09/18/2021
The R.O.A.M. Act
From the archives.... The rise and fall of Legislation written with the intent to restore protections for wild horses and b***os since amendments (1978 and 2004) put thousands of captured wild horses at risk - See my Notes on the deadly 2004 Burns Amendment https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=399600834859294&set=a.10158717834863956
Here is a video from over ten years ago, and the will of the wild horse for freedom as so apparent watching him run and unwilling to give in...
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=100939136634831&ref=nf (fb video format may not open on handheld devices, but can be seen on regular pc's. Apologies for the inconvenience). ~ Video by Wildhorse Chronicles, called Big Bay Horse. A friend brought this video to my attention in 2010.
I remember early on I watched this video, eyes glued on this big stallion who was hell-bent to stay free. This chopper chase went on for quite a while, but this wild American stallion didn't break his pace and turned away. Attempt after attempt to get this mustang to the catch pens was futile, had he succeeded, (at best) he would be behind fences for the remainder of his life. 3/4 of the way through this video a fierce gust of wind blows hard which surprises the person/people videotaping and not too much longer, the pilot finally gives up his pursuit of the stallion determined to be free. This was a case in point that wild horses are this Nation's icon of the wild west and indisputable symbol of Freedom- and the determination to be free. He was run a while, but I'm impressed how he didn't break his stride. I did see him stumble, but undaunted quickly regained his footing and ran like the wind.
The Burns Amendment in 2004 shot holes into the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971- protecting wild horses and b***os on Herd Management Areas (HMA) but subject to gathers about every 4-5 years. The ROAM Act. H.R. 1018, aka Restoring Our American Mustangs Act passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin, but was "stalled" and “Expired”
If the ROAM 1018 passed, part of it would return some of the land (millions of acres) to wild horse and b***o management - decreasing the tens of thousands of horses in captivity. It makes some sense why it had stalled out as these bills have a certain shelf life so-to-speak....and eventually dropped. There may be interest in those lands wide open public lands by way of development and sell-offs and protected wild horses and b***os might might be a barrier. Congressman Ron Klein at the time of the ROAM Act stated - "H.R. 1018 would update existing laws that protect wild horses by encouraging the reopening of certain public lands to mustangs, thus potentially decreasing the number of horses in captivity.... H.R. 1018 is pending in the Senate." Fast Forward - the bill expired. It expired, but like that mustang and his desire for freedom, who didn't give up, or give in, or back down, perhaps there's more we can do and time to circle back.
With knowledge there is power. Below is more history and information about the ROAM Act – what is was, what happened, what worked, what didn't. Management on limited lands will be necessary, but the least invasive, least costly, least deadly and “on range” management will be best and a win-win for all.
The ROAM Act~ H.R. 1018, the Restoring Our American Mustangs Act- .Gov Report/Status: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1018
Hearing on the legislation introduced by The Humane Society of the United States (2009): https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/archive/assets/pdfs/wildlife/pacelle_roam_act_0309.pdf
BLM on H.R. 1018 (2009): https://www.doi.gov/ocl/hearings/111/HR1018_030309 -content
Never give up. Never give in. Never back down. And...
Keep the WILD in our WEST!
Mustang Meg
