The Horse Lover: A Cowboy's Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs

by H. Alan Day

He already owned and managed two ranches and needed a third about as much as he needed a permanent migraine: that’s what Alan Day said every time his friend pestered him about an old ranch in South Dakota. But in short order, he proudly owned 35,000 pristine grassy acres. The opportunity then dropped into his lap to establish a sanctuary for unadoptable wild horses previously warehoused by the Bureau of Land Management. After Day successfully lobbied Congress, those acres became Mustang Meadows Ranch, the first government-sponsored wild horse sanctuary established in the United States.
The Horse Lover is Day’s personal history of the sanctuary’s vast enterprise, with its surprises and pleasures and its plentiful dangers, frustrations, and heartbreak. Day’s deep connection with the animals in his care is clear from the outset, as is his maverick philosophy of horse-whispering, with which he trained fifteen hundred wild horses. The Horse Lover weaves together Day’s recollections of his cowboying adventures astride some of his best horses, all of which taught him indispensable lessons about loyalty, perseverance, and hope. This heartfelt memoir reveals the Herculean task of balancing the requirements of the government with the needs of wild horses.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Horses, Biography, Memoir

264 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

You might say my upbringing branded me a cowboy from the day I was born. I was part of the third generation to grow up on the 200,000-acre Lazy B cattle ranch straddling the high deserts of southern Arizona and New Mexico. I loved the ranching and cowboy lifestyle so much that after graduating from the University of Arizona, I returned to manage Lazy B for the next 40 years. One of the main commitments I has been to land stewardship.

In the 1980’s, I purchased a second cattle ranch in Nebraska and soon after, a ranch in South Dakota. The latter became the first government-sponsored sanctuary for unadoptable wild horses (the subject of my upcoming memoir, The Horse Lover, releasing in March 2014 with University of Nebraska Press.) While working with the cattle on Lazy B and the Rex Ranch in Nebraska, I developed a herd modification-training program and trained over 2000 head of cattle to follow a cowboy on horseback. I applied this program to training the 1500 wild mustangs I received from the Bureau of Land Management and within months, much to my delight, they too followed a lead horse and rider.

Now retired from ranching, I divide my time between Tucson and Pinetop, Arizona. Instead of chasing cattle in the prickly desert, I chase a little white ball across groomed grass. But not so often that I can't get in some writing too.

Reviews

[Debra Brenegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book finds the sweet spot between chronicling H. Alan Day's adventures setting up and running the nation's first wild horse sanctuary and his stories about the unforgettable horses that he was lucky enough to know. The good-humored, warm cowboy voice makes this book a delightful read, and the writing is so clean and easy that readers will find that the pages almost turn themselves. I'm no horsewoman, but reading this wonderful book makes me want to saddle up . . . or at least pay fierce attention to the plight of the nation's wild horses.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended to me after reading Nobody's Horses, and offered a great look at an option for what happens when the Mustangs you capture aren't good adoption candidates. Although written more recently, it takes place in the late 80s/early 90s. I want to think the BLM has become less obnoxious and bureaucratic since then, but I'm quite sure this is a hopeful lie. I also want to rake anyone who objected to this sanctuary over the coals, because how could you POSSIBLY not realize this is the best solution anyone has ever proposed for excess Mustangs? I wouldn't even care if it was a grab for money, though I'm sure it wasn't, because it's a boatload better than the idea of keeping the excess in Mustang Jail.

To that end, it's disquieting to realize this beautiful project lasted less than 5 years because of ridiculous bureaucracy (why create more Mustang sanctuaries when you could just have people bid for the same contract and shuffle the animals around at extreme expense that negates the savings in the bid, right?). But even before that, it was disturbing the way the BLM, which still technically owns all the horses, counts them as mere numbers and decides what to do with them with no hands-on experience or willingness to discuss things with people who do. It's utterly ruthless at times.

I certainly believe in maximizing efficiency with taxpayer money, but I have a blind spot for animal-related expenditures. Regardless, Alan Day is clearly not only the horse lover the title describes, but also a businessman. He points out reasonably, several times, how his practices are not only better for the horses but equally or more economical than the government's system. It got so frustrating to read about that ultimately, it's almost a relief when he no longer has to put up with them.

