Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri

THE WILD HORSES OF MISSOURI

For the last 100 years, herds of wild horses have been roaming the ancient and rugged landscape in Shannon County, Missouri, near the small town of Eminence nestled in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

The Wild Horses of Missouri are close-knit herd animals. They treasure their families above all else.

The close bonds they form are crucial for their emotional and physical survival.

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 their importance and why they matter.

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 they will stay this way forever.

Free Wild Horse Journal by Tim Layton

HISTORY OF THE WILD HORSES OF MISSOURI

Shannon County and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways national park are home to four herds of wild horses roaming this beautiful and rugged landscape for more than a century.

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.

During the 1980s, the National Park Service announced a plan to remove the wild horses, 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.

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.

Luckily, by 1996 the Wild Horse League of Missouri, which formed in 1992 to save the wild horses, received help from the people of Shannon County, Congressman Bill Emerson, Senators Kit Bond, and John Ashcroft.

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 in hopes of seeing these majestic wild horses.

The Missouri Wild Horse League works with the National Park Service to capture horses when the herd exceeds 50. 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 a federal crime to get closer than 50 feet or give them food.

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, keep a safe distance of 100 yards or more between you and the horses. Unfortunately, I have seen people walk up to the horses with my own two eyes and try and pet them.

HERDS OF WILD HORSES

The Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri, are generally organized into four herds and five bands: Shawnee Creek, Broadfoot, Round Spring, and Rocky Creek. The herd names are based on the geographic areas they roam free. You can click on each herd name and review the latest information about each herd. Check my detailed online guide for the latest news if you want to find the Wild Horses of Missouri.

Free Wild Horse Journal by Tim Layton

Love Wild Horses? Then, Let's Stay Connected...

Join Tim Layton on YouTube It is human nature to protect what we love, and this is why I am on a mission to help people fall in love with the wild horses of Shannon County, Missouri.

By sharing the stories of these amazing wild horses via my Free Wild Horse Journal, I know you will fall in love with these wild horses, and if needed, one day, you will help protect them.

Join me on my mission to help raise awareness and protect the Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri, so that they can remain free and wild forever.

In a new video series, I take you behind the scenes as I document the wild horses of Shannon County, Missouri, in the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. You can watch all of the episodes for free on YouTube.

View my latest Wild Horse photographs in my online gallery.

Join me and wild horse supporters from around the world in my Facebook Group - Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri.