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NORTH DAKOTA BADLANDS HORSE
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Mission Statement
Because wild horses of the Badlands hold a unique place in the history and settlement of North Dakota, the North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry was established to register, promote, appreciate, and preserve the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
About North Dakota Badlands Horse |
The North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry, is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit that was established because of a need for promotion and preservation of the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Marylu Weber had already been documenting and photographing these horses since the 1980's, recognizing that they were special and deserving.
The non-profit North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry was established to register, promote, appreciate and preserve the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota that are unique to the area.
The North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry was granted 501 (C) (3) status on 11/12/09.
For more information, check out official North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry documents.
What Does NDBH DO?
Documentation - We track, record and document horses, some of us having done so for over 20 years.
Registration - If DNA has been collected and shared with us, NDBH is able to confirm the sire of each horse removed from the park so that buyers can be sure of the parents of their horses. If a buyer wishes, for a small fee, NDBH will register a horse and provide a certificate with a five generation pedigree and the Texas A&M Ancestral DNA if available. Along with registration, a horse removed from TRNP may now receive the 'Arrowhead TR" freeze brand, forever connecting it with its homeland.
Volunteer - NDBH supports active participation in wild horse projects in the park. We attend horse expos and other horse related events in ND and surrounding states, bringing horses that were captured wild in the park to show their intelligence, trainability, and good temperaments. We have a board of people who work tirelessly to promote and advocate for the horses through social media and events. We appreciate the help of non board members as well.
Education - Through events and media outlets we visit with people from all over the country and world, promoting the horses, telling of their history and value, so that horses removed from the park can find great homes. On our web page we share informative herd related articles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Colorado State University, and other researchers.
Networking - NDBH connects with owners and interested wild horse followers, providing opportunities to network, trade training tips, share pictures and stories, get together, encourage one another, and enjoy the comradely of getting to know other owners. If a horse does need to be re-homed, NDBH is able to assist both seller and buyer to see that the horse is safe, appropriate for the prospective buyer's family, and reaches its new home with all the needed traveling paperwork.
Advocacy - When in December of 2022, the NPS announced its options for a "livestock plan that would remove all the horses or greatly reduce their numbers, NDBH began actively digging to find and share peer-reviewed research that supported the horses as a native species in North America, as valuable to the ecology of the region, and having contributed to the valuable genetic and contraceptive research. We found and shared compelling articles to show that the horses are historically, culturally, economically, and emotionally essential to the park and its visitors. NDBH has taken part in campaigns to make elected officials and all people aware of the threat against wild horses and the need to protect them for the future. Since April of 2024 when the NPS decided to maintain a genetically healthy herd of horses in the park, we have again worked with park personnel toward that goal. We will always work to ensure that there will be a healthy reproductive herd of horses in the park in perpetuity.
What We Are Not
It is not NDBH policy nor practice to campaign for or against any agency, group, or individual directly or indirectly. We aim to get along with everyone in a respectful manner. Differences of opinion and misunderstanding will happen but we feel communication and cooperation are always the best policy. Please talk to us first before sharing anything concerning NDBH or our relationship with other agencies, groups, etc.
We are not a discussion page for wild horse issues. This herd is maintained and managed by Theodore Roosevelt National Park not BLM so the policies and procedures for the management of this herd are different and the sole responsibility of TRNP. For information concerning park horse management contact the park at 1-701-623-4466.
We are not a bank. It is firmly against our policies and ethics as a non-profit to provide funds for the purchase of horses. NDBH does not bid on horses. NDBH cannot pay for the care or vetting of anyone's horse. That is the responsibility of the owner.
We will not buy horses that need rehoming but we will help connect sellers to buyers.
Where Does/Did the Money Go?
NDBH raises money from the sale of tee-shirts, books, and other fundraisers.
Unless raised for a specific project, revenue taken in by the non-profit goes toward:
2013-2019: DNA testing of all horses taken from the park and some staying in the park.
2015-2019: Brand inspection of all horses sold from the park.
Promotion of the TRNP horses at various events.
Expenses incurred by volunteers having met hourly requirements.
Misc. organizational expenses like insurance, webpage fees, office supplies, etc.
Please see the list below for a complete overview of special projects in years past.
If you would like to see a break down of what was paid for last year, please see our website or Guide Star report. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask us in a PM, phone call, or in person. We would be happy to visit with you privately.
For general information we continually update our website and Guide Star, and will periodically make public Facebook posts.
