Wild horses arrive at Madeleine Pickens’ eco-sanctuary in Nevada
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Pickens has been a longtime advocate for animal welfare. After learning that many racehorses were being killed in slaughterhouses after their racing days were over, Pickens and her husband, billionaire T. Boone Pickens worked to end horse slaughter. In 2008, Mrs. Pickens approached the BLM with the intent to create a sanctuary to house Mustangs that had been rounded up and removed from public land. Finally, in fall of 2010, the BLM agreed to support a pilot program for Pickens’ sanctuary.
The first horses arrive at Madeleine Pickens’ Mustang Monument
The sanctuary covers more than 500,000 acres, according to Pickens’ website, and is located near Elko, Nev. Earlier this month, the first group of horses, all mares and foals, was trucked in and let loose at the Mustang Monument.
Pickens hopes that her sanctuary will ultimately become a tourist destination and educational opportunity for Americans. Under her original plan, visitors would be able to camp and hike in the sanctuary and see the Mustangs in their natural habitat. For now, she is just happy to see horses at home at the Mustang Monument.
“I cannot aptly describe the experience, but this is definitely a mission driven by God,” she said on her website. “He has blessed us all with this wonderful gift…We are so lucky. I am so lucky. I’ve been surrounded by so many supporters and friends and I can’t thank you all enough. I am overwhelmed, speechless, and very fulfilled. It’s a new beginning.”
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Awesome !
THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING. IF MORE MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES WOULD PUT FORTH THIS KIND OF EFFORT AND HELP ANIMALS IN NEED, THE WORLD WOULD BE SUCH A BETTER PLACE FOR ANIMALS LESS FORTUNATE. AND I DONT MEAN JUST A LITTLE MONEY DONATED HERE OR THERE, I MEAN A MAJOR SANCTUARY WHERE THEY COULD LIVE OUT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER FOREVER HOMES TO HUNDREDS, OR EVEN THOUSANDS, OF HOMELESS PETS AND LIVESTOCK. WISH I COULD. GOOD FOR HER AND ALL SHE HAS DONE. I HOPE SHE CAN INSPIRE OTHERS, AS FINANCIALLY WELL OFF AS SHE, TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
Thank you is such a small thing to say, but I truly mean thank you.
YESSSS!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOO!! MUCH MRS. PICKENS YOU ARE HELPIING HUNDREDS OF THESE BEAUTIFUL,WILD HORSES! GOD BLESS YOU!
This is great! Thank you!
Glad to see that the mustangs have someplace to go. I just wish there were more safe places for them.
Those few Mustangs are a good beginning. Now, if only the government will take her seriously and stop all the road blocks that surround her. No new laws have to be created for her dreams to become reality. Stop the wasteful spending of tax payers money and let her go on with this. The little bit she will be paid for these services is well worth it to me. Rather than the millions upon millions the BLM is wasting on a monthly basis.
How wonderful that the first mustangs are finally there. It sure took some time!
Thanks for sharing the video though it seems that the camera favours the sky!
There is a horse heaven thanks to Pickens and she is an example of what faith in a cause and true determination can do, move the mountains. I am so grateful for her efforts on behalf of the horse. Bless you Ms. Pickens, it was a pleasure to meet you briefly in Washington on June 8th.
Sincerely, Heather
I can't believe it...it has finally happened. The perseverance that Madeleine Pickens displayed made me believe this dream would come through. Today is a great day...