This article was published on the (WHOAS) Wild Horses of Alberta's Eastern Slopes website in relation to our involvement with Dr. Claudia Notzke. Ken McLeod and my self are very pleased to see someone of such notoriety taking a strong interest in the Bronson Forest “Wild” horses. Please read the article by Doreen Henderson. Then spend some time looking at the images of these animals running free in the Bronson Forest. Take a moment from your day to enjoy and educate yourself on their plight. Then please read what could be if we were to have the support of Government and the people of this region.

Geographer Studies North American Wild Horses

Dr. Claudia Notzke, a geographer and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management of the University of Lethbridge, has observed wild/feral horse populations around the world.   She is a self described equestrienne and outdoors person, intimately familiar with horse behaviour and ecological and social issues pertaining to wild horses, based on decades of experience.  In 2004 she spent several weeks in Mongolia, working on a Przewalski Horse re-introduction project in Hustai National Park.  Recent observations include the Hutewald Project in Germany, which is one example of various undertakings in several European countries as well as Siberia, where re-introduced wild horses are considered ecosystem engineers that enhance and re-create biodiversity in flora and fauna.  Furthermore, managers of these projects acknowledge horses as a species belonging to that particular environment in spite of their long absence from it. 

North American Wild Horses are the focus of Dr. Notzke's newest study.  The areas of interest in Canada include Alberta's Eastern Slopes, BC's Brittany Triangle and Saskatchewan's Bronson Forest, near Lloydminster.  The American aspect of her study will include Wyoming and North and South Dakota.  Particularly in Canada, she has found it challenging to locate any scientific data regarding wild/feral horses.  Her analysis will include legislation and/or management strategies pertaining to the wild/feral horses or lack thereof, in the two countries.  As an outcome of her international studies of how wild horse populations are viewed and handled, recommendations will be made, as to how these animals can be managed as environmental, social and economic assets.   Dr. Notzke will address the contentious environmental issues regarding allegations of damage caused by free-roaming horses.   Along with reviewing these claims, she will also examine the fall-out of the removal of the Suffield wild/feral horses.  In view of the void of scientific data concerning the impact of free-roaming horses in Canada, Dr. Notzke hopes to awaken an interest among colleagues in the Life Sciences and to solicit their cooperation in initiating and supervising Graduate research in the under-explored field.  .   

Dr. Notzke plans on interviewing experts in relevant disciplines regarding range-ecology, eco-forestry and paleo-ecology.  The interviews will include other stakeholders as well, such as government officials, Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) and area ranchers affected by the free-roaming horses.  Dr. Notzke spent several days observing the horses in the Eastern Slopes with the Henderson's, Bob and Doreen (WHOAS) July 15 & 16, 2006, and in the Bronson Forest North of Lloydminster, with Ken McLeod and Ray Sproull, July 24th & 25, 2006.  She plans on future trips in both those areas again, along with an excursion to see BC's Brittany Triangle horses.  In relation to these particular horses, to interview representatives of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, the Friends of the Nemaiah Valley, Biologist Wayne McCroy and BC Government officials. 

Dr. Notzke's most recent books include "Aboriginal Peoples and Natural Resources in Canada", 1994 and "The Stranger, the Native and the Land": Perspectives on Indigenous Tourism".  2006.

Written by Doreen Henderson,

All photos taken by: Ray Sproull B&R Photography Ltd © 2006

Near and dear to my heart!

July 2006

Dr. Claudia Notzke investigating a small group of wildies.

Appreciation for the close proximity she can view the horses.

But then as depicted here, who is observing whom?

Bob and Doreen Henderson were in the Bronson Forest observing

the wild horses when these winter images were taken.

Years of drought, poor pastures and many predators have been very

hard on these herds. But they still survive. 2005 marked the end of

the drought. Pastures are lush and the herd is strong!

Spring 2005, lead stud is explaining the rules of conduct to me.

There is opportunity here, tourism and economic growth can be a

very real aspect of this area. Eco Tourism, land conservation and

management. We need the cattle and horses and other wild life here to

keep the pasture health and strong.

