Wild Horse Preservation Society

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Wild Horse Preservation Society

Mission of Wild Horse Preservation Society
Sanctuary for Wild & Feral Horses of Wild Horse Ranch
(6)

06/15/2026

State Lease Hike

We took our regular fence‑line hike on the State Lease this week — part maintenance, part adventure. The land didn’t disappoint. A lively creek, bursts of wildflowers, interesting rock formations and tall, lush grass reminded us how much the May rains helped this year.

But the contrast hit hard when we reached Lake Hattie and little Lake Hattie. Their water levels are still far below normal. With so many mild winters and almost no snowmelt runoff in the last five years, they’re relying on rainfall alone to refill.

Even with the challenges, this land remains a favorite for both people and horses. And despite what some might assume, horses aren’t damaging to this landscape. They move lightly across it, grazing and traveling in ways that keep the land healthy.

06/13/2026

Not just feeding the horses...

This was posted by one of our neighbors who are very fond of the horses and are helping out by watering and feeding on their property:

"Watering hole for all animals. Look how green and high the grass is. No, we definitely are NOT fenced out and we have large herds throughout the day daily. On the other side, cactus and wild flowers are blooming."

Nana Weaver

06/07/2026

June 2026 WHR Ranch Tour

Amazing what a bit of rain can do. This winter brought almost no snow, and by the end of April nothing was growing. Then May showed up and made up for all of it. We started the month with a much‑needed foot of snow, followed by frequent soaking rains. Within days the grasses woke up and the whole ranch shifted to green.

Out here our dominant grasses are bunch grasses—they stay only an inch or two tall because at 7,200 feet most of the plant’s energy goes into the roots. We also have Western Wheatgrass, Indian Ricegrass, and other native species. Even the cheatgrass, an invasive species, is way down this year. The horses nibble it when it’s young, which keeps it from going to seed.

It’s a reminder of how quickly the land can rebound when it finally gets what it needs. We’re grateful for every drop, and the horses are loving the fresh growth under their feet.

Photos courtesy of Nana Weaver

06/05/2026

Bonding Time

This morning, Jenny and Spirit were practicing one of the sweetest forms of connection horses have: mutual grooming. It’s their way of saying “you’re part of my circle,” and it releases all kinds of feel‑good endorphins for both horses.

Another form of bonding is through nursing. Little Nala keeps trying to nurse on Jenny even though Jenny doesn’t have milk because foals instinctively seek comfort through nursing. Jenny’s patience with her is its own kind of bonding.

Horses build relationships through so many small, meaningful behaviors, including:

Resting close together within touching distance, or sometimes actually touching, shows deep trust.

Mirroring each other’s movements such as grazing together, walking or resting in sync strengthens herd cohesion.

Closely following a preferred companion shows attachment.

Soft vocalizations like low nickers and quiet whinnies are used to communicate between band members.

Play behavior, especially among youngsters, builds confidence and social skills.

Some of these friendships formed early in life last a lifetime.

05/30/2026

🐴 How old can a mustang get?

Most wild and formerly wild mustangs live well into their mid‑20s, and many stay in good body condition right up through those years. A hardy few make it into their 30s, and the oldest documented mustangs have reached 35–40 years.

These three BLM mustangs (known as the Freckles) are living proof. They came to the ranch over 20 years ago as part of a group of BLM mustangs that had been deemed unsuitable for adoption. There used to be five of them: two bays and three greys. Over the last couple of years, we’ve said goodbye to two due to old age, but the remaining three are still going strong in their 30s.

As mustangs age, their bodies change. After 30, it becomes harder for them to maintain weight even with plenty of food. They slow down, choosing to walk instead of run. You may see sunken hips, sway backs, and a softer topline, even in horses who have never carried a rider or worked a day in their lives.

Nowadays, the Freckles spend most of their time in their favorite meadow with trees for shade and a small stream for a quick drink. Every now and then they mosey down to the rescue barn for a small scoop of oats. Over the years they have survived being rounded up by the BLM, harsh Wyoming winters, droughts and countless other challenges. Our goal is to let them live out their remaining years in peace and comfort.

