Where did the wild horses come from?

Some 10 million years ago, up to a dozen species of horses roamed the Great Plains of North America. These relatives of the modern horse came in many shapes and sizes. Some lived in the forest, while others preferred open grassland.

No matter what the breed of horse the fact of the matter is that they all originated on the North American continent. As the evolution of the horse took place, they evolved into what was the Yukon Horse (Equus lambei) which is said to have gone extinct 8 to 10 thousand years ago. This was the forerunner of the modern horse (Equus Caballus). 

What I was taught and the history books state that horses were extinct in North America until reintroduced by the Spaniards in the 1500s. From their reintroduction it was believed that our First Nations people started to obtain the horse from the captured and/or escaped Spanish settlers.

Is this in fact true? Previously all this history was based solely on the white man’s accounts. Now new archeology research is showing that the horses may have been here in North America prior to the Spaniards arrival. Research from the University of Colorado and highlighted on a PBS documentary (https://www.pbs.org/video/native-horses-zwibqv/)  “Colorado Experience/ Native Horses”, season 9, episode 903, is casting a new light on these beliefs. What was always missing was that the native people were never included in the archaeology history and it was solely on the rich white man’s opinion. Native verbal history is indicating that the horses were here before they saw the first conquistadors.

It is noted that in the early 1800s it was estimated that over 1,000,000 horses were running free over the North American plains.

So now “science and indigenous stories are coming together to tell the true story of the horse in First Nation’s history.” Indigenous history was always looked down upon because it was just word-of-mouth, not written down. What this new archeology research that is being done in Colorado has shown is that their oral tradition matches the archeological finds.

Visiting Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre (www.headsmashedin.ca), tells the amazing story of how the horse transformed native culture.

The knowledge keepers of the First Nations People have tried to tell these stories for generations and only now is it being recognized. Therefore with this new knowledge it highlights the importance of our wild horses as part of not only indigenous culture, but also our history here in Alberta. Horses always played a significant role in our heritage.

When the FHAC committee was struck in 2013, what was always missing was the indigenous viewpoint. Finally when it was restarted a representative from the Stony Nation was included on the committee. The government kept insisting how important it was to have his input. I was always impressed by his knowledge and insight of the lands and the horses. One of the things he did state was that horses have been here a lot longer than was being said by the government and other stakeholders. No matter what he stated, his traditional First Nations knowledge about the wild horses and their cultural, historical and ecological role has been excluded in the government management framework.

Why? I believe it was because he was against the cattle being allowed to graze on their traditional lands. So just as the government had done to those opposing grazing leases, this input was ignored.

So the role of the Alberta Mountain Horse is important and should be preserved and shared by all for future generations. They deserve our respect. Don’t you agree?

As one of the original members of the Feral Horse Advisory Committee (FHAC) which began in 2013 and,it was established to provide guidelines to the Alberta government for the management of our wild horses. During all this time I would become upset over a lot of the misinformation being put forth by other stakeholders and government officials about the wild horses and their effect on the landscape. It was quite evident to myself and some others that so much of the information was directly misrepresented and was formed by preconceived prejudices against the horses.

Recently just last week the Minister, Todd Loewen, was on local TV stating that the wild horses were “wrecking the landscape.” It is obvious to us and other horse advocates that he has not been out west personally to witness what is truly happening to the environment. The government officials, including the Minister and cattle lease holders are so quick to blame the horses for all the degradation of the landscape.

Now tell me is it the horses that have ruined this area?

This picture shows what clearcut logging can do to these areas which effects all animals that call this area home. It will take a very long time for these areas to heal.

Also in the news report it talks about the number of horses increasing from 10 or so years ago to present day. And the government is saying that it is a concern. It is because of these massive clearcuts happening that the horses are becoming more visible especially when aerial surveys are done by the government. You only have to look at satellite images to witness how much of our Alberta foothills have been cleared. It is truly astounding!

Newspaper reports and other sources have reported that there always has been a large number of horses in certain areas. It is only now that the horses are being forced into these areas.

What the intentions of our society to do is to document and show that the arguments that the government and other stakeholders use against the horses are not based on fact. In the FHAC meetings that have taken place over the years, concerns brought forth by myself and others about the discrepancies and misinformation about the horses doing damage have been completely ignored. They say one thing to your face, and then do nothing because they do not want to hear it.

Truly it is not the horses we should be concerned about. We will continue to document and post facts to outline our points and you can make up your own mind about this whole issue.

