The Conquistador Equine Rescue & Advocacy Program

Liberty, wild stallion of the Tonto National Forest one year later in July 2007. 

Photograph c/o Chris Palmer (c) 2007.

Liberty, shortly after he was separated from his mother and herd in July 2006 and purchased at auction.

“Liberty” wild stallion of the Tonto National Forest

brings good luck. 

In November of 2006, Dr. Pat Haight purchased/rescued a little wild mustang colt from the Pacific Livestock Auction (PLA) in Chandler, AZ.  He had been removed from the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. 

The Tonto National Forest contains a protected wild horse and burro territory, the Saguaro Wild Horse and Burro Territory.  However, Liberty and his family had been removed without the Forest Service doing an environmental impact study as required under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Documents secured from the Tonto National Forest under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) even suggested their concern that the little horse and his herd might be wild horses.

One of our equine foster homes agreed to care for the little horse.  He was only about 7 months old and had been separated from his mother and his herd.  The little colt's auction number was 1776 so therefore Dr. Pat named him Liberty. 

Our foster's mom and aunt thought that Liberty was incredibly cute and that for some reason he would bring them luck. So they played his number 177 and 776 as a pick three for several weeks and after three tries won $1000.00. 

Thank you, Liberty!!