Horse:
Mustang Lady

Mustang Lady, “Lady” is being inducted into our Hall of Fame for 2006.  

Lady, a wild horse, was adopted as a 2 year old by Naomi Preston in 1982 from the Bureau of Land Managements Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Lady’s record of endurance accomplishments is extensive with such titles as: AERC National Middleweight Champion and Solo Champion, Race of Champions, Montana.  She has placed second in the Tevis Cup and has also received three bronze medals in international competitions of 100 mile rides.  Lady has completed 2,300 miles of 100 mile competitions, with 2,100 of those miles finishing in the top ten.  Her total mile count in endurance riding is 5,355 with 4,500 finishing in the top ten. 

Burro:
Radar

Radar is our Burro inductee into the 2006 Hall of Fame.

Radar earns his keep at the Colorado Wild Horse Inmate Program.  Here he's doing what he does best, wooing potential adopters with his irresistible charm.  He's even made friends with the warden of the prison, who includes Radar on all tours and brings an apple to him every time. 

Radar's outgoing nature and friendly demeanor have made him famous as Colorado's ambassador for the wild burro adoption program. 

Human:

Karen Sussman

She became committed to saving wild horses after adopting her first wild horse in 1981.  Seeing the decline of wild horses and burros, she took ISPMB on a new course, saving entire herds of wild horses. 

She manages three herds (two of which exist nowhere else in the U.S) and the fourth herd was given to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe on the Cheyenne River Reservation where she now resides.  Ms Sussman has dedicated her life to the preservation and protection of Americas wild horse and burros.

RICHARD SEWING'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

I'm very pleased and ovewhelmed to have been honored this way, bit I'm very humbled also to be placed with people such as Velma Johnson and  Dawn Lappin who truly brought the wild horses to the attention of the world.

Although I have been honored for working to help the wild horses on the range with the things I have instigated, these things could not have been possible without the philosophy of the National Mustang Association to preserve and perpetuate the survival of the wild and free roaming "Mustang".

It is because of the many members of the NMA all across the United States who support our efforts and provide the resources for these works to be done that I have been honored here today.

Also, I must say that so many of our past projects could not have been done without the cooperation of many dedicated people in the BLM whom have worked with us in the many past years.  I'm truly sorry that I could not attend this honoring placed on me here today, but my heart and spirit is with you at this time.

My thanks to all of you who have thought me worthy of this honor.  And, my thanks to Gus Warr, a long time friend who represents me today.  I had to promise Gus I would keep this short in order to get him here.  I'm truly blessed, and thank you all.

Richard Sewing, NMA 

RON HALL:

Ron Hall, National Wild Horse and Burro Specialist with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

was inducted into the 2004 Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo Hall of Fame.  The induction ceremony was held in Reno, Nevada in August 2004, at the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo.  Hall joins the Hall of Fame with other greats such as “Wild Horse Annie”; Velma Johnston, Dawn Lappin and Richard Sewing. 

Ron Hall & Wild Willie

Hall began his career with the BLM in July 1968, as the first Wild Horse and Burro Specialist.  At the time, the job title “wild horse and burro specialist” didn’t exist, but that’s what Ron was.  He was responsible for wild horse management on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. 
As the “original” wild horse and burro specialist, Ron has quite a few firsts.  He completed the first studies on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range.  He was the first to establish an appropriate management level.  Ron conducted the first wild horse adoption, wrote the first wild horse management plan, and conducted and managed the first wild horse gather.  In addition, Ron participated in the preparation of the first Code of Federal Regulations and all of the handbooks and manuals necessary for the management of wild horses and burros on the public rangelands.  Ron also conducted the first wild horse and burro gathers in Utah and Nevada.

 
Ron’s initial work on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range primarily involved establishing the carrying capacity, animal behavior, immobilization, animal health and behavior, and determining the number of wild horses on the “Pryor’s”.  He also initiated the first broad-scale program for blood sampling and genetics testing of wild horses and burros. 

