Mustang Meg

ic range lands they roam, rather than upholding the original intent of the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Wild Horses and B***os Act- and that focus is in Washington DC. There's a method to my madness.... "Meg" is a concise and memorable name fluid with "mustang" I chose, as I wanted to develop a page easily remembered and easily accessible ~ where much scattered information about our wild horses can be funneled to one spot for review, education, and discussion. I try hard to bring factual information, by research and cross-referencing information first, for the education of others to help them in their own endeavors of seeking protection for our mustangs and wild b***os, with confidence sharing with their own "netposse", ultimately benefiting our wild ones. Wild horse and b***o advocacy has become the greatest "grassroots" effort in history... and since the government in DC has proven it is less then concerned with our wild horses entrusted in their care, this union of grassroots of wild horse enthusiasts and concerned citizens ban together and remind lawmakers the importance of wild horses to the people. My name is Sonya Spaziani, and I am a graduate from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I've studied Oregon wild horses since 1994 while out in the southeast region of the state, the Steens Mountain area. While driving around a rimrock corner, about 40 or more wild horses of just about every possible color crossed the little mountain road in front of us- big ones, little ones, manes and tails flying... some walking, some trotting, and some loping. I could still hear the hoof beats on the hard packed earth, smell the sage they brushed against, and taste the dust on my lip. I've been mesmerized by them ever since, wanting to know everything I can about these soul-stirring, pure and natural wild-born creatures. In my early history, my parents with their two young girls fled the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia) in 1968, and all my life to this day, from my father, I've been given the lessons of freedom-- and what that truly means. Wild mustangs for me are that bridge to that ideal. Although he's gone now, his words, "Never take freedom for granted" I still hear in my head to this day. Since 1994 every year, we travel out to the SE Oregon herd management areas searching for these wild ones, sometimes when I'm lucky, several times a year. In 2011, we've included our two little boys on our wild horse trips, to add to the love of wild horses and advocacy for them in their new generation. I keep a journal and write-ups on my excursions. I reside in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range of the central Willamette Valley in a zone between valley and mountain where I am also fortunate to observe varied wildlife, also satiating my interest is in nature and wild animals. I live about a half day's drive to the herd management area. Besides documenting my own on-the-range findings, I also put in many hours of research time, to continue to educate myself with ongoing information for this plight. Besides the natural lure of the wild horses, I am on this mission to 'protect to preserve' our wild horses and b***os full force since I discovered an amendment to their protected Federal status. With the insult of the sneaky rider/bill introduced by Montana Senator, Conrad Burns in 2004, slipped in the appropriations bill, during the major holidays and without public knowledge or review, single-handedly and with the swift motion of a pen, deteriorated wild horse and b***o protection given in 1971 known as the Free Roaming Wild Horse and B***o Act. This tragic amendment was signed by President George W. Bush on December 6, removing most protection for our wild horses and b***os, where a majority can be sold/ auctioned/ processed "without limitation". Currently there are roughly 50,700+ mustangs in holding (at a cost of $450 per head), awaiting an uncertain future at best, and a loss of over 111 herds, and over 19 million herd management acres. Yet more are gathered, removed, and adding to the stockpile of horses in holding. It has been my mission since 2004 to bring awareness to the public and aid, in my small way, to help to restructure even better wild horse protection and preservation. My Stand~
I stand for "on the range management" with the aid of wild mare contraception in managing herd levels. Contraception is the lesser of the evils in terms of management. However, *permanent* sterilization of any kind mare/stallion surgical or chemical is inappropriate on wild horses intended to be protected on designated BLM Herd Management Areas as established with the 1971 Wild Free-roaming Horses and B***os Act. Sterilization adversely effects "Natural Selection" and completely changes essential horse, band, and herd behavior dynamics of an intricate wild mustang society. Outside of rotating wild mares with contraception, 'we the people' request and require that wild horses are left as natural as possible for our and future generations benefit as well as assure full genetic representation among each unique herd, and maintain the wild and tightly knit social orders within established bands. Permanent sterilization should never be an option in the wild. Natural selection knows best for optimal survival, natural behaviors are necessary, and genetic viability through variability is essential. Permanent altering would change all that, and no longer the wild mustangs we know, but no better than farm animals. In addition, realistically, careful management will always be necessary, but in cooperative efforts with a wild horse-based coalition or advocacy group overseeing our wild horses and b***os. With the assistance of independent scientific analysis by range ecologists and biologists, when removal is deemed necessary, removing some but with a sound plan in place (ie: programs/homes), and no longer stockpiling them in government long-term holding, or with the threat of euthanizing or sending them to auction "without limitations". It's also my opinion, that lead and established stallions earning their "reign" should never be removed from a herd area along with the lead or elder mares- all teachers for other generations. I am a firm believer, that 'protected' wild horses "lock up" our wild lands from being turned into anything from wind turbine farms to strip malls, homes, and exploited for natural resources, etc. In this struggling economy, money talks loudly to our government. It's more than mustangs, I also stand for protecting the last of our wild lands of this high desert basin of our "still" wild west. So I learn, I write, I research, and I spend time out there among the wild ones, gathering information, videos, and photographs to share in my own small way and possibly make a difference by bringing awareness to these incredible wild horses. My work also includes an art series called "For the Mustangs" where a percentage is utilized where proceeds help the organizations dedicated also to keep our mustangs where they belong, on our western public rangelands. I also am in the process of writing a book, complete with my writing, quotes, and mustang photos, as well as a website for purchase of my photos. These endeavors will help me reach out to more of the public, bringing more information, research, and of course photographs to the mainstream, so that our mustangs and b***os become a conscious awareness. I am a citizen concerned for the future welfare of our wild horses. I chose no other, but one side, the side of the wild horses and b***os. It's my hope and ambition that I can reach at least one person daily, so they know that we still have these inspiring free-roaming animals on our wild lands, and how necessary they are on so many levels, but mostly our spirits.... These wild horses, an American icon symbolizing our own struggle to remain free~ A powerful icon to the citizens of the great Nation, and to so many around the world. Keep the wild in our west and our WEST WILD! Sonya, aka Mustang Meg

