WINTER

Winter is a mare we rescued from the International Society for the Protection of Wild Horses & Burros (ISPMB), a failed sanctuary:

Wild horse advocates are breathing a temporary sigh of relief at a last-minute decision by South Dakota States Attorney Steve Aberle to postpone the auction of as many as 600 wild horses seized from the failed ISPMB sanctuary in Lantry, South Dakota. In October, the State took control of the horses after an ISPMB employee released shocking evidence of emaciated horses, dozens of deaths from starvation, extreme neglect, and a total lack of veterinary and hoof care. Over the last 17 years, ISPMB allowed uncontrolled breeding, causing the population to increase from 250 to over 800 wild horses—a number that far exceeded ISPMB's capacity to care for them. Rescue groups have been tackling this large-scale tragedy by trying to adopt out as many horses as possible before they are sent to the slaughter auction. (American Wild Horse Conservation | December 16, 2016)

The herd was named the Hallelujah Horses as an incredible rescue effort was spearheaded by Elaine Nash and a dear friend of hers and mine, Barbara Rasmussen. The survivors were sent all over the United States to different rescues and private homes. We took two mare/foal pairs - Winter & Blizzard, Sooty & Sheldon. We named Winter and Blizzard to acknowledge where they came from: South Dakota with -40˚ temps in blizzards and snowstorms with wind chill at night driving temps even lower. None of the horses had shelter or windbreaks, not even trees to stand behind. Many of the horses and foals froze to death. Winter was pregnant and went on to have a foal with us named Wilder. They live in a herd with other mares and their offspring. Sooty is the mother of a handsome Cremello, Sheldon, who has a herd of his own today. 

The people who speak up against these horrifying failed rescues are brave, strong, and care so deeply about the animals who fall victim to these places. It takes a toll and the legal processes move frustratingly slow. Animal cruelty has levels and there are always those who spew vitriol at those who save abused animals instead of the abusers. The whistle blower who reported ISPMB is nothing less than a hero, who saved the lives of so many horses and burros. She has been forever traumatized and damaged by what she witnessed and experienced. I am grateful to her and have stayed in touch. She’s welcome at Skydog any time.

#skydogwinter

American Mustangs and Burros Need Your Help

In addition to supporting our work by donating, becoming a patron on Patreon, or sponsoring a Skydog, there are several important pieces of legislation to protect American equines currently moving through Congress. It only takes a few minutes to contact your Rep and two Senators to urge them to support these bills. You can Contact Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121‬, submitting contact forms on their individual websites, or sending one email to all three simultaneously at www.democracy.io

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025 (H.R.1661 in the House and S.775 in the Senate). This bill would amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the “Farm Bill”. There are several important provisions for animals in that omnibus federal law, including the Cat and Dog Meat Trade Prohibition Act. It is currently illegal to slaughter, transport, possess, purchase, sell, or donate dogs and cats, or their parts, for human consumption. The SAFE Act would extend the ban to equines and shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year.

The Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act of 2023 (H. R. 4356) The bill would eliminate the use of helicopters in rounding up wild horses and burros, and require a study into alternative methods for humanely gathering the animals.

Ejiao Act of 2025 (H.R. 5544). To ​​ban the sale or transportation of ejiao, a gelatin made from boiling donkey skins, or products containing ejiao in interstate or foreign commerce, which brutally kills millions of donkeys primarily for beauty products and Chinese medicine.

See our How to Help menu for other actions to ban zebra hunting at US canned hunt ranches and stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs.