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Discussion by John Cox M.A. C/M

The question is this – Do we obtain proper representation of our Wild Horses from today’s wayward, and some even corrupt, government agencies, colleges that receive $-millions in donations of taxpayer money from these same agencies, or the current trend of non-profits that receive donations from dramatic shock-n-fear propaganda styles of misinformation, to do so?

Myself and many others are also finding, when perusing research papers as well as government documents, that many assumptions and non-referenced opinions about Wild Horses, are consistently, questionable. Vague science left non-referenced, and bias or myth projected as good science — leaves many of us with many questions about the legitimacy of government, and non-profit financed research, in regard to much of our Wildlife and Wild Horses in America.

I must add here, I am writing about information that goes beyond Darwin and his proven-theories of Natural Selection, into the modern-day context, which prove his theories more so, daily. This, in direct support, of his, and other people both pro and con in the matters of Natural Selection (which honest debate is always good for the outcome of good, quality science).

Allow me to narrow the playing field here, upon such a vast amount of science and information, and for the common man and woman to understand – When compared to scientific verbiage, which hides things, and often, and is confusing to many. Thereby, when evolution skeptics want to attack Darwin’s theory, they often point to the human eye. Here, I discuss the Eye’s of the Wild horse, and how Evolution “proves” no disruption occurred within the Wild Horses’ Evolution, in the Americas, in ancient times. How could something so complex, they argue, have developed through random mutations and natural selection, even over millions of years?

I center this discussion upon Darwin’s Theories of Evolution and Natural Selection – and beyond, as the Natural Selection paradigm proves itself time and again. I do this as we are all concerned, from simply book-fed pretend scientists and researchers, as well as those academics, that virtually have no experience in the field of Horse’s nor Wild Horses . . . or journalists and others mentioned here, that do not go beyond the Internet for their research. Lord knows, they would probably explode if they had a thought of creativity, and when dealing with science. . . LOL

“Mutations that improved the focusing power of the lens were favored by natural selection, leading to the evolution of a spherical eye that could produce a crisp image. The evolution of the vertebrate eye did not stop there. Some evolved the ability to see in the ultraviolet. Some evolved with layered eyesight, such as the Wild Horse”

I use here the Wild Horses on Public Lands as the landscape to prove my point within this capacity of debate, stating Natural Selection is far more provable, and by far, more to it than what we are led to believe by wayrd government agencies, corrupted non-profits, and college research staff that offer more questions within their awkward assumptions, than reality. Yes, most of this Abounds with the overly stench of money, that grabs attention dramatically, and research becomes a central outlet of inaccurate information, information left out, and decisions made, more often than not, on assumptive bias or myth.

Wild Horses disappearing, is a good example, assumptively (no proof exists of this, just wayward interpretation of periods where no proof either way existed, up to this point supposedly – but this is untrue as well, yet we see some proof unacceptable to established, and even shockingly, very snobbish academic people).

“Absence of Evidence does not mean Evidence of Absence”, an old quote by Dr Carl Sagan, means, in a very simple term, that, if there is lack of evidence of presence of a thing, does not always conclude to the absence of that thing totally.” – Carl Sagan

We have a problem here — So “they” say, around 13,000 to 15,000 years ago the Wild Horse’s mysteriously disappeared from the Western Hemisphere. Although, Natural Selection and proof of Wild Horses “Evolving” without any questionable dispersion-rates; nor, disappearing at all, and we see good science, based on a sound theory, Darwin et al., and we see evidence of the Wild Horses not disappearing what so ever, but kept Evolving through Natural Selection up to this day in time. No interruptions occurred, as history can show us.

The fact of the Evolution of the “Eye’s of a Horse” remains fact-positive, among many other physical Charteristics of the Evolution of the Wild Horses in America (non-stop), in ancient and in todays times, as well. Evolution does not stop, despite how the government agencies of the BLM and the DOI, demand it does stop.

“The solution for Darwin was to postulate that a simple prototype eye evolved only once very early in evolution, which then through natural selection had given rise to the diversity present in nature. Modern molecular biology has now provided supportive evidence for such an idea.”

Years ago I was shown how to check a Horse’s eyes, for any flaws or troubling signs of sight-specific problems (i.e. I will do a synoptic explanation here, for those interested in doing so). As “on-trails” I need the Horse to see 100% e.g. cliffs, entanglements’, ditches, tree-stumps, in shade, et al., (yet another reason your horse needs too remain calm during periods of stress).

I point this out, as the Eye of a Horse had to evolve continuously, due to its obvious sophistication, and very elaborate structure. There could-not be full development of a Natural Selection Process, had a 13,000 year or 15,000 year period of no evolution occurred (bias and myth simply do not make any common sense most often – and just as often, very identifiable).