Contributions keep me roaming wild and sharing/researching pertinent information as well as photo-documenting mustangs of Oregon and learning about wild mustang society. If you are looking for a way to help what I do- purchasing my photos on mustangwild.com as well as sharing my videos on www.mustangjourney.com (youtube), but also a direct contribution is also welcome: www.roamwildfund.com . My jam~
videos- www.youtube.com/mustangmeg
web- www.mustangwild.com
fb- www.mustangmeg.com

P. The world is watching- Protect to Preserve...
Never give up. Never give in. Never back down. VIDEOS www.mustangjourney.com

PHOTOS Any of my photos can be also turned into canvas or metal prints- just ask, message me or [email protected] . Here are specs and vid examples about both metal and canvas prints- costs/sizes for both and both of which are ready-to-hang:

METAL Dimensions: 14" x 11" $70, 12x12 $70, 16x20 $100, 16x24 $120
Shipping 6.99 in the US. Made of 0.045" thick aluminum
Example (video):
https://www.facebook.com/mustangmeg1/videos/6085931631480334

CANVAS Dimensions: 12x16 $70 16x20 $90 20x30 $130
Shipping 6.99 US. Thickness 1.25” Gallery Wrap
Example (video): https://www.facebook.com/mustangmeg1/videos/249571416898655

Message me for an invoice and will put it on the ponyexpress to you! Want to take a stand and be their voice? To contact your Senators and Representatives - call the switchboard at 202-224-3121

Also:

•The Honorable:
US Senate
Washington DC 20510
www.Senate.gov

•President :
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC, 20500
Comments 202-456-1111
Switchboard 202-456-1414
Fax:202-456-2461

•Secretary:
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-3100
Fax: 202-208-6956

E-Mail: [email protected]

The world is watching- Protect to Preserve...
Never give up. Never back down. ~Mustang Meg