Nobody's Horses: The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sands

Any number of adjectives come to mind when I begin to contemplate the rescue of these magnificent creatures. Heroic, compassionate, courageous and dedicated only begin to describe the efforts of the team assembled by Don Hoglund and others. "Nobody's Horses" tells the amazing and heartwarming story of the rescue of some 2000 wild horses from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 1995. It was a task wrought with danger from the get-go. And the fact of the matter is that the effort was none too popular with the animal rights crowd in this country either. But Don Hoglund knew better. He and his associates understood that these animals simply had to be relocated or they would not make it. The severe drought and lack of food at White Sands had made their long-term survival extremely problematic. "Nobody's Horses" is a fascinating piece of American history. The tale told by Don Hogland, DVM is simply riveting! On a scorching July day in 1994, White Sands wildlife biologist Patrick Morrow made a gruesome discovery. Scores of wild horses were dead or dying near a watering hole on the range. When the dust had settled, a total of 122 horses had died. This was really the last straw. Those in positions of responsibility who really cared about these animals were convinced that most of them would perish if left to fend for themselves in such inhospitable conditions. An incredibly painful decision was made to move these horses off the land that they had occupied for centuries. The work would be difficult and extremely dangerous. It would require a team of intensely tough and dedicated individuals. That team would be led by Don Hoglund. Don was a respected veterinarian and a nationally recognized authority on the plight of wild horses. It is clear that he was the right man for this job. "Nobody's Horses" recalls in exquisite detail the rescue of nearly 2000 wild horses from the deserts of New Mexico. In the course of this beautifully written book you will learn all about where these animals originally came from and how they had lived life on the range. You will meet several members of the team assembled by Don Hoglund including Les Gililland whose ancesters had owned several ranches in the area now occupied by the White Sands Missile Range. All of these folks were kicked off their land back in 1942 and given pennies on the dollar by the U.S. government for their land. These folks were told this was to be a temporary arrangement to help support the war effort. But these people never got to return to their homes nor did they get their livestock back and Les was still bitter. Some of the horses that were to moved were direct descendants of the animals his grandfather and great grandfather had owned. As someone who hails from the Northeast these issues were largely new to me and I found this entire story to be a real eye opener. In "Nobody's Horses" you will get a glimpse at the planning for this monumental effort and experience the trial

Anyone who has an affinity for animals, especially horses, will be fascinated and inspired while reading Nobody's Horses. Don Hoglund and his team execute a seemingly impossible task with intricate planning, lots of heart and an obvious love for the magnificent White Sands wild horses. The horses sometimes have plans of their own, however, and when a wily mare leads the horses up over an old lava flow, the reader is swept up into spine tingling high drama. I recommend Nobody's Horses as an excellent choice for anyone who loves a great adventure and a good book. Carolyn Mason, President Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc.

Nobody's Horses is a beautifully written, heartwarming story by a cowboy veterinarian dedicated to his Oath. You will feel as though you are there in the midst of American history, danger, excitement and range of emotions experienced by Dr. Hoglund as he sets forth to rescue these magnificent horses. Nobody's Horses is a fascinating tale about passion for horses, the West and their interwoven past, present and future. A real page-turner that keeps you riveted with interest every step of the way. Indeed, Nobody's Horses is a phenomenal story for everyone!

The horse has been a part of the very fabric of our American tradition. There are many who would raise the consciousness of the sorry fate of some of our equine friends. Dr. Hoglund's book, Nobody's Horses, had me riveted from the very beginning. Being a breeder of wild ponies from the barrier islands I was able to visualize every aspect of the herding, penning, tagging - and all the emotions that go with this incredibly difficult task. Also fascinating is the history of how the horses got into this predicament and to link the old wild west, e.g., Pat Garrett, Billie the Kid, etc. It just thrills me to think of these magnificent animals being ridden by these old west histoprical figures when most of us have only seen it in movies. Dr. Hoglund's dedication to this cause and his emotional attachment to "his" horses deserves accolades from everyone who lives in this country. He has truly saved one of our national symbols. Burta Boysen Thousand Welcomes Farm Chapel Hill, NC

Dr. Hoglund did a superb job capturing my attention from beginning to end of a fascinating wild horse capture. The personal sacrifice and dedication created a powerful visual of the great care and genuine concern he and others had for the wild horses and foals' safety. An added bonus was the historical references in the development of the west that illustrates the great importance of horses' dramatic influence in the development of our culture. 5 Stars for a wonderful, heartwarming book that will surely deepen your love for animals while gaining a greater appreciation of equine veterinarians! You will learn about someone who stepped far out of his normal professional comfort zone, to actually live out his oath as a veterinarian, and charging ahead toward his passion.