On November 11 we mark a somber occasion and take time to remember our brave men and women who have fought and died for the freedom we have in this country. We must also remember and say thank you to all those that still serve in armed forces to protect our freedom, even today.

We should also take time out to reflect on all the animals that have died in all these conflicts trying to serve us and protect us.

The red poppy signifies our respect for our veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country and the purple poppy signifies our gratitude for all the animals that have served us in our fight for freedom.

Some of the Alberta Mountain Horses roaming free and wild in our Alberta foothills and mountains are direct descendants of horses that were rounded up and sent overseas to be used in World War I. 480,000 horses died in World War 1 (WWI), three-quarters of them from the extreme conditions they worked in. At the start of the war, the British Army had 25,000 horses. Another 115,000 were purchased compulsorily under the Horse Mobilization Scheme. Over the course of the war, between 500 and 1,000 horses were shipped to Europe every day. Canada sent about 130,000 horses overseas during WWI. By the end of the war, Canada had provided well over 10 per cent of the horses used on the Western Front.

Although many horses were taken from farms and ranches hundreds of others were wild horses that were rounded up by government wranglers in areas around the Red Deer River and YaHa Tinda. Glenbow archives records shows pictures of these roundups.

Besides the horses used in battle, there were dogs, donkeys, mules and birds that were part of the war and tried to help us in our fight for freedom. Millions of animals died in the war due to shelling, poisonous gas, disease and starvation. None of the wild horses that were rounded up and sent overseas ever came home.

Canadian Animals In War Memorial

So as we reflect on this day to remember all those who gave us our freedom and still serve to protect us, lets also remember the animals who played a huge role in it too.

Our society is dedicated to trying to assure that our wild mountain horses remain free and wild. They should be recognized for the role that they have played in our history and heritage. So just as their descendants fought to preserve our freedom, the Alberta Mountain Horse Preservation Society will fight to preserve theirs. They deserve it. So thank you to all our fallen heroes.

Zoocheck has done a press release in regards to an upcoming Alberta government cull of our Alberta Mountain Horses. We have attached the information.

This release was formulated from the research and analysis undertaken by Wayne McCory, a world renowned biologist and author. Mr. McCrory has published several research papers on BCs wild horses and in 2015 had also done one for Zoocheck on Alberta’s horses. His book, “Wild horses of the Chilcotin” outlines their history and future on the landscape.

His report on Alberta’s horses in 2015 was very thorough and was presented to the Feral Horses Advisory Committee (FHAC) of the Alberta government. It was quickly dismissed by several stakeholders and the government as not being relevant because it had not been “peer” reviewed. In other words, they did not want to hear it. His current report reviews the FHAC management plan that was finalized and approved by the government, but not by all committee members.

At stake now is the upcoming plans for a completely unnecessary cull of horses in two of the equine zones.

Through our experience and travels throughout wild horse country our observations back up what Mr. McCrory states in his report. That is, it is not the horses that are doing the damage to the environment, but is the severe overgrazing of the range by cattle put out on Crown land. As well other pressures from logging, oil and gas, and recreational use all contribute. This narrow-minded attitude on behalf of the government that it is the horses that are to blame for the degradation of the landscape and the negative effects on other wildlife.

I have brought up several times in the FHAC meetings that the damage they say is caused by the horses is limited to the equine zones, but this is not true. Several times I have mentioned that in areas where there are no wild horses and there are cattle during the summer, the degradation to the range and the riparian areas is just as severe if not worse. My own experience is through spending over 60 years in travelling, hunting, hiking and camping and in that time the changes that I’ve observed is phenomenal.

To make my point one can visit the Sheep River bighorn sheep sanctuary west of Diamond Valley. In the springtime when we first start riding, there are no cattle and the grass is very lush. It is here that the grazing association has put out a sign that states that cattle are benefiting the landscape by eating the biomass. However on a viewpoint overlooking this sanctuary is a sign stating how the sheep are staying within the safety of the sanctuary all year and because of that the range is suffering. How ludicrous!

Because of the cattle by the end of summer the grass has been eaten down almost to bare ground in the valleys and on the lower hillsides. It was so bad last year that the cattle had ranged high up on the hillsides to find enough feed but this was the winter feeding ground of the sheep and elk. What were they to eat come the hardships of winter? We know the grass comes back every year, but like we have said, the wintering areas for the wildlife has been destroyed and there are no wild horses here. To us this is absolutely total mismanagement and poor stewardship of our Crown land by the grazers and government land managers. So when it comes to the Equine Zones it is the cattle not the horses destroying the landscape.

