According to 2022 data from the Bureau of Land Management, the agency estimates there are approximately 64,604 wild horses and 17,780 wild burros on government land, which they call an “overpopulation”. A number of conservation and animal advocacy organizations make it their mission to raise awareness about the inhumane treatment of these animals, informing people about the story behind the press releases and data points released by the U.S. government – mistreatment of wild horses, high mortality rates in holding facilities, concerns about neglect or abuse of horses after adoption, and the stress that roundups cause.
The impact and trauma experienced by the wild horses has been documented by various orgs. and individuals who are actively working to save these majestic creatures, and continue to build support for the work they do. One such organization that has gotten a lot of attention from major celebrities is Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary, founded by wild horse advocate Clare Staples, who has been working with wild horses for over 10 years.
This former English socialite turned her back on a glamorous and envied existence, swapping a Hollywood lifestyle, famous friends, and the things most people dream of acquiring, to dedicate the second half of her life to helping the wild horses and donkeys of America.
A unique part of her work is helping to reunite many equine families who would have never seen each other again if it weren’t for her tireless work. And now Clare is raising the stakes of her advocacy in a new feature length documentary called ‘Blue Zeus’, narrated by actor Gerard Butler, which just won the ‘Best U.S. Documentary’ award at the 2025 Newport Beach Film Festival.
Featuring the heartfelt story of the rescue of a wild mustang, “Blue Zeus” shines light on the plight of America’s wild horses, exposing a flawed and corrupt government system rampant with animal abuse and paralyzing bureaucracy. Directed by Rocky Romano and Miranda Winters, in the documentary, Clare attempts to rescue Blue Zeus after the U.S. government captures him and his family. After 9 months, Clare is finally able to rescue him, but then she must beat all odds to find his family, who are lost in an overcrowded system.
With unparalleled access to government employees, their helicopter contractors, and a whistle-blower, the film delivers jaw-dropping journalism through an emotional and visually stunning story. We had the opportunity to speak with Clare as ‘Blue Zeus’ was premiering at the Newport Beach Film Festival to learn more about her mission for wild horses, and why more people should care and be informed about how these animals are being treated today.
Congrats on the premiere of ‘Blue Zeus’ at the Newport Beach Film Festival and the sold out screenings! What was the audience reaction like?
It was incredible. So many wonderful people attended, including one of the Executive Producers Daryl Hannah, and one of the stars Arielle Kebbell, who took time from her busy filming schedule for the Yellowstone sequel Y: Marshalls. It was an amazing evening full of friends and cast, crew and followers of Skydog Sanctuary social media. The film festival ended up showing Blue Zeus three times as it kept selling out, which was amazing.
How long did it take you to make the documentary, and how did you get Gerard Butler involved as narrator?
The movie took over five years to make from the footage I took during the search for Blue Zeus and his family, but filming began in earnest in 2022. Gerard Butler has been a friend of Skydog and myself for many years, but he told me he could only do the narration if he believed in the project. Once we showed him a rough version of the movie, he was all in and his narration really elevates the movie to a whole other level.
Where did your love of horses come from, and what gave you the idea to launch Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary?
My love of horses began in childhood, but when I turned 50 I decided that the second half of my life, which up to then had been somewhat indulgent and selfish, had to be one of meaning and purpose, and being of service and giving back. Horses had always been my true love, so I wanted to help the horses who had helped me during a difficult childhood.
With so many celebrities spending time at the ranch, how have they helped to raise awareness of the importance of advocating for wild horses?
I am always grateful when celebrities visit Skydog and share about it on their social media. Half of our mission statement as a non profit is about raising awareness and educating people about the plight of wild horses, as so many people have no idea. Some are friends from my old life, but many are new followers who ask to come visit and we love having them take an interest in our work.
The government’s abuse and mistreatment of these wild horses is really shocking to learn about. For those who may not understand, why is this happening?
The abuse and mistreatment of our wild horses by the government is horrifying, and quite simply comes down to greed and mismanagement of our public lands by the Bureau of Land Management. They favor livestock interests and mining, and all the things that they make money off of our public lands instead of preserving them and their natural beauty. Let’s take all the cows off the land, and watch it come back to life and health.
Why are wild horses vital to our planet and ecosystem? How can they also be beneficial to us as humans?
All wild beauty is crucial to our planet. We have to get away from measuring everything in terms of what monetary value it has to humans, and leave nature and wild animals alone to co-exist on this planet with us, instead of trying to extract money and see nature as a resource for man to exploit. We need to do this before it’s too late for this beautiful planet we call home. And people should go out to our public lands to see wild horses, because there is nothing more beautiful. And before it’s too late!
You started your career as a film producer and eventually pivoted to focus on wild horse advocacy. How has your Hollywood background informed or shaped the work you do today?
I am really grateful that I was able to bring skills, knowledge and experience I gained before I came into this arena to use those skills to help the wild horses and raise awareness for them. They have come in very useful in our social media posts, for example, as we now have over 1.3 million followers on social media with our posts shared often to over 5 million views. This helps educate and inform the public, and helps people fall in love with our wild horses, which in turn, prompts them to take an action to help them.
Why is film such an important medium for educating and enlightening audiences on issues they may not yet know about?
Film is an incredible medium to tell stories in short and long form, to help people feel, as well as see the issues and the horses. Storytelling is a huge part of filmmaking. More than anything I am a storyteller who over and over again tells the stories of these horses and the terrible places they end up, and how they do after the rescue here at our sanctuary. It is amazing how much people learn about horses from our posts.
Can you share what keeps you hopeful, despite the abusive actions of the U.S. government toward wild horses?
Hope is everything, and I work hard to keep it alive. Mostly, I get hope from the amazing people who follow us, who care as much as we do and support our taking more horses and donkeys saving more lives. Hope is alive and well at Skydog daily.
How can everyday people get involved in the cause?
On our website there are many actions people can take to help, but the biggest one is picking up the phone or writing to your representative and asking them to co sponsor and support the SAFE Act HR 1661 to stop the transport of equines across our borders for slaughter.
Head to the ‘Blue Zeus’ website to find out where the award-winning documentary is screening next. Visit the Skydog Ranch website to learn more about their advocacy. Follow Blue Zeus and Skydog Sanctuary on Instagram to see more of Clare’s work.
