EquuStyle: Were you a wild horse advocate before deciding to write, narrate, direct, edit, and produce the film “Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West?
Ashley Avis: I grew up with horses, an experience that truly helped shape the course of my life and career. However, it wasn't until my late twenties that I discovered the plight of wild horses in the Western United States when I was brought aboard to write and direct a reimagining of Black Beauty, which was released by Disney in 2020.
In being tasked with modernizing Anna Sewell's iconic classic, which inspired my great love of horses as a child - I wanted to honor the spirit of what she had crafted. Few people know Black Beauty was not written as a children's book - it was an animal welfare plea for the horses of Anna's time in the late 1800s. And so, in researching modern-day issues horses are facing today, I began reading about the roundups, the cruelty, the corruption, and the startling inhumanity.
That is what moved me, along with my husband and producing partner Edward Winters, to embark on Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West. That independent documentary took five passionate years to craft.
EquuStyle: What motivated you to make the film?
Ashley Avis: Originally, we went out to capture footage of wild horses in their natural habitat, so that we could bring authenticity to our narrative film, Black Beauty. Ed and I raised a little bit of money to embark on that first trip to Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada - experiencing the extraordinary beauty of wild horses on the range, along with our first roundup.
The devastating Bureau of Land Management operation was on the Triple B Complex in Nevada. I will never forget hiking with our heavy camera gear to the top of a mountain, while the BLM officials (several with guns) informed us we couldn't put up umbrellas in the 100-degree heat because it would "scare the horses." Mind you, those poor mustangs were miles away from us, being chased at eye level by dueling helicopters. We were horrified.
What struck me about that day, as a former journalist, was that the agency had clearly hidden the "trap site" (the metal corrals where they stampede and capture the horses) so that the public, along with our film crew, could not see what was happening. Trap sites are often where the injuries often happen, as horses break their legs and necks trying to escape, or get back to their families.
After witnessing that roundup and realizing the antiquation and brutality of it - we wanted to know why. We soon came to understand that wild horses were being eradicated by the federal government in deference to the commercial livestock industry. A battle over land and powerful special interests. We realized at that point we had to keep going, we had to create a second film - a Blackfish for wild horses.
EquuStyle: What were some of the greatest challenges that you had to overcome to get the film funded and produced?
Ashley Avis: The greatest challenge besides raising the money, which is always hard - surrounded access. The BLM officials eventually got wind of what we were doing, and they did not want us documenting roundup cruelty, or the fact that BLM officials kill healthy horses for senseless reasons - those they deem blind, arthritic, or have a club foot. The agency officials we came into contact with were deceptive, they routinely blocked the trapsites from our view, in one instance they even forced us away from shelter during a thunderstorm, making us stand out on the open range in the rain as we filmed. They routined and flippantly denied our Constitutional rights as journalists.
The other great challenge was sadness. As a horsewoman, witnessing these atrocities befall innocent wild horses; pregnant mares, newborn foals, and the brave stallions trying to protect them - was very difficult to bear. However, my emotions were of course nothing compared to what they went through.
EquuStyle: What were the conditions like during the filming?
Ashley Avis: A great deal of our Wild Beauty journey was truly spectacular - and I encourage everyone to get out and see the American West.
Our crew drove over 20,000 miles over thirteen different states, and diverse landscapes. The rich forests of Oregon, the crimson rock moonscapes in Arizona, the sagebrush seas of Nevada. We had a tiny crew of five - it was myself, my husband/producing partner Ed, my younger brother/producer Richard Avis, our cinematographer Kai Krause, and a camera assistant. My parents even joined us on one trip - while my Mom cooked food for the crew out of the back seat of their rental car. It was a family affair.
There were the darker moments as well, such as visiting the holding facilities where wild horses are warehoused like livestock. These places are often cramped, dirt pens where there is no room to roam, or gallop. The closely bonded families are separated, and you hear them cry for each other. Sometimes there is not even shelter from the elements - heat or rain. I have seen these government facilities flooded with rain and muck. The BLM doesn't post photos like those on social media. But that is the truth behind how they 'humanely manage' our federally protected national icons after a roundup.
And most people find this shocking - our tax-dollars are paying for it. The BLM's budget to 'manage' wild horses, which is largely spent on costly roundups and holding - is over 150 million dollars a year.
