Horses and History

* Re “Removal of Island Horses Saddled With Controversy,” Sept. 25.

Of course, if the island horses “are not managed, captured, killed or removed, they will increase to the point where they starve or get disease.” Your story failed to mention that the herd was being managed and quite well at that.

Here is the other side of the story: Most of those who objected to the removal of the horses from Santa Cruz Island did so because the horses are an integral portion of the cultural history of the island. Nor was the objection made without provision for the care of the herd--for the sake of the animals themselves and of the native flora and fauna.

A team of highly qualified veterinarians, led by Dr. Karen Blumenshine, had been caring for the herd on a pro bono basis for three years. Dr. Blumenshine, whose qualifications include caring for the U.S. Olympics Equestrian Team, had successfully initiated a birth control program before she was barred from involvement by the federal government. Since then, the herd has increased by four.

Nearly all of Santa Cruz Island remains largely as it was during the time of Justinian Caire. As such, it provides a near matchless window into California’s rancho era. The vaqueros are long gone from the island, banished by those who “relate to the natural world” and, evidently, only to that world.

Now the horses descended from those on the island at the time of the Caire family have been banished as well. What a pity. They were an irreplaceable link to a beautiful era in the history of our state.

PATRICIA CLARK DOERNER

Ojai