And the sight-specific lack of evolution of the Spanish or French breeds, show us, the Natural Selection Process of Ancient American Wild Horses (i.e. whether ancient tribes of people were aware of their existence or not, we remain optimistic, due to tribal histories of a select few of tribes, and the historical Nomadic Tribes from Siberia and their Horses intermixing with Wild Horses in the Americas’, noting proof of existence, with no disappearance – again, the Wild Horses disappearing has no evidence of such, other than assumption we assume to be nothing more than bias).

In fact, the eyes of the Horse corresponded to every stage, in this sequence of Evolution and furthered its complexity within a Natural Selection process . . . have been found in existing living species today. The existence of this range of less complex light-sensitive structures supports scientists’ hypotheses about how complex the eyes of a Horse (among other wildlife) could evolve. The first animals with anything resembling an eye lived about 550 million years ago. And, according to one scientist’s calculations, only 364,000 years would have been needed for a camera-like eye to evolve from a light-sensitive patch.

Bringing science together with experience, and we have information worthy of acceptable levels of fact. Here is where experience and science come together. When I check the eye of my Horse, it is in darkness, in the stall, or at night. For all of you “tool-junkies” and those who use words with many syllables to make themselves sound important (lol), I use an ophthalmoscope. But the tool is not mandatory by any means.
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Stand in front of the ye, with a small pencil flashlight (on my key chain actually). Shine it directly into the Horse’s eyes, then move it to the side. This shows you that the coronea clear.

Shine the light, again, straight at the eye, and wait for the pupil to contract. Move the light slowly away, and the pupil should expand. This tells us the Horse is seeing, reacting normally to light.

Now the very interesting part, to me anyway. Evolution is amazing. Light a candle, and hold it in front of the Horse’s eye. You should be viewing three-images of the flame — Evolution – this just did not happen overnight. One in the coronae – upright, one on the front of the lens – upright, and, one on the back of the lens – inverted. Move the candle around, to make sure the images remain clear, distinct. This shows us, proof, the Horse’s eye, with the anterior chamber and the lens are clear.

If there exists anything you see, a disturbance, a cloudy rather than clear image, or anything out of the ordinary, obtain a veterinarian’s opinion, and treatment.
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Here I use this as an example of a situation where the Horse’s Eyes, Evolved through a process of nature, or, what we refer to Our Universe at work – and termed it Natural Selection, which is applicable within our terminology. Often it can be Area-Specific. Myself and others have found, as well, many subordinate occurrences of Natural Selection, that fits right-in with the scientific forms and terms, of Evolution of our Wild Horses.

For example, a Horse eyesight develops through Natural Selection, specific here, under the canopy of tree-stands in the mountains. The Horse will develop a sight-specific situation of seeing in less light much better, than a Horse that was evolved on an Open Range Habitat, and in bright light. Other examples of Natural Selection, just within the capacity of the species of Wild Horses, as we see the many different layers and attributes of Wild Horses – and yet, bias and myth surround truth, overwhelmingly, as we see government agencies that are paid by Taxpayer’s, top-dollars I might add, to Manage our Wild Horses on Public lands, properly, and with good-science and analytical data, but do not receive such from these same government agencies and their over-site management, at all.

These government agencies today, operating under the Mission Statement to manage Wild Horses Properly, are not doing so. We find very corrupted non-profits, as well, alongside these government agencies. They, indeed, make a lot of money, as well, in deceiving the American Public.

We can truthfully state, clearly, I might add, these agencies and non-profits are in “Cahoots” with specific Special Interests. This fact is not so ironic any longer. Many receive $-billions in taxpayer money, unnecessarily, and once again, ironically, pay for the vast amounts of propaganda and disinformation, and even legislation, to promote their disinformation campaigns, to keep having Taxpayer’s pay subsidies. Quite frankly, the majority of Taxpayer’s would never approve any of the corruption we see daily now, if the facts and truth actually known. The Wild Horses are very important, and to many Americans’.

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References and Bibliography Upon Request

Researched and Written by John Cox, M.A. C/M

There are many interesting situations in horse history, and when we break it down thoroughly, we find some pretty interesting facts about horses. Keep in mind we must develop information from not only good sources, research references, and statistics from reliable resources, but a thorough “interpretation” of the same facts must be accomplished, by and from those with experience, and over many years, have an acquired knowledge of horses.

Our United States military is known for a high degree of mechanization, and in this case, in World War II, as discussed in this paper, develops interesting facts about The Horse. The number of horses used was indeed staggering – and this being only one war, or conflict – imagine our World History of Wars, where horses played essential-roles in all of them, or, the amount shipped overseas and lost at sea (which I am just now being made aware of) . . . But here are just a few examples of how the United States used Horses, as a beneficial element in transporting supplies and items to troops in many, very remote areas.

Answers for the questions we do have, regarding the Safety and Well-Being of the Horse, both Wild and Domestic, can only come from one place: Time In The Saddle – and knowing the horse, well. Statistics are one-thing, but “knowing” about horses inside and out, an entirely other thing.

