Louisiana
Louisiana’s wild horses may have roamed Kisatchie Forest for centuries, but is this the end?
In Vernon Parish, a herd of wild horses has roamed the Kisatchie National Forest for years.
Some people speculate that the horses have been there for centuries.
And as far as the horses were concerned, the 48,000-acre forest in which they roamed was their habitat. After all, the Vernon Parish location was historically known as Louisiana’s “No Man’s Land.” Today, the land belongs to the U.S. Army.
The parcel in question is a part of the 90,000 acres of Kisatchie National Forest land that Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk, now uses for training. The base stands outside of Leesville, and the horses were breaching it.
The Army’s official term for the equines is “trespass horses,” and it wants them off its land, saying they have been a safety risk in training areas.
Horses at Fort Polk, now Fort Johnson, from a photo published by the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) on Sept. 20, 2014.
So, in 2015, the Army announced that it would start removing them. A group of local people answered that move that same year by forming an organization called the Pegasus Equine Guardian Association to save the horses.
But this isn’t the chapter of the story that sparked James Minton’s curiosity about the wild herd.
“I understand there is a sizable wild horse herd on or around Fort Polk, now Fort Johnson,” the Denham Springs resident wrote. “What’s the story about these horses?”
Minton, a former reporter for The Advocate, said he had no knowledge of the herd when he was in the Army.
“I took basic training on Polk’s South Fort and a leadership course and advanced infantry training at North Fort, called Tigerland, in 1969,” Minton said. “Although we were warned about harming wildlife such as deer and snakes, we were never told about wild horses. I saw something on Facebook recently about a wild horse herd, and I wondered about its origin.”
A herd of wild horses thought to have been introduced to Louisiana by the Spanish and bred by the Choctaw Indians drink from a water hole in the Kisatchie Forest’s Vernon Unit.
As for the herd’s origin, the main consensus is that the horses are descendants of those brought to the New World in 1590 by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto and his crew, then bred by the Choctaw Indians.
“These horses have been here for generations,” said Amy Hanchey, president of the DeRidder-based Pegasus Equine Guardian Association.
Through historical analysis and study of these horses’ genetics, Hanchey says that there is data that indicates that the horses have been in the Louisiana forest since before the Spanish came to America.
“We’re talking centuries before, so because of the science behind it, it’s always evolving,” Hanchey said.
Still, the science shows that the horses born into this herd possess a unique gene traced to Spain and Portugal.
It’s said that the herd of wild horses that congregates in the Kisatchie Forest’s Vernon Unit that Fort Johnson uses for training has the Iberian gene in its DNA.
“It’s called the Iberian gene,” Hanchey said. “We found it through the process of obtaining these horses and genetic analysis by Dr. Gus Cothran at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Phillip Sponenberg at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.”
The Associated Press reported in 2018 that Sponenberg is an expert in Choctaw horses. The news agency included Sponenberg’s written statement on the issue:
“Photographs of some Fort Polk horses ‘show physical traits typical of the old Colonial Spanish type, which is rare among other horses in the United States,’” Sponenberg wrote, noting that horses with those traits generally turn out to have DNA that proves their heritage.
If these are colonial Spanish horses, he wrote, “this population would be a high priority for conservation as a genetic resource that is otherwise rare in North America.”
So, what is the Iberian gene? Well, it’s connected to an ancestry of horses that originated in the Iberian Peninsula shared by Spain and Portugal.
A herd of wild horses in the Kisatchie Forest’s Vernon Unit at Fort Johnson is said to have been living in the area for centuries.
Horse breeds sharing this gene include Andalusian, Lusitano, Carthusian, Marismeño and Sorraia. Now the horses roaming Kisatchie’s Vernon Unit can be included among those elite breeds.
“The Iberian gene is a federally protected gene,” Hanchey said. “So, we are trying to get some federal and state recognition.”
According to the association’s website, pegasusequine.wordpress.com, many of the Kisatchie-based horses are descended from those of “Native American tribes, heritage families, settlers and farmers in the area that had been used for many purposes as they toiled to carve out a rugged existence in the early years, long before Louisiana became a state in 1812.”
The Army wanted them off its base, partly because the animals weren’t afraid of humans, which made the horses a potential hazard to the training area. Photos in the July 2018 edition of Army Times newspaper show the horses grazing on the backdrop of the Army base, along with another of a horse lying in the middle of a base road, blocking a convoy.
The nonprofit Pegasus Equine Guardian Association, represented by the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, filed suit in the Louisiana District Court against the U.S. Army and Fort Polk, charging that the Army’s plan to eliminate herds of horses violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
A herd of wild horses graze in an open field near Fort Johnson. The U.S. Army has been removing the horses from the area since 2015, saying they are a safety hazard to soldiers training in the area.
