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. We collect and fund the processing of DNA and keep the official ancestry for the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horse herd. We only use the names given by the park and CSU or us, so that all documentation is uniform.
Registration - With the collected DNA, 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. 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 and actively participates 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. In addition, 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.
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 photography site; sometimes we get pretty pictures but that's just luck!
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 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:
DNA testing of all horses taken from the park and some staying in the park.
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.
Special projects like improving the holding facility and providing resources for the captures. 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. We collect and fund the processing of DNA and keep the official ancestry for the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horse herd. We only use the names given by the park and CSU or us, so that all documentation is uniform.
Registration - With the collected DNA, 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. 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 and actively participates 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. In addition, 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.
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 photography site; sometimes we get pretty pictures but that's just luck!
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 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:
DNA testing of all horses taken from the park and some staying in the park.
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.
Special projects like improving the holding facility and providing resources for the captures. 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
April
14-16 2022 |
Minnesota Horse Expo 2022
Minnesota's larges equine trade show with over 700 trade show booths in five State Fair buildings. Clinicians will demonstrate all weekend. PRCA Rodeo. NDBH will have a booth along with TRNP horses. |
June
3-5 2022 |
North Dakota Horse Expo 2022
North Dakota's expo is held at the State Fair buildings in Minot, North Dakota. Clinicians will demonstrate all weekend.NDBH will have a booth along with TRNP horses. |
June
14 2022 |
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 (time to be determined). The parade starts at 5:00 p.m. MDT. |
September 10-12 2022 |
NDBH Annual Reunion Ride
Ninth 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 (even if your NDBH isn't ready to ride just yet!). |
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?
Here are some examples of the activities and projects in which NDBH participates.
2009-2013 |
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
(GSA auctions began) |
|
2018
|
With the end of the formal TRNP/NDBH Partnership NDBH donated the following to TRNP:
|
2019- current
|
|
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. The partnership between TRNP and NDBH allows 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 friends, QH cowpony, Heywood, and two horses removed from the park as yearlings, Hawk, removed in 2009, and Hekaza, removed in 2018. Her years of training horses in English, Western, and Driving prepared her for this fascinating and rewarding endeavor. Contact Marylu |
|
|
Bonnie overbyBoard Member
Coming soon! |
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
Coming soon! |
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. |
BRENDA HEILMANBoard Member
Coming soon! |