Shirley Allen visiting some foals

The Fish Creek horses are Shoshone Indian horses who for generations were handed down from the elders to their children and grandchildren and they roamed traditional Western Shoshone lands for decades. The BLM legally gained control of the land and decided to open it up for commercial purposes. Two Shoshone Sisters, Mary and Carrie Dann (who were in their eighties) resisted the BLM efforts. Eventually the BLM "evicted" their livestock from their traditional range.

A number of groups and individuals took in these horses. Some went through adoption organizations. Some ended up going to Texas slaughter houses. 144 mares with foals and some yearlings ended up being virtually abandoned at the Fish Creek Ranch. (They were "dumped" on the ranch, it wasn't the ranch owners' fault.)

The survivors of this exodus were rescued by the cooperative efforts of various rescue groups. Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue was the primary rescue group and funded virtually the entire rescue operation. LRTC handled logistics. LRTC ended up holding some of the pairs in Dayton, NV who weren't physically up for the longer trip to Lifesavers' facility in Lancaster, CA. Wild Horse Spirit assisted with special needs transportation and critical care rehab.

The horses held in Dayton are being offered to qualified adopters. Adoption fees are $150.00 per horse. Mares and foals have to both be held by the same adopter for at least one year. (Adopters aren't allowed to adopt a pair, then dump the mare to get just the foal.)

(For a more complete story on the Fish Creek horses, please click here.)

Adopted horses will be released when it is determined that they are strong enough to be transported.

A Fish Creek mare checking the horizon

A mare standing watch over a weak foal (that didn't make it - even with veterinary assistance)

Loading up the "special care" horses

Sally is a short but stocky sorrel mare with very steady disposition who was the herd's babysitter. She ALWAYS looked after the foals and tried to keep them out of trouble. In working with her we have found her to be smart and one that studies what's going on.

You can see more photos of Sally by clicking Here.

Sally has been adopted!

44 yearlings were safely transported to the Lifesavers facility in Lancaster, CA. They are all availailable for adoption to appropriate adopters.

To find out more about adopting these horses please log onto the Lifesavers web site at www.wildhorserescue.org, email Jill Starr at lifesavers@wildhorserescue.org or telephone 661.727.0049.