The Vanishing Mustang...

It was in 1971 that the Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act was passed, and garnered UNANIMOUS support in Congress. This declared the wild mustangs to be National Treasures, belonging to all citizens. The initial purpose of this act was to protect the wild herds from mass extinction by profiteers, who were rounding them up to sell to slaughter. Their protection, and management, was placed into the hands of the Bureau of Land Management. Herd Management Areas (HMAs) were established and the regular culling of the herds, the methods and the amount of mustangs removed, is the subject of intense debate. The process of using helicopters and traps, of separating family groups and caging wild horses, is a traumatic event. Whether you feel the current round-ups are reasonable, or are based upon profit motives for those who want to use the land, there is no doubt that wild mustangs are disappearing.

Rosemary Farm Sanctuary is dedicated to helping mustangs when they end up in trouble in the Northeast. Often these are adult mustangs who could not assimilate, are not considered "user friendly," horses that are truly in need of a place where they can be a horse, with no expectation. Learn about their journeys, and embrace their wildness. When these mustangs, survivors of round-ups, family separations, trauma, or even abuse, are presented to the Sanctuary, as often as possible we say YES.

We can only say YES if these mustangs also matter to you.

Currently there are nine, formerly wild mustangs that reside with Rosemary Farm Sanctuary. You can see their provenance in the map attached; they come from all over the west. To meet a wild mustang is to require that one change their expectation of ‘access' to the horse, to their body and their spirit. Wild horses retain higher levels of awareness, instinct and healthy caution. While typically they will not hurt a human, they also will not automatically allow one to touch them. So any interaction with a mustang requires mutual consent, and is a compliment. Working with, and protecting these horses at the Sanctuary is a great honor, and helps to overshadow the sense of impending extinction we feel as we watch the continuing round-ups out west.

What can one do?

Action is imperative, and may take many forms. If one wants to get involved directly, or if one is savvy online, mustang advocacy is needed in many forms, and there are groups that focus on active efforts to help the wild ones. DONATIONS of time, volunteering with any of these groups, is incredibly important. DONATIONS of funds to Sanctuaries that protect mustangs is another. ROSEMARY FARM SANCTUARY is a rare location in the Northeast to see actual wild mustangs. Here, you may see for yourself what a mustang looks like, how they like to live, and perhaps get to say hello, one on one, human to horse.

Respecting a mustang's inherent nature, while providing a safe environment, and basic medical care, can be complex. At Rosemary Farm Sanctuary we endeavor to create a unique world that allows "horses to be horses" while we help them understand how to trust humans enough for hoof trimming, a vet exam. They are naturally hardy, true, but still require food, supplements, basic medical care every day. And at the Sanctuary, our fencing must be tall and secure, and our acreage wide and healthy, to keep space for the mustangs. Our crew must know how to safely interact. All of these aspects of mustang care are provided by YOU when you support Rosemary Farm Sanctuary.

Choose your mustang

Each of the nine mustangs at Rosemary Farm needs someone who cares… or several someones. With your support, their basic needs are guaranteed. Support is imperative for Rosemary Farm to say yes to these wild, vanishing horses. We envision a dedicated mustang mountain, where the herd is visible from all down the valley, as they gallop along, in a space as close to freedom as is now possible for them. The magical calming nature of the Catskill Mountains is a serene safe haven for these rescued treasures.

All donations through this campaign will receive a photo of your chosen mustang (or a surprise mustang chosen for you!) from the Rosemary Farm Sanctuary herd. All donors will ALSO be included in "Team Mustang" exclusive emails, with updates on the mustangs of Rosemary Farm (Please be sure your current mailing address, and email, are up to date when you sign up, so we know where to send your gifts)

Please consider joining us in protecting mustangs. Even a small monthly donation means the WORLD to them.

Click the blue DONATE button to sign up today