JANUARY 4, 2012
Today the BLM published a stricter adoption policy- a step in the right direction. The policy is effective as of now. It states:
- "No more than four wild horses and/or wild burros may be bought by an individual or group within a six-month period from the BLM without prior approval of the Bureau’s Assistant Director for Renewable Resources and Planning.
- When buying wild horses and/or wild burros, purchasers must describe where they intend to keep the animals for the first six months following the sale. Without prior approval from the Assistant Director, the BLM will not sell more than four animals destined for a single location in this six-month period.
- Buyers must provide transportation for the purchased animal from the BLM’s short-term holding corrals or other locations to its new home. Specifics regarding acceptable trailers can be obtained from the new interim policy.
- The BLM will inspect trailers and reserves the right to refuse loading if the trailer does not ensure the safety and humane transport of the animal."
NOVEMBER 20, 2012
The BLM has published a current roundup schedule. The total mustangs add up to nearly 3,000 by the end of January.
JUNE 22, 2012
BLM ATTEMPTS TO FAKE EMERGENCY IN COLORADO HILLS TO AVOID LEGAL BATTLE
Wild horse organizations believe that the BLM is using drought as an excuse to round up the mustangs of western Colorado. The state has barely 800 mustangs of its own and the battle about these particular mustangs has been going on for decades. Last week the BLM issued two different warnings to the court that these animals are in jeopardy. However credible evidence has been proving otherwise.
Vets and other visiters claim that water can be found nearby mustang herds in freshwater springs and seeps of water. Fresh feces was found and tested showing good health and no signs of dehydration. The mustangs appear to be in good condition and there are no obvious signs of ill or sickly animals. Lauryn Wachs, Associate Director of the Cloud Foundation, also traveled to western Colorado and reported that she observed four muddy horses. The animals had undoubtedly been close to water. R.T. Fitch, a volunteer president of one of the funding organizations, affirmed the situation by insisting that “This is an old Mustanger trick used by the BLM to circumvent the courts and accomplish what they have always wanted to do, wipe out this entire herd. Once again it appears that the BLM is using backroom tactics in an effort to serve their special cattle grazing interests who have joined them in this fight. Private cattle stay, public wild horses go; it’s nothing short of insanity.”
Wild horse organizations believe that the BLM is using drought as an excuse to round up the mustangs of western Colorado. The state has barely 800 mustangs of its own and the battle about these particular mustangs has been going on for decades. Last week the BLM issued two different warnings to the court that these animals are in jeopardy. However credible evidence has been proving otherwise.
Vets and other visiters claim that water can be found nearby mustang herds in freshwater springs and seeps of water. Fresh feces was found and tested showing good health and no signs of dehydration. The mustangs appear to be in good condition and there are no obvious signs of ill or sickly animals. Lauryn Wachs, Associate Director of the Cloud Foundation, also traveled to western Colorado and reported that she observed four muddy horses. The animals had undoubtedly been close to water. R.T. Fitch, a volunteer president of one of the funding organizations, affirmed the situation by insisting that “This is an old Mustanger trick used by the BLM to circumvent the courts and accomplish what they have always wanted to do, wipe out this entire herd. Once again it appears that the BLM is using backroom tactics in an effort to serve their special cattle grazing interests who have joined them in this fight. Private cattle stay, public wild horses go; it’s nothing short of insanity.”
JUNE 7, 2012
ROUNDUP OF WILD HORSES TO BEGIN DURING FOALING SEASON
Gene Seidlitz, the BLM manager in Winnemucca, NV recently signed a Full Force and Effect Decision to round up 630 horses of the Jackson Mountains. Because of recent drought, Seidlitz claimed it was necessary for "the health of the horses". This is a highly doubtable excuse when cattle continue to graze in the same mountains. “How believable is this emergency when privately-owned livestock are still in the Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area?” questioned Ginger Kathrens, the Volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation. The situation is especially desperate for the heavily pregnant mares and newborn foals of the Jackson Mountains. Foals rounded up with their herds often are not able to keep up with their family, and may end up being left behind to fend for themselves. Mares forced to run the long distances have been known to spontaneously abort. A bait-trapping expert is prepared to asess the area to find a safe way to trap the horses near the few water sources. Eleven national humane organizations signed a letter urging the BLM to spare the pregnant mares and newborn foals. The BLM ignored their pleas.
UPDATE JUNE 18, 2012--- So far, 12 horses have been removed. There have been no BLM recorded deaths.
