Wild Horses ~ Post 4th of July Ponderings

Horse-e-cards by: Joni Solis
America's wild mustangs running free ... legendary, iconic symbols of freedom.

Almost from the beginning of time, wild horses have inspired America's petroglyphs, sketches, paintings, photographs, books, stories, songs, movies, imaginations, and dreams!

Yet, even as we celebrate our freedom from tyranny ... tragically our wild horses are losing theirs.

In 1776 our founding fathers of the Continental Congress adopted a Declaration of Independence to preserve and set aside our rights and freedoms as a nation and as individuals.

In 1971, an unprecedented public outcry moved Congress to unanimously pass the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, granting federal protection to America’s wild horses and burros as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West […] that […] contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people."

This Federal legislation, passed by our United States Congress, has been, and is currently being defied and blatantly disregarded.

Not only are the "protected" public lands being taken away and used for private gain ... but the horses themselves are being rounded up, separated from their herds and their families, and thrown into crowded holding facilities, where some die, some get slaughtered, and the lucky ones get adopted!

These egregious, atrocious Federal offenses have been quietly ignored for way too long. America's wild horses desperately need our help! NOW is the time to make our voices be heard!

Our voice does count! It was public outcry that persuaded Congress to legislate protection for our wild horses in the first place ... let's make them hear our cries again. NOW is the time that you and I can make a difference.

HELP US SAVE WHAT IS LEFT OF AMERICA'S WILD HORSES.

WITHOUT YOUR HELP, THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE WILL DISAPPEAR.

American Wild Horse Preservation ~ Introduction to wild horse issues, latest news updates, and much, much more!!

The Absolute Best Film about Wild Horses I Ever Hope to See ~ Meet Cloud the Stallion via Soul of a Horse Blog


The Cloud Foundation ~"Dedicated to the preservation of wild horses on our public lands, and the protection of Cloud's herd..."

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

Sometimes the problems seem so big and we feel that alone we cannot make a difference. Please get involved, together we can achieve great things.
~ Return to Freedom ~

ADOPT A HORSE ~ Adoption information: BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program

BECOME A SUPPORTER ~ A bajillion ways to lend your support ~ Return to Freedom ~ Lists of immediate needs ~ and a multitude of opportunities to take action, even at the grocery store! ~ Opportunities for all ages and situations ~ The Challenge: find at least one idea that you can put into action ... NOW!

AWAKEN THE PUBLIC ~ Share the message with as many people as you can ~ on your website, blog, FB, or MySpace ~Tweet it, Digg it, Tumblr or StumbleUpon it ~ You never know where the message will fall upon just the right ear!

~YOU MAY WANT TO START HERE ~

MEET THE HORSES ~ Get to "know" these horses, through the eyes of people that spend time with them. Any one of the outstanding people listed below will hook you up with anything you need to help the mustangs.

Tamara Gooch Photography~Wild Horse Gallery ~ One of my favorite photographers of wild mustangs ~ Through her eyes I got my first glimpse of these horses, thus she is a very special FB friend~ Don't miss her main page for other beautiful images of western lifestyle and wildlife.

Jess Lee ~ Wild Horse Photos "Capturing the spirit of the true American West" Be sure to click the link above his photos for more awesome pics

Barbara Wheeler Photography ~ Some of the best up close and personal photos and narratives of the wild horse herds and their families ~ One of my closest FB friends, humane observer and wild horse advocate

Sonja Spaziani ~Wild Wind Art ~ aka Mustang Meg ~ extraordinarily talented graphite artist and writer ~ One of my wildest and most fun FB friends, enthusiastic and knowledgeable advocate for the wild mustangs

Andi Harmon ~Resident Expert and author of Oregon's Living Legends ~ photos ~ A Study of Oregon's Wild Horses and the Ranges They Roam ~ Highly recommended reading!

*Pam Nickoles Photography ~ Wild Horses ~ A Must Visit! ~ Photos, news, information and links, filmed documentation of BLM "gathers." This gal ties it all together!

*Bev Pettit Fine Art Photography ~ Mustangs ~ Be sure to look at Bev's other work after the mustangs ... wow! Just wow! Her gifts and talents far surpass my words.

You have put Wild Horses deep in my heart and my soul since I can remember. Lord, please use me now to help them, however You will.

Amen

SAYONARA SADDLE PALS ...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Monumental Ride ... Monument Valley UT that is!

Yá’át’ééh (Navajo Greeting)

Merrick Butte-Monument Valley UT ... photo: myshilohranch

After our delicious brunch of a fresh Navajo taco (yu-um!) and hamburgers at the Stagecoach Dining Room; we checked out of Goulding's Lodge, and mosied across the highway. Can one actually "mosey" in a car???

We leisurely drove out to the Monument Valley NavajoTribal Park; which is part of the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation. Note: See the website for hours, entry fees and details.

