[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

The Honourable [Minister’s Full Name]
Minister of Forestry and Parks
Ministry of Forests and Parks and Rangeland Department
[Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]

Dear Minister [Minister’s Last Name],

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned and passionate advocate for Alberta’s wild horses, whose majestic presence in our foothills is not only a natural treasure but also a symbol of the province’s untamed wilderness. It is with a heavy heart that I express my opposition to the 2023 Wild Horse Management Framework that is set to remove these iconic animals from their rightful home, beginning with the stallions and applying contraceptive measures to the mares.

The proposed framework, which seeks to reduce the population of wild horses to an arbitrary threshold of 1,100 animals, is deeply troubling for several reasons. First and foremost, the rationale behind this drastic population reduction is not scientifically sound. Studies and observations consistently show that wild horse populations are naturally self-regulating, and any declines that occur are primarily due to natural causes and predation. There is no clear, compelling evidence to justify further intervention through culling or contraceptive treatments, particularly when the wild horse population is already in decline.

Your government’s stated goal of reducing the wild horse population further—below 1,100—appears to be a move toward extinction, rather than conservation. This is especially troubling given that fewer than 1,500 wild horses are left in the Alberta foothills today. The wild horses of Alberta are part of a broader ecological system, and their removal will undoubtedly have lasting negative consequences, not only for the horses themselves but for the surrounding ecosystems as well.

Additionally, there is concern that personal agendas may be influencing this decision. The involvement of a minister who has ties to big game hunting, an industry that directly benefits from the reduction of wild horses, raises serious questions about conflicts of interest. When those in positions of authority are also connected to commercial interests, it compromises the integrity of the decision-making process. I strongly urge you to consider whether such a conflict of interest may be driving the current wild horse management policies and to take immediate steps to remove the Minister from this portfolio to ensure that these decisions are made with the best interests of the environment and the public at heart, rather than personal or commercial gain.

The preservation of Alberta’s wild horses is not just an environmental issue; it is a cultural one. These horses have been part of our province’s landscape for over a century, representing the spirit of freedom and resilience. Their continued existence is something that many Albertans and people across Canada hold dear.

We ask that you reconsider the measures outlined in the 2023 Wild Horse Management Framework, and instead, seek alternative, non-invasive methods to ensure the well-being of these animals. There is no urgent need to reduce their population to dangerously low levels, and I implore you to listen to the voices of those who wish to see the wild horses of Alberta remain wild and free.

The fate of these animals is in your hands, and I sincerely hope that you will choose compassion, scientific integrity, and the values of conservation over short-sighted, harmful intervention. The time to act is now, to stand up for these magnificent creatures and preserve their place in Alberta’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Thank you for your time and attention to this pressing issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Signature, if sending by mail]

With your help we've saved 16 horses in the last few months -- horses who would otherwise have been shipped directly to slaughter -- and we currently have room to save 4 more.

Thank you to all who have so generously contributed!

UPDATE JAN. 18, 2025:  It’s been a challenging whirlwind but 16 horses have been saved, 2 placed in permanent homes which means we have room to save 4 more!

Of course, the initial expense of buying horses from First Nations (or kill buyers) so they are not shipped to slaughter is not the biggest nut to crack. Hay, feed, vetting, farrier, and other costs are needed in addition to funds to initially purchase horses to prevent them from being shipped to slaughter - or being left to languish in pens awaiting the same fate.

We always hate to ask but if you are able to help we would love to be able to fill each of the foster homes before these groups of horses are shipped.

Again, we can’t save them all but with your help we can save a total of 20!