Not just the Bronson area, but Northern Alberta all though northern

Saskatchewan. Historical sites, cultures, native history as well as

the history of the settlement of this area. 

Wild life is abundant and needed for the eco-system to stay in balance.

Predators, yes predators! Are a needed form of keeping the wildlife healthy

and strong. Really they are not a threat but a very useful aspect of the

eco-system that keeps everything in balance.

This young wolf followed me out of the trees like a heel hound. I had at least

five minutes to photograph him and observe him observing me.

Observation and realization from Ray Sproull

First and foremost, realize I am not a University Professor. That is the position of Dr. Claudia Notzke. But this is my old stomping ground; I basically grew up between North Bend and Paradise Hill. My great grandmother Ruby Campbell taught school at Red Cross. William Campbell had the first sawmill on the river at North Bend close to the Fort Pitt Ranch. He and his brothers-in-law the Howard's wrangled horses from the Bronson area to use at the mill. The Howard boys trained and sold them all over the area. My great grandmother would take me there for picnics just to watch the horses and tell me stories of these herds swiping feed from the feeder at the school used by the students horses. All her stories of this area are recorded on tape for future generations to here her voice and remember the heritage.

Wouldn't it be devastating if the horses disappeared, my grand children would not be able to see and be in the areas of my childhood and understand the importance of the preservation of these areas all over Canada?

John Priest put me on my first horse when I was still in diapers, (got a photo) much of my teens and young adult years were spent around horses in one way or another. My great uncle Harry Sproull and my Grandfather George Sproull were blacksmiths and farriers. I learned to break and train horses under their guidance. Learned shoeing and foot doctoring as Grandpa called it, all came in handy working Muriel Lake Pasture, Senlak Pasture and the Provost pasture. I worked 23 years as a photographer on the Rodeo circuit and was quite involved with the round up at Suffield.

Then I ran into Ken McLeod who reintroduced me to the Bronson wild horses. At first I was skeptical and then could not believe what I saw. Horses cut up by what looked like a chainsaw stuffed in a barrel for bear bate. When most slaughtering places would love to give away the gut and entrails they pay to have hauled away... Why? Was my first question! Then came more evidence of Government not caring, DNR had no laws to protect them - WHY? Ah they are "Feral" - government meaning of feral is "a nuisance, domestics running loose."

Really? Webster's dictionary says, "1: of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast <feral teeth> <feral instincts>
 2 a: not domesticated or cultivated: WILD b: having escaped from domestication and become wild <feral cats>"

WOW! They are domestic horses with no brand no tag, no owner. Hmmm... I have personally recorded 36 new born, in the wild. Why is it that if your Rottweiler goes nuts and chews someone up they call him a wild animal? Why is it if your farm dog starts running with the coyotes and wolves he is called a wild dog? My personal favorite as of late, officials using terms like introduced species, not native to the land. Oh? Introduced species... HUH? Well then, Seagulls, Sparrows, many of the animals and breads of animals running "FERAL" in our forests are fair game under no protection laws. Blended breeds whitetail and mule deer cross-breading "FERAL!”

So lets take these government officials and spokes people to task, literal translation of their statements the lawyers do! All you hunters don't need licenses for blended breed they are Feral animal. Let start shooting seagulls that were introduce to this area VIA our garbage and population growth, they really are Feral. There are so many animals in the forests - Mule deer are North of the river now, hmmm... not native to the area? They must be Feral. Man you could shoot a different animal every day for a year and still not be done killing - so-called Feral animals.

So the government calls them Feral - Webster's dictionary says, "1: of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast <feral teeth> <feral instincts>
 2 a: not domesticated or cultivated: WILD b: having escaped from domestication and become wild <feral cats>"

I have actual photographs and witnesses and personal family history that will have these animals in the region since the 1800's. Who cares if their DNA goes back to Valdez horses - which it does! But then at least 40% of the domestic strain carries the same genes, big deal. Dispute if you wish there future but quite BS-ing me on their heritage.