A word of caution here . . . Today we see too many people, that state they are experts, doing research upon horses of various kinds, but we see their established platforms and their research capacity and knowledge inadequate, and most often amateurish, at best. We then find their time spent around horses to be very little, or, time in the saddle non-existent or very little, as well. Somehow or another, these types of people and their information, is what makes it into the world of horse-references, yet merely misinformation at best. This becomes one of many more factors as to why we are having difficulties in achieving a safe and thorough environment for both domestic horses and wild horses. We waste our time, as Horse Advocates, debating with those who’s knowledge is erroneous of based upon misinformation.

Onward, with good information . . . The United States employed 56,000 horses and mules in a wide variety of combat zones throughout WWII. In North Africa, for example, the United States military used mules to transport supplies through the mountains of Tunisia. The invasion of Italy saw the United States relying on more than 14,000 mules to transport supplies into the very rough and rugged Apennines Mountains. The United States Army Veterinary Service bought nearly 3,000 horses in Australia and shipped them to New Caledonia to work as pack animals. More than 1000 pack mules were sent from the United States to assist the Marines while fighting in New Guinea.

The mules and horses were basically used after many commanders, especially in transportation and supply, acknowledged, the horses and mules were able to negotiate rugged terrain which was inaccessible by vehicles. War and the military can only achieve positive results in accord with how adequate their supply chain and transportation, to move troops from one place to another, exists in real time.

A very chilling detail we find in history, was the significance of mules and horses to China. Like the Nazi allies, the Imperial Japanese Army relied heavily on horses and mules. Prior to the war Japan imported horses from Australia and Mongolia. We then see through history, Japan’s “hunger” for horse-meat also, and we find Japan and China both used the horses for transport, and at the end of their “use”, or transport resolution, they were slaughtered and used as a resource for food, meat mostly, and the hides used for various situations of necessity – leather goods for horses’, or mules’, or, ox tack, for example.

Then we see thousands of horses’, the number is probably more, imported and going directly into the Burmese jungles. This made history due to the astonishing roughness and difficult types of travel within the Burmese jungle, and the number of horses and mules vanishing along those roads and trails. Later, the United States Army purchased 2,000 horses, transporting them into China to be used as cavalry mounts.

This brings to mind a significant situation, that is often ignored, or not know at all, about horses – both domestic and wild . . . “The adaptability of the Horse is often misleading, yet ironically known for being adaptable. For example, Evolution alongside Natural Selection, and we distinguish Open-Range Horses from Mountain Horses, through patterns of receptive traits, and physiology (legs and hooves, for example) which is adopted to each environmental-complex.

Re-adaptation is not easily done for horses taken out of their “Dispersal Range” and horses die – their survival skills nor their physical evolution, not able to adapt fast enough to survive. We see often, even today, Horses taken from their true environment, from the Open Range, for example, and taken to the mountains, then considered as a positive resolution, yet problems exist – and catastrophe strikes. Apex Predators often blamed, or mountain terrain, rather than where the blame should be directed — blame the lack-of-knowledge, the people involved, created. We then observe the “adaptable term” simply invented, to place many non-adapted horses into oppositional-environments. The fact many people are unaware of this circumstance, is based primarily upon ignorance-only, due to misinformation being accepted as reality. . . when people do not know what it is they do not know, is very dangerous for not only horses, but wildlife, also.” – John Cox, M.A. C/M

Then in 1945 we go to Burma, and what was considered a “Special Equestrian Mission”. The United States Army Veterinary Service was ordered to accompany 5,397 pack mules and horses, to carry machine guns, mortars, ammunition and other supplies along the 717 miles, of the Burma Road, that led to Allied military headquarters in western China.

These statistics detail 20 separate groups, consisting between 200 and 300 pack animals each, were formed. This situation was, to say the least, extensive. American aircraft dropped sacks of grain by parachute along the trails. But it did not take long for the imported American pack animals to “learn how to consume” local bananas and bamboo leaves.

When these caravans reached the mountains, the temperatures were below freezing. At one point the terrain was so difficult that the caravan only made 3 ½ miles a day. The challenges along the way, that slowed-down the pack trains, resulted from exhaustion and saddle sores. Some mules drowned while trying to cross one of the swift-water rivers. Despite the difficulties the average rate of travel was 15 to 20 miles a day. Ironically, only 142 animals, or 2.6%, died, or were destroyed en-route, due to disease (which was one of the noted challenges assumed as a priority, to overcome). Many of the mules and horses arrived in excellent condition.

Have we learned anything from this history? Not really, other than both horses’ and mules’, in my perception, should be respected quite a bit more than we actually do . . . As their addition to America was greatly needed, even though imposed upon to do it, at times. (references upon request)