EquuStyle: Did you or your film crew consider giving up when armed BLM staff were aggressive with you during the filming?
Ashley Avis: Never. The more injustice we saw, the bolder we became.
EquuStyle: What part of the film is most disturbing to you?
Ashley Avis: That's a hard question. My gut reaction was when we went undercover in Texas, into the slaughter pipeline - covertly filming as wild horses and burros got auctioned off to kill buyers. I desperately wished in that moment I had millions of dollars - I would have rescued them all.
But I think the most disturbing part of filming Wild Beauty was seeing the horses we had come to know, after they had been subjected to a roundup.
The herd we became closest to were the Onaqui horses in Utah. We featured them in Black Beauty and got to spend years visiting them. In the controversial roundup of 2021, my heart shattered as we watched those horses chased by the helicopters. They ended up in a dirty, half-flooded holding facility - their once resplendent coats caked with mud, water halfway up their knees. It broke my heart. If you look into the eyes of a free wild horse, it stirs a sense of inexplicable joy and wild in you. To then take in the same, clouded gaze of a horse who has been stripped of its family and freedom - you will be haunted for the rest of your life.
EquuStyle: What part of the film is most hopeful to you?
Ashley Avis: Oh, so much. Seeing the families in the wild. Witnessing a filly grow up to become a lead mare, or watching a stallion engaged in a battle - then soon after striding over to gently nuzzle his sleeping foal with exquisite tenderness. Those were the moments that made being out on the range so special, while also reminding us what was at stake in their protection. And it brings me joy to be able to share that with people around the world.
The children also inspire hope. Before the roundup of the Onaqui, we launched a campaign called "I Stand With WIld Horses" - encouraging young people to write letters to their Members of Congress, or to the President. Suddenly hundreds of people were posting to social media, holding up signs with those words, tagging their lawmakers. It was incredible. When we arrived at a rally in Salt Lake City in Utah - there it was again on the Capitol steps "I Stand With Wild Horses."
I think there is great hope to be found in the next generation speaking out on behalf of our world in Wild Beauty.
EquuStyle: How have viewers of the film responded?
Ashley Avis: It has been overwhelming to witness how audiences have responded, particularly in theater where you can really feel that emotion surge. There are instances of joy, levity, and laughter - along with horror, anger, and a profound sense of injustice.
It moves me to tears when people walk out of the film angry - but with passion. And they say things like, "I didn't know this was happening. This is wrong. What can I do to help?"
EquuStyle: After watching the film, what action or actions do you want viewers to take?
Ashley Avis: Awareness is key. We must urge our Members of Congress to take action and to stop the brutality and corruption against wild horses and burros, before we lose them completely. This is a fight over land and special interests, and wild horses have been caught in the middle.
We are asking people to become educated by visiting www.wildbeautyfoundation.org - and to make calls to their Representatives, urging them to co-sponsor The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 3656) which if passed, would end the use of antiquated helicopters in the roundups - helping to curtail this cruelty.
EquuStyle: How have wild horse photographers and advocates Kimerlee Curyl, Carol Walker, and Sandy Sisti used their influence on social media to promote the film?
Ashley Avis: I often stay, particularly to children - storytelling has great responsibility. We are all storytellers, so what are we choosing to put out into the world?
There is such rich storytelling in art and wildlife photography. The stunning work of Kimerlee Curyl, Sandy Sisti, and Carol Walker is so affecting - each image is a glimpse into a world, into a story. And these extraordinary women don't stop there - they are also tireless in their advocacy. They use their artistic gifts and social media platforms to bring wild horses to new audiences to inspire change.
Before I met Kimerlee Curyl back in 2017, I was so moved by her photography that her images became references to how I wanted to cinematically explore framing "Beauty" in our feature film Black Beauty. She is very inspiring to me.
EquuStyle: Have horse rescues and sanctuaries been approached to promote the film to their supporters?
Ashley Avis: We have spread the word far and wide, encouraging everyone to share the film, and to get the message out not only to the equine audience - but to a global audience. We also provide links to the documentary free of charge for educational purposes - to schools, universities, and other groups.
EquuStyle: Are any other organizations helping with the marketing and promotion of the film?
Ashley Avis: The long-term ripple effect Wild Beauty has is something we will never fully know - so many people and organizations around the world have shared it. We are appreciative to every one of them, because it is teamwork that will ultimately inspire change.
