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Blogs / Local Buzz / Fall 2009 / For the Horses

Local Buzz

Who, What, Where, Now!

For the Horses

Jodi Herlich is a petite, chic fireball. A self-proclaimed “avid animal advocate,” she brakes for animals and volunteers at the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley. Herlich arrived in Ketchum from Scottsdale, Arizona, in February 2001 to work with her sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Colin Jensen, at the Ketchum jewelry store Jensen and Stern, where she is now manager.

“It was the opportunity to live in a small beautiful place,” Jodi told me the other day. “I am happiest surrounded by nature.”

But it’s as an über animal lover that she finds her passion.

“When I do my work with shelter animals, I am inspired. They are so happy. They teach us so much. They’re resilient, accepting, forgiving, an example of pure spirit. I want to be more like them.”

Recently she became involved (for the second time) in the wild horse round-up held this past July. (Not So Free to Roam) Several years ago, she did a massive letter writing campaign about another round-up, which was ultimately canceled.

“That was my first introduction to the horror of horse round-ups. With this recent round-up, I didn’t know about it until it was happening. I’m not a horse girl but I know the difference between right and wrong and this is wrong,” Jodi said.

With Silent Voices founder Doro Lohmann and photographer Elissa Kline, Jodi helped find funding for the upkeep of the “Challis 19.” This group of older mares—separated from their foals, families and land—were to be sent to a holding pen in Oklahoma until Lohmann’s group essentially rescued them by striking a deal with the Bureau of Land Management (the federal department that manages federal land and it’s varied wild life). The mares are now living in pastureland in the Wood River Valley. Not quite free, but also not slaughtered.

“It’s been a very emotional time with these horses,” Jodi said. “The fundraiser for them (November 5 at Gilman Contemporary) is backing up the dream. We did it. We have all nineteen.”