Hall has worked in all aspects of the wild horse and burro program from field specialist to state specialist; from gathers to facility management; from adoptions to compliance and on-the-ground management.

 Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada are where Hall has spent his career in the wild horse and burro program.  He returned to Nevada three times; his last return being to work for the National Wild Horse and Burro Program in Reno.

 Ron has served the BLM as a trainer in the wild horse and burro compliance class and was instrumental in organizing and conducting the first comprehensive Herd Management Training for wild horse and burro field specialists.  He is heavily involved in the application of time release immunocontraceptive fertility control drugs in Population-Based Field Trails.

 Ron’s love of the lands and love of the animals have always been his primary interest and concern.  Ron has devoted his career to ensuring the health and well-being of America’s Living Legends, wild horses and burros.

The BLM is proud of Ron and his invaluable accomplishments in the wild horse and burro program and is very proud that he was inducted into the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo Hall of Fame and joined such greats as “Wild Horse Annie” and Dawn Lappin and Richard Sewing. 

 Congratulations to Ron on a job well-done!

- by Janet Neal

BURRO INDUCTEE:
DAISY, adopted by Marjorie Blick, Klamath Falls, Oregon

Daisy was born in 1975, and blessed Margery L. Brick by joining her family in 1998.  Before joining Margery’s family, Daisy was not treated well by all humans.  Rumor has it she had her feet tied to a tree to trim her, and since she is still a little shy with her ears; it is thought that she was eared down. Even after her mistreatment by humans, she was able to learn to trust Margery who treated her with patience and kindness.  

Daisy has flourished into a superb pack animal that is even used for demonstrations on how to pack donkeys.  As her owners interests expanded, Daisy became a harness demonstration animal because of her ability to stand forever.   

Daisy’s first experience with getting her feet trimmed with Margery was a bit of a challenge.  She took one look at the horse shoer, stomped a back foot, wrinkled her nose and swished her tail.  With fair treatment and persistence by the horse shoer and Margery, Daisy learned that if she stood still, it wasn’t uncomfortable and it was fast.  NOW, she has even been used as demonstration animal for hoof trimming. 

Daisy is extremely popular with children, who run up and start petting her ears.  She never moves away from the children, but if an adult she doesn’t know tries to touch her ears, she will jerk her head around.  

One of Daisy’s great adventures was being THE  Donkey in an indoor, living nativity scene at the Box R Ranch in Jenny Creek.  She was escorted into a large hall with dinner tables set with white linen, fine china and beautiful silverware.  There was also a live band for the guests listening pleasure. Daisy took one look around and if she could speak with more than those expressive eyes, she would have voiced her approval at her owners finally taking her somewhere nice!  She was even served an alfalfa flake, which is strictly forbidden at home.  Daisy was such a big hit that the owner of Box R Ranch Resort has since purchased two BLM donkeys.

 At 30 years young, she’s ready to go packing.  Every horse in the pasture eventually lets Daisy eat from their pile, and every person she touches comes to love her.  She is the best of a wonderful species.  We are so fortunate that donkeys continue to TRY and train the human race. 

Sadly, hours after Daisy received her shots in preparation for coming to Expo, she suffered a sudden reversal - perhaps a stroke, perhaps a severe reaction to one of the shots. Daisy died in her owner's arms a few days later.

Daisy is remembered as the finest of donleys, the most noble of animals. She is loved and badly missed.

HORSE INDUCTEE: STEEN'S KIGER, owned by Rick Littleton

Steens Kiger 

Steens Kiger emerged from the wild in 1987. He was a 6 month old colt when Rick Littleton adopted him and three other yearling fillies from the BLM corrals in Burns, Oregon. He had no way of knowing what had just happen, but from that  point on Steens Kiger took control of Rick, his family and the people that have met him.  