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom.

We also remember the silent partners who stood beside them. The horses who carried soldiers into battle, pulled artillery, transported the wounded, and served with unwavering loyalty. Their courage was not chosen, yet they gave everything.

Today, as our own horses roam free on open Wyoming range, we honor the legacy of those who never returned home. May we cherish the freedom they helped secure, and may we never forget the cost.

05/24/2026

Bottle vs. Bowl: What We’ve Learned Raising Orphan Foals

We’ve had a lot of questions lately about bottle‑feeding versus bowl‑feeding foals. Over the years, we have raised 18 orphaned or rejected foals ranging in age from 1 day old to 4 months, we’ve learned that most foals actually prefer drinking from a bowl once they’re about two weeks old. It’s simply easier for them.

For the first few days, though, we use bottles fitted with sheep ni***es. Newborns need that small, soft ni**le to get the hang of sucking. The challenge is that many foals don’t like the taste or feel of rubber ni***es, and they have to work harder to get milk out. Once they’re a little bit older, they easily transition to a bowl. There's no benefit for continuing with a bottle at that point. The important part is that the foal drinks the milk and gets the nutrients it needs.

Some folks were worried about foals missing out on the benefits of mare’s milk. The most critical feeding happens in the first 24 hours when the mare produces colostrum. Colostrum is packed with antibodies that jump‑start the foal’s immune system. A foal that doesn’t get enough colostrum can’t absorb those antibodies later, which is why some need plasma transfusions. We’ve had a couple in that situation, and thanks to quick vet care, both recovered beautifully.

Another important (and perfectly normal!) step is when foals nibble on their mom’s manure. This is how they seed their gut with healthy bacteria. Bailey is living with two older rescues and takes advantage of their droppings

We also had suggestions about using goats for milk. While goat’s milk can work, we simply don’t have the space or time to manage goats on top of everything else. Mares Match milk replacer has been a reliable, well‑accepted option for us and provides all the nutrients a growing foal needs.

Every foal teaches us something new, but one thing stays the same: they’re tougher, smarter, and more adaptable than people think.

Purina

05/22/2026

We had a jailbreak this morning. Jenny and Nala teamed up to bust Bailey out of her pen so she could join them for some fun in the sun. Bailey might be the smallest of the crew, but she’s definitely not afraid of the big kids and knows exactly how to hold her ground.

05/20/2026

💖 Another day, another rescue

This is Bailey. She’s about two weeks old. Over the past couple of weeks we noticed her mom kept leaving her behind at the barn. Some mares struggle with bonding, and while we were able to help two other mares connect with their babies after some one‑on‑one time, this mare just wasn’t coming around. She’d let Bailey nurse, then immediately walk off or leave her behind if the little one fell asleep.

A couple of days ago, right after the snowstorm, we found Bailey wandering between herds with several mares kicking at her. It was around 5 p.m., temperatures were dropping fast into the 20s, and there was no way she was going to survive the night on her own. So the decision was made. She was coming into the rescue barn.

Bailey arrived exhausted, shaking from the cold, and very hungry. We blanketed her to warm her up and started introducing milk replacer with a syringe. Once they’re used to mom’s milk, the replacer is never their first choice. But after just a few tries, she had her head in the bowl and sucked down a pint. Then she started nibbling hay. The fact that she transitioned so quickly tells us she’d already been supplementing on her own. After being rejected for so long, she’s eager to bond with anyone who shows her kindness. She hands out plenty of licks and kisses. Bailey is absolutely a survivor.

Rescue foal Nala is a little annoyed to no longer be the center of attention, but she’s definitely curious about the potential new playmate.

Bailey may have had a rough start, but she’s safe now, surrounded by people (and one very nosy foal) who won’t let her fall through the cracks again.

05/18/2026

Rescues Nala and Jenny love this spring snow. They’ve got cozy indoor quarters, but those two would rather play in the drifts every chance they get.

Address

Laramie, WY

Website

https://wildhorsepreservationsociety.org/

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