January 15, 2009 

was very aware of the Kiger Mustangs in southeast Oregon and I have had the privilege to see them a few times. Testing was done at the University of Kentucky and the DNA showed close relation to the Spanish horses brought over in the 1600s. Technically these are feral horses, not 'wild' horses as North American horses disappeared around 8,000 - 10,000 years ago. They disappeared around the same time as other large mammals like Wooly Mammoths. But for general purposes these bands can be called wild horses.

Photo Left: A classic Kiger Mustang. Kiger Mustangs are primarily dun in color and have primitive markings, including zebra-like stripes on the upper legs and shoulders as well as stripe running down the middle of the back into the tail

What I did not know until the other day, is that British Columbia has their own herd of 'wild horses'. Evidence shows that in 1776, herds of mustangs were kept by Assiniboines (Native Americans) in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. By 1790, Alberta tribes had acquired mustangs from the Shoshoni and under two decades later, there were extensive herds in the Kootenays in B.C., estimated at around two million horses in total! Wild herds served as stock for Natives, and escapees (feral horses) often replenished them. This band of about 200 horses are thought to be descendents of the original Spanish steeds brought to North America by Columbus and Cortez in the early 16th century live 'not far' from me.

Photo Above: The wild horses in British Columbia. These horses compared to the Kiger Mustangs, seem to be more often bays or blacks with the odd other colour here and there.

Throughout the years, this wild B.C. horse herd has met many dangers, including huge forest fires which ripped through the area in recent years. This small herd of special mustangs is now facing new dangers.

I just found out that the BC Ministry of Environment has been paying aboriginal people to kill wild horses in the Chilcotin area of BC to use as bait to trap wolves. It's part of a program to increase the population of endangered mountain caribou. In addition, the Ministry of Forests has been paying aboriginal people to round up wild horses alive, to be sold at auctions where they are bought by slaughterhouses. The purpose is to clear the range for the ranchers' cattle.

Photo Left: Ashley and I saw this small herd of Mountain Cariboo not that long ago, which consisted of three cows and two calves.

Evidently the real problem is that Mountain Caribou are dependent upon the same old-growth forest that the timber corporations want to log. In October of last year the BC government announced that it was "protecting" 2.2 million hectares of mountain caribou habitat. But according to some sources, beneath this cover, the government is adamantly unwilling to reduce logging significantly to save the caribou.

If you are concerned about these horses and want to tell someone about it, write these guys:

Premier Gordon Campbell         
Room 156                                    
Parliament Buildings                       
Victoria, BC  V8V 1X4                    
premier@gov.bc.ca                        

Tom Ethier, Director
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Environmental Stewardship Division
Ministry of Environment
PO Box 9391
Victoria, BC_V8W 9MB
Tom.Ethier@gov.bc.ca