Initially, how the local wild horse population came to be was in the late 1800s, the settlers allowed their livestock, both cattle and horses, to roam freely during the winter months. Annual spring round ups, that became the origin of today’s rodeos were to capture and brand the animals. There were always some stray horses escaped from being caught, thus began the local wild horse population.
Back then, however, the population was kept to a minimal. This was due in part, like Standish resident, George Wrede and his fellow counterparts, who whether you want to call them a ranch hand, cowboy, buckaroo, or whatever, would find themselves out of work during the winter months. Wrede, a bachelor, like others, would file a desert homestead and make that his home for the winter. During the time spent there, he would capture wild horses, break and eventually sell them. The Marr Brothers of the Madeline Plains turned that into a fine art. In the 1930s, wild horses would be rounded up to be used in rodeos, which made for wild times. By 1940, the demand for horses dramatically decreased, thus allowing for the wild horse population to grow.
Great article