NDBH appreciates your support; we would not be here without you.
Documentation - We track, record and document horses, some of us having done so for over 20 years.
Registration - If DNA has been collected and shared with us, NDBH is able to confirm the sire of each horse removed from the park so that buyers can be sure of the parents of their horses. If a buyer wishes, for a small fee, NDBH will register a horse and provide a certificate with a five generation pedigree and the Texas A&M Ancestral DNA if available. Along with registration, a horse removed from TRNP may now receive the 'Arrowhead TR" freeze brand, forever connecting it with its homeland.
Volunteer - NDBH supports active participation in wild horse projects in the park. We attend horse expos and other horse related events in ND and surrounding states, bringing horses that were captured wild in the park to show their intelligence, trainability, and good temperaments. We have a board of people who work tirelessly to promote and advocate for the horses through social media and events. We appreciate the help of non board members as well.
Education - Through events and media outlets we visit with people from all over the country and world, promoting the horses, telling of their history and value, so that horses removed from the park can find great homes. On our web page we share informative herd related articles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Colorado State University, and other researchers.
Networking - NDBH connects with owners and interested wild horse followers, providing opportunities to network, trade training tips, share pictures and stories, get together, encourage one another, and enjoy the comradely of getting to know other owners. If a horse does need to be re-homed, NDBH is able to assist both seller and buyer to see that the horse is safe, appropriate for the prospective buyer's family, and reaches its new home with all the needed traveling paperwork.
Advocacy - When in December of 2022, the NPS announced its options for a "livestock plan that would remove all the horses or greatly reduce their numbers, NDBH began actively digging to find and share peer-reviewed research that supported the horses as a native species in North America, as valuable to the ecology of the region, and having contributed to the valuable genetic and contraceptive research. We found and shared compelling articles to show that the horses are historically, culturally, economically, and emotionally essential to the park and its visitors. NDBH has taken part in campaigns to make elected officials and all people aware of the threat against wild horses and the need to protect them for the future. Since April of 2024 when the NPS decided to maintain a genetically healthy herd of horses in the park, we have again worked with park personnel toward that goal. We will always work to ensure that there will be a healthy reproductive herd of horses in the park in perpetuity.
What We Are Not
It is not NDBH policy nor practice to campaign for or against any agency, group, or individual directly or indirectly. We aim to get along with everyone in a respectful manner. Differences of opinion and misunderstanding will happen but we feel communication and cooperation are always the best policy. Please talk to us first before sharing anything concerning NDBH or our relationship with other agencies, groups, etc.
We are not a discussion page for wild horse issues. This herd is maintained and managed by Theodore Roosevelt National Park not BLM so the policies and procedures for the management of this herd are different and the sole responsibility of TRNP. For information concerning park horse management contact the park at 1-701-623-4466.
We are not a bank. It is firmly against our policies and ethics as a non-profit to provide funds for the purchase of horses. NDBH does not bid on horses. NDBH cannot pay for the care or vetting of anyone's horse. That is the responsibility of the owner.
We will not buy horses that need rehoming but we will help connect sellers to buyers.
Where Does/Did the Money Go?
NDBH raises money from the sale of tee-shirts, books, and other fundraisers.
Unless raised for a specific project, revenue taken in by the non-profit goes toward:
2013-2019: DNA testing of all horses taken from the park and some staying in the park.
2015-2019: Brand inspection of all horses sold from the park.
Promotion of the TRNP horses at various events.
Expenses incurred by volunteers having met hourly requirements.
Misc. organizational expenses like insurance, webpage fees, office supplies, etc.
Please see the list below for a complete overview of special projects in years past.
If you would like to see a break down of what was paid for last year, please see our website or Guide Star report. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask us in a PM, phone call, or in person. We would be happy to visit with you privately.
For general information we continually update our website and Guide Star, and will periodically make public Facebook posts.
NDBH appreciates your support; we would not be here without you.
News and upcoming events
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June
14 2025 |
Medora Annual All Horse Flag Day Parade
Join NDBH and TRNP wild horse owners as they participate in the annual festivities of Flag Day in Medora, North Dakota. A meet and greet of horses captured from the park will be held at the Western Edge Book Store after the parade. Parade time is to be determined. |
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September 4-8 2025 |
Liberty Clinic and NDBH Annual Reunion Ride
Annual North Dakota Badlands Horse Reunion Ride. Everyone is welcome to attend the reunion events except for the trail ride which is only open to all NDBH owners and spouses (even if your NDBH isn't ready to ride just yet!). We will again be camping at Sully Creek State Park south of Medora. Register for camping spots early as they fill up quickly. |
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?
