America's Last Wild Horses: The Classic Study of the Mustangs--Their Pivotal Role in the History of the West, Their Return to the Wild, and the Ongoing Efforts to Preserve Them - Softcover

Ryden, Hope

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1592288731 ISBN 13: 9781592288731

Publisher: G05-Lyons Press, 2005

Synopsis

No wild animal captures the spirit of North America quite so powerfully as the wild horse--nor has any faced such diverse and potent enemies. In this provocative account, Hope Ryden--who helped to ensure the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which grants mustangs special protection--combs the history of these proud and noble horses. Descended from the Spanish horses ridden by the conquistadors, they evolved into the tough and intelligent ponies that Indians--and later, explorers and cowboys--learned to rely on. From the period when wholesale extermination of the buffalo was under way until recent times, commercial and political interests have sought to eliminate the wild horses as varmints. In this update to this classic story, Ryden tells of the successes and failures of regulation, and includes stunning color photographs. The subject of a front-page article in The New York Times when it was first published, America's Last Wild Horses continues to be a compelling testament to the life of a uniquely American symbol of grace and wildness, and is a must-read for horse lovers and Western history enthusiasts everywhere.

About this title

About the Author

Hope Ryden is the award-winning author of more than twenty books on wild animals, including God's Dog, Bobcat Year, Lily Pond, and Wild Horses I Have Known. She lives in Wolf Lake, New York.

From the Back Cover

No wild animal captures the spirit of North America quite so powerfully as the wild horse-nor has any faced such diverse and potent enemies. In this provocative account, Hope Ryden-who helped to ensure the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which grants mustangs special protection-combs the history of these proud and noble horses. Descended from the Spanish horses ridden by the conquistadors, they evolved into the tough and intelligent ponies that Native Americans-and later, explorers and cowboys-learned to rely on. From the period when wholesale extermination of the buffalo was underway until recent times, commercial and political interests have sought to eliminate the wild horses as varmints. Unfortunately, these magnificent creatures are in trouble again. In November 2004, an amendment to the 2005 Appropriations Bill opened the way for America's wild horses to be sent to slaughterhouses-thus rendering the no-kill 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act obsolete. A few senators have been trying to pass bills to stop the killings, but so far no action has taken place. Meanwhile, horses are being slaughtered by the truckload. In her new introduction, Ryden addresses these latest developments and tells of the successes and failures of regulation over the years. The subject of a front-page article in The New York Times when it was first published, America's Last Wild Horses continues to be a compelling testament to the life of a uniquely American symbol of grace and wildness, and is a must-read for horse lovers and Western history enthusiasts everywhere.

Edition details

• Publisher: G05-Lyons Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1592288731
• ISBN 13: 9781592288731
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352