BLM Wyoming manages 16 wild horse herd management areas on nearly 5 million acres. The combined appropriate management level for all HMAs in the state is 3,725 animals.
Since 1971, the BLM has removed approximately 37,000 animals from public rangelands in Wyoming. Number do not reflect gathers that took place after July 2021
CLAIM: Animals removed from public rangelands are offered to the public for adoption; un-adopted animals are cared for on open pastures for the rest of their lives. The reality of that claim – coming soon
GET THE WORD OUT, MAKE SOME NOISE
The majority of info, statistics, and records listed here come directly from BLM and the government. They are a self-regulating industry with absolutely NO oversight or accountability. There is no independent accounting of this program at all. Due to this one-sided version it is believed the numbers listed here of wild horse and burro estimates, and removals are inflated, suspect and inaccurate. We will attempt to prove this with reviewing their claims with attached evidence and links to outside sources that have witnessed discrepancies and inaccuracies over the last 50 years since the passing of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971
WYOMING – IMPORTANT READS
aug 3 04 WYOMING WILD HORSE HERD ON BRINK OF STARVATION – PEER
2003 State of Wyoming vs BLM – Consent decree to remove horses that exceed aml from all 16 HMA’s and and any horses in HA’s that should have zero AML. (#wy-vs-blm)
(See WY-maps below for overview of State Livestock allotments and where the real issue is with over grazing. To see the actual numbers for horses compared to livestock, see individual HMA’s below)
“State of Wyoming asserts that the overpopulation of wild horses in Wyoming has caused a decrease in the amount of habitat available for wildlife, has resulted in a decrease in the amount of forage available for wildlife and for domestic livestock, and has caused damage to lands owned by the State ofWyoming”.
2022 https://county10.com/blm-wyoming-proposes-to-offer-195-parcels-in-2022-oil-gas-lease-sale/
WYOMING MAPS
2021 Herd areas and the livestock allotments (BLM & USFS land) that cover this entire state
(#wy-maps)


ADOBE TOWN HMA (#adobe)
- WY0009 – Horse / Rawlins FO
- 478,875 acres – of which 444,244 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 610-800
- EST 2020: # 1114 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle # ? sheep
Energy Conflicts: Yes Wyoming Pipeline Corridor
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 15 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM & 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
(Check with Western Watershed to see if numbers correct in mention above) (Note: Some allotments may reach outside of HMA borders may be combined with other areas. Due to this, it is nearly impossible to get exact numbers of livestock on entire HMA)
Continental WY10506, Cattle / Total AUMs 2,825 – Livestock use 467
Corson Springs WY20507, Cattle / Total AUMs 1,189 – Livestock use 532
Adobe Town WY10502, Sheep / Total AUMs 1,820 – Livestock use 1,833
Cow Creek WY10509, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 2,630 – Livestock use 1,773
Crooked Wash WY10510, Cattle / Total AUMs 86 – Livestock use 17
Espitalier WY10511, Cattle / Total AUMs 2,777 – Livestock use 422
Grindstone Springs WY10512, Sheep / Total AUMs 413 – Livestock use 529
Little Powder Mountain WY10513, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 1,531 – Livestock use 5,278
Powder Mountain WY10519, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 1,307 – Livestock use 1,241
Red Creek WY10521, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 3,839 – Livestock use 4,000
Rotten Springs WY10523, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 1,422 – Livestock use 1,992
Sand Creek WY10524, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 2,839 – Livestock use 4,848
Willow Creek WY10528, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 1,679 – Livestock use 1,763
Hiawatha Tridistrict CO04300, Sheep / Total AUMs 5,602 – Livestock use 4,803
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 107,940 – Livestock use 315,987
(this allotment is massive and includes sections of 4 HMA’s of the Rock Springs JMA and checkerboard complex – 2/3 of white mountain, divide basin, salt wells, adobe town and also non HMA areas) 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA below for details. This roundup includes checkerboard complex 3 hma’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more (White Mountain and Little Colorado) for a total of 5 HMA’s being targeted.
2017 ADOBE TOWN WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 89 gathered / ? 89 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / ? collared
Date of gather: mar 17 2013 Gather Method: Bait
Contractor: Sampson / CD Warner Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: Animals removed:
Facility Destination: ROCK SPRINGS Max capacity: 800 Public Access: APPT
Dead Animals: 0 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
Gather reports mention nothing about 89 returns, only potential of collaring.
GATHER REPORTS
Gather Reports
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Summary:
Adobe Town HMA bait trapping of wild horses concluded today. No animals were gathered .
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, March 24, 2017
Summary:
No animals were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Summary:
No animals were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Summary:
No animals were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Summary:
No animals were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, March 20, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 1 yearling was captured and placed into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Summary:
No animals were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 1 wild horse captured today and released.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, March 17, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 1 Stud captured and put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, March 13, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 2 wild horses captured today. The (1) Stud and (1) mare were put into a temporary holding corral. 3 mares will be shipped to Rock Springs Wild Horse & Burro Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 2
Animals shipped: 3
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 3 wild horses captured today. The (2) mares and (1) yearling were put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, March 10, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 6 wild horses captured today. 3 of the 6 wild horses were put into a temporary holding corral. The other 3 were shipped to Rock Springs corrals.
Animals gathered: 6
Animals shipped: 3
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 2 wild horses captured and put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 2
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, March 6, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 1 wild horse captured and put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Summary:
No animals gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, March 3, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 3 wild horses captured, 1 put into a temporary holding corral and 2 shipped to Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 2
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 4 wild horses captured and put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 4
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Summary:
Area (A) 3 wild horses captured and put into a temporary holding corral.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, February 27, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Summary:
(Area B) 11 wild horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 11
Animals shipped: 11
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, February 24, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Summary:
(Area B) released 23 wild horses from the temporary corral today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) released six wild horses today from the temporary holding corral.
(Area B) one collared mare and two wild horses were released today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, February 20, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) three collared mares were released today.
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured two wild horses. The horses were transported to the holding corral.
Animals gathered: 2
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, February 17, 2017
Summary:
Today, four mares were collared at Rock Springs Holding Facility. Mares will be return to Adobe Town HMA on either Feb. 20 or 21.
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured three wild horses. The horses were transported to the holding corral.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured three wild horses. The horses were transported to a holding corral.
Animals gathered: 6
Animals shipped: 2
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses were gathered today.
Four mares will be collared on Friday.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Summary:
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) shipped five mares to Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 5
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses collected today in areas A and B.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, February 13, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured two wild mares. The mares were transported to the holding corral in Rock Springs.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured two wild horses. The horses were transported to a holding corral.
Animals gathered: 4
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Summary:
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured 12 wild horses. The horses were transported to a holding corral.
(Area A) One mare and five other wild horses released today.
(Area B) Three mares were released today.
Animals gathered: 12
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses captured.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, February 10, 2017
Summary:
No wild horses captured.
Today nine wild horses were evaluated; eight were mares, of those, four were selected for GPS collars that will be released on Sunday, Feb 12.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured three wild horses and they were transported to a holding corral. One mare was shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) shipped eight mares to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 9
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured one wild horse which was transported to a holding corral.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured five wild horses . They were transported to a holding corral.
Animals gathered: 6
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) captured two wild horses. The horses were transported to a holding corral.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured 12 wild horses . They were transported to a holding corral.
Animals gathered: 14
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, February 6, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) started setting up panels at one location.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) captured four horses today. They were transported to a holding corral.
Animals gathered: 4
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Summary:
(Area A) Contractor (Sampson) notified BLM today that two bait sites were visited by wild horses. Contractors will be setting up panels at those two locations.
(Area B) Contractor (Warner) set up panels at one bait location. 28 wild horses were in the immediate area. 18 wild horses were in the panels at one time but 3 were still outside. The contractor chose not to close the gate until all horses were in cleanly, which resulted with no horses captured today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2007 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Gather
Animals: 920 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: january Gather Method:
Contractor:
Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: Animals Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
2007 State And Regional/BLM Wraps Up Horse Roundups – Tribune $
“Federal cowboys captured about 920 wild horses in January from the Salt Wells and Adobe Town management units in southeastern Sweetwater County before bad weather shut down the effort.”
- 2021 Rock Springs Gather Reports – Salt Wells Creek/Adobe Town Hmas
- 2017 Adobe Town Wild Horse Gather
- 2017 Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
- 2014 Checkerboard Wild Horse Gather
- 2013 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Wild Horse Gather
- 2007 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Gather
3 other roundups with salt wells took place in 2010, 2013 and 2017 as well as the one below.
ADOBE TOWN CONTRACTS LOCATED
2021 WY ROCKSPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0478 / (11/08/2021-12/31/2021) / OPEN / $550,005.00 / Wyoming, Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek Drive Trapping Gather /4
2007 ?
ANTELOPE HILLS HMA (#antelope)
- WY0031 – Horse
- 159,000 acres – both public and private lands
- AML: 60-82
- Livestock AMU: 35,751 cattle & sheep (portions are shared)
- EST 2020 # 473 horses # 0 burros # 28,893 cattle & sheep
Energy Conflicts: YES
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 2 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Antelope Hills WY17055, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 9,611 – Total Livestock 5,187 / EXCHANGE-OF-USE management
Cylcone Rim WY10103, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 26,140 – Total Livestock 23,706 (Part of antelope hills and lost creek hma)
2011 Red Desert and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
Animals: 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: Gather Method:
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: Animals Removed:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
CHECKERBOARD COMPLEX (#checkerboard)
– Area includes Adobe Town, Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek HMA’s
- ? acres
- AML:
- EST # horses # burros # ?cattle # ?sheep
Energy Conflicts: Yes Wyoming Pipeline Corridor
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: – See individual HMA’s
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA below for details. This roundup includes checkerboard complex’s 3 hma’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more (White Mountain and Little Colorado) for a total of 5 HMA’s being targeted.
2014 CHECKERBOARD WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 1,263 gathered / 0 returned / 14 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (9/15/14 – 10/9/14) Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $535,540.08 INL14PD00691 -3
Plan Gathered: ALL HORSES located on private property
Facility: CANON PRISON / ROCK SPRINGS
Max capacity: 3000/800 Public Access: N/Y
Dead Animals: 14 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: Y
Notes:
Plan:
This checkerboard wild horse removal is not a population management action related to appropriate management levels. Instead, the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, Section 4 requires that the BLM remove wild horses from private land if requested by the land owner. This removal also complies with the court-ordered 2013 Consent Decree between the BLM and the Rock Springs Grazing Association which directed that all wild horses be removed from checkerboard lands within the HMAs. Not removing all wild horses from the checkerboard would result in non-compliance with the Act and Consent Decree.
Details of Gather:
Removal of ALL wild horses from checkerboard lands began on September 15. Appeals and motions delayed removal operations, allowing more wild horses to move across the fluid boundary between solid block public lands and the checkerboard in preparation for winter and in search of water; thus, the population estimate for the checkerboard was surpassed by the number of wild horses actually removed.
GATHER REPORTS
Removed wild horses will be sent to BLM holding facilities in Canon City, Colorado and Rock Springs, Wyoming, and prepared for adoption. The wild horses will be available for adoption at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland, the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, the Wild Horse Inmate Program in Canon City and through the BLM’s online adoptions.
Monday, September 15
Summary: Two helicopters gathered six mares, six studs and four colts at the Bitter Creek #1 Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 16
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, September 16
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 24 mares, 20 studs and 19 colts at the Bitter Creek #2 Trap in the Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 63
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, September 17
Summary: For the first part of the day, two helicopters gathered 15 mares, 13 studs and 8 colts at the Bitter Creek #2 Trap in the Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 36
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* A yearling bay colt was found dead in a short-term holding pen. The necropsy revealed an acute neck injury likely the result of running into a panel during the night.
