Craig C. Downer, a wildlife ecologist and author of a number of publications has written a new book that focuses on the glories of the American wild horse and counters the machinations of anti-wild horse groups that seek to cause their eventual demise by turning their habitat over to ranchers and those who are into capturing, corraling, and eventually wiping out most of the population.
A good read for all horse lovers
A new book by Craig Downer knowingly discusses the plight of wild horses and burros.
"The Wild Horse Conspiracy," a 300-page book replete with illustrations, fully justifies America’s magnificent wild horses and burros and is written by an ecologist who grew up observing these animals in the West.
The book presents new evidence concerning their history and evolution in North America and describes their many positive contributions to soils, plants, animals and people. Though true restorers of this continent’s ecosystem, they have been unfairly targeted for elimination.
Many of the author’s personal experiences with these animals, their diverse herd areas, and the people involved with them are shared.
Over the centuries these animals helped pave the way for developing civilizations by carrying people and their burders to the far frontiers and doing heavy, back-breaking work as progress was made by building the roads, railroad tracks and edificies necessary for developing societies.
The author has defended wild horses/burros against attacks for over 40 years and observed many of the West’s colorful herds.
A member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and board and member of The Cloud Foundation, he has written popular and scientific articles and books, including action plans for endangered species.
He enjoys nature photography and musical composition, and lives in Nevada with his mustangs Lightning, a palomino stallion, and Princess Diane, his curly mare, both of whom he knew in the wilds of NW Nevada before they were captured by BLM in 2010.