What will it take?

What will it take for the Government to recognize these horses as a legitimate breed/species of wild animal?

They share significant DNA & mitDNA links to other Iberian (Spanish) Mustangs found and recognized in different parts of North America. They obviously have a breed type.

Ok, so suppose some ranch or group of people released several thousand Spanish Horses a hundred years ago.... (even though you and I know they've been there for much longer, but lets just give the government the benefit of a doubt)

Doesn't the fact that they have survived and ADAPTED TO OUR NATURAL WILD LANDS AND ECOSYSTEMS WITH THE REST OF THE WILDLIFE earn them a spot among the deer, bears and elk? ELK, WHO WERE ALSO INTRODUCED AND ALLOWED TO ADAPT AND NATURALIZE INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT?

I have no time for those who argue that they bully the deer, elk, etc out of grazing and their natural ecosystems. I have yet to see a skinny or starving elk, deer, or moose out there among the "Wildies"...hmmm maybe its because they stick together and the horses help to protect them from hunters by alerting them and keeping them with the herd and away from danger.

I have come within 5-10 feet of a couple different herds and individual wild horses and have yet to experience a serious charge where I feet fearful for my life. They are prey animals and not predators, so I will not entertain anecdotes of studs attacking kids or people on ATVs.

I don't have any problem with a controlled humane capture, in which the horse is caught very young and branded so that it is unable to be sold as a meat horse. If some one is interested in training a mustang and experiencing one for themselves then I would count that as a +1 for public relations for the mustangs.

But these majestic animals have survived on their own devices for this long, and should not be caught just to be eaten or used as target practice or bear bait.

What's next? The Bald Eagle?

There was once another large prey animal that roamed free, which the government refused to protect. And now in order to see a "wild buffalo" you have to go to a show or wildlife park.