Throughout history, "Americans as a whole hold horses in high regard." (DiBeredicts) When the colonists first came to America, they found wild horses roaming free. They domesticated this strong animal to help them build the new colonies. These horses helped pave a way to a better life. Horses were used as transportation and helped till the land to make gardens. Now, most horses in the U.S. are domesticated, except for a few herds who still roam the plains. These horses are stronger than most horses and smarter.
For the few wild horses left, grazing land is hard to come by. "... there are 33,000 mustangs at the most on the range compared to five to eight million head of cattle and sheep" claims Ginger Kathrens. Ranchers scapegoat the horses, claiming they are the reason there is not enough land for the cattle. The government organizes round ups for the horses. They fly helicopters to chase the horses into corrals and fences which separate the herd and split up families. The government claims this is to keep the population under control. The horses that are captured are auctioned off to anyone. Some are adopted into good homes, while most are bought by slaughter houses to be turned onto dog food.
If the government does not stop these unnecessary round ups, soon the few wild horses that are left will soon disappear. Horses are a part of America's history and spirit. If they do become extinct, not only will they disappear but so will part of America's spirit and history.
