Beginning March 1st 2010, Girls Horse Club will host March for Wild Horses here at our virtual barn. The intent is to use our collective, creative voice to speak out for the rights of wild and feral horses on public lands, and show our support for the individuals and organizations who are their loving protectors. Throughout the month we’ll publish stories, essays, poems, and artwork created by horse girls, inspired by wild horses.

Below is the timeline (so far) of activities leading up to and during the March for Wild Horses, and at the bottom are answers to frequently asked questions. Check back periodically for updates.

I look forward to hearing from you when submissions open, and hope you’ll join us to March for Wild Horses!

MARCH FOR WILD HORSES TIMELINE

FEBRUARY 19th – Submissions open for the following:

• General Submissions – Fiction, non-fiction (blogs), and poetry about wild horses and feral horses. Please read the SUBMISSION GUIDE for information about what we look for when evaluating submissions for publication.
• International Horse Submissions – Write a story about an American Mustang “character” who represents the story of many horses taken off public land and held until they’re adopted, or worse. Writers are encouraged to research the history of wild horses in the US along with what’s happening now, then create a fictional character based on fact. Spoiler Alert: In this case, the horse’s story may have a happy ending (being adopted for the GHC stables), but there’s plenty of opportunity for conflict leading up to that.
• Artwork Submissions – We’ll also accept original artwork and photography for a wild horses exhibit in the Gallery.

FEBRUARY 28th – Submissions close.

MARCH 1st – March for Wild Horses begins. Throughout the month we’ll publish fiction, non-fiction (blogs), and poetry about wild horses. The goal is to publish as much as possible! Comments will open on all published submissions so everyone has a chance to voice their thoughts about wild horses, even if they don’t submit something for publication.

MARCH 19th-26th – Meet TJ Holmes, wild horse tracker, photographer, and advocate. TJ will be here to share her story and answer questions about her work with wild horses. (Thanks to GHCer Rochlia for making the connection!)

MARCH 31st – March for Wild Horses halts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If we write an Int*l (international) Horse story about an American Mustang, will the horse we write about be added to the GHC stables?

Perhaps. The hope it to “adopt” a mustang for the GHC stables during March for Wild Horses. Int*l Horse submissions will be evaluated the same as any submission, and if suitable for GHC will be published in the blog along with other wild horse-themed stories and poetry. Depending on how many Int*l Horse stories we receive, Depending on how many Int*l Horse stories we receive, the decision about how to select one for adoption will be made sometime during March.

If you have questions about what makes a great Int*l Horse story, visit the stables and read the stories of Destiny, Shahar, Dancer, Lone Star, and Mirage.

Photo Source: Kevinzim