Thursday, September 18
Summary:One helicopter gathered 23 mares, 29 studs and 12 colts at the Black Rock Trap in the Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 64
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A three-and-a-half month old black filly was found dead in a short-term holding pen. A necropsy was performed but the cause of death is undetermined. A six-month-old brown colt collapsed in a horse trailer. The necropsy revealed that the colt had scar tissue and nodules on its lungs, indicating that it likely had pneumonia previously. Tissue has been sent for testing with results expected in several weeks.
Friday, September 19
Summary: No wild horses were gathered or removed today because of difficulty moving them out of the Jim Bridger Coal Mine boundary. Stormy weather in the morning combined with high winds later in the day delayed the start and hastened the end of removal operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A 12-year-old grey stud had lameness associated with severe arthritis in both knees. Euthanized.
Saturday, September 20
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 26 studs, 21 mares and 10 foals at the Black Rock Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 57
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, September 21
Summary: No wild horses were gathered or removed today. Instead, the Bar X District Line Trap was set up in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area in preparation for Monday. Gusty winds, low light from overcast clouds and a chance for intermittent rain prevented removal operations later in the day.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A 25-year-old red roan stud had an enlarged left front ankle and chronic severe arthritis in both ankle and knee joints with poor prognosis for improvement. Euthanized.
Monday, September 22
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 20 studs, 11 mares and 5 colts at the Bar X District Line Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 36
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
* A 28-year-old chestnut bay stud had an old injury and swelling to the left front knee and right hock. It also had severe muscle atrophy over the entire rump area due to nerve injury from a severely arthritic spine. Its Henneke score was 1.5. Euthanized. A 25-year-old black stud had swelling of both front knees from an old, degenerative injury. Both front feet were clubbed due to complications from the knee injuries, causing the leg tendons to shorten. Its Henneke score was 1.5. Euthanized.
Tuesday, September 23
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 30 studs, 35 mares and 12 colts at the Bar X District Line Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 77
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, September 24
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 31 studs, 45 mares and 29 colts at the CR 19/CR 82 Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 105
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, September 25
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 30 studs, 26 mares and 11 colts at the CR 19/CR 82 Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 67
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 3*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* A foal bay stud gathered on September 24 was down in the morning but improved and was able to eat and drink. The foal was given penicillin but declined at the end of day and became recumbent. Euthanized. A nine-year-old bay wet mare became recumbent and had a grand mal seizure lasting 15+ minutes. The mare did not respond to touch. Euthanized. A four-year-old bay wet mare had a perianal fistula with bleeding and urine leakage from under the tail. The fistula was packed with feces and infected. The mare was septic with a Henneke score of 1.5. Euthanized.
Friday, September 26
Summary: One helicopter gathered nine studs, seven mares and six colts at the Bridger Coal Trap in the Great Divide Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 22
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, September 27
Summary: The Brooks Road Trap was prepared within the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, September 28
Summary: Removal operations at the Brooks Road Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area were delayed due to inclement weather.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, September 29
Summary: Removal operations at the Brooks Road Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area were delayed due to inclement weather.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, September 30
Summary: Removal operations at the Brooks Road Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area were delayed due to inclement weather.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 1
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 27 studs, 40 mares and 20 colts at the Brooks Road Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 87
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* An 18-year-old bay stud had a pre-existing injury. Its right front leg had broken and healed in a 45 degree rotation. There was massive swelling/fibrosis and the horse was walking on the inside of its right front hoof. Euthanized.
Thursday, October 2
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 39 studs, 48 mares and 28 colts at the Brooks Road Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 115
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 3
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 38 studs, 37 mares and 15 colts at the Brady Plant Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 90
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A seven-year-old black mare ran into a panel and broke her neck, dying instantly. A six-year-old bay mare had severe scoliosis with extreme stunting. The mare’s spine was twisted 90 degrees counter-clockwise behind the withers, shortening the horse from nose to tail. Movement and foraging were difficult, resulting in poor body condition for her and her foal. Henneke score of 2.5. Euthanized.
Note: The mare’s chestnut foal was sent to the local veterinarian for surrogate pediatric care.
Saturday, October 4
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 13 studs, 13 mares and 4 colts at the Holding Corral Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 30
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, October 5
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 37 studs, 46 mares and 19 colts at the Haystacks Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 102
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 6
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 22 studs, 16 mares and 6 colts at the Haystacks Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 44
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, October 7
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 31 studs, 28 mares and 17 colts at the Eversole Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 76
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 8
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 38 studs, 1 branded gelding, 59 mares and 31 colts at the Eversole Trap in the Salt Wells Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 129
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* A six-month-old sorrel stud colt ran into a panel at the temporary holding corral and broke its neck, dying instantly.
Thursday, October 9
Summary: Two helicopters gathered 21 studs, 17 mares and 9 colts from the Adobe Town Herd Management Area at the Eversole Trap.
Animals gathered: 47
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
IN THE NEWS
CHECKERBOARD CONTRACTS LOCATED
2014 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL14PD00691 -3 / (07/14/2014-09/30/2014) / CLOSED / $535,540.08 / Checkerboard Horse Gather /1
CONANT CREEK HMA (#conant)
- WY0029 – Horse
- Acre: 57,702 – of which 49,528 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 60-100
- Livestock AMU: 7,832 cattle & sheep
- Est 2020: # 243 horses # 0 burros # 10,052 cattle / sheep
- Est 2021: # 263 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle / sheep
Energy Conflict: Yes Oil and Gas map
Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Conant Creek Common WY01403, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 7,832 – Total Livestock 10,052
CROOKS MOUNTAIN HMA (#crooks)
- WY0036 – Horse / Lander field office
- 58,000 acres
- AML: 65-85
- Livestock AMU: 15,077 cattle & sheep
- EST 2020 # 744 horses # 0 burros # 7,600 cattle/sheep
Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Arapahoe Creek WY17056, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 15,077 – Total Livestock 7,600
DISHPAN BUTTE HMA (#dishpan)
- WY0028 – Horse / Lander field office
- 99,719 acres – of which 92,282 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 50-100
- Livestock AMU: 13,895 cattle / 0 x5= 0 sheep
- Est 2020: # 248 horses # 0 burros # 5,002 cattle # 0 sheep
- Est 2021: # 270 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle # 0 sheep
Energy Conflict: Yes Oil and Gas map
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 2 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Big Pasture WY01703, Cattle / Total AUMs 11,912 – Total Livestock 3,861
Dishpan Butte WY01716, Cattle / Total AUMs 1,983 – Total Livestock 1,141
DIVIDE BASIN HMA (#divide)
- WY0002 – Horse
- Acres: 778,915 = of which 562,702 acres are BLM-administered public lands.
- AML: 415-600
- EST 2020: # 1282 horses # 0 burros # 14,721 + Rock springs- cattle/sheep
Domestic cattle and sheep use the area lightly in summer and moderately in winter.
Energy Conflicts: Yes / 2
Livestock Conflicts: Yes, Rock Springs Grazing Association
Grazing allotments: 4 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM & 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Continental Peak WY13011, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 5,767 – Total Livestock 5,952
Red Desert WY13012, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 7,939 – Total Livestock 4,974
Rush Rim WY13011, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 3,274 – Total Livestock 3,980
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 107,940 – Total Livestock 315,987
(this allotment is massive and includes sections of 4 HMA’s of the Rock Springs JMA and checkerboard complex – 2/3 of white mountain, 1/2 of divide basin, more than 1/2 of salt wells creek, 1/5 adobe town and also non HMA areas) 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA for full details of all animals removed. This roundup includes Checkerboard Complex 3 hma’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more White Mountain and Little Colorado for a total of 5 HMA’s being targeted.
Animals: 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: oct 7 – nov 5 2021 Gather Method: Heli
Contractor:
Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: Animals Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: Yes / one mile away much of gather was unviewable by public
Plan:
Notes:
2021 Rock Springs Gather Reports – Great Divide Basin Hma
October 7, 2021
Summary: Clear with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 9 (5 Mares, 1 Stallion, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 8, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 34 (14 Mares, 13 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 2 (0 Studs, 1 Mare, 1 Foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 9, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
Animals shipped: 18 (0 Studs, 18 Mares, 0 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
October 10, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 24 (10 Mares, 9 Stallions, 5 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Animals shipped: 11 (0 Studs, 10 Mares, 1 Foal)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 11, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 76 (45 Mares, 10 Stallions, 21 Foals)
Animals shipped: 80 (0 Studs, 42 Mares, 4 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals) (20 Studs, 0 Mares, 14 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals )
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 12, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and snow.
October 13, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and poor road conditions.
October 14, 2021
Summary: Cold with strong afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 26 (15 Mares, 5 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 16 (16 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2 (clubbed foot)
October 15, 2021
Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 29 (11 Mares, 12 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46 (10 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals) (13 Stallions, 23 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 1 (broken leg)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (clubbed foot)
October 16, 2021
Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 37 (14 Mares, 19 Stallions, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 17, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 50 (24 Mares, 15 Stallions, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 41 (38 Mares, 3 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 18, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 19 (11 Mares, 4 Stallions, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 55 (24 Stallions,18 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals) (11 Mares, 2 Foals to Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 19, 2021
No gather operations due to poor road conditions.
October 20, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 104 (34 mares, 52 stallions, 18 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 21, 2021
Summary: Partly sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 68 (34 mares, 22 stallions, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 142 (51 mares, 68 stallions, 23 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 22, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 62 (28 mares, 18 stallions, 16 foals)
Animals shipped: 61 (28 mares, 21 stallions, 12 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 23, 2021
Summary: Cloudy with some rain and afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 62 (12 stallions, 34 mares, 16 foals)
Animals shipped: 67 (17 stallions, 34 mares, 16 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 2
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 24, 2021
Summary: Sunny in the morning gave way to partly cloudy in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 143 (49 stallions, 61 mares and 33 foals)
Animals shipped: 43 (1 stallions, 40 mares, 2 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 25, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy and windy. No gather operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 108 (49 stallions, 19 mares, 40 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 26, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 27, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 28, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 29, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy.
Animals gathered: 77 (35 stallions, 29 mares, 13 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 30, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy.
Animals gathered: 39 (27 stallions, 8 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 82 (24 stallions, 20 mares to the Wheatland Corrals) ( 37 mares, 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 31, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy and windy.
Animals gathered: 21 (13 stallions, 5 mares, 3 foals)
Animals shipped: 38 ( 33 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals) ( 5 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 1, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cold and calm.
Animals gathered: 64 (22 stallions, 30 mares, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 31 (30 mares and 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 2, 2021
Summary: Rainy and overcast. No gather operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 42 (24 stallions and 18 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 3, 2021
Summary: Sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 39
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 4, 2021
Summary: Mostly sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 30
Animals shipped: 49 (24 stallions and 7 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 17 mares and 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 5, 2021
Summary: Sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 57
Animals shipped: 134 (58 stallions and 6 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 25 stallions, 33 mares and 12 foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Today was the final day of gather operations in the Great Divide Basin HMA.
IN THE NEWS – 2021 Great Basin
2011 RED DESERT AND GREAT DIVIDE BASIN WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 1,132 gathered / 139 returned / 3 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
(Numbers only represent the great divide portion)
Date of gather: (10/9-11/21/11) Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $465,661.24 INL11PD01565 –2
Plan Gathered: No number noted
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: 3 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
GREAT DIVIDE BASIN GATHER REPORTS
Tuesday, October 25
Summary: Operations commenced this morning for the Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather at the Pack Saddle Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations. A total of 218 horses were gathered. Three semi-truck loads of horses (136 animals) were transported to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. It is anticipated two loads of studs (approximately 75-80 horses) will be shipped to Gunnison, Utah, tomorrow. Weather conditions were fair today with temperatures ranging from the high 30’s to the low 40’s.
