MUSTANG ROUND-UPS
More than 250,000 wild horses and burros have been removed from public lands by the BLM since 1971. The BLM accomplishes this by conducting round-ups, or 'gathers', as they call them. The number of round-ups varies on the location of the herd. The BLM claims that they have the right to decide where to conduct the round-ups and how many mustangs can be removed, although many animals rights activists argue this is false. The obviously do not seriously worry about the mustang herd, as in 2008 it was sdiscovered that less than 5% of the BLM's salary goes to herd managment.
The BLM decides on a specific herd before beginning. It then flies a helicopter at a low altitude and chase the mustangs or burros a long distance to trucks where they are loaded up and brought to the holding center. The round-ups can take place anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. While being chased, the mustangs are being forced to sprint as fast as they can and for a much longer time then nature intended. Foals, who are still growing into their new bodies, are often left behind when they can no longer keep up with the others. Although their young are important, herds must leave the foals behind for the safety of the rest of the horses. Abandoned foals are not the only negative result of round-ups. Injury, abortions, trama, and death are all common outcomes. You may wonder how the BLM manages to get away with this. The Buerro of Land Management claims a .5% death rate with round-ups. They blame natural causes for most deaths, yet most horses entering the holding facilities seem to be healthy and well-fed.
The BLM decides on a specific herd before beginning. It then flies a helicopter at a low altitude and chase the mustangs or burros a long distance to trucks where they are loaded up and brought to the holding center. The round-ups can take place anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. While being chased, the mustangs are being forced to sprint as fast as they can and for a much longer time then nature intended. Foals, who are still growing into their new bodies, are often left behind when they can no longer keep up with the others. Although their young are important, herds must leave the foals behind for the safety of the rest of the horses. Abandoned foals are not the only negative result of round-ups. Injury, abortions, trama, and death are all common outcomes. You may wonder how the BLM manages to get away with this. The Buerro of Land Management claims a .5% death rate with round-ups. They blame natural causes for most deaths, yet most horses entering the holding facilities seem to be healthy and well-fed.
Examples of Round-ups:
Nevada, 1998
Nine young mares were found dead after a 1,000 mile truck drive to Colorado. 'Capture myopathy' caused the deaths, which is triggered by anxiety after a capture.
Paymaster, Nevada, 2006
Twenty-one mustangs were euthanized on site, yet the BLM claimed zero deaths for the round-up.
Gold Butte, Montana, March 2007
A status report claimed 12% of the Gold Butte burros rounded up were found dead within six months of their capture.
Calico, Nevada, Early 2010
86 out of 1,922 horses captured in a round-up died within about two months of their capture. Forty heavily pregnant mares spontaneously aborted.
YOUNG GIRL KILLED
A young girl was riding her adopted mustang when a helicopter flew by. Her horse was so terrified, he threw his rider and she died.