Half brothers and
best buds, Simone and Jose Quervo checking out the photographer. Photo by
Sherry Kysely
her. T ey had even asked Sandi about introducing Mustangs to their land. She tracked down the number and made the call asking if it would be possible to move the herd right away. Fortunately the group had set led on the land and already founded “Yellow Hills Ranch.” Were they ready for nearly 50 wild horses?
PROMISE OF PROTECTION
Sandi’s call was received with enthusiasm and broad
“Today the total herd numbers just over 100. Sandi lives alone in that tiny rusty trailer keeping watch, doing the paperwork and continuing to build the foundation. She has made her inspections of the horses sometimes on crutches, or with her broken arm in a sling, or sick with the flu. In the winter, the hay must be hauled to feed the horses whether Sandi is in the pink of health or under the weather. She knows every horse by name, their family tree and every horse knows and trusts her. From time to time the Forest Service still calls when they need to find a home range for a special wild horse.”
vice knew they could count on Sandi and her mother. T ey even began accepting other wild horses not of Spanish lineage. Back in the set- tling of the American West, Cavalry mounts and set lers’ horses were oſt en lost or leſt to run in the wild herds. As long as they were wild, Sandi and her mother would provide the safe home for them to remain wild and free. By 2007 there were over 40 horses under the care of Sandi and Ila. Then things took a bad turn—horrible
things began to happen that caused Sandi to fear for the herd’s safety. In one week they found three dead babies. Other pressures were coming to bear as well and Sandi knew she had to do something, fast. Once again it seemed the wild horses were not welcome on the range they’d called home for over 400 years. Sandi saw one possible option. About a
year earlier she’d been contacted by a group that was purchasing land just 20 miles from
support. Yellow Hills Ranch was willing to allow the horses to roam freely on nearly 5,000 acres, with a promise of protection. T ings happened quickly, as they needed to for the safety of the horses. When Sandi and her mother got the green light, Sandi retired from her job, put her house up for sale and they moved the herd. In one day, in the spring of 2008, Sandi, her mother and a friend loaded and transported 45 wild horses to Yellow Hills Ranch.
Today the total herd numbers just over
100. Sandi lives alone in that tiny rusty trailer keeping watch, doing the paperwork and con- tinuing to build the foundation. She has made her inspections of the horses sometimes on crutches, or with her broken arm in a sling, or sick with the fl u. In the winter, the hay must be hauled to feed the horses whether Sandi is in the pink of health or under the weather. She knows every horse by name, their family tree and every horse knows and trusts her. From
Pluma, Pachucho and Sombra leading band leader Mangas on a merry chase. What fun! Photo by Sherry Kysely
66 | December 2011 •
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