JUNE 2014 THE RIDER /27 Wild for Born Wild, the Latest Lessons From Joe Camp
by Kelly Bowers Producer/Director and
Writer Joe Camp is at it again, after seven motion pic- tures (including all the Benji movies), a TV series and several network TV specials. He’s also author of well over a dozen books including the National Best Seller, The Soul Of A Horse, Life Lessons From The Herd. So, how did Joe even come to write about the Soul Of A Horse in the first place? A few years ago, Joe’s birthday surprise of horseback riding from his wife, Kathleen, turned into a gift that even she could not have imagined at the time. It ignited the spark that grew into a burning passion for horses and was the beginning of their new path in life. What a journey is has been so far, and the lives it has changed. Not just his life or hers but the lives of their horses and those around them, the lives of his read- ers and their horses too, and followers now from across the globe. And now, the lives of wild horses being threatened in the USA. With each new book, readers are more and more connected
and invested in the lives and loves of Joe and Kathleen Camp. We laugh and we cry with them - we just GET them. So, we understand the confusion, disbelief, frustration and thirst for the truth. Joe’s latest book, “Born Wild, The Soul Of a Horse” is filled with the wonder and love, the passion and endless respect for horses we have come to expect. But this go around, there is a frustration and disbelief that radiates from “Born Wild” that has everything to do with the fate of his beloved wild horses. Over four decades ago, both houses of Congress passed the
Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-195) which in part says “It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.” The wildly impor- tant document went on to guarantee specific rights to grazing rights which were instrumental in protecting these equines at home in the wild. However, enormous pressure is exerted from cattle and sheep ranchers who want the millions of acres promised by law, for their livestock to graze on. So, the Bureau of Land Management, a branch of the government, has been bla- tantly breaking the law by harassing and capturing wild horses, lots of them. The official reason is that the protected horses have multiplied and are now too numerous to be supported on the des- ignated land. But, the truth is that 2.2 million acres of the dedi- cated space, has been reclaimed and allocated to privately owned livestock. Cattle and sheep on the protected land now out number the wild horses by 50:1. More than 270,000 wild horses have been caught and detained, many of them fated for illegal slaugh- ter for their meat and for profit. So it seems, the BLM is not only breaking a promise but breaking the law. So, you have animal rights supporters and wild horse advo-
cates and others like Joe standing up to wealthy cattle and sheep ranchers with a few well placed politicians along with the BLM.
AQHA Director’s
Report Continued from Page 26
War Horses Toward the end of the
war, the Union army had used 40,000 horses a month; the ani- mals were either dying in battle, of exhaustion or lack of food and care. The war had depleted the country of its equine supply, and the military was faced with finding quality mounts for the soldiers tasked with policing the country’s growing Wild West territories. The shortage resulted in the development of the U.S. Remount Breeding Program, which became the foundation for the bloodlines of the American Quarter Horse we know today. The short-lived program fueled the equine industry with legends in ranch- ing, racing, motion pictures, the Olympics and war. More than 90 percent of the horses induct- ed into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame can be
traced to government remount stallions. The American Quarter
Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is proud to share this story through a new exhibit May 14 through July 26 – “War Horses: Bred to Serve.” This exhibit will also be available online at
www.quarterhorsemuseum.com for AQHA members and histo- ry enthusiasts who are unable to visit the Hall of Fame. If you wish to be part of sharing this story by making a donation in support of the newest educa- tional outreach effort of the Hall of Fame, call 806-378- 5040 or go online at
www.aqha.com/donatetoday. Historically, horses were bred to serve with sound bodies and minds and with loyalty and bravery. These same traits are evident in today’s American Quarter Horse. Till next time, if I can be
of any assistance, please contact me at: Phone: (519) 345-2861, or
by e-mail
thrkathy@hsfx.ca. at:
As usual, since the ranchers lease the land for much less than market value and the lease brings in some revenue, it all comes down to the bottom line. But since Joe has his own adopted wild hors- es, whom he loves and advocates for, this has become extremely personal - so don’t expect to see him back down. “Born Wild” would make for great fiction, if it wasn’t actually true, and you really need to read the book to believe it. Then, for more information about wild horses, see the materials list, and if you think this is just an American problem, think again. In Alberta, Canada, wild horse advocates are up against more ranchers and cattle over the government sanctioned cull of their wild horse herd. Of course, the entire book is not just about this critical
situation. As always, there are also charming and personal subplots about the Camp’s own little herd and a back story about a stallion in the wild trying to protect his own - and there is so much passion saturating the whole book. As always, it is a pleasure to read. Don’t skip over the resource section. The information, recommendations and links for all things horse related are, on their own, worth the price of the book. Visit
www.thesoulofahorse.com.
Right: Unretouched photograph by Laura Leigh of Joe’s “Miss Saffron” (far right) and two young herd mates on the day they were chased and rounded up by a BLM helicopter whose skids were barely ten feet off of her back. She was pregnant with Firestorm who is featured on the front cover of “Born Wild”.
Free Exhibitor Chicken Dinner!
(With Fat Boys)
Pairs Horsemanship
Supporting Make A Wish Foundation
All In Fee
Circuit Awards For Every Class High Point Awards for Each Division
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