As reported by The Associated Press in 2018, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote accepted a magistrate judge’s findings that Pegasus Equine Guardian Association has not proved that people whose families lost land when the Army base was created in 1941 would suffer irreparable harm if more horses are sent away.
Hanchey said the area where the horses mingled and grazed was the Drop Zone.
“It’s the airstrip field,” she said. “It’s a cleared area that’s like a meadow with a whole lot of grass, and the horses have been cleared out, but there are some that still congregate there. The other area they still congregate in is Peason Ridge.”
This 74,309-acre tract of land has been renamed Johnson Wildlife Management Area and is used by the Army as a military training facility while also working cooperatively with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for management of habitat for wildlife resources and public outdoor recreational activities.
A herd of wild horses graze in an open field near Fort Johnson. The U.S. Army has been removing the horses from the area since 2015, saying they are a safety hazard to soldiers training in the area.
The military began removing horses from the fort in 1993 and tried sterilizing them in 2010. Though the nonprofit did not win its case, it was able to save 100 horses and place them in a sanctuary, while the Army cleared out some 360 horses.
“They rounded the horses up, and they were required to offer them to nonprofit organizations,” Hanchey said. “We were the third or fourth nonprofit on the list.”
The association has separated male horses from the females in its sanctuary. While this arrangement prevents the animals from breeding, it also disrupts the horses’ herd family groups.
“Within the herd, there are little family herds, where you have eight or 10 horses with a lead stallion and a bunch of mares,” Hanchey said. “You may have a bachelor or young male horse with the group, who will eventually be driven out. Once we took them in, you still see the mares hanging out with their little family group.”
The association established its no breeding policy for ethical reasons.
“It just wouldn’t be right,” Hanchey said. “One hundred horses are a lot of horses, and we are doing what we can to take care of that many.”
Josh Hoover passed for four touchdowns to help TCU beat Louisiana-Lafayette 34-3 on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl.
Hoover was 20 for 32 for 252 yards with an interception. Eric McAlister had eight catches for 87 yards and a TD for the Horned Frogs (9-4).
TCU’s defense also had a solid day, holding Louisiana-Lafayette (10-4) to 209 yards, including 61 on the game’s final possession.
Ben Wooldridge was 7-for-20 passing for 61 yards for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He also threw an interception.
The Horned Frogs put together a fast start. Hoover found DJ Rogers for a 3-yard TD pass, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive on the game’s opening possession.
After Lou Groza Award winner Kenneth Almendares missed a 54-yard field goal for Louisiana-Lafayette, TCU went right back to work.
McAlister’s 1-yard touchdown reception finished a 10-play, 63-yard drive and gave the Horned Frogs a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Kyle Lemmermann kicked two field goals and JP Richardson added a 20-yard touchdown reception as TCU opened a 27-0 halftime lead.
Takeaways
TCU: Two years removed from an appearance in the national championship game, the Horned Frogs turned in a strong performance after going 5-7 last season. They scored on their first four possessions against the Cajuns. and held a 27-0 halftime lead.
Louisiana-Lafayette: It was a rough afternoon for the Cajuns. Almendares made a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter to account for their only points.
UP NEXT
TCU opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 at North Carolina in coach Bill Belichick’s debut with the Tar Heels.
Louisiana-Lafayette opens at home against Rice on Aug. 30.
Louisiana
Why did Marshall opt out of bowl game? Explaining Louisiana Tech’s Independence Bowl berth
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Army football is set to face Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl on Saturday night. It’s the second team the Black Knights have been slated to play this bowl season.
No. 18 Army (11-2) was originally slated to play Marshall after winning the American Athletic Conference, however, the Thundering Herd opted out of the bowl game, allowing for the Bulldogs (5-7) to reach the postseason despite not reaching the typical 6-win threshold.
Army, coming off a loss to arch-rival Navy, is looking to reach 12 wins for the first time in program history. Quarterback Bryson Daily, who finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, had one of the best seasons ever for the Black Knights, scoring 38 total touchdowns with a team-leading 1,532 rushing yards.
There are numerous reasons as to why Army won’t be taking on Marshall, who went 10-3 this season and won the Sun Belt championship.
Here’s an explanation of Army’s opponent in the Independence Bowl on Saturday:
Why is Army playing Louisiana Tech instead of Marshall?
Marshall backed out of the Independence Bowl in wake of coach Charles Huff leaving for the Southern Miss job, which resulted in numerous Thundering Herd players entering the transfer portal.
Marshall simply was left with hardly a roster and no head coach, resulting in the opt out.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported Louisiana Tech was selected as the replacement due to its Academic Progress Rate despite not reaching the 6-win bowl eligibility threshold. Dellenger added multiple 5-win teams had better APR than Louisiana Tech, however, were unable to commit to the game based on the short turnaround of the matchup after Marshall’s opt out.
