Around the world, most wild horse populations are managed by mankind in one way or another. In the American southwest, wild horses on public lands are often mistakenly deemed as competition for grazing cattle and sheep, resulting in massive mustang roundups. Over the years, similar roundups have taken place in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta. On New Zealand’s north island, the wild horse population is not allowed to surpass 300 animals – again resulting in roundups.
This presentation will explore the relationships between humans and wild horses around the world, including the beloved wild horses of Sable Island. Photographs of wild horses from New Zealand to Mongolia will be shared along with images of the wild horses of Sable Island, to reveal that the ‘hands off’ approach to Sable Island’s horses is a model for wild horse areas around the world. The horses of Sable Island are 100 percent protected and respected, managed only by Mother Nature. It is a beautiful relationship, and a source of Canadian pride from coast to coast.