In 1987 Rick was flying charter flights for the BLM when he met Josh Warburton. Josh was so excited about the two small herds of horses and wanted Rick to do something with them! He had long ago left behind the thoughts of having wild horses again like he did as a child. Helping break wild horses with his Grandfather was the way he grew up. Being around Steens Kiger he immediately learned respect and admiration as he began to work with him. From the early years of when he was just a baby to riding him in the rugged Steens Mountains where he was born.  In many ways this horse since the fall of 1987 has guided his life in almost every aspect.   

This heartfelt statement was written by Bettye Roberts of Wayne, OK and I believe this reflects the feelings of the majority of people that have met SK:

"The presence of Steens Kiger's photograph in the October 1993 issue of the Western Horseman has probably had more to do with adoption and purchase of Kiger mustangs than any other image to date.  Countless people will tell you that single image is what motivated them to want to own a Mustang. Up close and personal, standing next to Steens Kiger is nothing short of being in the presence of a celebrity. He is a stallion that conveys a gentle heart and an incredible spirit".

HUMAN INDUCTEES: RANDALL & PAULA CARR

Mr. and Mrs. Carr built and designed:

1979 – 2003 An adoption center in Tennessee with a holding capacity of up to three hundred animals.    

1984 – 1987 A holding and adoptions center in Muleshoe, TX for three thousand horses and burros

1990 – 1994  An adoption center in London, Ohio for two hundred horses and burros  

Through their efforts, approximately 18,000 Wild Horses and Burros have been adopted out. 

Paula Carr:

In the last 26 years, Paula Carr has participated in 998 BLM Adopt-A-Horse programs and handled approximately half-million dollars in adoption fees for the BLM. In 1993, Paula and an employee set a record of 256 animals adopted with all the paperwork completed on ALL the animals, and 167 of them loaded in one day.  

Through the years, Paula’s duties have included, but are not limited to: record keeping, bookkeeping, helped design and build the permanent and temporary facilities to Dept of Interior BLM specifications, haltered and fed animals, processed adoption applications, managed and administered veterinarian care.  She designed the original three part selection form used by the BLM and the chart-on-the-pen system for detailing age, color and number of animals to potential adopters. She has also led tour groups and school groups of all ages, demonstrating taming concepts and hands-on care techniques. In her spare time, she has also lectured and spoken to civic groups and potential adopters and has given media interviews along with BLM officials on the adoption program.     

Randall Carr:

Randall is the head wrangler and is a 45% partner to the owner/operator for the facility and operation.  He manages their wranglers and drivers.        

Randall, like his wife has taken on whatever job needs to get done.  He has haltered and fed animals, processed adoption applications, managed wranglers, managed veterinarian care and promoted the BLM Adopt-A-Horse program to potential adopters at three facilities and approximately 590 satellite operations for over 55,000 horses and burros over the past 26 years.  

The lead-up system and the halter chute that is more humane and provides faster and easer loading and haltering of wild equine that private handlers and BLM employees use was designed by Randall.   

When called upon, usually with little to no notice, Randell created a temporary housing facility for sick animals, and later built an equine sick bay hospital at an adoption center.  He was also called upon to transport horses and burros from satellite locations to other locations and/or horse centers when a crisis situation arose.  He assisted in setting up rescue operations for abused or escaped equine with BLM agents.   

HUMAN INDUCTEE:
DR. JAY KIRKPATRICK

Dr. Kirkpatrick grew up in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania and earned his Ph.D. in reproductive physiology from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1971.  For the past 34 years, Dr. Kirkpatrick has carried out research on fertility control for wild horses and other wildlife, for the purpose of developing non-lethal and humane methods of controlling wildlife populations, and on non-capture methods for studying reproduction in free-ranging wildlife species through the use of urinary and fecal steroid hormones.      

Dr. Kirkpatrick is the author of more than 100 scientific papers and book chapters, of which 54 relate to the biology of wild horse or fertility control of this species.  He is also the author of Into the Wind: North Americas Wild Horses.   

