summary: Operations commenced this morning for the Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather at the Pack Saddle Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations. A total of 218 horses were gathered. Three semi-truck loads of horses (136 animals) were transported to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. It is anticipated two loads of studs (approximately 75-80 horses) will be shipped to Gunnison, Utah, tomorrow. Weather conditions were fair today with temperatures ranging from the high 30’s to the low 40’s.
Animals gathered: 218
Animals shipped: 136
I posted the above on my Facebook page on October 26th, 2011. It was taken from the Bureau of Land Management’s “Gather Report” page. Little did I know that, a year-and-a-half later, I would be going to adopt one of those wild horses captured from the Divide Basin Herd Management Area (HMA) — a three-year-old mustang who had been shipped to the Gunnison prison and BLM holding facility in Utah.
I could write a book about my journey with horses, where they have led me, and what they have taught me. After years of trying to rehab my mare back to riding health, I had to finally let her be retired. She is still in my life every day, and “retiring” a very spirited horse has had its challenges. When the time felt right to start looking for a new horse, I was concerned about many things. Her, finances, responsibilities, what if another one goes lame?... the list is endless.
I had always dreamed of the day I would have a mustang, but I didn’t think this was the time. I don’t have my own property, so I didn’t think it was possible to meet the space and other requirements to adopt a BLM horse. However, when new adoptions were posted online, I was always there looking and dreaming.
Gunnison is a bit newer facility, and it’s one of the prison programs where inmates get the opportunity to halter break and sometimes saddle start a few of the mustangs in holding. When I clicked the button of the Gunnison adoption page, my eye went right to one horse on a page that included about 15 horses who were up for adoption. The hair on the back of my neck rose as I clicked the photo. Reading his capture place and date, I burst into tears.
I had been in the Divide Basin HMA about ten days prior to the round-up. All trips are amazing, but this particular one was magic. When I left this HMA, knowing the horror that was about to take place, I was beyond distraught. My cameras were loaded with amazing images, and my heart was full of gratitude and peace. Yet, I felt defeated, angry, frustrated, and very concerned for the welfare and future of the soon-to-be rounded up, once free-roaming, American Icons. This vast peaceful area, with abundant forage and water, was about to be invaded upon by man’s greedy agenda, and I was pissed off.
I wept while driving away. I just couldn’t get it together. I wanted to stay until the round-up started. I wanted to stop it from happening, although all I would have likely done is gotten arrested.
I knew the second I read the capture date and place for the horse at Gunnison who had captured my eye. This horse was to be mine. I rationalized with myself that I could do this, that if something went wrong, or I wasn’t skilled enough for him, I would figure it out and find permanent sanctuary for him. It doesn’t hurt that Return to Freedom founder Neda DeMayo is a good friend, and I would call upon her for help if I ran into trouble. Thankfully, I haven’t needed that.
I named him Regalo, “the gift.” He is the smartest, most amazing youngster I have ever worked with in my life. Lucky for me, he spent the first year-and-a-half of his life with his family. Educated by the best horsemen around ~ “the HORSE.” His family taught him well and taught him wild.
Using the appropriate language and leadership, I am astounded every day by how fast Regalo learns. He is teaching me more about the art of patience, in a much different way than my mare did. He is teaching me JOY again. Sadly, my 17-year-old mare is still going lame, and it hurts my heart. But in recent weeks, I have started ponying her from the saddle of my now four-year-old mustang’s back. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed at them. Joy has returned to my heart.
When I watch Ginger Kathern’s video of the Great Divide roundup that took away my boy’s family and freedom, I get sad. I cry. I feel helpless. But when I get to the barn and hear that young whinny from this once wild child, I feel Full. I feel excited. I am most certainly proud. Proud of the essence of who this amazing creature is...a living breathing creature that was once wild, woven into the fabric of our lands American history. Proud that even though I was scared to death to adopt him, I did.
All those who have adopted mustangs will know the kind of awe and joy that Regalo has brought into my life. Truly a gift.
May wild things be free... F O R E V E R ~~~ kc
The Great Divide Basin October 2011 Roundup Totals
- 1132 gathered
- 3 deaths reported
On August 1, 2014, Kimerlee became a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against the BLM’s plan to conduct another helicopter roundup in the Great Divide Basin HMA. Plans to “zero out” this amazing herd are underway, and Kimerlee is dedicated to stopping this devastating action before it’s too late.
Please click below to help AWHC, Return to Freedom, and The Cloud Foundation stop the BLM’s deadly plans to wipe out wild horses from Wyoming’s Divide Basin HMA.