horses
Reno News and Review has an article out on the story of our original wild horse advocate whose story is in a new book
As the story in the free publication Reno News and Review relates, local author Terri Farley has written the book Horse Girl: How Velma Bronn Johnston Became Wild Horse Annie and Outsmarted the Mustang Killers of the West.
The book is the story of how Johnston, along with her husband began the work of wild horse advocacy in Northern Nevada and eventually gained national protection for the animals.
Most dramatically, she brought an end to the practice of "Mustanging", the often brutal practice of rounding up wild horses for slaughter on the American range.
Mustanging is vividly depicted in the 1961 Marilyn Monroe/Clark Gable movie "The Misfits".
Born in 1912 in Ione, Nevada, the family soon moved to Reno where Velma went to school and helped her father with his horse driven freight business where she learned to love and respect horses. Later, she married and they established a ranch in Storey County.
A pivotal moment occurred when she witnessed first hand the brutal handling of the wild horse that had been captured. This set off a life-long quest to get the practice banned and protection for horses on the range. Finally, in 1971, President Nixon signed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
We haven't read the book here yet at southwashoe.com yet but we will definitely order a copy.
Terri Farley’s new book, Horse Girl: How Velma Bronn Johnston Became Wild Horse Annie and Outsmarted the Mustang Killers of the West, is available on the University of Nevada Press website. Also available on Amazon for pre-order. She will host a book launch event on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the old schoolhouse at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, at 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, and a signing on Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at Thistle & Nightshade, at 5365 Mae Anne Ave., Suite A38.
Read more about the book at Reno News and Review.
Thanks to Reno News and Review for their excellent independent journalism and please support their advertisers.
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