Why did Marshall opt out of bowl game?
Marshall opted out of the game due to having a substantial number of players enter the transfer portal following Huff’s departure to Southern Miss.
The Thundering Herd had over 25 players enter the transfer portal, including all three of their scholarship quarterbacks.
“It is unfortunate that Marshall determined they won’t be able to compete in the bowl in a couple of weeks,” Independence Bowl executive director Missy Setters said in a statement. “Our goal was to create the best matchup possible for our local fans and college football fans throughout the country, and we think we did that with two conference champions. Moving forward we are very excited to host Louisiana Tech and are thrilled we found an opponent for Army.”
According to On3’s transfer portal database, Marshall has lost 45 players to the transfer portal this offseason.
Why is Louisiana Tech in Independence Bowl?
Louisiana Tech was the replacement for Marshall, who opted out of the Independence Bowl due to losing a large group of players to the transfer portal.
Louisiana Tech was then selected due to its Academic Progress Rate, despite not having the highest among 5-win teams. The Bulldogs (5-7) didn’t reach the 6-win bowl threshold, but were picked since there were no 6-win teams left to choose from.
Louisiana Tech’s APR was also not the highest among 5-win teams, but was selected after multiple teams in front of it in the pecking order couldn’t commit to the game with the short turnaround after Marshall’s opt out.
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The college football bowl action continues with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl featuring the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs facing off against the Army Black Knights.
Stepping in to replace Marshall after it pulled out due to outside factors, Louisiana Tech has shown remarkable resilience. Despite a tough season, finishing 5-7 and fifth in Conference USA, the Bulldogs have not backed down. They are led by freshman quarterback Evan Bullock, who boasted a 67.4% completion rate for 1,938 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Bullock has a strong target in wide receiver Tru Edwards, who led CUSA in receptions (77) and recorded 897 receiving yards with six touchdowns.
Louisiana Tech is set to face a challenging opponent in Army, which recently made history by winning its first AAC championship game. This marks a significant milestone in the program’s 134-year history after an impressive 11-2 season. The Black Knights are guided by senior quarterback Bryson Daily, who is a formidable presence both on the ground and through the air. Last season, Daily passed for 942 yards and nine touchdowns, while also throwing four interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for an impressive 1,532 yards, scoring a remarkable 29 touchdowns.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Independence Bowl.
Independence Bowl predictions: Louisiana Tech vs. Army
USA TODAY Sports: Army is unanimous pick
- Scooby Axson: Army
- Jordan Mendoza: Army
- Paul Myerberg: Army
- Erick Smith: Army
- Eddie Timanus: Army
- Dan Wolken: Army
ESPN: Army 23, Louisiana Tech 16
Adam Rittenberg writes: “The Independence Bowl has a new participant and a different/more local flavor, as Marshall opted out following its coaching change and portal exodus, and Louisiana Tech stepped in as the replacement, and will make the short drive from Ruston to Shreveport. The Bulldogs have half the number of wins as the Thundering Herd, but their defense can be very stingy at times, and will need to perform against Bryson Daily and the Black Knights. Although Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said, “The band’s back together,” the Bulldogs will be without several defensive linemen who went into the transfer portal. Army is undoubtedly still smarting from the Navy loss, and top running back Kanye Udoh entered the portal. Louisiana Tech jumps ahead early behind quarterback Evan Bullock, but Army eventually takes control and grinds out a low-scoring win, its 12th on the season.”
College Football Network: Army 35, Louisiana Tech 13
James Fragoza writes: “The Black Knights’ 2024 campaign has been one for the books, highlighted by their physical dominance and a well-executed option attack. While a 49-14 rout at the hands of playoff-bound Notre Dame and a 31-13 upset loss to Navy stand out as blemishes, they’re hardly disqualifying. Navy, after all, is a nine-win squad with an efficient offense – a far cry from what Louisiana Tech brings to the table. The Black Knights, even after failing to cover as double-digit favorites in their last two outings, still present a clear mismatch for a Bulldogs team that managed just one win over an FBS opponent with a winning record this year. For Louisiana Tech, this matchup feels less like an opportunity and more like a buzzsaw, especially due to its transfer portal losses.”
Tickets to the Independence Bowl with StubHub
Independence Bowl odds, lines: Louisiana Tech vs. Army
The Army Black Knights are favorites to defeat the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of Friday, Dec. 27.
- Spread: Army (-14)
- Moneylines: Army (-800); Louisiana Tech (+500)
- Over/under: 44.5
How to watch Louisiana Tech vs. Army in the Independence Bowl
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
- Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
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