Narrated by Ali Macgraw

WILD HORSES OF THE WEST

Narrated by Ali MacGraw

Wild horses are romantic symbols of the American Old West, a memory that’s fading as this era subsides. From being one of the most recognizable icons of the western landscape, to playing essential roles in therapy programs, one thing is clear: The role of wild horses in America is multifaceted, and they need to be protected – but there is an ecological issue currently surrounding the Mustang, and like the animal, it’s complex. Wild horses are a beautiful part of the American story – a staple of our history, from helping Native Americans hunt buffalo, to aiding the cowboy in cattle herding. However, like many parts of the Old West, the wild horse has encountered adversity when confronted with modernity. Wild horses compete with free-range livestock for resources, including watering holes and fields of grass. When the horse population gets too high, the Bureau of Land Management is tasked in removing surplus horses, but often run into logistical snags. When helicopter roundups do take place, they’re often villainized by wild horse advocates as inhumane, which is understandable – a helicopter chasing herds into captivity is quite the spectacle. Once rounded up, there’s another obstacle: What should be done with the animals, especially when the horse population outpaces adoption demand? The discussion includes detainment in taxpayer-funded holding facilities, sterilization, even euthanasia. With passionate, vocal supporters on both sides, this is a complex issue, one that warrants a multi-pronged resolution for these sophisticated animals. So emotionally sophisticated, in fact, that they’re used for various therapy programs, like the National Ability Center’s, in Park City, geared towards veterans and challenged individuals who benefit from friendship with horses. Mustangs are also used in prison and young adult rehabilitation programs, and can teach valuable lessons in bonding and patience. Wild Horses of the West ultimately examines the issues surrounding these majestic creatures, like how to protect them while ensuring that our natural resources are being conserved. Wild Horses of the West is narrated by Ali MacGraw of “Love Story,” and “The Getaway” fame. “Wild horses are a beautiful part of the American story, and it’s important that we tell America’s story,” says Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior. “We also need to recognize that horses, especially at the levels that we have them today, are creating very significant problems for our public lands.” The film also profiles filmmaker/advocate Ginger Kathrens and one of PBS’s biggest stars, Cloud, the wild stallion featured in the Nature PBS series, who might be the most famous wild horse in America due to Ginger’s work.