While we are honoring the work Dr. Kirkpatrick has done with our wild horses, his dedication to his field has resulted in contraceptive applications to wild animals all around the world.  His work with wild horses has expanded to African elephants, white-tailed deer, water buffalo, bison, elk and more than 110 species of captive exotic animals in zoos.  

In 2001, the reproductive biology laboratory of the new veterinary center for Kruger National Park, in South Africa was dedicated in his name.  In 2002, he was the recipient of the National Park Service’s Researcher of the Year for the Northeast Region, for his contraceptive work with the Assateague wild horses (an award he values above all others he has received over the years), and in 2004 he was awarded the Montana Academy of Science’s Mershon Award, for outstanding contributions in the field of science in Montana.

  The road Dr. Kirkpatrick traveled with wild horses was not without its trials and tribulations. The first attempts at fertilization with Stallions was rendered impractical. The first mare experiment resulted in 100% pregnancy rates (They actually discovered a fertility enhancer.)  In 1987 the hormonal approach was abandoned and a new approach was taken – immunocontraception.  What started out as a series of three inoculations over a six week period has now evolved to an initial two inoculation program with a single booster inoculation given once a year thereafter.  

An example of how the contraception has benefited the wild horses can be viewed with the Assateague horses.  Contraceptive management of this herd has achieved zero population growth immediately and 11 years later has resulted in a 10% reduction in the size of the herd.  To achieve the same goal without contraception, about 180 foals or young horses would have to have been removed from the herd. 

There have been added benefits to the immunocontraception program not immediately realized.  By treating all mares at age two, and again at three and four years of age, and then leaving them untreated until they produced a foal, the mares were in significantly better condition and health when they did become pregnant at ages six through ten.  At the other end of the spectrum, preventing older horses from draining pregnancies has resulted in improved body condition scores and longevity up by as much as ten years. What a bonus, fewer animals to manage and improved quality of life for older animals living under difficult conditions.       

Dr. Kirkpatrick felt that finding a way to study reproduction in wild horses without the need to capture the horses was an important endeavor.  Through research on captive zoo animals, the technology of measuring hormone metabolite concentrations in urine or fecal samples was extended to wild horses.  It worked! As stated by Dr. Kirkpatrick: “I have probably provided as much relief to wild horses through the application of this non-capture technology as I have with contraception.”  

Most recently, Dr. Kirkpatrick has turned his efforts to the preservation of America’s wild horses through participating in continuing research and testimony before Congress in favor or wild horse preservation. Dr. K collaborated with Dr. Patricia Fazio on a recently published study, “Wild Horses as Native North American Wildlife” proving that today’s horses have the same DNA as pre-extinction North American wild horses and thus the Horse is truly a native species, not just a “feral” one, and is deserving of the same protections as other native species. He presented this paper on January 25 to the 109^th Congress in support of H.R. 297, the Rahall-Whitfield bill to restore protection to wild horses.

Dr. Ron Keiper, Distinguished Professor of Biology at Penn State University summarizes Dr. Kirkpatrick’s works so beautifully:

 “Dr. Kirkpatrick is a champion of wild horses.  To their cause he has brought the cold eye of science and the warm heart of compassion. 

To him, wild horses have value, simply because they are magnificent creatures that have survived all that nature and man have thrown at them.”

 
IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE A MUSTANG OR BURRO, ADOPT OR BUY ONE NOW!

Lifesavers' Wild Horse Rescue - Adoption Opportunities                                      Carr's Historical Wild Horse Adoption Center, Cross Plains, TN

Nevada State Prison-Trained Saddle Horse Program                                                                     Bay Area Equestrian Network Mustang Classifieds

 Mustang Spirit - Arizona, California, Nevada, & Texas                                                                                                          IWHBA - Utah

 LRTC - Nevada , Texas and California                                                                Virginia Range Wildlife Preservation Association (VRWPA)

BLM (Burns, OR)  http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/wildhorse/index.php

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For updates, questions, etc., please feel free to contact Cindy Lawrence cblawrnc@aol.com or (775) 853-4182