Animals gathered: 220 (originally counted as 218)
Animals shipped: 136
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 26
Summary: Operations continued Wednesday at the Pack Saddle Trap. Due to weather conditions and high winds, the helicopters did not fly and no horses were gathered. After a recount of yesterday’s gather numbers, it was discovered 220 horses were actually gathered not 218, so the total has been changed to reflect the correct number. Two loads of studs (72 horses) were shipped to Gunnison, Utah. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures ranging from the low 20’s to the low 40’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 72
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 27
Summary: Operations continued Thursday at the Pack Saddle Trap. Three semi-truck loads of horses (96) were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. Weather conditions were great with sunny skies and temps in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 137
Animals shipped: 96
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 28
Summary: Following gather operations, the Pack Saddle Trap was dismantled and moved to a new site in the Bush Rim/Bar X Road area where gather operations will commence tomorrow. Two semi-truck loads of stud horses (53) were shipped to Gunnison, Utah. The weather forecast for Saturday calls for sunny skies, temperatures in the 40’s and breezy conditions.
Animals gathered: 12
Animals shipped: 53
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, October 29
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Bush Rim Trap. Three helicopters were used to gather a total of 99 horses. Weather conditions were breezy with temperatures in the 40’s and operations were shut down early due to windy conditions.
Animals gathered: 99
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, October 30
Summary: Gather operations continued Sunday at the Bush Rim Trap. Two helicopters were used to gather 34 horses. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 40’s. Following gather operations for the day, the Bush Rim Trap was dismantled and moved to a new site in the Desert Springs area where gather operations will continue Monday.
Animals gathered: 34
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 31
Summary: Gather operations continued Monday at the Desert Springs Trap. Three helicopters were used to gather 85 wild horses. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 50’s. One load of studs (36 horses) was shipped to Gunnison, Utah, and one colt with a poor body condition was shipped to Rock Springs to be seen by a veterinarian. Today was the first gather related death.
Animals gathered: 85
Animals shipped: 37
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* One mare with severe injuries sustained in the holding pen was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
Tuesday, November 1
Summary: Bad weather including snow, slick roads and low visibility is suspending wild horse gather operations in the Great Divide Basin near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. We will try again when the weather clears.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 2
Summary: Gather operations resumed Wednesday at the Desert Spring Trap in the Great Divide Basin near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 182 wild horses. One colt with a poor body condition was shipped to Rock Springs to be seen by a veterinarian. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 182
Animals shipped: 1
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* One colt with a severe leg injury was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
Thursday, November 3
Summary: Gather operations continued Thursday at the Desert Springs Trap Site near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 34 wild horses. Four semi-truck loads of mustangs (188 horses) were shipped to Cañon City, Co. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 34
Animals shipped: 188
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 4
Summary: Gather operations continued Friday for a final day at the Desert Springs Trap Site near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 57 wild horses. One semi-truck load of horses (36 mares) were shipped to Cañon City, Co. Following gather operations, the Desert Springs Trap began to be dismantled. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 57
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 5
Summary: The Desert Springs Trap Site has been completely dismantled to be moved to a new trap site in the Bitter Creek area where gather operations will reconvene Sunday. Weather conditions included snow with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, November 6
Summary: The new Black Rock Trap Site was fully assembled today in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Gather operations were suspended today due to high winds. Two semi-truck loads (83 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility to Cañon City, Co. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 83
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 7
Summary: Gather operations resumed today at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 139 horses. Weather conditions were partly sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 139
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 8
Summary: Gather operations continued Tuesday at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 80 horses. Two semi-truck loads (86 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility to CañonCity, Co. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 80
Animals shipped: 86
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 9
Summary: Gather operations continued Wednesday at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 20 horses. One semi-truck load (32 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility to Cañon City, Co. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 20
Animals shipped: 32
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 10
Summary: Gather operations moved Thursday to a new Superior Trap Site northeast of Rock Springs, Wyo. One helicopter was used to gather 7 horses. After gather operations, the trap was dismantled and will be moved to a new location tomorrow. One semi-truck load (45 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility to Cañon City, Co. Mares that had been previously gathered were treated with fertility control. One hundred thirty-nine mares and studs were released back into the Great Divide Basin HMA today. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 7
Animals shipped: 45
Mares fertility treated: 55
Animals returned to the HMA: 139
Friday, November 11
Summary: Operations are now complete for the Great Divide Basin Gather. Two helicopters were used to gather 25 horses from outside the HMA at a new Boars Tusk Trap Site. These horses will be transported to the Red Desert Complex Gather’s temporary holding facility in Baroil, Wyo. and then shipped to Cañon City, Co. arriving Nov. 14. Three semi-truck loads (100 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility to Cañon City, Co. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
This is the final report for the Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather. With the release of 139 horses back to the HMA Thursday, Nov. 10, the Great Divide Basin HMA is now estimated to be within the low appropriate management level range. Operations are expected to resume this weekend for the second phase of the Red Desert Complex Gather (Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs).
Animals gathered: 25
Animals shipped: 125
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* One stud horse injured its neck while being loaded and was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
- 2017 Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
- 2014 Checkerboard Wild Horse Gather
- 2011 Red Desert and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
GREAT DIVIDE BASIN CONTRACTS LOCATED
2011 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INL11PD01526 -1 / (09/15/2011-11/17/2011) / CLOSED / $398,326.02 / Wy Divide Basin Hma Wild Horse Removal /1
FIFTEENMILE HMA (#fifteen)
- WY0011 – Horse
- Acres: 81,127 = of which 68,607 acres are BLM-administered public lands.
- AML: 100-230
- EST 2020 # 108 horses # 0 burros # cattle # sheep
The first recorded wild horse gather on federal rangeland took place in October, 1938 on lands that now make up the Fifteenmile HMA.
Energy Conflicts:
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 5 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Badger Gulch WY00652, Sheep / Total AUMs 1,144 – Total Livestock 4,116
Allen Basin WY00669, Sheep / Total AUMs 444 – Total Livestock 1,518
Pitchfork WY00676, Sheep / Total AUMs 640 – Total Livestock 1,288
Hunt Oil 15 Mile WY00682, Sheep / Total AUMs 761 – Total Livestock 1,300
LU WY00604, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 16,636 – Total Livestock 7,527 (Only a small portion of this allotment)
reports / press release
Original herd size: 700 – after 107
Animals: 607 gathered / 95 returned / 11 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (Oct 17, 2019) 1-2 weeks Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $208,069 140L0619F0295 -1
Plan Gathered: ?
Animals Shipped:
Facility: ROCK SPRINGS Max capacity: 800 Public Access: APPT
Dead Animals: 11 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes: *Approximately 12 horses were not gathered, leaving approximately 107 horses total in the HMA as of 2019
GATHER REPORTS
Friday, October 18, 2019
Conditions were calm, sunny and ~59 degrees Fahrenheit. A total of 211 horses were gathered. One horse was transported to a holding facility for treatment due to a pre-existing bite on its right hip.
Animals gathered: 211
Animals shipped: 1
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Conditions were cool and overcast with a high of 48 degrees Fahrenheit. A total of 217 horses were gathered, and 128 horses were transferred to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Corrals or Wyoming Honor Farm.
Animals gathered: 217
Animals shipped: 128
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 2*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*One horse succumbed to a neck injury from the gather operations. One horse succumbed to a strike in the head by another horse on the way to the gather trap.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Gather operations were suspended for the day due to adverse weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 21, 2019
Conditions were calm and cool with a high temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. One hundred and twelve horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 112
Animals shipped: 132
Total deaths today: 3
Acute: 1*
Chronic/pre-existing: 2**
*One horse succumbed to a neck injury related to the gather operations.
**One horse was euthanized due to a terminal lung infection. One horse was euthanized due to severe leg deformities.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Conditions were cool and calm with a high of 45 degree Fahrenheit. Eighteen horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 18
Animals shipped: 128
Total deaths today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 3*
*One 5-year old mare was euthanized due to a gangrenous infection around its elbow joint. One 11-year old mare was euthanized due to severe arthritis in both hips. One 28-year old mare was euthanized due to low body score and overall poor health.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Operations were suspended today due to adverse weather conditions. No horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Conditions were calm with a high of 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Forty-two horses were gathered. We also released 41 mares, 53 studs and 1 colt back into the HMA. When gather operations are concluded, approximately 107 horses total will remain in the HMA.
Animals gathered: 42
Animals shipped: 0
Total deaths today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 2*
*One 6-year old mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing extensor tendon metcarpal injury with very poor prognosis. One 3-4 month old sorrel stud was euthanized due to a pre-existing fracture affecting growth plates in the distal radius, which also had a very poor prognosis.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Conditions were calm with a high of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Seven horses were gathered from private and BLM-administered lands north of the HMA. Today was the last day of the gather. The remaining horses were transferred to either the Rock Springs Holding Facility or the Wyoming Honor Farm.
Animals gathered: 7
Animals shipped: 0
Total deaths today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
*One 2-year old mare succumbed to a neck injury related to the gather operations.
2009
Animals: ? gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (09/18/2009-10/28/2009) Gather Method:
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $164,425.10 INL09PD02134 -1
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
FIFTEEN MILE CONTRACTS
2019 WY WORLAND WASHAKIE/CT 140L0619F0295 -1 / (09/16/2019-10/30/2019) / CLOSED / $208,069 / WHB Program Helicopter Drive Trapping Gather – WY Fifteen Mile HMA /3
2009 WY WORLAND WASHAKIE /CT INL09PD02134 -1 / (09/18/2009-10/28/2009) / CLOSED / $164,425.10 / Fifteen Mile Wild Horse Gather /1
GREEN MOUNTAIN HMA (#green)
- WY0037 – Horse
- 116,712 acres = of which 99,363 acres are BLM-administered public lands.
- AML: 170-300
- EST 2020 # 328 horses # 0 burros # 3,538 cattle/sheep
The area supports significant wildlife populations of elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and moose…. and livestock which wasn’t noted on BLM
Energy Conflicts:
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Whiskey Peak WY12003, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 7,744 – Total Livestock 3,538
2005
Animals: ? gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (09/20/2005-11/08/2005) Gather Method:
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $168,690.40 INLNAD06CL01 -1
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
- 2011 Red Desert and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
- 2005 Green Mountain Gather
GREEN MOUNTAIN CONTRACTS
2005 WY LANDER /CT INLNAD06CL01 -1/ (09/20/2005-11/08/2005) / CLOSED / $168,690.40 / Green Mountain Gather / 1
LITTLE COLORADO HMA (#little-colorado)
- WY0039 / Rock Springs Field Office / Sweetwater County
- 632,000 acres = of which 525,421 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 69-100
- EST 2020: # 493 horses # 0 burros # 45,004 cattle/sheep
Energy Conflicts:
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 8 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
BLM claim: Domestic cattle and sheep utilize the area lightly in the summer and moderately in the winter
Figure Four WY13023 Cattle / Total AUMs 6,642 – Livestock use 1,960 / nepa FLPMA improve
0001 | NORTH |
0002 | SOUTH |
Sublette WY13027, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 6,072 – Livestock use 8,040 / nepa FLPMA
0001 | WEST SUBLETTE |
0002 | EAST SUBLETTE |
Boundary WY13026, Sheep / Total AUMs 2,996 – Livestock use 7,031 / nepa FLPMA maintain
0001 | BOUNDARY |
Big Sandy WY13024, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 3,263 – Livestock use 12,141 / nepa FLPMA 03/01/1980 maintain
0001 | BIG SANDY |
Eighteen Mile WY13017, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 18,997 – Livestock use 50,348 / nepa FLPMA – 05/15/1983 improve
0001 | WEST |
0002 | EAST |
0003 | SOUTH TURTLE BUTTE |
Lombard WY13022, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 6,586 – Livestock use 5,527 / nepa FLPMA improve (only 94% of this allotment – 6,265)
0001 | LOMBARD |
0002 | LOMBARD RIPARIAN |
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 315,987 – Livestock use 107,940 /PARTIAL NEPA (only 1% of this allotment – 345 aums/ this allotment also is apart of Divide basin, salt wells creek and adobe townHMAs)
0001 | NORTHEAST |
0002 | NORTHWEST |
0003 | WEST FLAMING GORGE |
0004 | EAST FLAMING GORGE |
0005 | TABLE ROCK |
Highway-Gasson WY13025, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 16,862 – Livestock use 5,198 / nepa FLPMA 03/01/1981 Improve Category / (only 5% of this allotment – 208 aums)
0001 | NORTH |
0002 | SOUTH |
0003 | BIG BEND RIPARIAN |
0004 | STATE LAND RIPARIAN |
0005 | 3/4MILE BIG BEND RIP |

Press releases/ reports / archives
DOI-BLM-WY-D040-2020-0005-EA https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1501993/510 archive
2007 Rock Springs BLM Reaches Wild Horse Gather Goal
“Rock Springs BLM reached its goal of gathering 856 horses from the White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas. We treated and released 43 mares from the White Mountain and 20 mares from the Little Colorado gathers” archive
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA below for details. This roundup includes checkerboard complex 3 HMA’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more (White Mountain and Little Colorado) for a total of 5 HMA’s being targeted.
