Publication Date: September 29, 2026
The American mustang—wild, wind-tossed, and thundering across the open West—might have vanished into myth if not for Velma Bronn Johnston. A shy woman who was left with physical effects from a childhood battle with polio, Johnston was living a quiet life on a struggling ranch near Reno, Nevada, when she discovered wild horses being brutally transported to slaughter. Outraged, she reported it—only to be offered a permit allowing her to do the same horrific deed. But instead of backing down, Johnston took a stand.
Her refusal to profit from cruelty launched her into a firestorm of activism, upending her life. Laughed at, threatened, and dismissed, she pressed on. When a rival mocked her as “Wild Horse Annie,” she seized the name as a badge of honor and purpose. Embracing her new identity, she began to raid illegal holding pens under the cover of darkness, captivated the media, and became the voice of a movement. Her biggest allies? Schoolchildren across America, whose letter-writing campaign swept the country.
Johnston’s commitment to these majestic animals was finally recognized in 1971 when Congress unanimously passed legislation to protect the nation’s wild horses—an enduring victory for one determined woman and the animals she refused to abandon.
Award-winning author Terri Farley presents the captivating story of Horse Girl, revealing Velma Bronn Johnston in a new light through family photos and journal entries never before published. Farley’s storytelling brings Johnston’s unwavering courage into the spotlight, revealing a woman determined to protect the wild mustang—no matter the cost.
A young woman living with the physical limitations of childhood polio plays a significant role in the protection of America’s wild horses.
Her story comes to life in Horse Girl by Terri Farley. With short, easy-to-read chapters, the book highlights contributions made by Velma Bronn Johnston, aka Wild Horse Annie.
Using excerpts of personal documentation and photos, the author illustrates Velma’s commitment to the wild horses, which ultimately found support from schoolchildren across the United States.
Her character easily comes to life, but her struggle with polio significantly alters her future. Despite physical limitations, she manages to thrive and marry.
Horse Girl details a courageous woman’s battle to save wild mustangs, no matter the cost.
Terri Farley is the author of the Phantom Stallion series. Her research for the series led to her awareness of mustangs and the challenges they face. Terri lives in Verdi, Nevada.
