Take a Stand for the American Mustang: A Call to Action

This week, the filmAmerican Mustangpremiered at the Regal Rancho Mirage Stadium 16 in Palm Desert. Narrated through the voice of a young girl who becomes infatuated with a wild horse brought to her family's ranch, the film reveals the plight of wild horses in the American West. With stunning Stereoscopic 3D visuals,American Mustangshowcases the beauty of these majestic creatures.

The film artfully weaves the story of the girl and the horse she names Pegasus with documentary footage about the horseroundupsin our Western states and the role of the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in managing the herds. It highlights the strong bonds within horse families and their integral place in the North American landscape.

The scenes of horses running free will captivate your heart, showcasing their soaring spirit. Wild horses, considered a national treasure, can cover up to 30 miles a day and are an integral part of American history.

The film highlights the plight of Pegasus, a newly captured horse brought to the young girl's family ranch. A ranch hand attempts to 'gentle' Pegasus, ultimately trying to break his spirit. The girl, narrated by actress Daryl Hannah, becomes mesmerized by Pegasus's wild spirit. A dramatic moment occurs when Pegasus cannot be tamed and is driven away. The ranch hand assures the girl, 'Don't worry, he'll get a good home in Paso Robles,' leaving viewers unsettled about the Mustang's fate.

American Mustangis a call to action. Viewers who love animals will despair at the sight of these creatures terrorized and captured in helicopter raids, held in crowded government holding pens for life. Over 50,000mustangsare kept in government pens, more than those left to roam wild. They are branded, males castrated, families separated, and have little room to move. In these pens, their eyes reflect broken spirits. Some are sold by the truckload for $10 each, many ending up in the meat market.

Removed from the range to make room for big agriculture and energy interests, it's argued that horses destroy rangeland needed for cattle. However, there is only one horse for every 50 cattle in the Western states. The program to round up and contain wild horses costs American taxpayers $80 million annually. Five out of every eight horses are now in government holding facilities. The film aims to raise awareness and encouragehumane management, including birth control, to preserve these icons of American freedom.

Erlyn Garrison, a local animal advocate, commented on the film, 'I liked how they showed different perspectives, from the beef industry to environmentalists. It's clear there's no issue with the cows. I loved seeing this issue through the eyes of a young girl who loved a horse. When a child sees injustice, they know it's wrong. I've followed this issue for years, and it impacts the horses' sanity to keep them penned. It's not the horses taking over ourpublic lands; it's the ranchers and factory farming industry.'

What can you do to help? For more information, visitwww.wildhorsepreservation.org. The website contains a petition to ask Congress to safeguard the future of American wild horses.

Directed by award-winning director Monty Miranda and written and produced by wildlife advocate Ellie Phipps Price, this compelling blend of nature documentary and family film will captivate animal lovers and moviegoers alike. Go see it!

WHERE:Regal Rancho Mirage Stadium 16, 72777 Dinah Shore, Rancho Mirage

WHEN:May be continued past March 6. For show times, visitwww.regmovies.com

Originally posted by Coachella Valley Weekly