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

by Don Höglund, Les Gililland (Afterword), Tommie Turvey (Foreword)

Descended from the greatest horses of the American West, the wild horses living on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico were national treasures and living legends. But in 1994, after years of suffering through periodic droughts, food shortages, and all the dangers accompanying life on a military weapons–testing site, scores of horses suddenly died. And almost two thousand more were in such dire straits that they were unlikely to survive. Large-animal veterinarian Don Höglund was called in to organize and lead a team of dedicated cowboys, soldiers, and other professionals in removing the surviving horses and their offspring to safety.

 

Nobody’s Horses tells the dramatic story of these noble animals’ celebrated history, their defiant survival, and their incredible rescue. Amid the constant danger from unspent munitions on the ground and missile testing in the air, cowboys, Native Americans, and ranchers—all of whom cared deeply about the fate of the horses—clashed in a battle of wills. And, of course, there were the horses themselves—wild, extraordinarily powerful animals, not easily managed or moved, who would become known to their rescuers as fascinating, individual characters.

 

Filled with history and heroism, adventure and rivalry, and, ultimately, the alliances between horses and people, Nobody’s Horses will stir the emotions and imagination of horse lovers, humanitarians, and anyone who loves an uplifting tale of second chances.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2006

Reviews

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Don Höglund's vivid account of a wild horse rescue from 1994 is, essentially, a cowboy story sprinkled with mystery. Even when the author strayed from the main focus (horses), it was to tell an interesting piece of history. My personal highlight, however, would be his relationship with Les Gililland. Honestly, the way they interacted (read: butted heads) was like reading a western novel. I almost devoured the book in one sitting, but then realized I didn't want to be done with it so quickly.

This might've happened in 1990s, but the problems they faced then are still very real now, and the wild horses' future is still uncertain. Wild Horse Country: The History, Myth, and Future of the Mustang, America's Horse and The Horse Lover: A Cowboy's Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs for further reading, if anyone's interested.

[Marc Brackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm hardly a horse fan, I tend to view them as eating the money of people who shouldn't have them in the first place and in general consider them big walking bags of future dog food.

I'm even less a fan of so called wild horses who are eating US taxpayers out of house and home. So I had a bias to overcome when starting this book.

I must admit that the author wrote a compelling book. Afterwards I was able to appreciate a beauty in the horses and landscape that I didn't have prior. It was a quite richly woven story that pulled animals, man, and the landscape together. A pretty impressive feat.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this book five stars on subject alone. I am in full support to protect and support rescue programs like Nobody's horses talk about in the book. The book is a four-star book. I would have liked more individual stories from people involved in the rescue. Overall great book. The book has a little bit of history as to why the horses were in the area they were. I found this information very helpful; it gives horses an identity. The book walks you through the emotional ups and downs on trying to pull this rescue off and all the logistics. Wow, it is an amazing how they pulled off saving 1,800 horses.

[Rebecca Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This no fiction story was an exciting adventure. I was at White Sands only a couple of weeks ago and picked up the book there because it looked interesting. It was.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never even knew there WERE Mustangs on military land, much less high-quality Mustangs. Given the military's less-than-great history with its horses, I'm really impressed they orchestrated such a controlled removal instead of simply killing them all.

The story was told in a relatively engaging manner, highlighting the care that went into handling the horses to avoid injury and minimize their panic, with some digressions about the history of the seized ranchland that added interest rather than bogging it down. Sightings of the band of "ghost stallions," though, was by far the most thrilling part, including the way they almost orchestrated the herd's escape on day 1.

The "mystery" of how 122 horses all died in the same spot around the same time is a rather unnecessary subplot driving the book, and its conclusion is very anti-climatic. It is referred to here and there from beginning to end, but only ever briefly, and just amps up the drama for no reason when you should be focusing on the live horses.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw a lecture by this author in Corrales, New Mexico recently and loved what he had to say about moving and working with livestock. I lived this book for both information and cowboy philosophies. "Mustang" is a misnomer as "wild" horses are free roaming, feral horses. Great stuff and a truly smart author!

[Brenda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up this book that was laying around at my Mom's house; looked interesting. It was! I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating account of the wild horse roundup from White Sands New Mexico. Interwoven are the references to the government takeover of private lands, (borrowed but never relinquished back to the families) and the back story of how Don Hoglund had a "prison ministry" that connected inmates to horses, giving a glimpse of the healing for the soul that animals bring to people in every walk of life. I was so interested in the story that I did an internet search to see what Mr. Hoglund was up to now; sadly discovered that he passed from cancer just a couple of years ago.

[Virginia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fascinating and beautiful book about the rescue of wild mustangs. Even though this true story was from Hoglund's perspective I like that he included other points of view of the work he and many others were doing. It helps you to formulate your own thoughts about what is right. History, mystery, heart, rescue and more! Highly recommend.

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible true life story about the plight of our wild horses. There is no clear cut answers to the problems between man and horse but I do see some hope in these pages.

[Joyce Kuete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the history of the Texas & New Mexico area... How the ranchers were driven out by our government & the way they disregarded animal life ...Beautiful Animals that go back so far it unbelievable. It was very interesting even though it was way over my head in terms of medical terms & just history in general. This Vet wrote a wonderful book & I would love to have been there to see what & how life was in the time before it was all taken over & regulated in the name of progress of a secret need to test bombs chemicals anything to destroy people the environment animals. The survival is what was so amazing & hopeful. We do survive & we will continue to. great book!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veterinarian Don H�glund provides an autobiographical account of the roundup and removal to safety of ailing and threatened herds of wild horses that once lived on the White Sands Missile Range, NM http://www.nobodyshorses.com/ The author directed the difficult rescue project, working with a team of cowboys, ranch hands, and soldiers. (lj)

[Margo Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love and ride horses this book is fascinating. Lots of descriptions of horse behavior,,western wild horse history and love of horses. Great cowboy story