More Virginia Range Mustangs Rescued: January 9, 2013

January 9, 2013 NV 41 Rescue

For the fourth time in many months, wild horse advocates rallied to save 41 Virginia Rangemustangs, including Rambo and his family, from a slaughter auction.The state Department of Agriculture captured them and put them up for bid at a slaughter auction. After rescuing 99 other wild horses from this auction, the funds of local rescue groups were depleted, and they turned to the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) for help. An overwhelming response by AWHC supporters to a Christmas holiday email raised the funds necessary to save Rambo, his family, and the other horses.Donationscame in from across the nation and the world, including Europe, Canada, and even South Africa!

On the evening of January 9, the horses were put up for bid. Local advocates, led by Shannon Windel, president of Hidden Valley Wild Horse Preservation Fund, successfully bid on the horses, and all were saved. Willis Lamm of Least Resistance Training Concepts coordinated transport logistics and reported on the outcome of the auction:

Two families who are staunch wild horse supporters purchased 4 horses and will give them a wonderful life.

29 horses (and a domestic pony who had been let go on the range by irresponsible owners) were purchased by Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund, which will care for them lovingly in temporary pastures until permanent homes are found.

Included in the rescue was Diamond, a little filly and Rambo's daughter. Diamond has endured a lot throughout this ordeal.

First, Diamond was separated from her mother, roped, and dragged by the neck into the trap. Then she was thrown—terrified and alone—into the bidding ring at the livestock auction before being rescued by wild horse advocates.

Read live tweets from the auctionhere.