The Mustang Dilemma

As early as the 1900s, two million horses roamed wild in North America. But that time exists only in the pages of our history books. Progress has reduced the mustang's range today, replacing grassland with farms, ranches, roads and cities. The remaining mustangs run now through publicly owned lands and on private sanctuaries set aside for them - small corners of the range they once reigned.

Wild horses are the focus of much controversy today. Before decisions can be made it is imperative that we examine the dilemmas horse and man face as progress and urban sprawl force the hand of decision makers in communities across the country each day.

"So they'd be gathered up and sent to slaughter and, of course, it made a lot of money."

By the end of the 19th century civilization had pushed the wild horse herds into the most desolate and rugged regions of the west. The Nevada desert became the true home of the wild horse. Inter-breeding with the horses of ranchers, miners, and pioneers, wild horses belonged to no one and everyone.