Letter: Our wild horses deserve more than promises

Patrick Springer / The Forum Opinion by Christine Kman November 06, 2026 at 4:11 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article Letters To The Editor Letters To The Editor Ideas and conclusions submitted and held solely by readers, and do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications. The Trust Project What is this? In 2024, Theodore Roosevelt National Park abandoned plans to eliminate its wild horse herd. Today, Congress is considering legislation intended to protect these horses. But how strong is that protection? Rep. Julie Fedorchak introduced the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horse Protection Act in the House. Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates has repeatedly requested amendments addressing genetic viability, science-based management, transparency, and public participation. ADVERTISEMENT We met with her office in July and were promised another meeting two weeks later. Despite repeated requests since August, we have received no response about scheduling that meeting. Rep. Fedorchak, why the silence? If Fedorchak is unwilling to discuss something as straightforward as protecting wild horses in a national park, how can North Dakotans trust her to address the more complex issues facing our state? We fought to stop the elimination of this historic herd. Yet we believe this legislation leaves too much discretion to park management. The real test of federal protection isn't whether it works when park management agrees with us. The real test is whether it continues to protect the horses when they don't. Superintendents change. Management priorities change. Federal protections must endure. Christine Kman is president and co-founder of Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates. ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE OF THE LATEST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter: Midterm elections always favor the party not in power 23h ago Letter: Healthcare costs are out of control 1d ago Letter: Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department will come back to haunt him 1d ago Letter: Don't fall for 'unclaimed money' pitch 2d ago Letter: North Dakota’s $9 billion trust fund is already working 4d ago Comments Share Share this article Letters To The Editor Letters To The Editor Ideas and conclusions submitted and held solely by readers, and do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Letters Letter: Same CT scan, 14 different prices 4d ago · By Cody A. Kristenson Letters Letter: Everything is going to be, or can be, A(I)-OK Oct 30 · By Dan Sundberg Letters Letter: This is a cause we should all support Oct 29 · By John Trelstad ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Moorhead How will vacant Moorhead City Council, Moorhead School Board seats be filled? 6h ago · By Ingrid Harbo North Dakota Driver charged in fatal Cass County crash settles Grand Forks cases 18h ago · By Matt Henson Business Sisters developing Kindro app to help users find their chosen family 5h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Lifestyle What if this winter’s forecast holds true? 5h ago · By Don Kinzler