Wild Horse Country

The History, Myth, and Future of the Mustang

By: David Philipps

Narrated by: David Colacci

Wild horses - also known as mustangs - live in a strange twilight. They are deeply American but not native; they are free-born symbols of liberty but tightly managed, thriving yet persecuted. Today, the wild horse is a ward of the state, with tens of thousands held in captivity by the federal government - nearly as many are left in the wild.

In a powerful blend of history and contemporary reporting, New York Times reporter David Philipps traces the rich history of wild horses in America: their introduction by the Spanish conquistadors, their role in the epic battles between Native Americans and settlers, their vital place in American self-mythology. He travels through some of the most remote parts of the American West, known as Wild Horse Country, to investigate the wild horse's current dilemma, caught between the clashing ideals of ranchers, scientists, animal rights activists, slaughterhouse employees, and government officials.

©2017 David Philipps (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

We own 10 mustangs

I love how David gave equal thought to every argument on both sides and closed with a compromising solution. My significant other and I have tried to do our part of adopting to keep the cowboy/mustang partnership alive. I was surprised that there wasn’t more mention of the adoption programs through the Mustang Heritage Foundation such as the Extreme Mustang Makeovers and the TIP program. Before reading this I felt like horses were an evasive species, now I believe they have a place here. The solution offered is one I would love to see gain traction. A must read for anyone involved with wild horses.

Clear and balanced account of our country’s crippling bureaucracy.

I liked the historical references to help us understand and gain perspective. Call to action.

A compelling story of America's wild horses

An essential read for every horse lover, or for anyone who cares about the fate of America's wild mustangs. I learned a lot from this book about the history and current situation of wild horses in America, told as a compelling story.

Thoughtful and balanced, an important read

I was curious about this book because I came into possession of a mustang for riding a few years ago, and wanted to understand more about these horses. The author presents a thoughtful and balanced perspective of the Mustang “problem, “ the concerns of opposing parties, and potential ways to more effectively address the problem. I have a better understanding of my horse, and why some of his behavior differs from the domestic horses I have known. And I feel like I have enough information to thoughtfully support change that might actually make a difference without ignoring the needs of different parties. One take away is the failure of the BLM and federal agencies to perpetuate an approach that continues to make matters worse.

Very well done and unbiased.

Best story about the endless challenges of the wild horse. Superior investigative reporting by the author.

great book!

Loved this book! valuable information and wonderful rendition of wild horse country. The narrator was captivating!

Balanced and Educational Viewpoint

This book did a fantastic job of looking at both sides of a very controversial topic in a fair way, without being biased or favoring one side. It is well written and incredibly educational. Highly recommend to everyone, especially those passionate about the topic or new to it entirely

Great listen

Overall, it was a great book. I enjoyed the history, interviews, research, and learning about the ongoing evolution of wild horses. I walk away troubled by the challenges that lie ahead for these majestic beings, from drought to party politics and everything in between. Horses aside, this can also be a great case study on the dysfunction of our federal government.

Sad but Important

A rather depressing book, but I think important. it covers a lot of the controversies from a fairly neutral standpoint. Lots of different problems and solutions are explored. I feel better off knowing more about the issues facing the wild horses.

Many perspectives on a topic I didn’t even know existed.

This was a thorough and compelling read that details the history and development of the wild horse in the United States. Overall, I found the book offered clear and unbiased analysis of the wild horse from a variety of perspectives, including that of the wild horse advocate, the rancher, the BLM, and the ecologist. The book left me unsure of what the right answer is, but very sure that it’s not how wild horses are currently being managed. Worth reading the entire book, especially worth listening to the audio version.