2011 WHITE MOUNTAIN AND LITTLE COLORADO WILD HORSE GATHER
- DEAR READER LETTER (second modified decision)
- DECISION RECORD (second modified decision)
- FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
- ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Total gathered: 699 / 205 returned / 11 deaths (both areas) / 72 fertility
Animals: 224 gathered / 56 returned / 3 deaths / 20 fertility / 0 collared
(these numbers only represent the Little Colorado portion)
Date of gather: (8/20-8/31/2011) Gather Method: 2 HELI
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: ROCK SPRINGS /Gunnison / MANTLE Max cap: 800/200-500 Public Access: appt
Dead Animals: 3 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: Y
Plan: The estimated population in the White Mountain/Little Colorado herd management areas (HMAs) is currently 970 wild horses. This figure is based on April 2010 census flights, adjusted for two years’ foal crop, and 14 percent unobserved wild horses. There are approximately 696 excess mustangs above the low AML.
Notes:
GATHER REPORTS
Saturday, August 20
Summary: No horses were gathered today. The contractor set up traps, holding pens, and facilities to prepare for gather operations tomorrow. The holding corral and trap were both located on Private land, and a public viewing area was established on Public Land. Weather conditions were mostly sunny today with a few scattered thundershowers and highs in the 80’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, August 21
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning. All traps and facilities are in place and ready for the gather. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 73 horses gathered today which included 33 Studs, 29 Mares, and 11 colts. One stud was released back into the HMA as a result of the horse jumping out of the corral. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with highs in the 80’s and only a few isolated thundershowers.
Animals gathered: 73
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, August 22
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Alkali Draw Trap. All traps and facilities are in place and ready for this area. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 120 horses gathered today which included 44 Studs, 54 Mares, and 22 colts. Two semi loads of horses (47 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s, and only a few isolated thundershowers.
Animals gathered: 120
Animals shipped: 47
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* One 25 year old stud that was gathered yesterday was in very poor condition with a lame front leg, as a result of an old injury. After the APHIS veterinarian was consulted and the BLM protocol was followed, the horse was euthanized.
Tuesday, August 23
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Alkali Draw Trap. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 71 horses gathered today which included 33 Studs, 27 Mares, and 11 colts. Two semi loads of horses (85 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 71
Animals shipped: 85
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
* One brown and white pinto stud horse that was gathered on 8/22/11had a pre-existing chronic right front leg injury. The horse was euthanized following the BLM protocol. A black and white mare that was gathered on 8/22/11 had two clubbed front feet. The horse was euthanized following the BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted in both cases.
Wednesday, August 24
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Alkali Draw area. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 91 horses gathered today which included 35 Studs, 38 Mares, and 18 colts. One semi load of horses (32 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 91
Animals shipped: 32
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, August 25
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Alkali Draw area. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 44 horses gathered today which included 16 Studs, 18 Mares, and 10 colts. One semi load of stud horses (37 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to Gunnison, Utah and two loads (42 head) were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 44
Animals shipped: 79
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, August 26
Summary: Gather operations commenced in the Pilot Butte area today. The Alkali Draw Trap was moved to the Pilot Butte area and Trap #3 is now the South Pilot Butte Trap. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 76 horses gathered today which included 29 Studs, 35 Mares, and 12 colts. Two loads of horses (62 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 76
Animals shipped: 62
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, August 27
Summary: Gather operations commenced in the Northeast area of the Little Colorado HMA today. The Boundary Trap was set up and will be trap #4. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 30 horses gathered today which included 20 Studs, 7 Mares, and 3 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Tomorrow an undetermined number of horses will be treated with PZP and will be released back into the White Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 30
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, August 28
Summary: Gather operations commenced just outside (northeast) of the Little Colorado HMA. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 36 horses gathered today which included 9 Studs, 17 Mares, and 10 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Today there were 52 Mares treated with PZP and released back into the White Mountain HMA. There were also 94 studs released into the White Mountain HMA. With this release we are now estimated to be within the low AML range for this HMA.
Animals gathered: 36
Animals shipped: 1 (mare shipped to RS facility to have vet inspection.)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, August 29
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning in the 12 Mile area of the Little Colorado HMA. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 126 horses gathered today which included 51 Studs, 52 Mares, and 23 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Two loads of horses (59 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Two studs were released back into the HMA as a result of the horses not being able to load in the semi and gather personnel did not want to put undue stress on the animals.
Animals gathered: 126
Animals shipped: 59
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, August 30
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning in the 12 Mile area of the Little Colorado HMA. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 32 horses gathered today which included 12 Studs, 14 Mares, and 6 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the mid 80’s. Two loads of horses (90 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. There were also 34 studs released into the Little Colorado HMA.
Animals gathered: 32
Animals shipped: 90
Total Deaths Today: 7
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 7*
* Six wild horses that were captured within the past five days had genetic defects (clubbed feet). One wild horse had a preexisting knee injury twisting the lower half of the leg and leaving the leg severely deformed. As a result these horses had limited ability to forage which made it difficult to maintain a healthy physical condition. These horses were euthanized following the BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted in all seven cases.
Wednesday, August 31
Summary: Gather operations have been completed for the White Mountain/Little Colorado gather. Today we finished up by treating 20 Mares with PZP and releasing them back into the Little Colorado HMA. There were also 2 studs released into the White Mountain HMA. With this release we are now estimated to be within the low AML range for White Mountain / Little Colorado HMA’s. We also transported the remaining horses (23 Head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden to the Rock Springs corrals.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* While the contractor was sorting and aging horses in the chute, one mare was fatally injured.
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2007 White Mountain & Little Colorado Gather
Total gathered: 856 / 63 returned / ? deaths (both areas) / 63 fertility
Animals: ? gathered / 20 returned / ? deaths / 20 fertility / 0 collared
(these numbers only represent the Little Colorado portion)
Original herd est: 0 // 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (?-Nov 27, 2007) Gather Method:
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 695 horses from White Mountain and 161 from the Little Colorado
Animals shipped: 570
Facility Destination: canon , Rock springs Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals shipped to: ?
Public viewing: None mentioned
Notes: located the gather in archives
- 2011 White Mountain and Little Colorado Wild Horse Gather
- 2007 White Mountain & Little Colorado Gather
LITTLE COLORADO CONTRACTS
2022 WY ROCKSPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0496 / (01/04/2022-02/28/2022) / OPEN / $286,000.00 / Wyoming White Mountain and Little Colorado Drive Trapping Gather /4
2007
LOST CREEK HMA (#lost)
- WY0035 – Horse
- 251,000 acres
- AML: 60-82
- EST POP # horses # burros # cattle # sheep
Energy Conflicts:
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Cyclone Rim WY10103, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 26,140 – Total Livestock 23,706 (Part of antelope hills and lost creek hma)
MCCULLOUGH PEAKS HMA (#mcc)
- WY0012 – horse / CODY FIELD OFFICE
- 120,344 acres
- AML: 70 to 140
- Livestock AMU: 6,848
- 2020 EST # 167 horses # 0 burros # 3,037 cattle # 0 sheep
Plan: To maintain a population of approximately 100 adult wild horses (150 is a viable herd according to biologists)
PZP in use since 2011. Zero population growth achieved in 2015. No removals since 2013. Bait trapping is prioritized over helicopter roundups for future removals if any are necessary.
Herds have reached zero population growth due to fertility programs by AWHC, FOAL, & HSUS.
PZP and Gonacon have shown to be irreversible (permanant sterility) in as little as a few yearly treatments.
From 30 foals a year to zero, it is only a matter of time before this herd dies off
Energy Conflicts: yes / 3 active
O&G LSE oil and Gas search
- WYW 182291O&G LSE COMP PD -1987OIL & GASAUTHORIZED9/30/2013, 8:00 PM868EFFECTIVE DATE9/30/2013, 8:00 PM312.243.85https://reports.blm.gov/report.cfm?application=LR2000&report=16&sn=”WYW%20%20%20%20182291″
- WYW 189288O&G LSE COMP PD -1987OIL & GASAUTHORIZED11/30/2019, 7:00 PM868EFFECTIVE DATE11/30/2019, 7:00 PM2,515.402.68https://reports.blm.gov/report.cfm?application=LR2000&report=16&sn=”WYW%20%20%20%20189288″
- WYW 189286O&G LSE COMP PD -1987OIL & GASAUTHORIZED11/30/2019, 7:00 PM868EFFECTIVE DATE11/30/2019, 7:00 PM2,504.5513.95https://reports.blm.gov/report.cfm?application=LR2000&report=16&sn=”WYW%20%20%20%20189286″

Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 6 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
This HMA is completely surrounded by livestock allotments
2020 Livestock AMU: 6,848 Livestock use: 3,037 WHB: 167
PEAKS – 01064 WY01064, Cattle / Total AUMs 657 – Livestock use 71
WHISTLE CREEK WY01002, Cattle / Total AUMs 725 – Livestock use 1,130 (more than allowed)
EAST-WEST WY01060, Cattle / Total AUMs 3,878 – Livestock use 1,494
RED POINT WY03067, Cattle / Total AUMs 1,023 – Livestock use 178
RECLAMATION 15 WY03088, Cattle / Total AUMs 275 – Livestock use 80
RECLAMATION WY00666, Cattle / Total AUMs 290 – Livestock use 84
VIDEOS – advocates
sep 27 18 Wild Mustangs of McCullough Peaks in Wyoming by Karen King
jul 15 15 McCullough Peaks Wild Horses at the Waterhole – Meg Frederick
nov 13 08 James Yule Presents: 004 – McCullough Peak Wild Horses
IN THE NEWS – – Reports
https://sheridanmedia.com/news/89655/blm-roundup-of-500-wild-wyoming-horses-just-a-start/
https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-%E2%80%93-foal-partnership-continues-benefit-mccullough-peaks-wild-horses The BLM and FOAL dart 50–80 mares annually, resulting in a birth rate of only 9 foals each year, on average, since 2011. An average of 30 foals were born in years prior to the annual field darting.