Noted collaborators during the years it took to create Wild Beauty were Western Watersheds Project and The Cloud Foundation.
EquuStyle: In what ways has the film impacted the mission of Wild Beauty Foundation?
Ashley Avis: In every way imaginable. Black Beauty led to Wild Beauty, which led to our first rescue of thirteen horses (any horsewoman will understand me when I joke... I promised my husband I would start with one...). Those "Lucky 13" inspired the creation of the foundation, which led to using our platform as filmmakers to shed a spotlight on the issue. Things only got bigger, and as The Wild Beauty Foundation became a voice in the space - we soon found ourselves on the way to Congress.
Our mission as a nonprofit is to raise awareness that inspires fundamental change to protect the horses of our time, through film, education, rescue, and advocacy.
EquuStyle: Have you noticed an increase in the number of youth and adults seeking information about how to advocate for wild horses?
Ashley Avis: I am blown away by the messages I receive - not only from adults, but from children around the world who want to know what they can do to help. I recently hand-delivered about fifty postcards from kids to individual Members of Congress when I visited Washington D.C. in April. The impact those letters have is incredible - their sincerity cuts through the political noise and inspires lawmakers to listen.
EquuStyle: Do you think your recent meeting on Capitol Hill was productive? Did you accomplish the goals you set beforehand?
Ashley Avis: Nothing moves very quickly in Washington, which is the hard truth. However, I do feel we successfully launched a pretty large boulder down the bureaucratic mountain during our most recent trip, this time screening portions of Wild Beauty within the United States Capitol.
We were lucky this past April to have Oscar-nominated actress Diane Lane alongside us. Diane saw the documentary and asked how she could help. Her presence opened so many doors, and we added several new co-sponsors to a bill we are fighting for. We have such incredible champions now - notably Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) who is the sponsor of The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (D-PA), among others.
EquuStyle: H.R.3656 - Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023 was introduced in the House on May 24, 2023. What can citizens do to influence the passage of this vital legislation?
Ashley Avis: Awareness. So many people, including horse people, simply do not know this is happening.
I would say, after four trips to Washington D.C. in the past three years - perhaps half the Members of Congress we have met with know anything about the roundups, and if they have heard of them - they rarely know about the brutality. Your calls and emails to help educate their staff do make a difference. So please, if you're moved by this article - make that call, send that note, visit istandwithwildhorses.org to share your thoughts using our automated form. Please be moved to act.
EquuStyle: Why do you think politicians are reluctant to pass legislation to stop cruel helicopter and fixed aircraft roundups of wild horses?
Ashley Avis: The deep pockets and ceaseless lobbying by the livestock industry - which is determined to eradicate wild horses from their rightful habitat in favor of commercial cattle and sheep grazing. The helicopter roundups are also a business. The contractors are awarded hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars to do this work - and they certainly don't want to lose that money train. The most awarded contractor by the BLM has been paid over thirty million dollars.
We are up against several powerful opponents. But we are not going away.
EquuStyle: After learning more about the motivations behind the BLM, livestock ranchers, politicians, and other critics of wild horses, do you believe wild horses have a chance to remain on public lands?
Ashley Avis: I do. The BLM is, unfortunately, doing a great job of deceiving the media, whether it's telling stories out on the range that are not based on fact or science, or putting out news stories that state wild horses are overpopulated, degrading the rangeland, etc. They use this 'reasoning' as false justification to remove a few hundred federally protected wild horses, before releasing thousands of cattle and sheep to graze on precisely the same land. According to the BLM's own data, livestock are the leading reason for rangeland degradation at figures over 70% - but they don't tell the press that.
I cannot imagine a world in which we lose nature. I am encouraged by the public outcry that has resulted in part from Wild Beauty being available to a global audience - and I do believe we will change this. But to be successful, we need to band together and fight.
EquuStyle: What are the Wild Beauty Foundation’s current and future strategies to advocate for protecting and preserving America’s wild horses?
Ashley Avis: Currently, we are working hard on the passage of significant legislation to protect wild horses, while planning our next Washington D.C. event. For the future, we are developing a video curriculum for children in schools called "Wild Horse Week," and constructing a plan to grow our efforts at the foundation. If you can help in any way, let us know!
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