Member-only story

Velma Johnston: The Woman Who Fought to Save the Mustang

Ian McEwan

·11.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston And Her Fight To Save The Mustang

4 min read · 1 month before

1.5k View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

Velma Johnston, A Pioneer In The Fight To Save The Mustang, A Wild Horse That Roamed The Great Plains. Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston And Her Fight To Save The Mustang

Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston and Her Fight to Save the Mustang

by Alan J. Kania

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5280 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	227 pages

Velma Johnston was a pioneer in the fight to save the mustang, a wild horse that roamed the Great Plains. She founded the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB) and worked tirelessly to protect these animals from extinction.

Johnston was born in 1912 in Reno, Nevada. She grew up on a ranch and developed a lifelong love of horses. In the 1950s, she began to learn about the plight of the mustang. The mustang was being rounded up and sold for slaughter by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Johnston was outraged by the BLM's treatment of the mustang. She believed that these animals were a part of the American heritage and that they deserved to be protected. In 1960, she founded the ISPMB to fight for the protection of the mustang.

The ISPMB quickly gained support from people all over the country. Johnston worked with politicians, scientists, and other animal welfare advocates to raise awareness about the plight of the mustang. She also organized protests and lobbied for legislation to protect the mustang.

In 1971, Johnston's efforts paid off when Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. This law protected the mustang from being rounded up and sold for slaughter. The law also established the BLM as the agency responsible for managing the mustang.

Johnston continued to work for the protection of the mustang throughout her life. She died in 2004, but her legacy lives on. The ISPMB continues to fight for the protection of the mustang, and the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act remains in place today.

Johnston's Legacy

Velma Johnston was a pioneer in the fight to save the mustang. Her work helped to ensure that these animals would continue to roam the Great Plains for generations to come. Johnston's legacy is one of compassion, determination, and success.

Johnston's work has been recognized by many organizations. In 1991, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 2000, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Johnston's story is an inspiration to all who believe that one person can make a difference. She showed that even the smallest of efforts can lead to great change.

The Mustang Today

The mustang is still a threatened species, but thanks to the work of Velma Johnston and others, the population is slowly recovering. Today, there are about 85,000 mustangs roaming the Great Plains.

The BLM manages the mustang population through a variety of methods, including roundups, adoptions, and fertility control. The BLM also works to protect the mustang's habitat and to educate the public about these animals.

The mustang is a symbol of the American West. These animals are a part of our heritage, and they deserve to be protected. Velma Johnston dedicated her life to fighting for the mustang, and her work has ensured that these animals will continue to roam the Great Plains for generations to come.

Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston and Her Fight to Save the Mustang

by Alan J. Kania

4.7 out of 5