Sanctuary for the wild
By Julie Zeeb
Nestled in the hills down the road
from Manton, near Shingletown, hundreds of horses roam the rugged hills
of a 5,000-acre parcel known as the
Wild Horse Sanctuary, 5796 Wilson
Hill Road.
What started as about 80 horses has
grown over the years to about 300
with the addition of the youngsters
born through the years to the once
wild herd.
In 1978, Dianne Nelson was a part
of a group contracted to round up
horses for the U.S. Forest Service on
its land.
As the contract neared the end it
was learned that the remaining 80
were to be destroyed so she began
her fight to save the horses by adopting them, Nelson said. There are also
a small number of burros that roam
the property as well.
The first five years were spent in
Alturas before eventually finding its
way to Shingletown where over the
years she and her non-profit foundation have been able to purchase about
half the land it uses, she said.
Top: A group of babies ready to go up for adoption in October.
Above: Dianne Nelson and her dog prepare to head out to where the wild horses are
fed.
October, 2013, Tehama - the Magazine
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