Pipsqueak

We found this frightened little Pipsqueak with her mother, Lady Grey, and Mr. Bojangles at a kill pen in Texas. Bojangles is not her biological father, but the three are a bonded family that we could not allow to ship to slaughter. Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to save them and send them on their way to Malibu for love, intake care and some rehabilitation before sending them to Oregon, their homeland.

We know from their brands that Lady Grey and Bojangles were born in grim environment of the Burns corrals in Oregon. Their mothers were mares that were rounded up from the Warm Springs HMA. As yearlings, they were adopted out together. In between their adoption and the kill pen, Lady Grey gave birth to this beautiful, little girl.

We hate to think about what experiences Pipsqueak had that left her utterly terrified of humans. They were monstrous people to condemn her to a savage death by slaughter. A bundle of nerves, she stayed right next to her mother, as if she anticipated being dragged away at any moment. Indeed, the heartless trader at the kill pen said he would sell them separately, a devastating trauma for mustangs, who form deep familial bonds.

Thin and bedraggled, Pipsqueak had never been cared for, but she’s making the adjustment thanks to our wonderful volunteers in Malibu. She put on weight with proper nutrition. She accepts human hands, offered in kindness, with cookies, gentle scratches, and equine massage. She and her mother relaxed so much that they started nursing again.

We suspect Mr.Bojangles may be Chief’s brother as he comes from the same herd and possesses that same light-hearted goofiness, which balances her mother’s serious reserve.

Today, this happy little family romps and grazes on the slopes in Malibu. Boots the Mini-Mule comes to the fence to flirt with Lady Grey and Pipsqueak. Boots believes that they - like all the girls at the ranch - are his. Their scent triggers Flehmen’s response, putting a toothy grin on his face. Then Mr. Bojangles tells him to knock it off and leads his mares away. Bit by bit, their wild horse instincts are awakening and we look forward to the day they will live wild and free in Oregon, where Pipsqueak will find plenty of youngsters her own age to play with.

#skydogpipsqueak

Mustangs & Burros Need Your Help

In addition to supporting our work by donating, becoming a patron on Patreon, or sponsoring a Skydog, there are several important pieces of legislation to protect American equines currently moving through Congress. It only takes a few minutes to contact your Rep and Senators and urge them to support these bills:

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3475 in the House / S.2307 in the Senate). This bill will shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year.

The Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act of 2023 (H. R. 3656) This bill will prohibit the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft in the management of wild mustangs and burros on public lands, and require a report on humane alternatives to current management practices.

Ejiao Act of 2023 (H.R. 6021). To ​​ban the sale or transportation of ejiao, a gelatin made from boiling donkey skins, or products containing ejiao in interstate or foreign commerce, which brutally kills millions of donkeys primarily for beauty products and Chinese medicine.

You can Contact Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121‬, submitting contact forms on their individual websites, or sending one email to all three simultaneously at www.democracy.io

See our How to Help menu for other actions to ban zebra hunting at US canned hunt ranches, stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs, and defund the Adoption Incentive Program.