We hope you will consider following Zoocheck’s request and contact the government to express your opinions. If you click on the link at the top of the page you can find Zoocheck and Wayne McCrory’s report.

Who are the Alberta Mountain Horses?

They are Alberta’s free-roaming wild horses living on our Eastern Slopes in the meadows and mountain valleys of the Alberta Rocky Mountains.

Our society has been established to educate Albertans and the general public about these horses and the historic importance they have had in the development of our province.

We strongly feel they should have a specific designation (Alberta Mountain Horse) and have specific protection for them so that they can remain free and unharassed on the landscape for all future generations.

We hope you enjoy our first calendar with photos and stories about the wild horses we have seen this past year. Funds will go towards registering our non-profit society.

Calendars can be ordered by sending cheque or money order. The cost which includes mailing is $25 each.

Alberta Mountain Horse Preservation Society,
4405 Shannon Dr, Olds, AB T4H 1C1

Sunday night, October 3, I was sitting at home when late in the evening the phone rang.  On the line was a friend of mine Bunny, who with her husand Al, hail from Grand Prairie.  They had been down, riding the west country looking for wild horses and they had come across a 2-3 month old foal who appeared to be in distress.  It had company but, the company was two young studs, there was no mom around.  They attempted to see what they could do, but were unable to catch the young thing and they did have to head all the way back home.  Hence the phone call.

I had to work Monday but promised Bunny that as soon as I could get off work, I would head out to the location where they had spotted the foal and see what I could find or do.  Monday afternoon I slipped out of work a little early, grabbed a lariat, blankets and some soft rope and off I went. Travelling in my vehicle I toured up and down the trail where they had last seen the foal.  I did see wild horses and will expand on that later.   However, I had no luck finding the two young studs or foal.

I then decide to go out on foot and explore further back into the clearcuts.   I travelled into several of the clearings looking for some sort of sign.   The sun got lower and the light began to fade as I continued to look.  Just as I was way in the back of one cut block, in a muddy patch, there was some fresh huge grizzly tracks.  The hair on my neck went up as I tried to hurriedly picked my way through the stumps and ground clutter, back to the vehicle. In the dark I stumbled through it, unable to see very much, but on high alert for bear.

When I got back to the vehicle I sat there quietly thinking about the foal and hoping for the best for it.  One thing does keep my hopes up that I still may find it alive is that there were no flocks of ravens around.  They tell all when you are in the forest and that meant that there was nothing fresh dead in the area.  I prayed for the foal and started back home.

The reason I titled this The Life Of A Wild Horse is how I was thinking at the time.  This year has been a good year for the wild horse foals. We have rescued some and a good percentage of the 2010 crop are doing fine.  However foal mortality this year is still around 20%.   The life of a mare can be a hard one also, as the stallion’s herd grows, the dynamics of the herd mares changes also.  When foaling there are no vets to come to their aid if something is wrong.  They, with the help of the stallion, will try to protect their foal from anything, even if it may cause them harm.  Occasionally also they or a foal will be injured when another stallion challenges the herd boss.  Life is not easy and nature at times can be harsh, especially in winter.

Then while looking for the foal, I came across one of the stallions that if knew so well, I fully realized the hardships these magnificent creatures face.  For what I came across was a stud we called Socks.

My ex-wife and I had come across him in the middle of a snowstorm several years back.  He made an immediate impression on us both at the time with, his high white markings on his left rear leg.  He was just starting his herd and had two mares and yearling with him. Over the next few years, everytime we came across him he would always put a show on for us.  He was so photogenic and has appeared in our WHOAS calendar two or three times.  I also have photos of him on the walls of my home.

This time things were tragically different and my heart broke.  He was with another lone stud.  Socks was beaten up pretty bad with gouges and bite marks covering his body.  He had gone past his prime and had just lost his herd to an up coming dominant stallion.  He was looking so forlorn and I cried for him.  I could not even take any pictures of Socks as I care to remember him in all his glory.

The fight of the stallions can be ferocious at times and sometimes even fatal.  Most of the time though, the victor chases off the vanquished with no real harm done.  Though, sometimes there are broken bones and or open wounds from the biting and kicking that takes place when they fight.  When fighting the squealing can be heard echoing through the hills.

Socks will wander off on his own and his life will end quietly.  It has been such a pleasure of mine to have known this stallion.  He has filled my heart with joy several times.  One time I came across him as he pranced out in front of his herd toward me, trying to protect them.  One of that years colts came running after his dad and put on a bluff just like he did to warn me off.  What a thrill.