Only 3 foals born in 2014
Reports
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3796106.pdf
2005 https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1316/report.pdf
https://mountainscholar.org/bitstream/handle/10217/68192/Ransom_colostate_0053A_11245.pdf;sequence=1
2008 Cody BLM Releases McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Gather EA for Public Comment
2013 MCCULLOUGH PEAKS WILD HORSE GATHER
DECISION RECORD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Herd size: 153
Animals: 72 gathered / 45 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (1/21 – 1/31/2013) Gather Method: Bait
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $35,345.00 INL12PD01582 -2
Plan Gathered: ?
Animals Shipped: 27 20 / 7 BRAND INSPECTOR REMOVED
Facility: MANTLE Max capacity: 200-500 Public Access: APPT
Dead Animals: 0 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: N
Plan: To maintain a population of approximately 100 adult wild horses (150 is a viable herd)
Notes: A total of 20 wild horses and 7 domestic horses were removed during the gather
Details of Gather
The AML of the McCullough Peaks HMA is 70 to 140 wild horses and the current population is 153 horses. The use of bait trapping to gradually remove excess horses through 2018 will help maintain a population of approximately 100 adult wild horses.
The BLM Cody Field Office will gradually gather and remove excess wild horses from the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area (HMA) using non-helicopter gather techniques. The removal began in mid-January and will continue for two to three weeks. The duration of the gather is largely dependent on weather conditions and may be longer or shorter than originally anticipated. The bait trap removal may continue at intervals, if necessary, through 2018, but only if adult horse numbers grow beyond the upper appropriate management level (AML) for the herd.
The Cody Field Office has been administering fertility control since 2009, and by way of field darting since spring 2011. The results of the fertility control program are beginning to be realized and should result in a stabilized population in the near future. However, the fertility control aims to level out the population, not reduce it, and currently the population is too large to maintain healthy horses on a healthy ecological landscape.
The Cody Field Office manages the McCullough Peaks HMA, located east of Cody and north of U.S. Highway 14/16/20. The HMA encompasses 109,814 acres of land, including the McCullough Peaks Wilderness Study Area.
GATHER REPORTS
Monday, January 21
Summary: Temporary gather facilities were constructed today within the McCullough Peaks HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, January 22
Summary: Twenty-one horses were captured today, including three domestic horses. Six wild horses and the three domestic horses were removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining 12 wild horses were returned to the range.
Wild horses gathered: 18
Domestic horses gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 12
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, January 23
Summary: Nine wild horses were captured today. Four were removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining five were returned to the range. In addition, the three domestic horses captured yesterday were removed today by the brand inspector.
Wild horses gathered: 9
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 3 domestic horses
Animals returned to home range: 5
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, January 24
Summary: Five wild horses were captured today. Two were removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining three were returned to the range.
Wild horses gathered: 5
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 3
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, January 25
Summary: No horses were captured today. Ten horses were shipped to the Mantle Wild Horse Adoption and Training Center in Wheatland, Wyo.
Wild horses gathered: 0
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 10
Animals returned to home range: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, January 26
Summary: Fifteen wild horses were captured today. Three were removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining 12 were returned to the range.
Wild horses gathered: 15
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 12
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, January 27
Summary: One domestic horse was captured today. A new trap site was constructed.
Wild horses gathered: 0
Domestic horses gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, January 28
Summary: Four wild horses were captured today. One was removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining 3 were returned to the range. One wild horse was also released from the temporary holding facility.
Wild horses gathered: 4
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 4
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, January 29
Summary: Four wild horses and three domestic horses were captured today. One wild horse and the three domestic horses were removed. The remaining 3 wild horses were returned to the range. The three domestic horses captured today plus the one captured on 1/27 were removed by the brand inspector.
Wild horses gathered: 4
Domestic horses gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 4 domestic horses
Animals returned to home range: 3
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, January 30
Summary: Ten wild horses were captured today. Five horses were removed and placed in the temporary holding facility. The remaining five, plus one from the temporary holding facility, were returned to the range.
Wild horses gathered: 10
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals returned to home range: 6
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, January 31
Summary: Ten wild horses were shipped today to Mantle Wild Horse Adoption and Training Center. Gather and removal operations are now complete in the McCullough Peaks HMA. A total of 20 wild horses and seven domestic horses were removed during the gather.
Wild horses gathered: 0
Domestic horses gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 10
Animals returned to home range: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2009
Animals: ? gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: ? (09/18/2009-10/20/2009) Gather Method: ?
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $86,004.40 INL09PD02131 -2
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
http://wildhoofbeats.blogspot.com/2010/07/wild-horses-mccullough-peaks-shake-up.html
2003
Herd Size: 493 to 112 horses no contract located
Animals: 381 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: ? () Gather Method: ?
Contractor: Contract price:
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
Mestengo: A Wild Mustang, a Writer on the Run, and the Power of the Unexpected – Melinda Roth – lots of cited sources pg 246
GATHER CONTRACTS
2012-13 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE / CT INL12PD01582 -2 / (09/10/2012-02/28/2013) / OPEN / $35,345.00 / Wy Mccullough Peaks Hma Bait Trap Remove /3
2009 WY WORLAND WASHAKIE /CT INL09PD02131 -2 / (09/18/2009-10/20/2009) / CLOSED / $86,004.40 / McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Gather /1
oct 2003 original 493 to gathered 112 horses no contract located
MUSKRAT BASIN (#muskrat)
- WY0027 – Horse / Fremont County
- Acre: 193,325 = of which 176,421 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 160-250
- Est 2020: # 998 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle # ? sheep
- Est 2021: # 952 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle # ? sheep
Energy Conflicts: Yes map
Livestock Conflicts: yes
Grazing allotments: 2 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Granite Mountain Open WY01636, Cattle / Total AUMs 13,395 – Total Livestock 2,453 / EXCHANGE-OF-USE management
Muskrat Open WY01409, Cattle / Total AUMs 10,725 – Total Livestock 2,209
(#north-lander-complex)
EPLANNING – overview / north lander
Consists of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin and Rock Creek HMA’s
- 375,000 acres of land, of which about 90% are BLM-administered public lands. NW corner adjoins the Wind River Reservation where wild horse laws do not apply. / Fremont County
- AML: 320-536
- 2020 Livestock AMU: 49,823 sheep & cattle
- 2021 Livestock AMU: 49,911 sheep & cattle (allowance increased since 2020)
- 2020 est pop: # 1,619 horses # 0 burros # 24,715 cattle & sheep
- 2021 est pop: # 1,664 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle & sheep
- 2022 est pop: # 1997 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle & sheep
They claim the numbers grow by guesstimating 20% annually, but the numbers show only 45 horse increase since 2020. Thats about 3% annual growth. / 323 horses that would be 20%.
Note: 2020 count intentionally not shown in chart below becasue that would show their numbers are inaccurate.
So when you inflate the numbers, and take off too many horses, you’re left with herds that are not viably sound forgenetic reproduction.

Elk, deer and pronghorn inhabit this area.
While the four HMAs are managed with recognized individual populations, there is no geographic separation of the HMAs and the gates between them remain open a significant part of the year. As a result, the horses move regularly among the HMAs, helping to ensure the overall genetic health of the horses and making counts unreliable.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED – In Defense of Animals Petition – DEADLINE
DOI-BLM-WY-R050-2021-0037-EA – (press release, EA docs, comment link, participate now)
BLM seeks input on future wild horse management in the North Lander Complex – The comment period closes February 18, 2022.
The BLM proposes to implement population control measures in conjunction with wild horse gathers and removal of excess wild horses in the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin, and Rock Creek Mountain Herd Management Areas, collectively known as the North Lander Complex.
The BLM guesstimates that “there are close to 2,000 horses in the complex” today (2022), and want to remove all excess horses to achieve the low AML 320-536 (low # not specified, but that is usual process). That’s about 1500-1700 horses violently rounded up by helicopters. Families shattered & separated!
This is what you call a #wildhorseholocaust !!
On top of that, they will require capturing more to implement their fertility control on the remaining herd.
“Suppression measures that are analyzed include gelding or vasectomizing stallions; reducing the reproducing population through adjusted sex ratios; using flexible intrauterine devices (IUDs) on mares; and using the fertility vaccine GONACON-Equine” (proven permanent sterilization in just 1-3 doses). There is nothing that contributes to ‘wild horses’ remaining wild in any of these methods.
Sign the IDA petition above and use their pre-written form, or click button below to write your own individually and stand beside the 29 others who have already publically commented.
However you choose to do it, JUST DO IT!
This herd isn’t even listed yet on their 2022 gather and fertility schedule yet plans are underway to get it included and remove up to 1700 horses
jan 22 22 How Many Wild Horses Can the HMA Support? – North Lander Complex WY – WHW
LAWSUITS
LANDER DOCS
2013 Lander RMP notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/02/22/2013-03991/notice-of-availability-of-the-proposed-resource-management-plan-and-final-environmental-impact archive
https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/lander.html archive
2012 Lander RMP Revision Documents archive Entire Volume 1 Entire Volume 2
Energy Conflicts: yes
2014 Lander Resource Management Plan – Public Protests archive
2013 WY Lander RMP – PROPOSED Resource Management Plan and FINAL Environmental Impact Statement for the Lander Field Office Planning Area archive
Conflicts in 3 HMA’s (Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, &Muskrat Basin)

Livestock Conflicts: Yes – 6
Grazing allotments: see individual HMA’s / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Complex shows six livestock allotments inside the HMA’s and they are also surrounded by livestock grazing.
2020 records
Livestock AMU: 49,823 sheep & cattle / actual use 24,715
Horse AML: 320-536 / actual use # 1,619 horses
Conant Creek Common WY01403, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 7,832 – Total Livestock use 10,052 (wild horse – 243)
*Big Pasture WY01703, Cattle / Total AUMs 11,912 – Total Livestock use 3,861 (*wild horse – 248 )
*Dishpan Butte WY01716, Cattle / Total AUMs 1,983 – Total Livestock use 1,141
**Granite Mountain Open WY01636, Cattle / Total AUMs 13,395 – Total Livestock use 2,453 / EXCHANGE-OF-USE management (**wild horse – 998 )
**Muskrat Open WY01409, Cattle / Total AUMs 10,725 – Total Livestock use 2,209
***Rim Pasture WY01401, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 3,976 – Total Livestock use 4,999 (***wild horse – 130 )
2021 records DOI-BLM-WY-R050-2021-0037-EA
“Similarly, the decision would not adjust livestock use, which was also established in the 2014 Lander RMP”. But we can see those AMU’s were given to livestock


2013 Gather
Animals: ? gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (04/30/2013-11/01/2013) Gather Method: ?
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $4,500.00 INL13PD00478 -1
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
2012 NORTH LANDER COMPLEX WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 754 gathered / 346 returned / 5 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (11/3 – 11/16/ 2012) Gather Method:
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $370,792.58 INL12PD01539 -1
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: 5 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
GATHER REPORTS
Horses removed from the North Lander Complex will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Most of the horses will be available for adoption at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, the Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility, the Wyoming Honor Farm and through BLM’s Internet adoptions.
Those that are not adopted will be cared for in long-term pastures, where they retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Saturday, November 3
Summary: The contractor and equipment arrived today and the temporary holding facility was constructed. Three trap locations were identified and the first trap, the Tin Cup Trap, was set up. This trap is located in the Muskrat Basin Herd Management Area.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, November 4
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning at the Tin Cup Trap in the southern portion of the Muskrat Basin Herd Management Area (HMA) and ended at approximately 3 p.m. A total of 124 horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 124
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 5
Summary: Gather operations began this morning at the Gas Hills Trap in the east-central portion of the Muskrat Basin HMA. A total of 166 horses were gathered, including seven horses from outside of the HMA.
Animals gathered: 166
Animals shipped: 42
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* A three-year old stud died today in the chute at the short term holding facility. The APHIS veterinarian on site performed a necropsy and determined that the horse suffered from a genetic defect which, with the additional stress of the gather, caused an aortic aneurysm. The APHIS veterinarian will complete a full report.
