By Helina Bailey
Did you know that wild horses can double their herd sizes every four years? According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), wild horses and burros have no natural predators and current population estimates are above 80,000.
Because of this, these majestic, free-ranging animals must be removed by the thousands in order to “control herd sizes ... to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands.” The BLM removed 13,666 mustangs and burros last year alone.
Where do they all go? Who cares for them? Some are adopted out, some are sold, some are trained, but that still leaves tens of thousands waiting for relocation. This is where Roan Ridge in Union County comes into play.
Rachel and Brandt Gaylor have created a refuge and rescue for excess mustangs and burros. This power couple works with the BLM to help find homes for these beautiful animals in an effort to ensure they are loved and provided for.
Despite already having a full-time career as a nurse, Rachel’s undying passion for mustangs led her to taking on the tall task of running a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue on her 100+-acre family farm. When asked how she finds time and has the emotional energy to care for people, then go home to care for horses, Rachel explained, “They are truly great horses!”
Simply put, she could not resist helping.
With the large number of horses in need of adoption, Roan Ridge is striving to bring attention to the situation and change the narrative. Mustangs evoke the stereotype of the unruly horse of the wild west—the horse which cannot be tamed. However, Rachel stresses the inaccuracy of this perception. “With over 50,000 mustangs and burros currently in holding facilities, it is the mission of Roan Ridge to bring awareness of the beauty, versatility and trainability of the wild mustang.”
As a new rescue, Roan Ridge wants to make their presence known in Union County. As they strive to take in more mustangs and owner surrenders, they graciously accept equestrian donations. They are currently in need of used or new saddles, horse tack and used or new corral fencing. They also accept monetary donations which go toward caring for the horses.
Donations allow Roan Ridge to provide much needed vet and farrier services and will help extend pasture fencing to provide more space for the mustangs. All donations are tax deductible and can be made through Roan Ridge’s PayPal at PayPal.me/RoanRidge.
In the near future, Roan Ridge will be offering mustang adoptions for $125 to persons with approved BLM adoption applications. The requirements for adoptions can be found at https://wildhorsesonline.blm.gov/.
Rachel asks the community to “Please consider a tax deductible donation today and be part of preserving a symbol of America’s history, or adopt a mustang. Every dollar counts.”
For more information on Roan Ridge, visit their Facebook page at Roan Ridge.