Virginia Range (Lockwood) horses rescued and at sanctuary

On December 27th the Nevada Department of Agriculture held a "parking lot sale" for some Virginia Range horses that they trapped and removed from the Lockwood area. The allied horse groups refused to participate in the sale as it was clearly in violation of state laws although they indicated that they would accept the horses if the proper paperwork was provided. (For background information on this issue please click here) As a result the horses were not placed that day.

The Department of Agriculture took the horses to the Nevada Livestock Exchange in Fallon, NV on January 4, 2012. There the allied horse groups, bankrolled by donations collected by the Let 'Em Run Foundation purchased the horses at the sale.

There were a number of problems associated with this "purchase" including incorrect descriptions of the horses, a faulty brand clearance certificate and other discrepancies, however the allies took possession of eight horses at the sale.

It was nearly twilight when we were finally able to load out the horses. We discovered that what was advertised by the state as being a (gelded) stallion, four mares and three weanlings - and which the brand certificate described as three geldings and five mares - actually consisted of a (gelded) stallion, three mares and four weanlings. We have yet to determine what happened to the dam of the fourth weanling, but we were prepared to take what we were provided with.

We had one humorous moment when we couldn't find the former stallion in the labyrinth of pens. One volunteer called out, "Where's the stallion?" Right at that time a horse stuck his head out into the aisleway about 100 yards away and gave out a loud whinny. We finally found all the horses and we were ready to go.

After the horses rested in Lyon County for the night, they were transported to the Nevada B Mustang Sanctuary in Douglas County. The band quickly settled in and pretty soon the foals were playing and rolling in the grass with the adult horses looking on. Nevada B has indicated that they will take possession of these horses, training the youngsters for adoption and probably keeping the older horses in a sanctuary environment. The allies thank Nevada B for stepping up to provide such good care. Within days of the rescue of these animals, Nevada B personally reimbursed the allied coffers for the entire costs associated with the purchase of these horses!

The stallion was the first horse to be released

All the horses were reunited

Also at the auction was a 25 year old BLM mare that one of the advocates, Laura Bell, personally purchased and took home. The old mare turned out to be a real sweetheart. The kill buyers got no horses that day.

Other groups that have been partners in these efforts are Least Resistance Training Concepts, Wild Horses in Need, the Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund and advocate Mikel Hettrick.

Here's photos of the horses