Arizona’s Heber Wild Horses Hooves of Steel


fast gallop or a run. Band stallions and their mares will stop to graze while the young foals play or nap. But soon their trek resumes. The horses do not cover the same territo- ry every day. A band may sometimes disappear for weeks at a time only to return to where they were last seen or perhaps miles from where they were last seen. The forest holds many secrets and the travels of wild horses are one of them. However, one thing is certain, their continuous move- ment results in their hooves being naturally trimmed and very strong.


T


There is a myth that wild horses guard waterholes to pre- vent other wildlife and cattle from accessing water. This propaganda is being promoted by those who want to have the Heber wild horses removed from the forest in order to facilitate their own greed driven agendas. Public lands cattle ranchers, as well as employees for federal and state government agencies, perpetuate the myth. However, eye


he Heber wild horses are perpetually on the move. Each day their journey takes them over a variety of terrain. They make their way up and down rocky hills and through the forest mead- ows. A peaceful walk can suddenly turn into a


by MICHELE ANDERSON • photography by MARY HAUSER


10 NOVEMBER 2020 I HORSE & AG MAGAZINE


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