"Disappointment Valley. . .A Modern Day Western" exposes the cruelty of BLM roundups

No one should believe that the temporary cessation of wild horse roundups by the BLM is more than just a brief interlude.  The agency plans to be back grabbing wild horses with a vengeance, as soon as the weather and the political climate allow.

And that's why James Kleinert's new film, Disappointment Valley. . .A Modern Day Western, is so important.  The feature-length documentary examines the politics behind the BLM's controversial management of millions of acres of public lands, and sounds an alarm bell about the the tentative future of America's wild horses and burros, whose very existence is in jeopardy.  It will be shown publicly on February 11th, during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Produced by Kleinert's Moving Cloud Productions, Disappointment Valley. . .A Modern Day Western has documentary footage of what happens to the horses during and after the unrelenting helicopter chases over dizzying terrain, and the brutal captures.  The scenes of hysterical, frightened, and manhandled horses are graphic and terrifying.  But we need to see them.  "I hope this film will not only educate viewers about the disturbing, massive removal of our horses, but inspire change to the future of these precious animals," Kleinert said.

Disappointment Valley. . .A Modern Day Western takes its name from Disappointment Valley, Colorado, home of the majestic band stallion known as Traveler.  He and his snow-white mare, Alfa, lived and thrived with their family until the BLM conducted a massive wild horse roundup in an area known as the Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area.  BLM contractors summarily removed two thirds of the wild horse herd there, destroying the wild band's family dynamics and genetic viability in the process.  Traveler and his family were sent to a short-term holding facility, facing the possibility of euthanasia or being shipped to Mexico for brutal slaughter.  The film follows wild horse "hero vigilantes" as they work for Traveler's freedom, intent on returning him to his rightful homeland.

Michael Blake, one of the many wild horse advocates who are interviewed in the film, says, "If the public could view what was being done to wild horses, the public would stand up and take action."

Disappointment Valley. . .A Modern Day Western shows us what our government is doing to wild horses, and why we need to care about it.  It's clear that that  nothing short of a moratorium on future roundups will suffice.