In addition to evocative writing about the way he set up the sanctuary and amazingly trained the horses to respond in a manner similar to range cattle -- not tame or individually gentled/broken, but able to recognize cues for movement so that they can be taken care of and rotated to different pastures -- the book is peppered with stories of his favorite ranch horses over a lifetime. That was my favorite part, but it was closely seconded by his stories of working with another great cowboy-author combo, Dayton O. Hyde, and the time Kevin Costner called him up and scouted the location as a potential place to shoot Dances With Wolves.

[Gina McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

H. Alan Day writes a heartfelt encounter with America's Wild Mustangs. I had the great opportunity to Sept/Oct 2014 issue of trueCOWBOYmagazine. A seasoned equestrian, Day tells it like it is; through red tape, vast grasslands, and political encounters, the Mustangs will find their place. Thanks, H. Alan, for looking out for the Mustangs. Recommended reading for everyone.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that every horse lover should read. It is the memoir of Alan Day and his attempt to save the unadoptable wild mustangs. A horse lover and rancher , Alan decides to turn a ranch in South Dakota into a sanctuary for these wonderful beautiful animals. So thus the Mustang Meadows Ranch was born . The first ever government run sanctuary.

I couldn't put this book down. I was so wrapped up in the story of the mustangs . The story might of been a memoire of Alan but I also believe that this book is a memoire of the wild mustangs that were so much of his life for those five years. To hear the thundering of all those hooves would be soul changing. To entwine their story with Alan's story was nothing but beautiful. You feel the love that Alan has for all the horses that have come into his life. The horses have played such an pivotal role in shaping the way Alan trained them. He was horse whispering before Horse whispering was all the rage. The memories of his interactions of his horses through out his life fit right in. I want a Saber and an Aunt Jamima in my life . Those horses were all heart and soul.

But I will say there were some very sad parts in this book that had me , as a horse lover. crying buckets of tears. I know how Alan felt when he had to do something that was entirely against everything he was trying to do on the ranch. I almost couldn't read that part it broke my heart. But I did and understood every feeling he had . When he had to do it.

This memoire has reclaimed my passion for all horses . How I want to capture the horses on film to keep their proud and beautiful spirits free. Before they are no more around. I want to thank Mr Alan Day for writing this book . You wove magic with your words . You took me on an adventure . I was cheering and crying right along with your words. As a horse lover and breeder , I just want to say again thank you .

So if you have a horse lover in your midst , you need to get them this book. Trust me you will not be disappointed in this book . You will fall in love with the mustangs ,you will giggle at some antics, feel the frustration and cry tears . You won't be disappointed

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid and detailed, I couldn't put this memoir down. I'm NOT a horse person, but I had met Alan Day and heard some of the story of how he started the first wild horse sanctuary in the US. I was hooked. The horse stories will tug at your heart, I even found myself in tears a few times. Beautifully written, detailed, rich, and vivid. I particularly loved the Kevin Costner story of when he came to Alan's ranch to see if it would be a place to film "Dances with Wolves."
THE HORSE LOVER is an American classic tale, and Alan is the quintessential cowboy! If you like memoirs, horse books, stories about America, American life, then this is a must read.

[Karla Martinsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and has its smiles and tears. I started reading this because not knowing much of the plight of our American Mustangs and being an animal lover I wanted to learn. Well, folks you learn; you learn that the almighty dollar is "always" the bottom line and once again the BLM proves most government programs are slimy. Cynical, you bet. Cudos to Alan Day for trying.

His memoirs of the horses of his heart were wonderful. His descriptions of the 1500 Mustangs made you hear and see them!

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, basically, you work real hard and dare to live your dream -- and all you have to show for it is nothing -- except perhaps a potential book contract.

Well-written but horrific book about not being able to save mustangs -- but what book about mustangs aren't horrific tales about how someone can't save them? They are the ultimate lost cause.

After reading this, I just want to curl up in a fetal position and pull the covers over my head.

[Peggy Conver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful effort to save these special horses

Mustangs are a key part of the myth and reality of the American west yet the political paper pushers assigned to love and care for these living beings are as corrupt and selfish as every other bureaucratic mess. Into this world rode Alan Day- committed to providing care and sanctuary for these animals. I wish the ending had not been so predictable but it takes nothing away from Mr Day's most impressive efforts.