Tuesday, November 6
Summary: Gather operations continued this morning at the Gas Hills Trap in the east-central portion of the Muskrat Basin HMA. A total of 59 horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 59
Animals shipped: 104
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A two-year old bay mare came into the trap today with a previously broken and deformed left front leg. The leg was fractured in three places and badly twisted and curved. The mare’s body condition was also very poor and she likely would not have survived the winter. Because of the pre-existing injury and poor body condition, the mare was humanely euthanized.
Wednesday, November 7
Summary: Gather operations moved this morning to the Signor Ridge Trap in the Muskrat Basin HMA. A total of 62 horses were gathered. Gathering from the Muskrat Basin HMA is complete.
Animals gathered: 62
Animals shipped: 44
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 8
Summary: Gather operations continued this morning at the Signor Ridge Trap. A total of 51 horses were gathered from the Rock Creek HMA. Gathering from the Rock Creek HMA is complete. A total of 96 studs were released back into Muskrat Basin HMA.
Animals gathered: 51
Animals shipped: 32
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Animals returned to home range: 96
* A bay stud with no teeth that was more than 30 years old came into the trap today. The horse’s body condition was extremely poor with a Henneke Score of less than one. It was determined, in conjunction with the APHIS veterinarian on site, that the horse would neither survive the trip to Rock Springs nor many more days out on the range. The horse was humanely euthanized.
Friday, November 9
Summary: Gathering was cancelled today due to high winds. A total of 77 mares were treated with PZP-22 fertility control and 105 horses, including the treated mares, were released back to their home ranges in the Muskrat Basin and Rock Creek HMAs.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 13
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 105
Saturday, November 10
Summary: Gathering was cancelled today due to heavy fog and mild blizzard-like conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 0
Sunday, November 11
Summary: Gather operations moved this morning to the Carmody Lake Trap in the western portion of the Dishpan Butte HMA. A total of 43 horses were gathered. Five horses were released back into the western portion of the Dishpan Butte HMA.
Animals gathered: 43
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 5
Monday, November 12
Summary: Operations moved this morning to the Cedar Rim Trap to gather horses from the eastern portion of the Dishpan Butte HMA. A total of 55 horses were gathered. High winds shut down gathering by noon. Nine mares were treated with PZP-22 fertility control and 13 horses, including the treated mares, were released back to the range in the Rock Creek HMA. A total of 28 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 55
Animals shipped: 28
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 13
Tuesday, November 13
Summary: Operations continued this morning at the Cedar Rim Trap, gathering horses from the eastern portion of the Dishpan Butte HMA. A total of 44 horses were gathered and one released, completing gather operations in the Dishpan Butte HMA. A total of 27 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 44
Animals shipped: 27
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Animals returned to home range: 1
* A 21 year old bay stud that was blind in both eyes came to the trap today. Coupled with his blindness, the stud had a degraded body condition with a Henneke Score of less than three. It was determined, in conjunction with the APHIS veterinarian on site, that the horse should be humanely euthanized.
Wednesday, November 14
Summary: This morning, 24 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. Twenty-nine mares were treated with PZP-22 fertility control and 65 horses, including the treated mares, were released to their home range in the Dishpan Butte HMA. A trap was set up in the Conant Creek HMA this afternoon and 70 horses were gathered, including 20 horses from outside the HMA.
Animals gathered: 70
Animals shipped: 24
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 65
Thursday, November 15
Summary: Gathering was completed in the Conant Creek HMA today, which completes gathering in the North Lander Complex. Eighty horses were gathered from the Poston Ranch Trap. In addition, 34 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. A total of 33 studs were released to their home range in the Conant Creek HMA. Tomorrow, mares from the Conant Creek HMA will be treated with PZP-22 and released, and horses will be shipped to Rock Springs, completing gather operations in the North Lander Complex.
Animals gathered: 80
Animals shipped: 34
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 33
Friday, November 16
Summary: Operations are now complete in the North Lander Complex. Today, 55 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. In addition, 28 mares were treated with PZP-22 and released to their home range in the Conant Creek HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 55
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals returned to home range: 28
* A seven-year old appaloosa stud from the Dishpan Butte HMA that had escaped the temporary holding facility earlier in the week, died from the stress of being re-captured.
Final Gather Summary: During two weeks of operations, 754 horses were gathered from the four HMAs in the North Lander Complex, 403 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, 143 mares were treated with PZP-22 fertility control, and 346 horses, including the treated mares, were returned to their home ranges.
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2009 Gather
Animals: ? gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (06/10/2009-07/14/2009) Gather Method: ?
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $417,035.20 INL09PD00735 -2
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
NORTH LANDER CONTRACTS LOCATED
2013 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INL13PD00478 -1 / (04/30/2013-11/01/2013) / CLOSED/ $4,500.00 / WY North Lander Complex Gather /2
2012 WY ARAPAHOE FREMONT /CT INL12PD01539 -1 / (09/07/2012-11/30/2012) / CLOSED / $370,792.58 / WY North Lander Complex Gather Whb /1
2009 WY LANDER FREMONT / CT INL09PD00735 -2 / (06/10/2009-07/14/2009) / CLOSED / $417,035.20 / North Lander Wild Horse Gather / 1
RED DESERT COMPLEX (#red-desert-complex)
Consists of Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs – New World Iberian genotype present in the complex
- complex encompass about 753,000 acres of land, of which 703,500 are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 480-724
- EST # ? horses # 0 burros # cattle # sheep
Energy Conflicts: YES
Livestock Conflicts: YES, see individual HMA’s for specific allotments

2020 RED DESERT COMPLEX WILD HORSE GATHER
Original Herd est: 3000
Animals: 1970 gathered / 197 returned / 10 deaths / 100 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (Oct 10, 2020, about 4-8 weeks) Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Cattoor 140L0620F0459 Contract price: $480,680.00
Plan Gathered: 2,400 Animals Shipped:
Facility: ROCK SPRINGS, CANON PRISON, HONOR FARM PRISON, MANTLE
Max capacity: 800 / 3000 / ? / 500 Public Access: appt/ no/ no/ appt
Dead Animals: 10 / Acute: 3 Pre-existing: 7 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: Y / 1 mile from trap
Plan:
Notes:
Background and Details of Gather:
The BLM Wyoming Rawlins and Lander field offices will remove wild horses from the Red Desert Wild Horse Complex. This continues a gather that initially began in August 2018 but concluded early when off-range corrals reached maximum capacity.
(where are all those horses now that made room for this new group?)
The complex includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas (HMAs), spanning 703,500 acres of public land and 49,500 acres of private land in south-central Wyoming.
The BLM plans to remove approximately 2,400 horses to return wild horse populations to within the appropriate management levels and ensure long-term viability of sage-grouse populations in the area. The appropriate management level for the complex is 480-724 horses, and its current estimated population is approximately 3,000 horses.
Following the gather, the BLM will return a small number of mares and stallions to the complex to ensure genetic variability and preserve the New World Iberian genotype present in the complex. All mares returned will be treated with fertility control.
The gather will begin on or after October 10, 2020, and will continue for about 4-8 weeks.
The BLM uses a federal contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses toward a set of corrals. The helicopter is assisted by a ground crew and a domesticated horse to lead the gathered horses into the corrals. If needed, the ground crew may assist the helicopter by roping the horses from horseback.
The BLM takes very seriously the humane treatment of wild horses and burros during gather operations. Helicopters have been shown to be the most humane method to gather horses.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. If you are interested in watching the gather, you must contact Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.
Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, and footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
The following COVID-19 guidelines will apply:
- Always stay at least six feet from others. Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
- Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as restrooms will not be available.
- Do not attend the gather if you are sick, recently exposed (within 14 days) to someone with COVID-19 or are not feeling well.
Follow the Red Desert Complex Gather on @BLMWyoming and @BLMWHB Twitter.
Adoption Info:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Canon City, Colorado; and other locations to be determined where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses will be taken to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton or the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. If you are interested in taking home a wild horse from this gather, please get pre-approved and get ready for the first events in the New Year!
GATHER REPORT
CUMULATIVE TOTALS
Animals Gathered
1970
Animals Treated with Fertility Control
100
Animals Returned to Home Range
197
Animal Deaths
10
-Sudden/Acute: 3
-Pre-existing/Chronic: 7
October 10, 2020
Summary: Clear with mild temperatures and light winds in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 112 (42 Studs, 46 Mares, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 11, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Sunday, October 11, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 12, 2020
Summary: Clear with cool temperatures and strong winds between 20-30 mph.
Animals gathered: 84 (19 Studs, 38 Mares, 27 Foals)
Animals shipped: 79 (24 Studs, 27 Mares, 28 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 13, 2020
Summary: Clear with cool temperatures and moderate winds.
Animals gathered: 75 (30 Studs, 33 Mares, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 53 (0 Studs, 26 Mares, 27 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 14, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 15, 2020
Summary: Partly Cloudy with cool temperatures and light winds.
Animals gathered: 78 (31 Studs, 31 Mares, 16 Foals)
Animals shipped: 43 (4 Studs, 27 Mares, 12 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 16, 2020
Summary: Slightly overcast with cool temperatures and strong winds in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 128 (41 Studs, 56 Mares, 31 Foals)
Animals shipped: 37 (37 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* One horse was euthanized due to a limb deformation on the left front leg.
October 17, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Saturday, October 17, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 127 (36 Studs, 66 Mares, 25 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 18, 2020
Summary: Mostly cloudy with cool temperatures and light winds.
Animals gathered: 121 (40 Studs, 49 Mares, 32 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 19, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Monday, October 19, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals shipped: 136 (36 Studs, 44 Mares, 56 Foals)
October 20, 2020
Summary: Overcast and windy with moderate temperatures.
Animals gathered: 75 (22 Studs, 33 Mares, 20 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 21, 2020
Summary: Clear skies and windy with moderate temperatures.
Animals gathered: 13 (8 Studs, 4 Mares, 1 Foals)
Animals shipped: 83 (26 Studs, 39 Mares, 18 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 22, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Thursday, October 22, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 23, 2020
Summary: Snow and wind with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 263 (101 Studs, 107 Mares, 55 Foals)
Animals shipped: 35 (12 Studs, 1 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*One horse was euthanized after suffering a fractured head due to being kicked by another horse.
October 24, 2020
Summary: Clowdy with wind and cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 113 (48 Studs, 41 Mares, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 35 (12 Studs, 1 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized due to an angular limb deformation of the left front leg.
October 25, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Sunday, October 25, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals shipped: 60 (0 Studs, 1 Mares, 59 Foals)
October 26, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 61 (30 Studs, 19 Mares, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 77 (38 Studs, 39 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 27, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Animals shipped: 34 (0 Studs, 20 Mares, 14 Foals)
October 28, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 188 (63 Studs, 84 Mares, 41 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*One horse was euthanized due to a neck injury suffered at the trap site.
October 29, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 178 (66 Studs, 73 Mares, 39 Foals)
Animals shipped: 95 (7 Studs, 47 Mares, 41 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 30, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 107 (34 Studs, 48 Mares, 25 Foals)
Animals shipped: 75 (36 Studs, 39 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 31, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 76 (21 Studs, 39 Mares, 16 Foals)
Animals shipped: 86 (0 Studs, 61 Mares, 25 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 1, 2020
No gather operations today.
Animals shipped: 82 (1 Studs, 65 Mares, 17 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
*Two animals were euthanized today due to Ostioarthrites of both knees.
November 2, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 98 (32 Studs, 49 Mares, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 36 (36 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 3, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 81 (29 Studs, 34 Mares, 18 Foals)
Animals shipped: 73 (36 Studs, 37 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
* 3 animals were uthanized for pre-exsisting conditions. 1 for chronic lameness due to an old dislocated or broken front leg, 1 for club foot, and 1 for mutiple melanomas.