Here are some examples of the activities and projects in which NDBH participates.
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2023-2024 Current |
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2009-2022 |
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2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
(GSA auctions began) |
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2018
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With the end of the formal TRNP/NDBH Partnership NDBH donated the following to TRNP:
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2019- current
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THE TEAM
MaryLu WeberPresident
Marylu Weber has been loving and riding horses for over 60 years and riding with her husband in TRNP since the mid-1980s so it was natural to start photographing the wild horses. She started volunteering for TRNP in 1999, identifying and documenting the horses in coordination with park staff. When another roundup was scheduled for 2009, Marylu felt the need to start an organization to promote the horses and build a network of owners. She and Henry founded North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry that year and it has since acquired nonprofit status. In the past years over 195 horses have found good homes because of friends and followers of NDBH. A partnership between TRNP and NDBH allowed NDBH to help TRNP staff with the capture, handling, and loading of wild horses. Marylu has gentled 6 of the wild horses and now enjoys her best equine friend, Hawk, removed in 2009. Hekaza, removed in 2018, was an enjoyable filly to train and now has found a wonderful home with Marylu and Henry's dear friend, Carmen. Her years of training horses in English, Western, and Driving prepared her for this fascinating and rewarding endeavor. A small rescue dog, Zani, has captured Marylu's heart and changed her focus from horse training to dog agility training. |
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Bonnie overbyBoard Member
Bonnie Overby is a native North Dakotan having grown up on a farm and ranch where she was given her first pony at the age of 5. She first became acquainted with the North Dakota badland’s horses in 2009 when she purchased her first wild horse, Sugar, as seen in the picture. She is a recently retired registered nurse with experience in ophthalmology, long term care, rehab and nurse management. She and her husband, George, enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, church involvement and spending time with their family. They have 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren. Bonnie continues to enjoy horseback riding, sharing her love of horses with others and attending horse clinics to expand on her training knowledge. |
Gwen BaderBoard Member
Gwen and her husband Dave Spong own and operate Hopkins Pet Hospital specializing in Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Gwen is the Practice Manager and a Certified Veterinary Technician with a true sense of business and love of animals. Her work experience covers many facets that have been beneficial to the NDBH and advocating for the wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home. Being the proud owner to three NDBH wild horses and also a very active trail rider has brought Gwen experience that she is always willing to share with others. |
CLAUDIA HEBERT-LOWBoard Member
I am Claudia Hebert Low and I am from SW Louisiana. I grew up with horses and during my childhood, I read every book I could find about wild horses. It was a childhood dream of mine to observe horses in the wild one day. My college career started with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and I worked for a large and small animal vet for a few years before starting my career in nursing. Nursing did not deter me from the horses, however! I continued to ride and compete as much as life allowed. I was well into my 50’s when I found out we would be moving to North Dakota (2015) and I would finally be able to witness horses in the wild. I had been following WIND on Facebook and I was ecstatic when I found that the horses on the WIND page would be only an hour away from my new home. Once I discovered TRNP and how to seek out the wild bands, I made a goal to learn about each and every one. It wasn’t long before I was determined to own a NDBH. I was introduced to Marylu Weber 6 months after my move to ND and I adopted my NDBH, Gates, in 2016. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. Gates, now known as Whiskey River (his dam is Whiskey, sire Georgia’s Boy, and he was born on the River), is, by far, my heart horse! He has taught me so much in the past 7 years! I had to rely on the NDBH owners for information and support during our first year or so but it was so worth the adventure. In 2019, we moved to West Texas and my only regret is leaving TRNP and the wild herd behind. I was elected to the Board in July 2022. I intend to continue advocating for this herd and supporting NDBH, low stress captures and adoptions. |
Kally WalcotTSecretary
I am a country girl at my roots. I grew up in rural mid-Michigan on a centennial farm where my family grew crops, ran a large dairy operation and raised hogs. I loved caring for the animals and was active in many 4-H projects. I attended Michigan State University and obtained a degree in veterinary technology. I practiced in this career for over 30 years in multiple states. Although I currently do not have a horse or a barn my husband parks a V-8/450 hp red beast in our garage! Weather permitting we enjoy cruising the roads in the St. Croix river area. We share our Hugo, Minnesota home with three fabulous felines Finley, Gordy and Mercy. |
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