It is not only him, it is all the wild horses I have come across over the years that bring  such joy to my soul.  The pleasure I take in photographing them so that others can enjoy and see their beauty, is immense.

Wednesday is my day off and I bet you can guess where I am going and what I will be trying to do.  Maybe I can find someone to help me.  Thanks to you all for your support of your wild horses.

Bob.

In the 2010 summer issue of Nature Alberta, which is a magazine for the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, there is an article on the Wild Horses of Alberta. The article is called, Western Canada’s Wild Horses – The Struggle for Legitimacy. It was authored by one of the wild horses staunchest allies, Dr. Claudia Notzke.  Dr Notzke has an amazing list of credentials behind her name when it comes to dealing with wild horses throughout the world. Extremely well written, it gives a very sound scientific argument for the protection of the wild horses as a native species, here in Alberta and North America.  In her article Dr. Notzke also visits the ecological opportunities in preserving the wild horses in their natural environment, the need to revisit the current management practices, the need to have an open mind in order to change attitudes toward the wild horses and what they should mean to all of us. Thank you Claudia.
Bob.

I run through the fields wind at my feet

My band behind me not missing a beat,

Something is wrong that I can not see,

I feel in my heart the tremble in me,

We run from a stranger with malice intent,

But they keep getting closer our energy spent,

Then a loud noise and a hot searing pain,

A warm bloody substance from out of my mane,

I fall to the ground no longer can run,

My foal by my side I tell her to run!! Run!!

But she stays by my side as the enemy comes,

 Laughing and yelling, Oh what have you done?

 

As they approach I wonder they hunted me why?

Was it for food or just to watch me die?

I looked into their eyes and pleaded take me,

But let my foal run, run and be free,

I looked at my young and said my goodbye

A tear was falling out of her eye,

My band of horses stood helpless away

neighing and snorting, they called for my bay,

 They trusted this enemy the one they call man

They turned and start running as fast they can

Another shot rang out, then she dropped my side,

I nuzzled her gently while she quietly died,

Another two Mustangs were murdered today

By the ones that they trusted so senseless to say,

I hope that our future will let us be free

We are all of God’s creatures why can’t you see.

      In light of the recent shooting of an Alberta wild horse north west of Calgary it is fitting that one comes to understand that this death is not just about a horse but a legacy that western Canadians own and created; a past so rich, sadly so forgotten that if one understood the significance I wonder that maybe finally the law would protect not just an animal but a tradition that epitomizes the heritage of the western  provinces, cowboys and a police force in mounted form that staked out the claim of freedom for all and made the west a peaceful and free place to settle. It may be said that Canada lacks a common heritage, however heritage has to be appreciated to be valued.  One thing is for sure the west holds claim to cowboys and a way of life that was both rugged and romantic; the rider facing long rides across vast prairie and foothills of these great provinces. And as Westerners we should honor the mustang or wild horse as a symbol of a conveyor of the law, the principle strength of the Royal Mounted Police force in its infancy in 1873; without which you can’t have the mounted part, as then a man without a horse had a long walk across the prairies. The wild horse of the west is the true mount of the RCMP.

     If you look past to 1873 and understand that the 278 eastern breed horses were given to the first RCMP stationed in what was the Stone Fort north of Winnipeg and  Fort Garry were brought out by train to the 350  troops, 16 officers before their long march west into the new province of Manitoba, and the newly acquired lands of the Hudson Bay Company: the North-West Territories which consisted of B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nunavat. Those horses march the newly formed Police Force that Prime Minister John A. Macdonald wanted as a force of mounted rifles to establish peaceful law and order among warring native American tribes, to protect them and settlers from American whiskey traders, mandated to clean up Fort Whoop up and other whiskey trading forts and to stop illegal liquor trade.  The Prime Minister’s plan was not a military force blood covered as was the notorious US Cavalry but a well respect peace officers fashioned in principle along the Royal Irish Constabulary; an efficient run civil body under military discipline well trained with a single purpose to keep peace as was their motto “uphold the right”. The principle worked as our history shows that early RCMP were stoic men with grit and dedication to the policing of a vast early wilderness with respect held for all peoples and that all respected the fair laws meant to govern brought by them. Major James Morrow Walsh-(a true Canadian hero) was one of the leaders to make the early trek west in 1874 leaving Dufferin on the banks of the red river just north of the Dakota border. The RCMP had bodily strength to ride into the prairies but their naivety of the west was obvious and within a week of the trek  those eastern breed horses did not have the stamina to withstand the long vast prairies distances, the hot arid landscape with little food and water. In Ian Anderson book “Sitting Bull’s Boss” he writes that “two months and 700 miles out from Dufferin” and into the “Great Lone Land”… “34 eastern horses selected had fared poorly compared to the mongrel mustangs most of his officers favored” by the time they had reached Fort Benton many more horses had died. Obviously  those officers begun to understand the rigors of our western landscape demanded a horse bred and naturally made to survive here. Henri Julien was an artist with the Canadian Illustrated News sketched the trek of the RCMP and the picture of the hand picked mounts were of dying horses on the unforgiving trail. Those early days saw the RCMP make better decisions in tuned to the west, early guides such as Jerry Potts were employed as astute Native Americans knowing the land and where to find the trading forts and they acquired horses which were native American prairie ponies traded and bought from natives and ranchers living in the west.

