Much Needed Squeeze Chute On The Way

VIRGINIA CITY, NV — Late in March of 2002, former board Secretary Carolyn Cardinale approached Lacy to meet with Michelle and Thomas Lindley of the F.A. Ranch here in the area. Michelle and Thomas are well-known local horse folks. Michelle is also a skilled veterinary technician and works at Sierra View Animal Hospital in Reno with Dr. Ian Lafoon. Ian is the only vet left in the area who will still work on un-gentled wild horses for us. Michelle confided to us that the doctor was routinely being banged around and bruised when working with the wild horses. She worried, she said, because there was not a portable chute to control the untrained animals during treatment procedures. She fears greatly that one of the vets, or their assistants, or the horse owners, might become seriously injured if such a chute cannot be obtained for their use. She also confided to us her fear that the doctor might become “burned out” from being knocked around on wild horse calls, and that he might opt to refuse to do them before long. This is potentially a very serious situation leaving all local adopters and the wild herds themselves without recourse during horse emergencies.

Lacy J. Dalton presenting Olivia Fiamengo of the VRWPA with $2500.00 check for Squeeze Chute construction (with a little help from Lacy’s filly “Mimi”).

Lacy contacted Olivia Fiamengo of the VRWPA and told her of her conversation with the Lindleys. Both Lacy and Olivia had already been searching high and low for over a year for plans for just such a chute. The problem is that most folks who had plans were also manufacturers and were understandably reluctant to give up plans without a contract to build the device. Since Olivia and Lacy know a couple of great engineers, they felt they could get the chute and trailer done for a lot less money using skilled volunteers (Prices quoted for the chute and trailer ranged from $12,000 for the chute alone to $40,000 or $50,000 for the chute and trailer combo!).

In July, Lacy called Meg Getty, project coordinator for the Wild Horse Interpretive Center, and asked if they might have plans they could share. She jumped right in and in only a couple of week’s time, Lacy had the plans for the chute and trailer in her hands. Included is a photo of Lacy's handing them to Olivia (with help from her Comstock filly “Mimi”); along with a check from Let ’em Run for $2,500 to get the project rolling.

Heartfelt thanks to Meg Getty, Jim Gianola, and all our good friends at the Carson City office of the BLM. Let ’em Run will continue to provide funds to build the chute and trailer in partnership with Olivia, the VRWPA, and volunteer engineer Phil McKenna.