[Kimberly Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a horse lover? If yes, read this. Are you an animal lover? If yes, read this. Do you enjoy a good read? If yes, then read this. Mr. Day is a cattle rancher. Been one all his life. On a visit with a friend, he is shown a ranch in South Dakota. A mere 33,000 acre paradise of grass land. He was approached by this friend to become a wild mustang sanctuary. After a lot of bureaucratic paperwork and a lot of sweat, he purchased the ranch, made deal with the government to become home to 1500 wild mustangs that had been removed from a wild herd in Oklahoma. These mustangs were deemed unadoptable due to age, condition or disability. This book records his success at taking care of these wild beauties and his struggles. It's a story of his love of the land, his own horses and the wild mustangs that became his friends. It's poignant, sad and heartwarming. It brings to life the plight of the wild mustang and the government that has been sworn to protect them.

[Anna Catherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, heartwarming and uplifting read...until the last chapter. Seriously, if you want a nice, happy wild horse book, this isn't for you. Then again, I'm not sure that book even exists about mustangs at this point. Their story just seems eternally gut-wrenching.
Anyways, the ending aside, this memoir is one of the best I've read, mixing the story of Mustang Meadows with stories from Alan's life in a way that seemed fairly natural. All the stories complemented each other well, and offered some good horse-training insights along with some nice, feel-good stories about the power of horses, and a few heartbreaking ones, too.

[Peri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually do not give a spoiler, but I think one is needed for this book. Let me start out with that I really enjoyed this book, but if you are a sensitive person when it comes to the cruelty to horses you will not like the ending.

Now that that is said, the author does a wonderful job of weaving his lifetime stories of his horse friends into this book while at the same time telling us about starting the horse sanctuary. The stories are delightful. Also, following him on his journey of acquiring the ranch and bringing the horses to the property is quite fascinating. But, even better than that is the relationship he bonds with them.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a really great story. I was bummed out by the end though.
However I never really connected with the writing. I was interested in the story and kept going. Unfortunately I was never really hooked by narrative. I am not sure why… I love horses and conservation but this wasn’t my book.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story of how love and understand can get wild horses to behave how you’d like them too without electric proding or hurting the horses themselves.

Parts of this story were heartbreaking and others plain just unfair where I cried throughout them. A great read for every horse lover and those who love animals.

[Grazyna Nawrocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was reading, I had that relaxing feeling of being right there on the meadows, surrounded by happy, roaming free mustangs. I love gentle approach to training those wild animals described by Mr. Day. The book "swallowed me up," and I finished it in three days.

[Macy Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible while working on a research project related to wild horse management. A word of caution— it doesn’t end happily. (Don’t read if you want to have any faith left in government agencies.)

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Alan Day had a dream to save unadoptable wild horses and worked with the Bureau of Land Management to create his sanctuary. I enjoyed learning what he learned about managing the horses. He managed the sanctuary for almost 5 years. The ending was difficult to accept.

[Linda Pavich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke my heart for H. Alan Day. His Love and commitment to the unadoptable mustangs and how The BLM treated him. God Bless you Mr Day and all the heartaches you went through for those Beautiful Horses

[Brodi Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinated by the empathy a cattle farmer finds for the wild mustangs. The stories around his own horses and his daughter showing a horse…so good. BLM practices are so questionable but yet driven by the economics of saving horses…or not.

[Nancy Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. So much so that I'm buying a copy after borrowing one from the library. So much more than it appears at first glance.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It sounded interesting, it just read a little dry.

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book by H. Alan Day. The author's heart and true character is fully revealed in the final chapters of this memoir.

[Mary Dayhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book at the local thrift store for $1 and it is signed by the author!

Now having read it, I must say how sad the government handles many of its departments. Anytime you deal with animals there are always heartbreaking moments and this was true of this story. But when the heartbreak is not from true love and caring but a bureaucracy and its myopic mind-set it is truly sad.

Written well.

[... · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★

[Pankaj Goyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Horse Lover: A Cowboy’s Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs by H. Alan Day and Lynn Wiese Sneyd is the memoir of Alan Day. This is a heart touching tale of Alan Day’s efforts to save the wild mustangs. Day’s personal life in this book reads like a novel with his emphasis on the story of mustangs and his relationships with these animals. In this beautifully woven tale, Dale immortalise his life-experience by giving it the form of a story.

