NORTH DAKOTA BADLANDS HORSE

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
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​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. 

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
  • Documented horses in TRNP
  • Identified horses and provided help at 2009 and 2013 roundups
  • Advertised the horses in 2009 so that all but 8 of the 103 horses sold at auction went to individuals
  • 2013 coordinated directly with TRNP, the city of Wishek, and Wishek Livestock to assure safety and success of the auction
  • 2013 coordinated with The Cloud Foundation and Legacy Mustang
  • Preservation to raise enough money to save 35 horses/ no horses were sold to slaughter at that sale
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
2014
  • Arranged and took part in a training by well know Low Stress Livestock Handler, Whit Hibbard
  • Conducted 30 out of 32 approved Low Stress Herding Field Trails in TRNP providing TRNP with data
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
2015
  • Signed a formal Partnership Agreement with TRNP (dissolved 3-24-18)
  • Helped build permanent capture pen and provided 4 panel gates
  • Purchased/provided capture sled for chemical immobilization captures
  • Sent three volunteers to Hand n Hand Livestock Solutions training
  • Helped with Low Stress captures of 13 horses placing 12 of them in good, preapproved homes (1 died)
  • Provided brand inspection and DNA testing on all horses
  • Helped with Vetting and loaded out horses
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
2016
  • Arranged for six NDBH volunteers to go to the Hand n Hand Livestock Solutions training
  • Purchased/provided portable panel system with 50 panels and trailer
  • Applied for a $1000 grant for immobilization drugs used in captures
  • Purchased chemical immobilization kits for captures
  • Hosted the Picnic in the Park event at TRNP
  • Purchased 6’ x 18’ stock trailer for use with captures
  • Helped capture 42 horses and found good homes for all
  • Provided brand inspection, DNA testing, and wormer for all horses
  • Helped with vetting and loaded out horses
  • Provided support and assistance to owners and potential owners
  • Used social media (Facebook and NDBH.org) to promote the horses and educate the public
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
2017
(GSA auctions began)
  • Helped capture horses
  • Provided wormer and brand inspection on horses
  • Helped train handlers for the handling facility
  • Helped find buyers for horses
  • Loaded out horses
  • Attended or hosted multiple events to promote TRNP horses
  • Provided support and assistance to owners and potential owners
  • Used social media (Facebook and NDBH.org) to promote the horses and educate the public
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
2018
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
  • Attended or hosted multiple events to promote TRNP horses.
  • Provided experienced volunteers to assist with the care and vetting of captured horses.
  • Provided support and assistance to owners and potential owners.
  • Used social media (Facebook and NDBH.org) to promote the horses and educate the public.

With the end of the formal TRNP/NDBH Partnership NDBH donated the following to TRNP:

  • Portable panel system
  • Utility sled for captures
  • Prepaid DNA testing for 77 horses
  • 17 large round bales delivered to TRNP for feeding captured horses
  • Purchased two Hay Chix large bale feeding nets
  • Misc. tools and supplies
2019- current
  • Networked with owners registering their horses
  • Attended or hosted multiple events to promote TRNP horses.
  • Provided experienced volunteers to assist with the care and vetting of captured horses.
  • Provided support and assistance to owners and potential owners.
  • Used social media (Facebook, Instagram and NDBH.org) to promote the horses and educate the public.
  • Tracked and documented horses in the park. 

THE TEAM

MaryLu Weber

President
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
SHERRY MILLS MOORE
Vice President
Sherry Mills Moore has been fascinated by the North Dakota Badland horses since the 90’s. She is a recently retired attorney who took a leadership role in the state bar association and other non-profits over the past 40 years. To help assure the future of the Badlands horses she hopes to combine experience with policy direction with her passion for the horses. Although she has lived nearly all her life in Bismarck, Sherry spends as much time as possible at Lake Tschida in western North Dakota. With Tim, her husband of 43 years, Sherry has two children, one grandchild and another on the way. Sherry is an amateur photographer, quilter and avid reader. ​

Henry Weber
Treasurer
Henry purchased his first horse in 1981 from the local auction barn. Tucker became an all around Western event and games horse in the Bismarck Horse Club Playdays. He was also a great trail horse for the family recreation of riding in the North Dakota Badlands. Henry switched to hunter jumper competition in the 90’s. He began volunteering for Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 1999 and has assisted with identification of the horses at the wild horse roundups. In 2003 he purchased his current trail horse (Ember’s Fire) at the sale following the roundup. He has been Treasurer of North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry since its start in 2009. Prior to retirement in Oct. 2008 Henry worked as an Engineer/Engineering Manager for Bobcat Company for 31 years.

Kathe Lind

Secretary
Born and raised and lived all my live in the Northern part of Minnesota, the land of ten thousand lakes and big timber. I have two children, a daughter and a son, and two wonderful grandsons whom I adore. I have worked most of my adult life in the bookkeeping and accounting field. Currently working part time and looking forward to retirement. My favorite hobby is riding horse, or doing anything “horse” related. For over 20 years I raised registered AQHA and APHA horses but now am the proud owner of 3 horses and one donkey. I love to travel. Most of my adventures take me West. I love the mountains and the wildlife.

Gwen Bader

Board 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.
​

Marissa ASHLEY

Board Member
Marissa has had a passion for animals from a young age, growing up with Morgan horses among other animals and starting riding with her mother at age 3. She and her 26 year old Morgan gelding, Alex (pictured), enjoy trail riding with her mother and her Morgan, Cori, as often as they can. She graduated college with a bachelor's in Biology/Chemistry. Marissa, along with a friend, started a 501(c)3 non-profit pet rescue in 2014 as well, giving her experience with adoptions and marketing available adoptees. In her free time, Marissa enjoys camping with her golden retriever, Murphy, and photographing the wild horses of TRNP.

Kally Wallcot

Board Member
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.

Kimberleigh anne

Board Member
 Kimberleigh Anne has ridden since she was a teenager, worked on a ranch and raised an assortment of animals. After traveling to 47 states and countless national parks, she decided North Dakota was the place to call home and moved there to be close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and her favorite herd of wild horses. When she is not in the park tracking horses, she can be found desperately trying to keep her desk from being devoured by colorful post-it notes. She lives on iced coffee, books she doesn’t finish and is mama to a few dogs who somehow turned out to be a few cats. She was overjoyed to bring  Zipporah (Teton x Vicki) home a few years ago and loves owning her own piece of history.