The Nokota Horse Conservancy is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to preserve the unique and historical Nokota Horse. These wild horses of the northern plains inhabited the Little Missouri badlands, now encompassed by Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for more than a century. They were removed by the National Park Service and sold during the 1980s and 1990s. The vast majority of the remaining Nokota horses now survive on the overburdened Kuntz Ranch. The goals of the Nokota Horse Conservancy are to preserve these important horses by caring for them, promoting awareness of their plight, value, and use to others, and by working to establish a sanctuary where they can survive into the future.
Nokota Horses Make Debut in France
Four Nokota horses, which have traveled from Linton via Calgary, Alberta, will arrive in France on February 16, 2008, where they will form the core of the first Nokota breeding program in Europe. ....read more.
10th Annual Meeting (Summer 08’)
JOIN US as we celebrate a decade of preservation efforts! The 10th Annual Meeting of the Nokota Horse Conservancy is set for Saturday, June 14th, 2008 and the day will be chalked full of activities involving the past, present and future of the native horse of the northern plains. ....read more.
What We Do
The Nokota Horse Conservancy exists to preserve Foundation-bred Nokota horses. We don’t sell or train horses, although the Kuntz family and other members do that on a limited basis — there aren’t a lot of Nokotas in existence (and virtually all of the money from Kuntz family horse sales goes to supporting the rest). All of our activities are organized by members, who volunteer to keep things running and who raise funds to care for the horses and publicize our mission. So far, we’re still working hardest at just keeping the horses alive and well. We are developing a number of collaborative projects that we hope will help us reach our ultimate and most essential goal: acquiring land for a sanctuary. You can read about some of our partnerships here on the web site, and we’re always open to new ideas.
This is why we do what we do!
Here’s a brief look at the kinds of activities that keep us busy:
- HORSE CARE: Leo and Frank Kuntz do this all day, everyday, with assistance from Seth Zeigler when he's here. They grow much of their own feed, maintain all of the farm and pasture land, ranch and haying equipment, fences, wells, corrals, etc-feed and water, do a lot of the doctoring and anything else that needs doing. Most donations are spent right here!
- NHC OFFICE: Shelly Hauge, Frank’s wife, manages the day–to–day NHC business with occasional help. This includes responding to email and phone inquires about anything Nokota–related, as well as filling merchandise orders and working with the databases and registry.
- NHC BUSINESS is otherwise divided among officers and members of the Board of Directors, who have formed committees to manage aspects of our operation. The entire board meets annually along with dozens of other interested parties to discuss our mission and projects, and to view the horses.
- FUND RAISING AND OUTREACH: dedicated Team Nokota! members organize many of these activities. These supporters rent booths at horse events and expos, including Equine Affaire in W. Springfield, MA, where they talk to people, sell merchandise, and present horse demonstrations. They have also organized a number of specialty events, including a charity polo match, and have held auctions and raffles.
Breyer Model Now Available!
Visit the Nokota Conservancy Gift Store to order!