The story is about the mustangs captured by the US Government and adopted out. However, many of these (crippled, one-eyed, thin, shaggy and old) were unable to be adopted out. These unadoptable horses were being kept in holding pens where ‘long-term’ turns out to be forever (A lifelong horse prison). H. Alan Day comes up with the idea to take these unwanted, unloved horses and put them on good range where they can roam freely again. Most importantly, this ranch will become a place where these horses can be cared for. While this was an interesting idea, this kind of work was never done before. In addition, Alan Day had no experience in dealing with wild horses. However, he was a cattle rancher who had shared cowboying adventures of unbelievable kind. He believed that this plan could work if set up correctly. It appeared to him an opportunity to do something gigantic, something that had never been done before. This book tells us about Day’s efforts to achieve this gigantic feat.

The terrain authors tread is indeed challenging. The authors selected and organised the raw material available to them and transformed this material into a striking tale. The routine of ordinary life of horse ranching is transformed into a rich experience. The data is not presented in a photographic way; the exclusion of certain episodes from authors’ life makes the writing emphasising on certain other events. The very ordinary people are focused on in amazingly, extraordinary manner. Their minor aims and their small/petty machinations brilliantly come to life. This makes this book an interesting read.

The descriptions of wild mustangs and the ranch are believable. One can actually see and feel the mustangs running here and there in the ranch. One can even feel the thundering of the hooves of the running horses. The training scenes of horses are vivid and detailed. Additionally, the book has many events which not only touch your heart but also bring a lump in your throat. One such event is when Alan Day is asked to kill some of the horses by the Government. One can feel the emotional state of Alan when he had to do something like this. This was entirely against everything what Alan Day was trying to achieve in the ranch. One feels the love Alan has for all the horses that come into his life. Events like these tug at your heart and can even bring tears in your eyes. While the beginning of the book is slow, the story soon becomes fast paced and difficult to put down. The events describing Alan’s interactions with his horses throughout the book are beautifully portrayed. While the first chapter of the book lights up your heart, the climax of the book forces you to think hard.

This memoir is definitely a must read for all the horse lovers. Go for it if you are a horse lover.

(I received this book from the author through Bostick Communications in exchange for an honest review.)

Read more on:
http://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2014/07...

[Larry Bergsgaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from: The Horse Lover: A Cowboy's Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs (Hardcover)
My spurs had not stopped jingling when I slunk into the Lazy Boy with H. Alan Day's Horse Lover. I'd just finished a day of pushing cows and steers all of which had their own ideas of what the future would hold for them. I'd headed a fat steer and suffered the indignity of nearly loosing my fingers to an ever tightening lariat. My brave mare had faced down a dozen crazed cows pawing and snorting to rescue their calves. I was exhausted and still reeked of horse sweat and cow crap. Then a few chapters into Horse Lover and my spirit rose from the manure pile. Mr. Day, a life-long cattle rancher and horseman, through his entertaining tales of misadventure showed me that even an expert cowboy faces failure with each new step into the saddle. I mean, yeah, I got my lariat tangled under a dozen racing cows, but at least I didn't loose my horse. Sure, I fought for an hour to bust the bull from under the mesquite, but I hadn't roped him and dallied him to a horse half his weight. Perhaps, in some way, the timing of picking up this gifted book was more than serendipity. The entertaining book gave me hope to dust myself off and get back into the saddle like Mr Day whose real life experiences evidence a man of character, a man of the Old West Traditions.
Enough of my personal connection to this excellent read. Honestly, I hadn't noticed when I began to read that Mr. Day had a co-author, Lynn Wiese Sneyd. In fact, after a few hours of reading, I took a break and told my wife, "That cowboy, Day, sure can write!" "Did he have a ghost writer? she asked. By golly, I went back and looked. I shouted back, "Yup, and a dang good one too!"
Being a cowboy and a writer myself, I've got an idea how rare those two occupations collide. Ms. Sneyd's
contributions to the story are obvious in the superior descriptions of the scenery with a hint of femininity I suspect Mr. Day would deny.
The story of a rancher's love of horses is touching but not unexpected. Other than Beverly Hills pampered and stabled horses, no one has a richer relationship with their horse than a cowboy. Having driven as many as 300 horses, I can only imagine the thrill of pushing 1500 wild horses across some of the riches grassland in America. Mr. Day was a lucky fellow indeed to have enjoyed his years with the mustangs.
Not surprising although still disappointing was the government bureaucrats handling to "their" horses. I'd been surprised at a happy ending once Mr. Day and his charges came under the unfeeling thumbs of the experts, a few who could even tell the difference between a cow and horse. I am impressed with Mr. Day's reaction to the frustration. He truly "Cowboy Upped!"
While his story of the wild horses is compelling and fascinating, the fullness of the text is completed by the backstories. By golly, like any good cowboy, he's got a hat full of 'em. I laughed and winced at his antics, some of which could have ended his life long before he had a chance to become a darn good writer. I look forward to reading more of the Day stories. His books are already on the bedside table.
L. D. Bergsgaard
www.ldbergsgaard.net

