By Jenet Krol

Staff writer

krol@hometownnewsol.com

MIMS - Horses have been a part of American culture since the Spanish first introduced them here in the 1500s.

Diane Delano, operator of the Wild Horse Rescue Rehabilitation Center in Mims, wants to help preserve that part of American history.

She devotes her time and energy to rehabilitating and adopting wild mustangs from the American West.

"Mustangs are our living heritage. They helped the West become what it is. Cowboys rode them. They pulled wagon trains. They helped build the West. The wild mustangs are the lineage of that," she said.

In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated the herds of wild mustangs as "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, which continues to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the nation and enrich the lives of the American people."

The wild horses came under the protection of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management, under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Today, the current population of wild mustangs, with more than half found in Nevada, exceeds 33,000, according to the BLM's Web site, www.blm.gov. The BLM considers 27,000 a manageable number. To keep populations in check, mustangs are adopted out.

That's where Ms. Delano comes in.

"I wind up with them as rescues. People get horses and abuse them. I take them in and try to rehabilitate and find homes for them," she said.

Wild mustangs need to be "gentled-up," or domesticated, which takes a lot of patience, love and time, said Ms. Delano.

"Many people don't know what they are doing, and get the horses because they are cheap. Mustangs are the most abused horses in the industry. People feel dominance will work and resort to fear and intimidation."

She has seen horses with fractured skulls, malnourished horses, and horses with halters embedded into the flesh of their faces.

At the rehabilitation center, volunteers use holistic healing to help the horses, many of which are emotionally abused.

"When they are handled correctly, they make a wonderful animal," said Ms. Delano.

Before adopting out animal, Ms. Delano makes sure the horse and potential owner is a good match up.

"I make sure that the horse and owner work well together and form a bond before they leave," she said. "Some horses are riding horses, and some are just companion horses."

Lately, the majority of horses she's seen are owner turn-ins, due to the sluggish economy. And just like those who can no longer afford to care for their horses, resources at Ms. Delano's facility are being spread thin.

"Feed prices, hay prices and fuel keeps going up. And we are always in need of more donated land," she said.

A barbeque fundraiser to benefit the Wild Horse Rescue is scheduled for Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Legion Post 1, 1281 N. Washington Ave., Titusville.

The event will include music, a cakewalk, raffle prizes, an auction, and barbeque platters.

For information on Wild Horse Rescue, or to volunteer, call Ms. Delano at (321) 427-1523.