Vulnerable wild horses and burros are having their stories told through a powerful new documentary that draws viewers into their often unseen lives and tight-knit family bands across the American west. At the same time, it shines a bright and infuriating spotlight on the horrors and traumatizing assaults they face at the hands of the U.S. government, which is using taxpayer dollars to mismanage and remove them from their rightful place on public lands — largely at the behest of the livestock industry.

Filmmakers Ashley Avis and Edward Winters produced the exceptional documentary Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West. It is fact-filled and hard-hitting against the government agencies responsible for these devastating roundups that maim and kill America's beautiful wild equids. Avis and Winters previously filmed and produced the recent Disney remake of the movie Black Beauty. They are accomplished filmmakers who spent four years researching wild horse issues and capturing their plight on film for the new documentary. 

In Defense of Animals attended the world premiere of Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West at the Breckenridge Film Festival on September 18, 2022. The event was attended by representatives from advocacy organizations and dignitaries such as Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis. They are both mentioned in the film as being active in the fight to help save our nation’s wild horses and burros.

We also attended the forum just before the film's showing and the panel discussion immediately following the film. Advocates agree that everyone should see this important film! It brings truth to the forefront that government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management try to keep hidden from the American people.

The film is currently on a film festival circuit with screenings across the country, including the Boston Film Festival and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Because this film should be widely seen, we urge you to contact your streaming services and ask them to include Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West in their programming. 

The prestigious Boston Film Festival concluded with Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West winning the award for Best Documentary Film!

In Defense of Animals is working hard to bring about change to end the roundups and keep wild horses and burros safe on our public lands. You may learn more about what we're doing and how to get involved by visiting our Wild Horses and Burros campaign.