Wild hearts wellness portland2/20/2024 ![]() As Richins hoped, the documentary garnered a great deal of attention, but press wasn't the only thing she picked up along the way. "I told myself, I have to do something about this." Since the omnipresent social media machine didn't exist at the time, Richins opted for spreading the word via documentary, raising the funds herself and putting together a motley crew of first time filmmakers to capture the truth of what was happening. After three years of work, the 26-minute documentary Mestengo ( request a copy of the film here) premiered at The Leonardo in Salt Lake City and even screened at Sundance. "That's when I caught my 'wild horse fever.' I saw at the Humane Society that wild horses were being rounded up into holding pens and many of them being sent to slaughter," recalls Richins. ![]() In 2004, Senator Conrad Burns of Montana surreptitiously slipped a few last-minute lines into an omnibus bill, providing useful loopholes and opening up a horrific new chapter for wild horses, allowing them to be put up for sale, subjecting them to terrifying helicopter roundups (horses are sometimes run up to 20 miles), and inhumane treatment while they await, more often than not, a grisly fate. So why the BLM roundups? Although wild horses do much to create diversity, preserve history, and enrich our spirits, they do little when it comes to lining the coffers of wealthy ranchers and their powerful lobbies, says Richins. ![]() Technically, wild horses are protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, a law passed by Congress (unanimously, if you can believe it!) after a grassroots movement petitioned for the rights of these iconic creatures. Richins, who grew up with two horses, barrel raced, and became a rodeo queen, doesn't do any riding these days. Her mission is to love the horses and help educate people about the abuse wild horses suffer. the "Infinity Herd," who were rescued from BLM roundups and are now cared for by Sonya Richins, the sanctuary's founder. ![]() The sanctuary is home to eight wild horses, a.k.a. But if you're in Park City, you may catch a glimpse of that indelible wild horse spirit at Wild Heart Sanctuary. There aren't many places you can experience the magic of wild horses any longer. Bold, majestic, and free, the wild Mustang is one of the most enduring symbols of the American West. ![]()
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