The Story Behind The Wild Horses of Shannon County Missouri
For the last 100 years, a herd of wild horses has been roaming the ancient and rugged landscape in Shannon County, Missouri, near a small town nestled in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence.
Wild Horses represent America's history, and they made it possible to explore this great land. Never believe they are safe from being taken from us because history confirms otherwise.
The wild horses of Shannon County, Missouri, are living symbols of our country’s history and pioneering spirit. Anyone who has had the privilege of watching them graze freely and calmly understands what majestic animals these wild horses genuinely are.
It is hard to fathom that thousands of our wild horses across America have died at the hands of the federal agency entrusted to protect them. Even though these horses are currently "protected" by federal law under the Ozark Wild Horse Protection Act, it doesn't mean it will stay this way forever.
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Current members are automatically entered for a chance to win one of my wild horse fine art gallery prints every month. Join other horse lovers and me from around the world in my Wild Horses Facebook Group. I share behind-the-scenes photos and videos in the group that you won't see anywhere else. |
Letting the death toll of America’s wild horses continue to rise is not an option. I am on a mission to do everything to protect the wild horses, but I can't do it alone. Awareness is key to getting the right people involved, and this is a role that I can perform with great pleasure. Much like Ansel Adams and other photographers who came before us, they helped legislators and key people see the beauty needed to be protected. I hope my photographs will help influence the long-term protection and conservation of America's wild horses.
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I offer Free Art Consultations to help you figure out the best size and details for any artwork that I create. You can contact me and share a couple of dates, times, and your best phone number, and then I will confirm a date and time for our meeting. I can do FaceTime video or Zoom meetings if you would like to share your space with me as we work through designing your new artwork together. |
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HISTORY OF THE WILD HORSES OF SHANNON COUNTY MISSOURI
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system and the only state where wild horses still roam free. It hasn't been an easy path for the wild horses over the last 100 years, and it would be foolish to think current conditions couldn't change and put the horses back in danger again. The wild horses at Mesa Verde National Park are an unfortunate example of how quickly policy can change and their protection evaporates seemingly overnight. During the 1980s, the National Park Service announced a plan to remove the wild horses of Shannon County, and people were outraged. In 1993 the U.S. Supreme Court denied a final appeal to protect the horses and gave the National Park Service the right to remove the horses from federal land at their discretion. The national park service started removing the wild horses in a profoundly upsetting way to residents and horse lovers around the country. The people of Shannon County and horse lovers around the country rallied together, and the Wild Horse League of Missouri was formed.
Their tireless efforts paid off, and President Clinton signed a bill into law on October 3, 1996, to make the wild horses of Shannon County a permanent part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Now, people worldwide visit Shannon County, Missouri, in hopes of seeing these majestic wild horses. The Missouri Wild Horse League works with the National Park Service to capture some of the horses when the herd exceeds the agreed-upon limit of 50 horses. The captured horses are taken into care and evaluated before being adopted by loving families for permanent homes. It is important to remember that these horses are wild. When looking for them, be sure not to approach them or feed them. It is essential to keep these animals wild and free and for you to be safe. The horses are big, strong, and unpredictable and for your safety and theirs, keep a safe distance of 100 yards or more between you and the horses. |
Comments
I am curious as to why the younger horses pushed the others in the woods?