Gene Seidlitz, the BLM manager in Winnemucca, NV recently signed a Full Force and Effect Decision to round up 630 horses of the Jackson Mountains. Because of recent drought, Seidlitz claimed it was necessary for "the health of the horses". This is a highly doubtable excuse when cattle continue to graze in the same mountains. “How believable is this emergency when privately-owned livestock are still in the Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area?” questioned Ginger Kathrens, the Volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation. The situation is especially desperate for the heavily pregnant mares and newborn foals of the Jackson Mountains. Foals rounded up with their herds often are not able to keep up with their family, and may end up being left behind to fend for themselves. Mares forced to run the long distances have been known to spontaneously abort. A bait-trapping expert is prepared to asess the area to find a safe way to trap the horses near the few water sources. Eleven national humane organizations signed a letter urging the BLM to spare the pregnant mares and newborn foals. The BLM ignored their pleas.
UPDATE JUNE 18, 2012--- So far, 12 horses have been removed. There have been no BLM recorded deaths.
JUNE 4, 2012
COMPLETE REMOVAL OF COLORADO MUSTANG HERD REJECTED
On June 3rd the BLM was given permission to remove 40-50 of the historic Colorado mustangs. While mustang foundations celebrate the small victory, they also mourn the approaching losses of 40-50 mustangs' freedom soon after our Nation's independence day. These same mustangs have survived droughts for generations, but the BLM convinced the federal court during a telephone meeting otherwise. Because the BLM closed the Texas Mountain area, wild horse advocates have no proof about how the mustangs will be treated. The capture and transportation in such extreme wheather could prove fatal, especially to the young foals of Colorado. Their deaths will never be recognized; simply recorded as 'non-gather related injuries'. Ginger Kathrens, the Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation, noted that "Americans should speak up for [the mustangs] now, before these symbols of freedom are gone forever, living on only in history books and romantic memoirs of the ‘good ole days’.” Although the BLM is getting their 40-50 horses, locals and mustangs enthusiasts know that the BLM will not rest untill every mustang in the Colorado Hills is gone.
On June 3rd the BLM was given permission to remove 40-50 of the historic Colorado mustangs. While mustang foundations celebrate the small victory, they also mourn the approaching losses of 40-50 mustangs' freedom soon after our Nation's independence day. These same mustangs have survived droughts for generations, but the BLM convinced the federal court during a telephone meeting otherwise. Because the BLM closed the Texas Mountain area, wild horse advocates have no proof about how the mustangs will be treated. The capture and transportation in such extreme wheather could prove fatal, especially to the young foals of Colorado. Their deaths will never be recognized; simply recorded as 'non-gather related injuries'. Ginger Kathrens, the Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation, noted that "Americans should speak up for [the mustangs] now, before these symbols of freedom are gone forever, living on only in history books and romantic memoirs of the ‘good ole days’.” Although the BLM is getting their 40-50 horses, locals and mustangs enthusiasts know that the BLM will not rest untill every mustang in the Colorado Hills is gone.
May 10, 2012
FEDERAL COURT REFUSES TO ALLOW BLM TO IGNORE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE INVOLVING THE CASTERATION OF WILD HORSES
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has rejected the BLM's attempt to ignore crucial scientific evidence regarding the casteration of mustang stallions. Studies have proven the devastating consequences on the health and behaivior of stallions and wild horse herds by casteration. Wild horses are made up of social structures and bands. When a stallion is gelded he acts differently from a non-gelded stallion. These horses will not keep their herd together, which is a vital part of mustang life. Gelded horses will negatively impact the place of a stallion in the mustangs' social order and remove the untamed quality of a stallion. In her 23-page opinion the Honorable U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell insisted that the BLM “may not simply remain studiously ignorant of material scientific evidence well known to the agency and brought directly to its attention in timely-filed comments.” She also confirmed that the Court would use the scientific evidence for future rulings. Suzanne Roy, director of American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) commented that “The BLM went to great lengths to avoid considering scientific information provided by leading wild horse experts. The agency is not interested in science, it’s only interest is clearing our public lands of wild horses to make room for livestock grazing and other commercial interests.”
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has rejected the BLM's attempt to ignore crucial scientific evidence regarding the casteration of mustang stallions. Studies have proven the devastating consequences on the health and behaivior of stallions and wild horse herds by casteration. Wild horses are made up of social structures and bands. When a stallion is gelded he acts differently from a non-gelded stallion. These horses will not keep their herd together, which is a vital part of mustang life. Gelded horses will negatively impact the place of a stallion in the mustangs' social order and remove the untamed quality of a stallion. In her 23-page opinion the Honorable U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell insisted that the BLM “may not simply remain studiously ignorant of material scientific evidence well known to the agency and brought directly to its attention in timely-filed comments.” She also confirmed that the Court would use the scientific evidence for future rulings. Suzanne Roy, director of American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) commented that “The BLM went to great lengths to avoid considering scientific information provided by leading wild horse experts. The agency is not interested in science, it’s only interest is clearing our public lands of wild horses to make room for livestock grazing and other commercial interests.”