The Challenge of Wild Horses and What You Can Do To Help

Wild mare from Spring Creek Basin herd, Colorado

In 1971, President Nixon signed into law the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act.  Its purpose was...  To require the protection, management, and control of wild free- roaming horses and burros on public lands. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene. It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.

While this Act was hailed as the answer for protection of wild horse and burro herds, we find ourselves over 45 years later with huge issues.  The problem surrounding wild horses is real.   I am happy to report that approximately 58,000 horses live wild and free in America.  Unfortunately, an additional 45,000 once-wild horses are now confined in corrals.  These once-wild horses have been captured and removed from their territories in order to maintain BLM's accessed optimal herd size for their respective horse management areas (HMAs).

The problem is exacerbated when we learn that while over 235,000 horse and burros have been adopted since 1971, in recent years adoptions have substantially decreased.  Additionally, many of the horses now held in corrals have either been returned from adoptions or deemed unadoptable because of age, health, or temperament.  The BLM estimates it spends $5.50 per day per horse (or $48,000 during the lifetime of each corralled horse), costing a total of $49 million taxpayer dollars annually.

Horses often live between 20 and 30 years.  Additionally, horses are prolific and have few predators.  The BLM asserts that horse populations can double within four years.  To curtail population growth, the BLM has instituted fertility control darting programs for wild mares.  Every stallion taken from BLM land is gelded.

Many wild horse advocates differ with the BLM's dire predictions of ecological damage and their forecast of wild horse populations doubling in four years.  They feel that the BLM has an agenda, preferring cattle and/or sheep grazing or natural gas and oil production on government lands.  Many feel the BLM has underestimated the number of horses many HMAs can handle.  They also feel the BLM too often cites the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, favoring livestock grazing over wild horse protection. We invite you to click these two sites to read a few of these alternative view:

• http://www.habitatforhorses.org/a-biologists-response-to-the-blms-wild-horse-problem/
• http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org/issue

Over the past several years, we have seen contentious wild horse advocacy groups as well as government representatives who clearly do not have the best interest of wild horse protection in mind.  One thing is for certain... advocacy group leaders and BLM representatives who partner together find better solutions for the challenges facing these horses, their environment, and the judicious spending of taxpayer dollars.  It was evident during our SWAT Rendezvous that the Sand Wash Basin Advocacy Team and local BLM leaders work in a cooperative and supportive partnership.

Outside of these beneficial partnerships, however, remains the challenge of what to do with and for 45,000 once-wild horses.  Just weeks ago, media reported that the BLM had voted to euthanize these corralled horses.  Thankfully, the reports were false.  I cringe at the idea of these amazing, once-wild horses now crammed in corrals, which are basically no more than cattle feedlots devoid of protection from hot summers and harsh winters.  The sheer number of corralled horses is unconscionable, and the cost to provide even rudimentary care for them is enormous.  I have no answers, only feelings of what I would wish for myself if placed in a corral.

The wild horse challenge is not insurmountable... if we are willing to pull together to make a difference.  What can you do to help?

• If you have a ranch or know of a rancher who could pasture 100 or more of these horses, the BLM is seeking contractors to ease the burden in corrals and to offer these horses a better life.  To apply, please click here :  http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2016/march/nr_03_11_2016.html
• Join an advocacy group, such as the Sand Wash Basin Advocacy Team (http://greatescapesanctuary.org/on-the-range/), Spring Creek Basin Mustangs (https://springcreekbasinmustangs.com), The Cloud Foundation (http://www.thecloudfoundation.org), North Dakota Badlands Horses (http://ndbh.org), and other groups (see http://www.kbrhorse.net/whb/whbgroup.html).  Wild horses with advocacy groups helping to oversee their numbers and care fare much better than their counterparts without an advocacy team.
• Become a darter, administering fertility control to mares on HMAs.  To learn how, get connected with an advocacy group for training.
• Adopt a horse or burro.  For more information, click here:  https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/
• Support organizations like Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary (see http://greatescapesanctuary.org) or similar organizations dedicated to providing sanctuaries and promoting adoptions for wild horses removed from BLM land.  

I have had the privilege to watch a wild horse running free.  There is a beauty in it that I simply cannot describe.  Let's join together to find solutions to help those that once ran free to lead better lives. 

Grey Ghost, Theodore Roosevelt National Park