Wild Horse Annie And The Last Of The Mustangs

Wild Horse Annie, also known as Velma Bronn Johnston, was a fierce advocate for the protection of wild mustangs in the United States. Her relentless efforts to save these beautiful creatures from being hunted and slaughtered sparked a nationwide movement that led to the passing of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.

The Plight of the Mustangs

Before the establishment of this groundbreaking legislation, wild mustangs were at risk of extinction. Rapid urbanization, industrial development, and the expansion of cattle ranching caused their natural habitats to shrink significantly. Furthermore, they were often seen as a threat to the range and resources needed by livestock.

Wild Horse Annie couldn't bear to see these magnificent creatures vanish from the American landscape. As a child, she was captivated by the beauty and grace of mustangs, and that admiration stayed with her throughout her life. She recognized the urgent need for action and dedicated herself to their cause.

Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs: The Life of Velma Johnston

by David Cruise(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3382 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Birth of a Movement

In the early 1950s, Wild Horse Annie began her campaign by writing letters and articles to raise awareness about the plight of wild mustangs. She urged individuals to support legislation that would protect them from being hunted down and sold for slaughter.

Her powerful words resonated with people, and soon she gained a group of loyal followers who shared her passion for these majestic animals. Together, they formed the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB). Through the ISPMB, Annie organized protests, lobbied politicians, and tirelessly fought for the rights of wild horses.

A Champion for the Voiceless

Annie's dedication didn't go unnoticed. She caught the attention of lawmakers, journalists, and the public, who were inspired by her determination. Her pressuring forced the government to recognize the importance of preserving the remaining wild horse populations.

In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. This landmark legislation provided protection to wild horses and burros on millions of acres of public land, guaranteeing them a future in their natural habitats.

The Last of the Mustangs

Wild Horse Annie played a pivotal role in saving the American mustang, but the work is far from over. Today, these incredible creatures still face many challenges, including habitat loss, roundups, and overpopulation.

The remaining wild horse herds in the United States represent a living symbol of freedom, resilience, and the untamed spirit of the West. It is up to us to continue to protect and preserve their habitat and ensure their survival for future generations.

Inspired by Wild Horse Annie

Wild Horse Annie's legacy lives on as a reminder that a single passionate individual can make a difference. Her unwavering dedication to the cause of preserving wild mustangs serves as an inspiration for animal advocates around the world.

As we reflect on her incredible achievements, let us remember that every action we take, no matter how small, can contribute to the conservation and protection of our planet's precious wildlife.

Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs: The Life of Velma Johnston

by David Cruise(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3382 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The true story of the intrepid woman whose life-long determination to protect America’s mustangs captured the heart of the country.

In 1950, Velma Johnston was a thirty-eight-year-old secretary enroute to work near Reno, Nevada, when she came upon a truck of battered wild horses that had been rounded up and were to be slaughtered for pet food. Shocked and angered by this gruesome discovery, she vowed to find a way to stop the cruel round-ups, a resolution that led to a life-long battle that would pit her against ranchers and powerful politicians—but eventually win her support and admiration around the world. This is the first biography to tell her courageous true story.

Like Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, or Temple Grandin, Velma Johnston dedicated her life to public awareness and protection of animals. Wild Horse Annieand the Last of the Mustangs follows Velma from her childhood, in which she was disfigured by polio, to her dangerous vigilante-style missions to free captured horses and document round-ups, through the innovative and exhaustive grassroots campaign which earned her the nickname “Wild Horse Annie” and led to Congress passing the “Wild Horse Annie Bill,” to her friendship with renowned children’s author and horse-lover Marguerite Henry.

A powerful combination of adventure, history, and biography, Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs beautifully captures the romance and magic of wild horses and the character of the strong-willed woman who made their survival her legacy.