04/29/2024
Wild Horse Rescue of Nevada was created after the slaughter of the very popular mustang known by Fletcher, from the herd in upper Kyle Canyon, on Mount Charleston.
I, Stephanie Harrleson, lived on the mountain well before and after this tragedy of loosing Fletcher. As many, I fell in love with the horses that resided on the mountain, and loved when they took naps in peoples yards and paid visits daily. I had envisioned a rescue specifically for this herd, after the first time I learned the Forest Service wanted to round them up and remove them from this area. I know the awful fate of most horses ending up in the pipeline of holding facilities, to being adopted, to then being dumped and sold for slaughter. Every horse lovers fear. It is a sad reality that often gets swept under the rug.
Fast forward several years to the tragic killing of Fletcher, we knew we had to stop dreaming and start putting into action the steps to make the vision a reality. We fought to find out the truth about what happened to him, where he was going to be transported to. It ended up with us getting threatened and bullied. No one else was fighting to bring justice for Fletcher and his family. We did.
We very quickly found 9 1/2 acres in Pahrump, alas Vegas was not an option due to the cost of and lack of land there for horses. We are in the process of grading and getting the property set up for horses.
I am not new to horses. I grew up riding and I have several horses currently. One is a 28 year old rescue pony, that was a bag of bones when I came across him. He is definitely plump and as healthy as he can be at his age and sweet as pie.
Co-Founder Ariean Sorenson, has a reservation Mustang rescue that has come a long way in the last year since adopting Juliette.
We have a wonderful friend and trainer, that is working with our horses. As well as another wonderful Mustang Rescue, we are friends with so that we can cover all bases of helpful knowledge we need with these magnificent creatures.
We approached the Forest Service about being considered to be able to adopt and give this beloved herd a good home, if and when, they decide to remove the horses. Our plans include gentling them, to make it possible to give them veterinary care when needed, be able to trim hooves, and to start an equine therapy program with them so that people can visit them in a safe setting and interact with them, the way most people want to be able to, without the risk of them getting hit by a car. We have no intention of selling them to slaughter pipeline like it is being described by individuals, who have no knowledge or information about us as individuals or as a rescue.
I have rescued animals my entire life and that is never going to change. I currently have 6 rescue dogs, 3 goats, 1 large curly hairs pig, 2 horses and 1 rescue pony.
As much as I’d love for the Kyle Canyon herd to remain free it is not feasible, unless we want to watch them die via car accident. At the rate that is happening they will all be gone within 3 years.
In my opinion, no amount of education to the public is going to change how people interact with these horses because humans are inherently selfish and they want to be able to walk up to, pet, love on, and get their picture. We see this happen, all over different areas, with people wanting to touch or take pictures with wildlife. Like in Yellowstone with the bison. The only way they could remain “unbothered” and left alone is with a 24 hour armed es**rt to enforce people to leave them alone. I highly doubt that is going to happen.
We have had several meetings with the Forest Servce about this herd and nothing has been decided. They have to follow all of their procedures and protocols when going about this sensitive subject. Nothing has been decided and we also wait to see what they will do.
