Katori began her life roaming freely in the safety of her herd on more than 60,000 acres of rolling hills and steep canyon country in the Three Fingers Herd Management Area, northwest of Jordan Valley, Oregon. A wildfire changed everything for her. The flames tore through the vegetation and dried up the water sources that she and her family relied on and drove them to areas that were safer than flames but not sustainable.
In response, the Bureau of Land Management rounded up these already frightened, confused Mustangs, including Katori, using helicopters, separating them from their families, heaping more trauma onto them. Once they’d been captured, the displaced horses underwent health assessments. They were identified and classified based on age, gender, etc. Some were made available for adoption or for sale, while others underwent training to make them more docile.
Horses that aren’t adopted, aren’t suitable for domestication, whether for health or behavior reasons, may enter long-term holding facilities. Many end up in kills pens.
But Three Fingers Mustangs are known for their enduring spirit, and Katori is a testament to her equine lineage. She carries the scars of her past, and the odds were stacked against her, but she has healed and continues to recover and to learn to live again. Slowly.
Sometimes, her memory seems to waver, leading to moments of aloofness, as if she’s caught up in the past, but Katori is more than her past. In her new home at Mustang Valley Sanctuary, she’s found solace and friendship. The steadfast presence of her companion Gian, one of the herds strong stallions, gives her courage, and you’ll freqently find the two Mustangs grazing together on the open pastures of the sanctuary.
Katori exudes a quiet strength, a commitment to resilience, an adherance to her own wild nature. She’s a reminder that Mustangs aren’t just survivors; they’re living embodiments of the land’s history and its untamed beauty.
Katori has the opportunity to overcome her past and thrive at Mustang Valley Sanctuary thanks to human allies like you, and her journey is far from over. Sponsorship is a lifeline for horses like Katori, who cannot easily be domesticated. Your sponsorship is a promise that her future will be safe and healthy, and that Katori will remain free to roam. Your support helps to preserve the legacy of the American Mustangs.
You can be a part of Katori’s journey. Your support, whether through sponsorship, donations, or volunteering, can make a tangible difference in the lives of these incredible horses. Join us in our mission to preserve, protect, and celebrate the American Mustangs.
You can be a part of Katori’s journey. Your support, whether through sponsorship, donations, or volunteering, can make a tangible difference in the lives of these incredible horses. Join us in our mission to preserve, protect, and celebrate the American Mustangs.
