Peaces4Paws Jewelry

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

I don’t usually like to rant on social media, but this is something I care enough about to make an exception. For the past several months, I’ve repeatedly come across gates that open directly to the highway at the McCullough Peaks HMA left wide open. Whenever I see an open highway gate, I stop and close it. Thankfully, each time this has happened, there haven’t been horses nearby, but what would happen if there were?

An open highway gate at McCullough Peaks can allow horses onto the highway. The speed limit on this highway is 70 mph with many vehicles traveling faster than that. In addition, there are no street lights making visibility difficult. A horse on the highway can mean a devastating collision leading to a dead horse, a fatally injured driver and a totaled vehicle.

Even though every highway gate has a sign that clearly says “Please Close Gate,” these gates are left open so often that it’s hard to believe it’s simply an occasional oversight. Even more concerning, several of the main highway gates have not only been left open, but have actually been run over and destroyed, whether accidentally or intentionally. I understand that some of these gates can be difficult to close. I’ve done my share of swearing and struggling while trying to get the more stubborn gates latched, but as frustrating as they can be, that’s not a reason to leave them open or to run them over.

The horses don’t understand the danger waiting beyond an open highway gate, but we do. If you visit the range, please take the extra few minutes to close every highway gate behind you. This simple action could be the difference between keeping our McCullough Peaks wild horses safely on the range and a preventable tragedy.

If you could share this post widely, it would be much appreciated. Thank you all so much for listening. 💙💙

I used this photo of our beloved, Thor, to get your attention, since a photo of an open gate isn't that interesting. I don't think Thor would mind, however. I'm sure he wouldn't want anything to happen to his many family members still living wild and free at McCullough Peaks.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026