Wild Horse Country

The History, Myth, and Future of the Mustang

By: David Philipps

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Wild horses - also known as mustangs - live in a strange twilight. They are deeply American but not native; they are free-born symbols of liberty but tightly managed, thriving yet persecuted. Today, the wild horse is a ward of the state, with tens of thousands held in captivity by the federal government - nearly as many are left in the wild.

In a powerful blend of history and contemporary reporting, New York Times reporter David Philipps traces the rich history of wild horses in America: their introduction by the Spanish conquistadors, their role in the epic battles between Native Americans and settlers, their vital place in American self-mythology. He travels through some of the most remote parts of the American West, known as Wild Horse Country, to investigate the wild horse's current dilemma, caught between the clashing ideals of ranchers, scientists, animal rights activists, slaughterhouse employees, and government officials.

©2017 David Philipps (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

We own 10 mustangs

I love how David gave equal thought to every argument on both sides and closed with a compromising solution. My significant other and I have tried to do our part of adopting to keep the cowboy/mustang partnership alive. I was surprised that there wasn’t more mention of the adoption programs through the Mustang Heritage Foundation such as the Extreme Mustang Makeovers and the TIP program. Before reading this I felt like horses were an evasive species, now I believe they have a place here. The solution offered is one I would love to see gain traction. A must read for anyone involved with wild horses.

Clear and balanced account of our country’s crippling bureaucracy.

I liked the historical references to help us understand and gain perspective. Call to action.

Very well done and unbiased.

Best story about the endless challenges of the wild horse. Superior investigative reporting by the author.

great book!

Loved this book! valuable information and wonderful rendition of wild horse country. The narrator was captivating!

Great listen

Overall, it was a great book. I enjoyed the history, interviews, research, and learning about the ongoing evolution of wild horses. I walk away troubled by the challenges that lie ahead for these majestic beings, from drought to party politics and everything in between. Horses aside, this can also be a great case study on the dysfunction of our federal government.

A compelling story of America's wild horses

An essential read for every horse lover, or for anyone who cares about the fate of America's wild mustangs. I learned a lot from this book about the history and current situation of wild horses in America, told as a compelling story.

Thoughtful and balanced, an important read

I was curious about this book because I came into possession of a mustang for riding a few years ago, and wanted to understand more about these horses. The author presents a thoughtful and balanced perspective of the Mustang “problem, “ the concerns of opposing parties, and potential ways to more effectively address the problem. I have a better understanding of my horse, and why some of his behavior differs from the domestic horses I have known. And I feel like I have enough information to thoughtfully support change that might actually make a difference without ignoring the needs of different parties. One take away is the failure of the BLM and federal agencies to perpetuate an approach that continues to make matters worse.

Amazing education on the history of Horses

Absolutely wonderful. Every aspect of the history of horses has been covered. A deep dive into anthropology and discovery of horses in fossils 50 million years ago. The evolution through time. The history of horses in America. A balanced look at the horse through the eyes of ranchers, environmentalists and protectionists, the Bureau of Land Management, the slaughter houses, and the challenges that wild horses confront today. Refreshing analysis and possible solutions to overpopulation are explored. One of the finest books I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. It must have taken the author years or even decades to compile such a thorough and well researched body of work. So compelling that I spent 16 hours looking for and then photographing the Wild Onaqui in Utah. That experience was something I will never forget.

Well researched, fair and balanced

If you want to know the story of Wild Mustangs in America look no further. Philipps’ version is extremely thorough. The narration is solid except when he’s quoting women. While I’m sure it is unintentional, his tone almost sounds mocking which makes the listener think some woman he is quoting must be a flake (and some are). Eventually you realize that’s just how the narrator speaks.

very interesting

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book. I knew nothing about the current wild horse struggle. The different view points are presented so well that I felt like I could empathize with each one. While this may not have been the author's intent, it presents one more case of glaring government failure/waste and a system which appears to benefit no one--not even the horses.