The Saskatchewan Government was presented a very lucrative scenario that would increase employment all through the northern part of Saskatchewan. Allowing many forms of businesses and local communities to join in and grow with it. Eco-tourism is a fancy name for promoting your area and attracting foreign visitors to share in your heritage and culture.

We negotiated with and attracted investors who were willing to invest large sums of money into this development. We need Federal Government support and support from the local population to make this a viable venture. We still receive negative response from locals who have not done their homework and are speaking out of emotion and not reason.

So again to all those who oppose our intentions. We want to make it viable for you and your neighbors to have access to other forms of employment. Opportunity to develop your own businesses, share your culture and be more involved in your community. The investment is there to make this happen. We do not want your land; we do not want to stop your cattle from grazing feed they do now. In fact according to our study you ranchers are using less than 40% of available feed now! So what is the fight about?

You're worried about land management and environment conservation - big words for making sure your animals are not stepping on beer bottles, swallowing bottle caps, plastic bags, string or lets get descriptive human fesses on discarded toilet paper. No I'm sure you would rather people keep discarding old broke snow machine parts and throwing garbage in the lake your animals drink from. What we are proposing is to protect this environment for your animals and all Gods animals. Controlled use, with penalties to those who abuse the use of the land or pollute.  It isn't landowners or ranchers; it is weekend warriors who have no respect for the land or the animals that are causing 90% of the destruction and damage. Why should you have to clean up after them or pay the price for their actions?

Our concerns have never been the animals grazing, "that is required." We need the ranchers to provide the animals to maintain the pasture quality. There aren’t enough horses in Northern Canada to over graze the proposed area for conservation and control. The wild moose and deer don't come close to consuming enough to even make a difference. Ranchers, think of this - if there were no deer, moose or horses, how many more calves would be taken by the wolves in the spring? I see we have cougars up there now, hmmm wonder what they eat? Oh I get it... Open season on the predators, shoot on site and all the good stuff. That is what we want to control and maintain is the eco-balance. Controlled hunting, will assure the safety of your animals. Controlled, managed wildlife. If nature doesn't clean up the sick we will. Environment protection and clean up of the area. What you carry in you carry out, same as the Saskatchewan Grasslands Park. The ranchers were not able to supply enough beef to graze the 36 square miles so now they have introduce - sorry no - re-introduced buffalo.

My door is open and I am willing to talk with any concerned people about our involvement and efforts to see the area cleaned up and protected. I admit my concern is for the wild horse herds in the area. Their protection will assure the protection for any cattle and other wildlife sharing this area. My hopes and wishes are that this is only the beginning of an eco-tourism situation that will open the north from the mountains to the Canadian Shield. Allowing our local artists, native cultures, museums and land heritage sites the ability to generate revenue that will improve and support their growth and development and preservation for future generations of Canadians Indigenous or imported! Help break down cultural barriers between natives opening up a sharing of cultural experiences. How many Canadians have ever been to a Pow Wow, how many natives have ever celebrated Irish, Scottish, German, English Asian and on and on traditional events. Canadians are different because we are diverse in cutler - we open up to the world we open up to each other. No matter the color of the skin or the shape of the eyes underneath we are heart soul and mind, flesh and blood. "Human" So all you humans, I am asking for humane treatment of the animals, heart felt conservation of the land and a personal interest and caring for your neighbors. With this we will be the strongest country in the world with the most loved people in the world. But please don't get me wrong - I love my steaks! Fish fry! Fried Chicken! But we don't need to be in humane to our food supply or cruel and abusive to the land. Native culture refers to the land as being the mother to all mankind - is this how you would treat your mother? The bible says we are all brothers and sister in the lord - ok sure I argue with my brother but I love him and would do nothing to deliberately hurt him. Together we could do so much more, sway government our way by showing and proving the viability of such a project.

This will not be easy, quick or cheap! But think of all the fun we could have doing it together. All of us - no racial barriers - none! Is it a dream? Or are Canadian's really the people the world thinks we are?

Ray Sproull concerned citizen for the protection of wild horses and preservation of land and historical value of the country I love! Canada