by SB, age 13

There once was a time when the hardiest horses roamed the wild plains.

They were abundant,

Not under human control.

This legendary beast had lived peacefully with the Indians,

But then the day came when the white man ruled.

They turned their cattle loose upon the horses’ lands.

The wild horses began to starve,

And the white man helped it do so.

Some hated them for keeping food away from their herds.

They were afraid of them;

They had such a strong will to survive and live.

Shots were fired at them,

But the now legendary horses retreated into the hills.

Others wanted to capture them,

And keep them as pets, domesticate them.

This seemed to suit the horses even less than the starving wilderness.

Here they had no open spaces or mountain hideaways.

Many of them went mad,

The band stallions no longer fought each other for mares.

They fought for the little food, water, and shelter they could find.

Who might theses mythical horses be you ask?

They are no more mythical than you or me.

They are the Mustangs.

Even now they live hidden in the fog,

A forgotten symbol of the West.

They are a vanishing breed,

Nearly extinct.

We must keep them alive,

For the West we once knew is fading.

The only image remaining is the Mustangs.

Help them thrive!

Keep them going!

The Mustangs live on!

Beginning March 1st 2010, Girls Horse Club will host March for Wild Horses here at our virtual barn. The intent is to use our collective, creative voice to speak out for the rights of wild and feral horses on public lands, and show our support for the individuals and organizations who are their loving protectors. Throughout the month we’ll publish stories, essays, poems, and artwork created by horse girls, inspired by wild horses. Please check the event calendar to the right for key dates, beginning with open submissions on February 19th.

Relics of the West by SB was first published at GHC in the former Loft Book Club in October 2007.