Editor:
Iconic Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, with its world famous population of wild horses is in the process of becoming Canada’s newest national park.
Parks Canada has committed itself to their protection as wildlife, since “The horses have been living on the Island since the mid-1700s, and are therefore considered to be part of the ecosystem of the island.” (Parks Canada’s website)
There are interesting similarities as well as differences between the Sable Island horses and Alberta’s wild horses.
Wild horses in the Rocky Mountains and their vicinity were recorded by David Thompson in the early 19th century, and in the adjoining Prairies by Anthony Hendry (or Henday) for 1754. First Nations in this region have owned horses at least since the 1730s. Thus, there is no reason to believe that the presence of free-roaming horses in Alberta is of more recent origin than on Sable Island.
Furthermore, in contrast to Sable Island, many scientists, adopting a paleoecological perspective, view the wild horse in western North America as returned wildlife rather than an introduced species. The outward appearance of the horses in the Rocky Mountain Foothills seems to confirm the historical evidence, as does preliminary DNA testing.
These horses are not a hodgepodge of recent barnyard escapees. They appear to be of a specific type, attesting to the presence of an original population descended from Spanish stock more than two centuries ago (frequent occurrence of the “dun factor”, i.e. dorsal stripe as well as stripes on their withers and legs) and a later infusion of heavier horses in the early 20th century.
Different from the Sable Island horses, which have enjoyed protection and non-interference for the past half-century, Alberta’s wild horses have not had the luxury of existing in splendid isolation, appreciated as a provincial and national icon.
They have had to survive competing for their sustenance with commercial forestry, ranching, sport hunting and recreation. They have suffered the onslaught of those members of our civilized society who shoot horses just for kicks. They have endured in the face of a governmental attitude that seems to be vacillating between indifference and open aggression. They continue to live their lives in the presence of widespread public apathy and/or ignorance of even their existence.
This may be their undoing unless we as Albertans do something about it. There must be no capture in 2012/13. The wild horse’s long and illustrious cultural and natural history in this province should be recognized by its designation as a heritage animal.
Claudia Notzke, PhD,
Associate professor,
University of Lethbridge
