A few years ago almost 1,000 horses in horrific condition were seized by authorities from ISPMB due to neglect and starvation. Horses with injuries and broken bones were left to suffer without help. Over 50 horses had already died and were thrown into a pit in one of the pastures. A respected nonprofit organization was asked by SD court to take the horses into care. They fed and rehabilitated them, and found them all good homes. ISPMB is run by one elderly woman. Considered a hoarder by many. The website and social media pages are very very misleading. Please Google the name of this organization and look for articles about what she did and how she mistreated that massive number of wild horses. Lots of info available in archived Rapid City, SD newspaper and many more online sources . South Dakota Attorney General's office can provide additional details. This is not a good place to support or donate to.
Review from Guidestar
This organization has been convicted of multiple welfare, abuse and neglect offenses in South Dakota. The assertions on their website on research and expertise are absolutely fabulized and untrue. They should not have your support. Do not believe the assertions about their leader's knowledge or what is the truth about wild horses.
If I’d not seen found this group, I wouldn’t have known that the wild horses in America were having such a struggle. As someone who lives in the city, I always figured that people in the countryside looked out for them, but as it turns out, these animals need our help. I applaud ISPMB for bringing more awareness to what these animals go through.
I recommend ISPMB for my fellow students looking for an organization with great information and knowledge about wild horse populations and the effect humans have on their herds and habitat. This is a great organization that has so much amazing information; they’re very informative. This is an excellent group.
People will go to zoos but will overlook the fact that these horses and burros are our local wildlife and that they deserve a safe ecosystem as well, especially from people driving them out of their natural habitat! Great work, ISPMB. Thank you for your unceasing dedication towards the wild mustangs and burros’ protection. I’m confident that more wild herds can be saved with people of your passion at the helm of the movement.
I wholly believe that the ISPMB is greatly underappreciated. This dedicated organization puts so much of its time and focus on protecting local wildlife in this country! They do so much good work spreading awareness and reminding people that these animals need protection. I’ve seen how they do such clear studies on the best way to protect these populations and give them space so we can all have room to live.
The ISPMB is an excellent organization to introduce young adults to. Seeing how the organization is saving America’s wild horses is a great initiative to get behind, as all of the results would be tangible. We are very proud to be members of ISPMB and highly recommend everyone to work with them too.
This year, my company wanted to do something extra for CSR, so we sponsored a herd, agreeing that the team would see them. Everyone was impressed with the animals that we all shelled out our own money to help the cause. I even brought along my children the next time.
My mom gifted me with a junior membership to ISPMB for my 13th birthday, and I thought she was cheap. Now, I love being a member of ISPMB as I volunteer my time to take care of the beautiful animals. I love seeing them in action and seeing that they are growing because of our help.
I started donating small amounts to ISPMB—I started with $5, followed by $10. Then, I saw the beautiful animals we were helping, and I wanted to help out more. Now I am an individual member, and I actively take part in keeping the horses safe. I am thankful that there are organizations like us that actively take part in keeping wild burros safe.
ISPMB is my favorite nonprofit organization. They help save burros that are going to be extinct otherwise. I’m rooting for them! I love that they have a no-nonsense approach to volunteering—everyone who is a part of the group loves animals and would do anything to protect these horses.
One of our university groups reached out to ISPMB for some studies and information about local wild mustangs and horses, and I guarantee that this has been the best choice. The people here are so well-informed and have so many resources for us to learn about. Many of us have started a project to do a sponsorship with them to continue saving wild horses!
We contacted ISPMB right away when we heard there were some “issues” about wild horses near our land. They weren’t just able to help us with necessary information; they even connected us to sanctuaries and other people who would give us the resources we needed to make sure the animals are safe from harm and can live out their lives peacefully. So much gratitude to this organization!
Learned more about wild mustangs and burros than ever before after contacting ISPMB. One of the local landowners had initially planned on culling a nearby herd of them. Still, after we’d all met with this group, we have been implementing changes to ensure we can do our business while not harming these animals. We have to remember that they were here before us!
I learned about ISPMB while researching horses, and I am astounded by the fantastic work that they do. So many of us see horses as livestock or work animals—we often forget that the country also has so many incredible wild horses and mustangs. These are where the domesticated ones had come from. ISPMB is spreading much-needed awareness about these amazing animals.
I’d never heard of the ISPMB before, but now I’m thrilled that I have. I have worked with animals all my life. Still, I’d never come across an organization that has been so tirelessly dedicated to protecting larger animals the way this organization is. I genuinely feel that they are experts in the habitat and needs of wild horses in this country, and they deserve all the support possible.
Thank you so much, ISPMB, for helping us save the wild herd near our land! We got word that there were repeated attempts to get rid of them one way or the other, and the organization has done a lot for us by way of aid in making sure that the wild mustangs get to stay. They even made sure to stay in contact to help us work with local forest services so we could all make sure that the herds remain safe from harm.
The dedication that ISPMB has towards protecting wild horses is so commendable. They are out there working hard and saving entire herds from attempts at exterminating or culling them to benefit domesticated livestock. They were here long before people have been! I wholeheartedly encourage all animal lovers to look into this organization and help them protect the herds and restore them to the natural habitat that they truly deserve.
I recommend people to look into ISPMB and donate if they can. When most people think of protecting animals and habitats, they think immediately think of exotic endangered creatures. ISPMB reminds us that wild mustangs and burros aren’t just native to our lands but that they have been overlooked and deserve just as much protection as well! They have a lot of information, and they even allow sponsorships so everyone can do their part in helping protect these majestic animals.