November 4, 2020
Summary: Sunny, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 24 (16 Studs, 4 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 48 (10 Studs, 3 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 5, 2020
Summary: Sunny, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 50 (14 Studs, 22 Mares, 14 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*One horse was euthanized after suffering a fractured leg or pelvis.
November 6, 2020
Summary: Overcast, windy with cool temperatures.
There were no gather operations on Friday, November 6, 2020.
Animals shipped: 43 (9 Studs, 15 Mares, 19 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 7, 2020
Summary: Cloudy, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 27 (10 Studs, 11 Mares, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 27 (10 Studs, 11 Mares, 6 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 8, 2020
Summary: Cloudy, windy with cold temperatures and scattered snow.
There were no gather or shipping operations on Sunday, November 8.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 9, 2020
Summary: Low cloud cover with cold temperatures and scattered snow.
There were no gather or shipping operations on Monday, November 9.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 10, 2020
Summary: Cold, windy with scattered snow.
There were no gather operations on Tuesday, November 10.
Animals shipped: 23 (17 Studs, 6 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 11, 2020
There were no gather or shipping operations on Wednesday, November 11.
November 12, 2020
Summary: Cold, sunny, with light winds.
Animals gathered: 17 (9 Studs, 6 Mares, 2 Foals)
Animals shipped: 17 (9 Studs, 6 Mares, 2 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 13, 2020
There were no gather or shipping operations on Friday, November 13. This is the final day of the Red Desert Wild Horse Gather.
IN THE NEWS – 2020 RED DESERT
nov 4 20 RED DESERT COMPLEX ROUNDUP TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER (TRO) AND INJUNCTION – Pam True
oct 28 20 CIVIL CASE 20-CV-191-SWS – RED DESERT TRO – PDF Download – Pam True
oct 24 20 Blm Reports 947 Horses Gathered So Far In Red Desert Complex Operation, 90 Returned – Oil City News
oct 10 20 On the Eve of the Red Desert Complex Wild Horse Roundup – Carol Walker
Oct10 – Nov 12 20 Roundup Report: Red Desert Complex, WY 2020 – AWHC
2018 RED DESERT COMPLEX WILD HORSE GATHER
Original herd est: 3500? // 1442 gathered / 25 returned / 10 deaths / 12 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (Sep 19 – Oct 25, 2018) Gather Method: 2 Helicopters
Contractor: CATTOOR 140L0618F0136 -2
Contract price: $478,357.80
Plan Gathered: 2,670 Animals Gathered: 1442
5 Facility Destinations: ROCK SPRINGS, CANON PRISON, AXTELL, HONOR FARM PRISON, MANTLE Public Access: ?/ NO
Dead Animals shipped to: 10 ?
Public viewing: yes / over 1 mile away
Plan: remove 2,670 horses
Notes:
Details of Gather
Background and Details of Gather:
The BLM Wyoming Rawlins and Lander field offices will remove wild horses from the Red Desert Wild Horse Complex. The complex includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Gap, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas, spanning 703,500 acres of public land and 49,500 acres of private land in south-central Wyoming. The BLM plans to remove up to 2,670 horses to return wild horse populations closer to the appropriate management levels and ensure long-term viability of sage-grouse populations in the area. The appropriate management level for the complex is 481-725 horses, and its current estimated population is 3,500 adult horses.
Following the gather, the BLM will return a small number of mares and stallions to the complex to ensure genetic variability and preserve the New World Iberian genotype present in the complex. All mares returned will be treated with fertility control.
The gather will begin on or after August 6, 2018, and will continue for about six to eight weeks.
The BLM uses a federal contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses toward a set of corrals. The helicopter is assisted by a ground crew and a domesticated horse to lead the gathered horses into the corrals. If needed, the ground crew may assist the helicopter by roping the horses from horseback.
The BLM takes very seriously the humane treatment of wild horses and burros during gather operations. Helicopters have been shown to be the most humane method to gather horses.
Of the up to 2,670 wild horses to be removed, up to approximately 1,170 would be removed from the Green Mountain HMA, 608 from the Stewart Creek HMA, 495 from the Crooks Mountain HMA, 368 from the Lost Creek HMA and 29 from the Antelope Hills HMA.
Public Observation:
Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. If you are interested in watching the gather, you must contact Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.
Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
Follow the Red Desert Complex Gather on @BLMWyoming and @BLMWHB Twitter.
Adoption Info:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Canon City, Colorado; and Axtell, Utah; where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses will be taken to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton or the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. If you are interested in taking home a wild horse from this gather, please get pre-approved and get ready for the first events in the New Year!
2018 GATHER REPORTS
No Vet report
CUMULATIVE TOTALS
Animals Gathered
1442
Animals Treated with Fertility Control
12
Animals Returned to Home Range
25
Animal Deaths
10
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
Summary: No animals were gathered today. The BLM is sending horses to their next destination.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 43
Animals shipped to Axtell: 51
Animals shipped to Honor Farm: 0
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18
Summary: No animals were gathered today. The BLM is sending horses to their next destination.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 43
Animals shipped to Axtell: 84
Animals shipped to Honor Farm: 0
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17
Summary: Today concluded the gather.
Animals gathered: 129
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 84
Animals shipped to Axtell: 76
Animals shipped to Honor Farm: 2
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16
Summary: First day of trapping in Stewart Creek HMA. Two foals were transported to the Wyoming Honor Farm: a three-month old filly with a three- to six-week-old injury to its ribs, and a colt. The colt died shortly after arriving to the veterinary clinic.
Animals gathered: 212
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 67
Animals shipped to Axtell: 36
Animals shipped to Honor Farm: 2
Total deaths today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
Summary: No notable incidents today.
Animals gathered: 92
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 0
Animals shipped to Axtell: 41
Total deaths today: 0
Animals shipped to Wyoming Honor Farm: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
Summary: No notable incidents today.
Animals gathered: 52
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 70
Animals shipped to Axtell: 74
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
MONDAY, AUGUST 13
Summary: Two horses were humanely euthanized this morning due to pre-existing conditions. One was a 25-year-old mare (or older) who was missing most of its front incisors and had multiple malignant melanoma tumors. The second was a four-month-old with a previously-broken right front fetlock that did not heal properly.
Animals gathered: 149
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 38
Animals shipped to Axtell: 40
Total deaths today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 2
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
Summary: One foal died overnight in temporary holding. A field necropsy performed by an APHIS veterinarian found no evidence of trauma or fractures. The cause of death could not be determined.
Animals gathered: 102
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 82
Animals shipped to Axtell: 77
Total deaths today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
Summary: No significant issues arose.
Animals gathered: 134
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 90
Animals shipped to Axtell: 37
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10
Summary: BLM euthanized one six-year-old stallion who was injured and blinded by another stallion on a trailer.
Animals gathered: 140
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 45
Animals shipped to Axtell: 78
Total deaths today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9
Summary: BLM humanely euthanized one captured horse with a pre-existing condition. One colt was also humanely euthanized after breaking its right hind leg. One orphaned foal was sent to the Wyoming Honor Farm for additional care.
Animals gathered: 87
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 93
Animals shipped to Axtell: 36
Total deaths today: 2
Acute: 1
Chronic/pre-existing: 1
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
Summary: BLM humanely euthanized a captured horse with a pre-existing condition. Two colts were treated for capture shock during sorting at the holding corral. One colt died shortly after being treated and the other died while being transferred to the veterinary hospital in Lander.
Animals gathered: 160
Animals shipped to Rock Springs: 89
Animals shipped to Axtell: 75
Total deaths today: 3
Acute: 2
Chronic/pre-existing: 1
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
Summary: No issues to report today.
Animals gathered: 187
Animals shipped: 0
Total deaths today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/pre-existing: 0
IN THE NEWS – 2018 Red Desert Gather
2011 RED DESERT AND GREAT DIVIDE BASIN WILD HORSE GATHER
Livestock Conflicts: Rock Springs Grazing Association 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM
Animals: 899 gathered / 374 returned / 7 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
(Numbers gathered only represent the red desert portion)
Date of gather: (10/9-11/21/11) Gather Method:
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $ $465,661.24 INL11PD01565 -2
Plan Gathered: No number noted
Animals Shipped:
Facility: ROCK SPRINGS Max capacity: 800 Public Access: APPT
Dead Animals: 7 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: y
Plan:
Notes:
RED DESERT COMPLEX GATHER REPORTS
Most of these horses will be available for adoption at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, the Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility, the Wyoming Honor Farm and through BLM’s Internet adoptions.
Sunday, October 9
Summary: Due to poor weather conditions in the gather area, the gather start date has been postponed until Monday, Oct. 10. The start date is dependent on weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 10
Summary: Gather operations commenced today at 8:30 a.m. at the Crooks Gap area trap. Forty horses were gathered before gather operations were shut down at 10:15 a.m. due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 40
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, October 11
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled for today as a result of continued high winds. The contractor is expected to resume operations tomorrow morning. Twenty-nine of the 40 horses that were gathered yesterday are being shipped to the Rock Springs holding facility this morning.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 29
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 12
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Crooks Gap area trap. A total of 56 horses were gathered today. Operations were shut down at 12:30 due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 56
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
* Two studs were euthanized today due to pre-existing conditions. One stud had chronic laminitis (“slipper foot”). The other stud was missing his left rear foot and in addition, the same leg was broken below the hock. As a result these horses had limited ability to forage which made it difficult to maintain a healthy physical condition. These horses were euthanized following the BLM protocol.
Thursday, October 13
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Crooks Gap area trap. A total of 17 horses were gathered today. Operations were shut down at 11:30 due to high winds. Forty horses were shipped to the Rock Springs holding facility.
Animals gathered: 17
Animals shipped: 40
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 14
Summary: Twenty-one horses were gathered today from the Eagle Nest Draw Trap at the south end of the Lander Field Office, concluding gather operations from that trap.
Animals gathered: 21
Animals shipped: 21
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* An APHIS vet determined that a black stud died of cardiac arrest. He was 26 years old and club-footed.
Saturday, October 15
Summary: Gather operations in the Green Mountain HMA (West Cottonwood Creek Trap) were cancelled for the day due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, October 16
Summary: Seventy-four horses were gathered today from the West Cottonwood Creek Trap in the Green Mountain HMA, concluding gather operations from that trap.
Animals gathered: 74
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 17
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled at the Muddy Gap Trap in the eastern portion of the Green Mountain HMA today, due to rain, wind and muddy conditions. Thirty-three horses were shipped to the Rock Springs corrals this morning. Twenty-seven mares were treated with fertility control this afternoon and 50 horses were released back into the northwest corner of the Green Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 33
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Mares fertility treated: 27
Animals returned to the HMA: 50
* After an exam by the APHIS veterinarian, one mare with pre-existing conditions (a fractured left hind leg, displaced hip and Henneke score of 2) was euthanized.
Tuesday, October 18
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning at the Muddy Gap Trap in the eastern portion of the Green Mountain HMA. A total of 144 horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 144
Animals shipped: 30
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* A 16 year old mare died from sustaining a broken neck as she was being released from the chute at the temporary holding facility.
Wednesday, October 19
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning at the Haypress Draw Trap in the Crooks Mountain HMA. A total of 72 horses were gathered. A total of 31 horses were shipped this morning to the correctional facility in Gunnison, Utah, 55 mares and colts to the Rock Springs corrals and one colt to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo. Mares from the Crooks Mountain HMA will be treated and released, along with studs, back into the HMA tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 72
Animals shipped: 87
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 20
Summary: A new trap was set up in the Antelope Hills HMA and gather operations commenced there this morning. A total of horses 92 horses were gathered today. Twenty-six studs were released this morning back into the Crooks Mountain HMA and 27 mares from the Crooks Mountain HMA were treated with fertility control and released back into the HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 92
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 27
Animals returned to the HMA: 53
Friday, October 21
Summary: Gather operations concluded in the Antelope Hills HMA today. It is not anticipated that the BLM will gather in the Red Desert on Saturday or Sunday. Mares will be treated with fertility control and horses will be returned to the Antelope Hills HMA and shipped.