     The early clean up of Fort Whoop up and the ambassadorial meetings the RCMP did with many tribes such the Blood, Assiniboine, Cree and Blackfoot was an immense undertaking, the distances covered were daunting; from Fort Macleod  in the fall of 1874 Inspector Walsh with a small party went south towards Fort Benton again to winter their horses and get supplies; they covered 400 miles on horseback and returned to Fort Macleod Christmas Eve! The spring of 1875 again saw a trip to Fort Benton country to claim the herd and purchase more suitable mounts; more hardy mustangs-the “Indian pony”. It is a presumption to think that the Native Americans did not have a high standard of breeding, the Sioux and Sou shone as well as the Nez Perce traded off poorer quality animals and practiced gelding of stallions to produce their prize ponies. Their horses obtained from the wild and traded from other tribes were rigorously tested on decades of hunting trails chasing deer and buffalo.

      For the RCMP the late 1800’s were tenuous times. 1873 saw the massacre at Cypress Hills from a group of American wolfer’s against the Assiniboines; this act moved Macdonald to form the NWMP. In 1876 news reached Ottawa of Custer’s last stand and that the resulting hostility of the US military drove the Sioux north into Canadian soil to use Canada as a base to continue their warfare. Sitting Bull’s camp was at Wood Mountain. A few days ride away from Wood Mountain B Troop stationed at Fort Walsh under the command of Major Walsh had been sent reinforcements from the north-100 RCMP were transferred  to the Fort Walsh post and to Fort Macleod. And fears for the RCMP were well placed  as the Sioux had spoken with the Blackfoot Chief Crowfoot to join with them to fight their common enemy the blue coats of the south; with this unity the Native American alliance would have been invincible. Major Walsh and his men patrolled the border and country between Fort Walsh and Wood Mountain November and December of 1876 meeting with the Sioux; it took several days to ride on horse back (not in a warm patrol car) to reach the camp and there would be many rides back and forth for the years to come.

       Those early years prior to 1900 saw the RCMP patrol this vast country on horses as strong and determined as they were, and if you study those old photos you can see the dust from the countless trails, the officers did not wear their redcoats all the time, to do so meant dirtying your uniform; they wore buckskins leather jackets, leather hats to shade their faces from the hot sun, and chaps and boots to protect from brush and sticks on the trail. The pictures tell a brave story and the horses are often the star of the photos for those men hold these horses in high regard; they were the backbone of their accomplishments and meant living or dying in a wild frontier, our western prairie. All the horses are stout native ponies, mirror images of mustangs; they are not the black long legged warm bloods seen in todays RCMP musical ride; their elegant dressage stature does not reckon with the useful form and toughness that is seen of the first police horses, yet they also preform the calvary drills. I wonder where we would be had it not been for those gritty RCMP preparing peace in the land for our ancestors’ arrival. And of  their horses which carried them over miles of wilderness; a testament of stamina. Of course we value our police and the traditions of the RCMounted P are evident; everyday you see a patrol car there’s a picture of a long legged dark horse and rider with the redcoat. A wonderful tradition we should be proud of; but a bittersweet tradition as the politics outranks reality and the dark long legged picturesque creature Ottawa wanted is the chosen photo mount of our soldiers. Yet that horse failed the western test and the true spirit of the Canadian west is shot down.  Our traditions need to be saved and upheld; the NWMP-now a national icon was given to west as police officers, then the west shaped them as heroes on horseback. Now our wild horses of Alberta need saving and given its rightful place of honor and remembered as the first true Canadian mount of the NWMP.

 Gail Praharenka