Wild Mustang Sanctuary Founder Reunites Horses with Original Herds

The controversy surrounding these wild horses centers on whether they should be allowed to roam freely on federal lands. While advocates champion their freedom, ranchers argue that the mustangs disrupt grazing fields shared with cattle. Staples firmly believes in the mustangs’ right to run free and has taken significant steps to Support this cause.

With the help of her husband, Christopher Polk Read, Staples established Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wild mustangs and burros. The sanctuary, located on a sprawling 9,000-acre ranch in Bend, Oregon, also operates smaller ranches in Malibu, California. The nonprofit takes in mustangs rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and often purchased at auctions or rescued from kill pens.

Staples’ unique approach involves reuniting captured mustangs with members of their original herds. She works tirelessly, using photographs and identifying markings to track down and reunite these horses. Photographer and wild horse advocate Scott Wilson aids her in this endeavor, providing photographic documentation to identify and locate specific horses.

One of the most poignant reunions involved a horse named Blue Zeus and nine members of his family. After being separated during a BLM roundup, Staples spent a year tracking them down. The emotional reunion, captured in a video posted on YouTube, exemplifies the deep bonds these animals share.

Currently, Skydog Ranch is home to about 260 wild horses and 60 burros, providing a haven where they can graze and run free. The sanctuary relies on donations to Support the care of these animals, which includes feeding and veterinary expenses.

Staples’ commitment to wild mustangs extends beyond her sanctuary. She continues to raise awareness about the threats these animals face, including illegal killings and the risks associated with BLM roundups. Despite the protection offered by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, wild horses remain vulnerable to various dangers.

Clare Staples’ journey from a troubled childhood in Cobham, England, to becoming a passionate advocate for wild mustangs, underscores her deep connection with these animals. Her work not only reunites horse families but also sheds light on the importance of preserving wild mustangs and their natural habitats for future generations.

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