Friday, August 4 was National Wildlife Day. I had just finished a book about American settlers trying to make the journey out west (look up the Donner Party Expedition…it was harrowing, to say the least) and marveled at how their domestic horses could even make several hundred miles of the journey over mountain and desert with essentially no food, limited water, and limited to no healthcare. Meanwhile, across the globe, there are incredible populations of wild horses, feral horses, donkeys, burros, ponies forging ahead with their own lives. Some prosper, some don’t. The adage “survival of the fittest” comes into play often.
This is a tribute to these truly amazing equines living on the other side of the fence.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CErUQGyHTtZ/
Burros can sometimes be overlooked as part of the wild population.
This foal. Absolutely adorable.
Prehistoric wild horses: Living pieces of history.
Not only are there wild New Forest ponies, but also New Forest donkeys!
This zebra is afraid of nothing. Best attitude ever.
Go Jumping! And galloping!