The matriarch of the wild horse and burro movement was not pleased, as evidenced in this letter that we were asked to distribute.

January 31, 2004
 
To Whom it May Concern;

I, Dawn Lappin, Director, of Wild Horse Organized Assistance (WHOA), wish to clearly
state my position regarding Mr. Ray Field, Susan Calhoun, and the Wild Horse Foundation
they represent.  

I met them once, briefly.  From that, Mr. Field has represented on his website that I
have agreed to be associated with his organization and also sit on an "Advisory Board"
he plans to form.  From this, they are using my name and eluding to my support of their
organization and activities.  I never agreed to or offered to sit on an Advisory Board
for them.  In  fact, Mr. Field has been notified both in writing and verbally of my
request to remove my name from his website. As of today they have not removed my name.

Myself personally, or WHOA do not, and have not ever, by policy, "endorsed" any 
organization.  Especially where I have no first-hand knowledge of him personally, nor
of his facility in Texas, his financial standing, his Board of Directors, mission 
statement, by-laws or articles of incorporation.   I would certainly not align myself
with any organization that I did not have first hand knowledge.  WHOA has been around
for over 30 years since the inception of the Wild Horse and Burro Act and has always
been responsible and credible in this program.

We cannot speak for any other organization, nor do we purport to do so. I speak only
for WHOA, our sole concern is the safety and well being of the wild horses and burros.
We would suggest great care in investigating not only this organization but ANY
organization wishing to take horses for foster care, adoption or any other reason. 

Should you have any questions, or need further clarification, please do not hesitate
to contact us.

Sincerely, 



/s/Dawn Y. Lappin
 
DAWN Y. LAPPIN,  Director

WHOA