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Horse Lover: A Cowboy’s Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs by H. Alan Day and Lynn Wiese Sneyd is a true story of the first sanctuary for wild Mustangs. Mustangs had been captured by the US Government and adopted out. Many of those were unable to be adopted out and were being kept in pens across the western United States. H. Alan Day came up with the idea to provide sanctuary to the horses that allowed them to roam free once more yet being protected and cared for.
H. Alan Day was the owner of two large ranches: the Lazy B in Arizona and New Mexico; and the Rex Ranch in Nebraska. Between the two ranches, he ran more than 40,000 head of cattle. He grew up around cattle and horses and had many favorite horses of his own. However, they were work horses and were tame. He was spread thin as it was flying between the two ranches.
One summer day in 1988, a real estate agent, Joe Nutter, finally pestered him enough about seeing a ranch that he gave in. He met Joe and they traveled to the old Arnold Ranch in South Dakota. It was thirty-five thousand acres of prairie land and was absolutely beautiful. When he was on the ranch, Alan felt at home and that he was meant to own the land. Finally he broke down and bought the land not knowing what he was going to do with it. However, the Pitkin family lived on the ranch and agreed to stay and run it for him.
Dayton Hyde found him at a meeting of the New Mexico’s Cattle Grower’s Association and asked him to help talk to the Bureau of Land Management for him. Alan had a good relationship with them and Dayton needed his help in talking to them about the plight of the wild mustangs being held in pens. Dayton did not have a solution to the problem but wanted something done. This sparked an idea in Alan’s head. Why not use the new ranch for them and keep them alive and well for the US Government. He and Dayton set out on a mission that took them to Congress and back to set up a sanctuary.
The main problem they saw was how to keep the animals on the ranch and keep them off other ranches. Alan used a technique he used on his wild cattle, he trained them to follow men on horseback or on motorcycles. This took a long time but eventually he had 15,000 wild mustangs on his South Dakota ranch he renamed Mustang Meadow Ranch. His experiment worked.
This book tells of his trials and travels to get the sanctuary set up. It tells of the wild mustangs and the descriptions of the mustangs and the ranch are spectacular. When he describes the mustangs racing over a hill towards him, you can actually see and feel them. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor writes the introduction to her brother’s book. However, she did not use her influence nor did he ask her to use it to help set up the sanctuary. This was, however, the opinion of others in the Bureau of Land Management and the sanctuary was eventually taken away from him and moved to Oklahoma. Alan’s time with the wild mustangs and Mustang Meadow was over. It is an excellent book and so easy to read but so difficult to put down.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about the American West, animal conservation, cowboy life and the frustration of dealing with government bureaucracy. Who else would order horses killed after spending so much time, effort and money in saving them?

[Dana Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read! I love Day's style of writing. The ending did come as quite a surprise to me. Not only did I feel Day's heartache, but I am left with immense anger at the government's appalling cruelty to the horses they had so staunchly "protected" in the beginning.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down! I read it as a library loan but enjoyed it so much I bought the physical book. It was fascinating to read about how the government has handled/is handling wild mustangs.

[Sharon Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative exciting life of cowboys and mustangs

A great read you don't have to love horses to enjoy this book. I applaud Alan Day for his devotion and hard work trying to save an American legacy. Left to our government bureaucrats all the mustangs will soon be lost forever.