Why We Are Volunteering with American Wild Horse Conservation

Why We Are Volunteering with American Wild Horse Conservation

By Kristie Churchly

As a mother, I believe that the values we instill in our children can have a lasting impact—not just on them, but on the world around them. One of the most important lessons I've wanted to teach my daughter, Layla, is the importance of compassion, stewardship, and a deep connection to nature. For Layla, this all came naturally and she has taught me more than I ever could have taught her.  It was through these principles that we found ourselves volunteering with American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving wild horse populations in the American West.

Our Journey to the Cause

Horses, in particular, have always held a special place in both of our hearts. We currently own four horses and love to ride and take care of them.  However, It was our trip to visit the Sand Wash Basin HMA in Northwest Colorado about 7 years ago that began our love of the Wild Mustangs. The first horse we encountered driving into Sand Wash Basin was the well known Stallion Picasso. After that day, we followed many groups on social media dedicated to the horses in Sand Wash Basin.  We learned about how the family units were organized and the horses stayed together in bands.  We followed photographers who captured the daily lives of these majestic creatures and felt as though we knew them personally, which horses were in each band, when foals were born and the names people gave them. We fell in love with the Wild Mustangs of Sand Wash Basin.  

A couple years later we were shopping for our second horse.  One in particular grabbed our attention because he was a Mustang and had once lived in the wild.  His name is Alastor and Layla fell in love with him immediately.  We purchased him from Cayla Stone at Wild Rose Mustangs. Learning more about Alastor’s life, his time in the wild as well as being rounded up by helicopters and living in a BLM holding pen for two years before being adopted; has given us so much compassion and empathy for the struggles these “protected” Mustangs must endure at the hands of our government. Knowing what he had been through spurred on not only our love of the Mustangs, but our desire to help keep them wild and free. 

This past summer, Layla participated in the Meeker Mustang Makeover.  Held annually in Meeker, Colorado, this competition brings together mustangs that have been gathered from the wild and paired with trainers to demonstrate their skills, resilience, and adaptability. Layla gentled a yearling mustang in the “in hand” division.  She named him Story and our entire family fell in love with him and decided to adopt him from the event.  

Layla is a freshman in high school this year in Steamboat Springs. Her first semester Biology class had a section on Wild Horses.  She was extremely disappointed that the curriculum was one sided in its teaching and did not give the full story of the horse.  Layla has done a lot of her own research on this topic and knew the teachings did not tell the full story.  She confronted her teacher armed with her own research and was able to change future curricula to tell the full story of the wild horses, including alternative ways to manage the HMA’s than what is currently being done.   

This success made us both want to continue to speak up for the wild horses and find ways to make lasting changes to the current management of HMAs.  We found AWHC and knew this organization was exactly what we were looking for and immediately wanted to help their cause.  

The Future of Wild Horses

While the challenges are significant, we remain hopeful that we can help. Organizations like AWHC are making a real difference, and the growing awareness of the plight of wild horses is inspiring more and more people to take action. Through volunteering, donating, or simply educating others, we all have a role to play in ensuring that wild horses continue to roam freely on the land they call home.

For Layla and I, this journey is just beginning. We are committed to standing up for the wild horses and advocating for sustainable, humane management practices. It’s our way of honoring the legacy of these beautiful animals—and teaching the next generation about the power of compassion, responsibility, and activism.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved, I encourage you to learn more about the American Wild Horse Conservation and consider how you might help. Whether it’s through volunteering, spreading awareness, or supporting their efforts, every action counts. Together, we can make sure these wild horses continue to run free for generations to come.

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