North Dakota’s wild horses to be featured in book, documentary on rich history, cultural heritage – Grand Forks Herald

FARGO — The story of the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, their rich history and hardy resilience for survival in the Badlands will be told in a documentary film and forthcoming book.

The documentary project is spearheaded by a team called

Wild Lands Wild Horses

, directed by Jamie Baldanza and written by Deb Lee Carson.

The filmmakers have a partnership with

Click Content Studios

, a Fargo production company owned by Forum Communications Co., which publishes newspapers in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The book will chronicle the history of the horses, tracing their ancestry back to at least the open-range era of the 1880s and Indian ponies, including the horses surrendered by Sitting Bull.

Written by veteran reporter Patrick Springer, who has covered the horses extensively, the book will also examine the role of the National Park Service, which for decades called for the eradication of the herd. Both the book and film are slated for release in 2026.

The documentary will weave together the horses’ history and heritage in the Little Missouri Badlands that have long been their home and will delve into the political struggles and human involvement that have threatened the herd.

“It aims to ignite a crucial conversation about preserving the herd, highlighting their vital role in the living history of North Dakota and America,” according to a statement from the filmmakers.

“It was essential for us to partner with a North Dakota-based production company to honor the true essence of this story,” Baldanza said. “By collaborating with Click Content Studios, we’re ensuring that the voices of these wild horses will resonate authentically from the heart of where their story unfolds.”

Jim Manney, managing director of Click Content Studios, said the documentary tells an important story.

“This is more than just a film; it’s a call to action to protect a vital piece of our natural and cultural heritage,” he said. “We aim to capture the story with the authenticity and care it deserves, ensuring their legacy is preserved for all to see.”

Click Content Studios’ productions include the feature film

Tankhouse,

which explores the “quirky, competitive world of performance art in a small town,” and several acclaimed documentaries available on streaming platforms worldwide.

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