Whether for transport, plowing or even riding into battle--mankind has used horses for centuries. Replaced to a great extent by machinery and technology, the horse, to many, has lost its importance and is now regarded as more of a pet and not a creature to let run wild in peace. Not much of a thank you for the years of toil and help this beautiful animal has given man. It is amazing that there is even a controversy regarding whether or not horses can or should be able to run wild and free.

Wild Horses: Living Symbols of Freedom by Craig Downer is a straight forward, no nonsense, well researched account of the horse and its place in our world--written by a thoughtful, experienced and knowledgeable man. Downer has spent years studying and observing the wild horses left in Nevada and the western United States, and his book takes you through the beginning of the horse to it's current plight--fighting to live free and wild on public lands. At this moment, wild horse advocates are fighting to save bands of horses that have been living free, quite successfully, in and around the Virginia City, Nevada area. Through politics and greed, these horses face being rounded up by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, to be sold--which usually means for slaughter. Excuses used for this action are many; one being the horse is not native to the United States; another being they are starving and cannot live in arid climates the rhetoric goes on and on. Reading Mr. Downer's book will clear up these misconceptions and remind you of what a magnificent animal the horse is. Fact upon fact is presented with clarity, passion and you come away with a much better understanding of the importance of the relationship man has to the natural world in general. It is an important book in more ways than one. I highly recommend it to anyone that loves nature, animals and freedom. I recommend it even more to those who have lost their connection to nature and the natural world.

To purchase signed and dedicated book or books contact Craig C. Downer at ccdowner@yahoo.com.  Special rates for quantity. The price is $12 each for 1-5 books, plus $2 for mailing.  For 5-10, the price is $9 each plus $4 for mailing.  For 10 or above the price is $7 plus each cost of mailing.

Craig Downer was a guest on Champagne Sundays online radio show, that aired June 29, 2008 from 11 am - 1 pm PST. To listen to Craig's interview, please double click on the Play button below.

 

Craig  was a featured co-host on The Nature Connection online radio show airing on Jan. 23, 2009 from 2-4pm PST. To meet the rest of the guests and listen to the show, please click here.

Craig C. Downer received is A.B. in Biology at the University of California at Berkeley, his M.S. in Biology at the University of Nevada in Reno and has a Ph. D. in Wildlife Ecology.