In 1966, beloved children's author Marguerite Henry wrote Mustang- Wild
Spirit of the West, in which she chronicled the journey of Wild Horse Annie
and her fight to save the mustangs from extinction. Frank T. Hopkins and his
beloved mustang, Hidalgo, worked toward similar purpose before her.

I was two, and already horse crazy. I grew up on these marvelous stories,
gritty Louis L'Amour books, and others to be equally fond of. As a teen, I spent
my summers on the back of a cutting horse that I dearly loved. I knew in my
heart that America was the most wonderful place to live, and richer because
of our equine friends and those who spoke for them, without whom, the
development of our nation would have been quite a different story.

In March of 2006, I was standing in a winery in Old Town Spring (Texas)
with my sister when I learned that I had been deceived all my life. The
horses have been betrayed. My heart might heal, but their lives remain in peril
even today. Until that day, I hadn't any idea that horse slaughter continued
in this country.

I challenge you to tell your children- or perhaps grandchildren- the truth
about why the noble, intelligent steed of their daydreams, movies, books,
and vital importance to our nation's history are so brutally treated.
Explain if you will, what likely happened to their show pony when he was
stolen, or the racehorse they rooted for. Why we put up statues, paint
portraits of them, and then send them to a horrific death. Share with them
why horses wind up on dinner plates overseas, when we don't eat horsemeat in
this country. Explain why foreign owned companies are operating at high
profits when this activity is not allowed in their own country. Dare to let
them know that not only are the "protected" mustangs not, that NO horse in
this country is safe from the auction and captive bolt. Speak to them about why
organizations that should be up in arms about this support it
enthusiastically, right along with over-breeding. Explain what a
Premarin/Prempro mare and her foal are. Why they are.

Tell them why officials elected to positions intended to represent their
constituents allow this uncivilized brutality to continue unchecked, despite public
outcry. Explain the stench in the air, the stains on the Earth in DeKalb, Kaufman,
and Dallas. Chronicle this for your children and grandchildren and do so with
pride. It is, after all, your legacy, too.

Know that when you’re through explaining, the nasty truth remains the same.

The horse, it seems, has made a grave error in trusting such "civilized"
humans. Yet he continues to do so with a loving heart. He can teach us much,
if we will only listen. I long for the day this nightmare ends, and ask you to
assist in the effort toward the end of this abomination. I will then again be able to
hold my head up when I explain where I'm from.