Help needed in rescuing horses. Oklahoma Land and Timber Company (formerly Mississippi Land and Timber) has without warning terminated the grazing leases on Blackjack Mountain near Finley, Oklahoma. These Spanish Mustangs have to be removed by February 29, 2008. The problem is that the company (which has recently purchased the land) had previously agreed to extend the leases (contract in writing) and has since broken their word. Unfortunately, they not only canceled the lease without notice but they have ALREADY begun spraying the one and a half million acres with chemicals in order to kill the ground vegetation and sterilize the land for the next two years (except for the timber company's pine seedlings). These straight Spanish Mustangs (Spanish Colonials) are eligible for registration with the Southwest Spanish Mustang Association and probably with the HOA (Horse of the Americas). Included in the large number of horses is a small number of purebred Choctaw and Cherokee Indian Ponies. As such, there are less than 200 of these living legacies of the "Trail of Tears" remaining in the world. Also it should be noted that this is the herd that Frank Hopkins's Hidalgo was released into at the end of both the movie Hidalgo and in real life. These horses are also the legacy of the late Gilbert Jones' preservation activities. Can we let this rare resource and piece of our National heritage perish? I surely hope not. If you are interested in knowing more about this situation, please contact, Bryant Rickman at 580-743-1991.
As a side note, David and I were at Bryant's ranch and at the Gilbert Jones' Medicine Springs Ranch this weekend. There are approximately 150 horses needing to be removed from the mountain. Unfortunately, Rickman was not able to obtain an exact number due to the horses being deeply spooked and scared by the helicopter and planes dropping the herbicides. As such, there is also deep worry concerning the safety of the chemicals which has now contaminated the horses' water and food resources. Needless to say, the situation is dire. If you cannot reach Bryant, please feel free to call David or I at 479-696-9677 and we can relay the messages to Bryant.
Jane Howard, MD, STM6781 Berean RoadMartinsville, IN 46151(765)528-2528Queen Mum Red Hats and Purple Chapswww.redhatsandpurplechaps.com