For other teachers looking for resources to teach their kids about the importance of preserving wild animals’ habitats, I encourage looking into ISPMB. They have so much information to share about protecting wild mustangs and burros and how everyone can help protect the areas where they live. I think it will give kids a wonderful learning experience and teach them how animals can be protected.
Working with ISMPB is a truly eye-opening experience. Most people see wild horses and burros as parts of storybook landscapes. Other landowners see them as pests. But ISMPB truly cares about the welfare of these beautiful animals and gives them the protection they deserve. I am thrilled to have been able to work with them in their vision and mission to defend wild mustangs and encourage others to do the same.
I first dealt with ISPMB when I sponsored a band. As I grew more and more familiar with the horses, I knew that they needed help, so I pitched in and sponsored the entire Gila herd. The people at ISPMB know what they are doing, and I trust that they’ll be able to secure the future for these beautiful animals.
I fell in love with Sultan’s Girl, and I immediately asked to sponsor her. After a while, I realized that I wanted to do more, so I sponsored a band of horses. ISPMB indulges me whenever I want to see her. I am very proud that my modest donation can keep beautiful horses like Sultan’s Girl healthy and happy.
Wild horses belong in the wild! I am a long-time volunteer at ISPMB, and I have always admired their initiatives and how they keep the horses safe. We take care of four unique herds, and they are all gorgeous, healthy, and well-taken care of. Every time I see them, I am always filled with joy because I know I am making a difference.
We are fortunate that groups like the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros exist. They make it possible for us to see endangered and rare horses—breeds that would long be gone if not for their protection! I am very proud of them and the excellent work they are doing.
I am in awe of organizations such as the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros. They are sincere and straightforward in their care of the horses. I have been an avid donor and sponsor since 2015, and they continue to give me updates about the horses and send photos. One day I hope to visit them!
I went to volunteer for a few hours and had a wonderful time. We did some clean-up chores then rearranged some horse pins. Diane is warm-hearted and the environment is good to work in.
Love the work there doing
Please reach out to help.
This is a really good cause
And you get to see the amazingness of nature
We've visited the herd ISPMB manages and they are truly majestic animals. Our kids had the time of their life wathcing them run across the feilds. A memory they'll hold for the rest of their lives.
According to ISPMB today, they are moving. Who will be overseeing the court order to have no more than 40 horses? Who is going to look out for the long term care of these horses that will likely be allowed to freely breed just like they were before. This is truly disturbing.
Review from Guidestar
The horses this charity alleges to care for were impounded by the South Dakota state attorney due to long-term starvation and neglect (over 800 horses at the time of impoundment) in the fall of 2016. On January 27, 2017, a hearing is scheduled wherein a judge will decide the disposition of the horses. Three legitimate horse rescue groups have petitioned the court to transfer ownership to them so that they can provide the extensive care these horses require and then place them for adoption. The president of International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros continues to solicit donations as a 503(c)(3) charity when neither she nor the ISPMB have control over the horses and are the ones responsible for the long-term neglect and starvation. A search of the Internet will substantiate what is written above. (Note the overgrown hooves on the young horse in the attached photo. This is one of hundreds with neglected hooves.)
Review from Guidestar
Going back over 5 years we have been telling this organization that it was out of control and they needed a massive contraception program plus adoption program to pull numbers down to levels that the organization could realistically care for. The answer has always been "We are fine and are about to sign on a major donor". Well this mythical donor has never appeared and the horses have paid dearly for the myopic view of the ISPMB Board of Directors and the manager Karen Sussman. There is no adequate excuses for allowing things to get this far out of control.
Horrible animal abuse...130 horses starved to death...Abuse going back many years...No vet or hoof care...Donated funds goes to cover the presidents bad financial decisions not to horse care...Dewey County Sheriff has to care for the horses now ...Do Not donate to this horse abusing horror show...
I am on the Board of another equine rescue and have been disturbed by what has been happening at ISPMB for more than 3 years. The most recent events are of such a horrible nature that it is time for the horses to be rescued from this so called rescue. They need to be investigated for animal cruelty and fraud!
On Oct 11 2016 there was a court hearing. The judge has placed the horses in the care of law enforcement. Here is what the veterinarian who examined the 600-plus horses reported:
“Ownership [ISPMB] does not appear to have the means, money, labor, and facilities to support and manage a population of animals this size,” the report said, “and does not appear to have adequate plans to assure the future of this herd. Based on my findings as outlined in this report, it is my determination that animal neglect is present at this facility."
Do not give ISPMB, led by Karen Sussman, any money - they are killing the horses.
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As of Oct 2016 local law enforcement is seizing hundreds of starving and dying horses belonging to this organization. It is a travesty that has been going on for years. It has to stop. Uncontrolled breeding, no vet care. Stop these romantic notions of preserving wild horses -- all they do is starve and die inch by inch. For what??? This is the very definition of inhumane.
To Preserve a Herd: Keep the genetics, social, sexual dynamics intact as best as one can until the right place to rehome them. An example of rehoming is with the Camargue Horses in South France where a similar organization with love and dedication (and tons of hard work) with also limited space Until the French Government released them in the south of France. (you know the white horses running through the waves?)
Laziness is the last word to Karen Sussman. She could outwork anyone of the commenters on this page. Hoarder, not so much either -- Cold unfeeling, she feels for everyone of her horses. Needs actual physical help --yes!! Needs a home for the herd to be safe --- yes!!
How on earth do 30 horses starve to death? That's a long, tortuous death and you did what? Watched them die? This is absolutely disgraceful and should be fully investigated. Those poor souls deserve justice. Shame.
I'm not sure how someone could watch horses starve literally to death. Shame on you for not reaching out or adopting out these horses and taking the necessary means to control and manage the herd. I'm heart sickened to see the malnurished and neglected horses caused by pure neglect and laziness.