The Deer Run Wild Horse Family: A Tale of Resilience and Community Support
The Deer Run wild horse family represents a poignant story of resilience, community support, and the ongoing struggle for the humane treatment of wild horses. This small band of horses, living outside Carson City, Nevada, became a symbol of the challenges faced by wild horses under the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) policies. Despite community opposition, the BLM captured these horses, sparking a movement to protect and preserve their freedom.
February 27, 2013: BLM Captures Deer Run Family
Over tremendous community opposition, the BLM proceeded with the trapping of the horses, refusing to take simple steps to leave this family on the range where they have lived for decades. Read the story of the Deer Run wild horses and their cold-hearted capture by the BLM: The Last Roundup at Deer Run, by Annie Jantzen.
Photo by Cat Kindsfather
March 23, 2013: BLM Auction-Adoption
Although heartbroken that the BLM rejected its pleas to work with the community to keep the Deer Run horses on the range, locals once again pulled together to support a plan to keep the family together by sending them to a sanctuary where they could remain free and wild for the rest of their lives. While the BLM failed these horses horribly, the local community rallied and showed that wild horses truly "enrich the lives of the American people."
Left photo by Karen Sue Hopple, right photo by Cat Kindsfather.
More photos from BLM auction-adoption here.
March 25, 2013: Transfer and Arrival of 5 Members of Deer Run Herd to California Sanctuary
The BLM captured 11 adult horses from the Deer Run family in February 2013. Four of those horses (all fillies) are going to Colorado where they will live with their father (the original stallion of the band) and brother. The remaining 7 members of the family (plus 2 newborn foals) will live at the private California sanctuary. Five horses were transferred to this California sanctuary on Monday, March 25. The two mares, who gave birth in BLM's holding pens, arrived with their foals at the sanctuary on Friday, April 26.
The Sanctuary
American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is proud to have played a role in making certain that this small band will forever be kept together and live as wild horses at a private 2,000-acre sanctuary in northern California.
More photos from the sanctuary here.
April 26, 2013: Mares and Foals Arrive at the Sanctuary
On Friday, April 26, 2013, two mares and foals of the Deer Run family (Coco and Fairlight) arrived at the private sanctuary with their two foals (both girls). Fairlight's little four-week-old foal is named Hummingbird because the star on her forehead looks like a little hummingbird. Coco's foal's name is to be confirmed soon. Mothers and babies are doing well. They will be kept in the observation pen until they are reunited with their family next weekend.
More photos of the foals' arrival here.
May 5, 2013: Mares and Foals Reunited with Deer Run Family
Video above courtesy of Ellen Holcomb.
More photos of the reunion and family at the ranch here.
Deer Run Family Update, June 8-9, 2013
All members of the family are doing well. Luna/Whitelight continues to be the thoughtful and watchful leader of her family. I noticed that Rio, the gelded stallion, takes more of a leadership role than I saw in the past -- although he is very respectful of the matriarch Luna/Whitelight; he keeps a watchful eye on all members of the family. Rio seems especially watchful over Diva and Jezebel.
More updated photos and information here.
June 27, 2013: New Baby is Here!
More photos and information here.
September 17, 2013: Another New Baby!
New baby was born yesterday to Jezebel, part of the Deer Run wild horse family who were rescued with assistance from American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) after being captured by the BLM. Jezebel, her new baby, and the others are happy at the northern California ranch of AWHC supporter Ellie Phipps Price.
October 8, 2013: Another New Baby Born!
Another new baby -- a filly named Elf, was born on October 8th, 2013 to the matriarch of the family, Luna.
For more photos of the newest addition, click here
Media Coverage
Mar. 29, 2013: Deer Run Wild Horses Sold at Auction, BLM Answers Lingering Questions
Mar. 17, 2013: Was BLM Justified in Removing Carson Horses?
Mar. 13, 2013: BLM Announces Adoption of Carson City Wild Horses; Advocates Want Herd at Sanctuary
Mar. 12, 2013: Mustang Family: BLM Auction to Separate Band of Horses
Mar. 8, 2013: Deer Run Wild Horse Preservation Group at the Nevada Legislature
Mar. 7, 2013: BLM and Horse Advocates Clash on Wild Horse Removal Near Carson City
Mar. 7, 2013: Born to be Wild
Mar. 3, 2013: Feds Round Up Last of Wild Mustangs in Carson City Neighborhood
Feb. 28, 2013: Carson City Neighborhood Grieves as BLM Traps Local Wild Horses
Press Releases
March 18: Independent Review Confirms: BLM Lacks Justification to Remove Wild Horses Near Carson City
March 12: BLM Urged to Send Beloved Group of Wild Horses to Sanctuary Where Family Can Remain Together
February 27: Showdown Between BLM & Carson City Community: Feds Set Trap to Capture Beloved Herd of Wild Horses
February 26: BLM Ignores Pleas of Local Community to Keep Wild Horse Family Free