First we checked out the beautiful, recently opened hotel, The View at Monument Valley. These are the only accommodations on the edge of the Valley itself. The View is a peaceful, fully appointed 5 Star hotel with unsurpassed views from every room. It is very popular, book reservations well ahead of your travels! The View experience would definitely be worth the splurge! Next visit, for us ... Lord willing.

Btw: this area is a paradise for photographers, painters, artists and stargazers from all over the world. World class pros to amateur beginners and hobbyists.

Then we browsed the small Museum/Visitor Center and the huge Trading Post adjoining the hotel. Both were wonderful. The Trading Post has the most beautiful collection of authentic Navajo handmade jewelry I have ever seen! WHOA! Much better than Disneyland for me! Bring your AmEx and your bib (for the drooling)! Speaking of drooling ... The View Restaurant boasts a 5 Star Chef.!

Outside there are many different outfits offering guided tours of the Valley - jeep, horseback, walking, hiking, bed and breakfast in a Hogan, or custom arrangements.

We signed up with "Black's Tours" for a 2 hour ride into cowboy/girl heaven.

Let's see, this is KJ's mount, looking at the camera.

The guy in the white hat is "calming down" my horse,Sam, on the far left. Click on pictures: they're all falling asleep! *snicker* Above: CJ is up and getting her stirrups adjusted: she is lovin' it already.

The Navajo guides hooked us up with Charley, Shadow, and ... Sam.

Sam was the slowest old thing on four legs ... my horse, of course! Somehow fitting ....

Or, as my dear daughter remarked, "they gave the old horse to the old lady." ... hrmph ...

Actually, Sam was a great mount for the "photographer." Slow, steady, consistent ... I could drop the reins and shoot, at will. He wasn't goin' anywhere in any hurry.

Praising GOD for His AWESOME creations!! This valley, the colors, textures, plants, rock formations, history ... everything is absolutely wonder-full!

Here we are: The Three Amigas!

We are some HAPPY chicas!!! Will Rogers once said, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man." This applies to women too; we can vouch for that!

CJ says she will have her own horse one day .... sounds familiar ...

This is the very same ground that John Wayne and many other stars rode on, in multitudes of movies! Many of my Western Cowboy heroes shot films out here.

Riding a horse on this land was one of my dreams come true! Red dirt is definitely what my dreams are made of! I will scratch this off of my "bucket" list ... but, I would love one more ride ...

Next time, however, we may use a different outfit. These horses were very well broke, but in very shaggy and some in shabby condition. The poor cayuse I was riding, wheezed with any extra exertion; poor guy. I was still wheezy from Cali, so we were a great pair! hahaha

My mare Julie sure would have loved this country ... she was the same color as this dirt! She loved the wide open spaces as much as I do! Ahh ... Miss Julie, I miss you my friend.

Some areas were a little steep for our taste ...

We know ... we are sissy girls ... but we are getting braver! Hey, some of those trails up there are narrow!

I can almost hear cowboys begin to sing and strum their guitars ...

So peaceful and relaxed ... I SO needed this!

As we ride off into the sunset ... the credits begin to roll ...

GLORY TO GOD, CREATOR AND MAKER OF ALL THINGS!

... and the old Republic film flickers to a stop!

Happy Trails, Saddle Pals!

Until we meet again!

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!

The tomb is empty!!!!


... the very reason we live and move and have our being!!!

HIS Love for us is beyond our human comprehension.

May we remember how much Jesus suffered for us ... for the JOY that was set before Him!

That joy was ME and YOU!!!

Whoa!!! HALLELUJAH! And a heartfelt YEE HAW!!!!!

Click here for more ... get to go break bread with my family in a few minutes!

Bless GOD and thank HIM today and every day!!!!!

JOHNNY'S VALENTINES' DAY!

HAPPY ♥ Valentines' Day ♥ Saddle Pals!'
Just a little holiday fun here... click on pics to enlarge

SR Johnny Valentine ~ fixin' to stir up some trouble ...err... fun


Comin' on in ... look out!


Got more up his sleeve...just look at that naughty face!


Johnny Valentine ... shakin' his tail feather at ya ...!

WHOA!!! ... I bought Johnny around Valentines' Day, 23 years ago, and took him home a few weeks later ... until just now, I never thought of his name being connected to the Scripture!

What an awesome and perfect "COINCIDENCE!" Oh my .... ♥ Johnny Valentine ... you are indeed special to my heart! I knew you survived that nasty West Nile Virus for a special reason!

The GREATEST Valentine that I ever received: ♥ John 3:16 ♥

"For God SO loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE."

Well, I am just a little "undone" here .... if you would like to try my ♥ Valentines' Day Challenge: click here.

♥ Tell everyone that you love, that you do love them today!!!!

♥ PS: If you haven't received God's Valentine yet ... please, read John 3:16 ... and, keep reading ...

♥ Happy Trails ♥

♥ From Sue, Romore, Johnny V, Hoss, Sadie, and Ricochet