Animals gathered: 64
Animals shipped: 17
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals retuned to the HMA: 31
Saturday, October 22
Summary: Fertility treated 29 mares, shipped a total of 80 animals, (31 studs to Gunnison, Utah; 29 mares and 20 colts to the Rock Springs holding facility). Released a total of 44 horses back into the Antelope Hills HMA. This now completes work in the Antelope Hills HMA and the Crooks Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 80
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 29
Animals retuned to the HMA: 44
Sunday, October 23
Summary: Gather operations did not occur today. The contractor moved some of the gather facilities to the Divide Basin HMA. Operations are scheduled to start there Tuesday, October 25th.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 24
Summary: Pilots attempted to fly in the Green Mountain HMA this morning and could not continue due to high winds. Mares that had been previously gathered from the Green Mountain HMA were treated with fertility control. Fifty-six mares and studs were released back into the Green Mountain HMA today, in advance of a winter storm predicted for the area.
The first phase of the Red Desert HMA Complex gather is complete (Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain and Green Mountain HMAs). Operations are scheduled to begin in the Divide Basin HMA on Tuesday, Oct. 25th, and will last approximately three weeks. The second phase of the Red Desert HMA Complex gather (Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs) will likely resume in mid-November.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 80
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Mares fertility treated: 31
Animals retuned to the HMA: 56
* An eleven year old stud with chronic laminitis (slipper foot) and a displaced hip was euthanized. The stud’s Henneke Score was four.
Gather has been switched over to the Divide Basin, October 25 – November 12
Sunday, November 13
Summary: Wyoming fall gather operations have transitioned from the Divide Basin HMA back to the Red Desert HMA Complex for phase two of the Red Desert Gather. Operations were cancelled today due to blizzard-like conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 14
Summary: Operations were cancelled today due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 15
Summary: Gather operations began this morning in the Lost Creek HMA. A total of 47 horses were gathered. Gathering was shut down at 1:30 due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 47
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 16
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Lost Creek HMA. A total of 64 horses were gathered, completing gather operations at that trap at 1:30 p.m. This morning, 31 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo., and four horses were shipped to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo.
Animals gathered: 64
Animals shipped: 35
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 17
Summary: Three horses were gathered before operations were shut down due to high winds. Twenty studs were returned to the Lost Creek HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Animals retuned to the HMA: 20
* A three month old foal died of pre-existing conditions. The APHIS veterinarian performed a necropsy and discovered that the foal had pneumonia and the right side of her heart was enlarged. The foal was also very thin and in poor condition.
Friday, November 18
Summary: A total of 71 horses were gathered in the Stewart Creek HMA before high winds shut-down operations. A total of 38 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo. Twenty mares were treated with fertility control and released back into the Lost Creek HMA.
Animals gathered: 71
Animals shipped: 38
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 20
Animals retuned to the HMA: 20
Saturday, November 19
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled today due to high winds and blowing snow.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, November 20
Summary: A total of 134 horses were gathered from the Stewart Creek HMA. This concludes trapping operations in the Red Desert Complex. Fifty studs were returned to the Stewart Creek HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 134
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals retuned to the HMA: 50
Monday, November 21
Summary: A total of 50 horses were were returned to the Stewart Creek HMA today, including 46 mares that were treated with PZP fertility control. A total of 105 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo., and one horse was shipped to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo. This concludes gather operations in the Red Desert Complex.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 106
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 46
Animals retuned to the HMA: 50
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2009
Animals: 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (09/21/2009-11/25/2009) Gather Method:
Contractor: Cattoor Contract price: $504,154.50 INL09PD02206 -1
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes: Lander & Rawlins BLM Release Red Desert Wild Horse Gather Environmental Assessment
- 2020 Red Desert Complex Gather
- 2018 Red Desert Complex Gather
- 2011 Red Desert and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
RED DESERT CONTRACTS
2020 WY LANDER FREEMONT / CT 140L0620F0459 -1 / (09/23/2020-12/05/2020) / CLOSED / $480,680.00 / Wyoming Red Desert Complex Drive Trapping Gather /4
2018 WY LANDER FREMONT / CT 140L0618F0136 -2 / (09/19/2018-10/25/2018) / CLOSED / $478,357.80 / WY RED DESERT COMPLEX WILD HORSE HELICOPTER GATHER, Correct Period of Performance Start Date / 2
2011-12 WY LANDER FREEMONT / CT INL11PD01565 -2 / (10/07/2011-03/30/2012) / OPEN / $465,661.24 / Wy Red Desert Complex Wild Horse Gather /1
2009 WY RAWLINS CARBON / CT INL09PD02206 -1 / (09/21/2009-11/25/2009) / CLOSED / $504,154.50 / Red Desert Wild Horse Gather /1
ROCK CREEK MOUNTAIN (#rock-creek)
- WY0026 – Horse / Lander FO
- Acre: 24,584 = of which 19,107 acres are BLM-administered public lands
- AML: 50-86
- Est 2020: # 130 horses # 0 burros # 4,999 cattle & sheep
- Est 2021: # 179 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle # ? sheep
Energy Conflict: No active lease shown Oil and Gas map
Livestock Conflicts: Yes
Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Rim Pasture WY01401, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 3,976 – Total Livestock 4,999
- 2012 North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather October 31, 2012?
ROCK SPRINGS JMA (#rock-springs)
(See Checkerboard Complex – 3 hmas) Divide Basin, Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, plus White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas
Energy Conflict: Yes
Ten Mile Rim Coal Lease By Application: WYW154959
Energy Conflicts: Yes Wyoming Pipeline Corridor
Ten Mile Rim Coal Lease By Application: WYW154959
2005 Pit 14 Coal Lease By Application: WYW160394
Livestock Conflicts: Yes, Rock Springs Grazing Association
Grazing allotments: see individual HMA’s / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM & 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 107,940 – Total Livestock 315,987
(this allotment is massive and includes sections of 4 HMA’s of the Rock Springs JMA and checkerboard complex – white mountain, divide basin, salt wells, adobe town and also non HMA areas)
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: Oct 7- ?, 2021 Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 3500 Animals Shipped:
Facilities: Multiple locations, see details of gather Public Access: N
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing: Yes – 1 1/2 miles away – barely viewable even with high powered, long distance lenses.
Plan: To comply with the 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM by removing 3500 wild horses from their protected lands
Notes: The ‘entire’ BLM website was down starting the day before Roundup began Oct 6-9, and again on Oct 11-12 & 14-15 (will edit if more days occur). In doing so, the public did not have access to BLM contact, emails, and numbers to request gather viewing and operations. The few who did get to view were kept 1 1/2 miles away from the gather site. According to gather contract, we could have viewing access within 500 ft. See page 35. It is seemingly their intent in keeping the public from their rightful access to view gathers. As of Oct 16 any, and all map access still under maintenance on multiple blm sites.
DETAILS OF GATHER
BLM to start gathering wild horses on 5 HMAs in southwest Wyoming
BLM Wyoming temporarily closes Rock Springs holding facility
The BLM Wyoming Rock Springs and Rawlins field offices will remove wild horses from the Great Divide Basin, Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas (HMAs) in southwestern Wyoming.
The BLM estimates the wild horse population across the five HMAs to be approximately 5,105, which is more than double the combined appropriate management level of 1,550-2,145 horses. The gather is being conducted to address the overpopulation on the HMAs, prevent deterioration of the rangeland due to the overpopulation, remove horses from private lands and areas not designated for their long-term use, and comply with the 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM.
The BLM plans to remove approximately 3,500 horses to return wild horse populations to within the appropriate management levels. BLM estimates that around 800 animals that are gathered will be returned to the range. Any mare returned to an HMA will be treated with temporary fertility control. Managing wild horses at appropriate levels allows BLM to maintain rangeland and wild horse heard health and reduce trespass onto private land and highways.
The gather will begin on or after October 7, 2021.
The BLM uses a federal contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses toward a set of corrals. The helicopter is assisted by a ground crew and a domesticated horse to lead the gathered horses into the corrals. If needed, the ground crew may assist the helicopter by roping wild horses from horseback.
The BLM takes the humane treatment of wild horses and burros during gather operations very seriously. Helicopters have been shown to be the most humane method to gather horses.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff, contractors and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands or authorized private lands. If you are interested in watching the gather, you must contact Brad Purdy at bpurdy@blm.gov.
Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, and footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
Adoption Info:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in ROCK SPRINGS, Wyoming; WHEATLAND, Wyoming; and other locations to be determined where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses may also be taken to the Wyoming HONOR FARM PRISON in Riverton or the MANTLE Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.
2021 ROCK SPRINGS GATHER REPORTS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS as of 0ct 16 21
Animals Gathered
198 (100 mares, 48 foals, 50 stallions)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control
0
Animals Returned to Home Range
0
Animal Deaths
4
-Sudden/Acute: 1
-Pre-existing/Chronic: 3
2021 ROCK SPRINGS GATHER REPORTS – GREAT DIVIDE BASIN HMA
October 7, 2021
Summary: Clear with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 9 (5 Mares, 1 Stallion, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 8, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 34 (14 Mares, 13 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 2 (0 Studs, 1 Mare, 1 Foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 9, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
Animals shipped: 18 (0 Studs, 18 Mares, 0 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
October 10, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 24 (10 Mares, 9 Stallions, 5 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Animals shipped: 11 (0 Studs, 10 Mares, 1 Foal)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 11, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 76 (45 Mares, 10 Stallions, 21 Foals)
Animals shipped: 80 (0 Studs, 42 Mares, 4 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals) (20 Studs, 0 Mares, 14 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals )
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
October 12, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and snow.
October 13, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and poor road conditions.
October 14, 2021
Summary: Cold with strong afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 26 (15 Mares, 5 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 16 (16 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2 (clubbed foot)
October 15, 2021
Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 29 (11 Mares, 12 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46 (10 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals) (13 Stallions, 23 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 1 (broken leg)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (clubbed foot)
2021 ROCK SPRINGS GATHER REPORTS – SALT WELLS CREEK/ADOBE TOWN HMAS
November 9, 2021
Summary: Cloudy with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 98 (39 Mares, 40 Stallions, 19 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 10, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, and breezy
Animals gathered: 26 (9 Mares, 11 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 84 (39 mares to Rock Springs Corrals) (26 stallions, 19 foals to Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 11, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
Animals shipped: 14 (9 mares, 5 stallions to Rock Springs Corrals)
November 12, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
No horses shipped.
November 13, 2021
Summary: Cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 28 (9 Mares, 12 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
November 14, 2021
Summary: sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 30 (10 Mares, 13 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 15, 2021
Summary: sunny with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 170 (63 Mares, 73 Stallions, 34 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 16, 2021
Summary: cloudy, cool and windy
Animals gathered: 14 (2 Mares, 10 Stallions, 2 Foals)
Animals shipped: 133 (25 stallions and 1 foal to Wheatland; 1 stallion, 82 mares, and 4 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 17, 2021
Summary: sunny and cold
Animals gathered: 193 (79 Mares, 77 Stallions, 37 Foals)
Animals shipped: 67 stallions shipped to Wheatland
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 18, 2021
Summary: sunny and cold
Animals gathered: 131 (52 Mares, 52 Stallions, 27 Foals)
Animals shipped: 160 (46 stallions and 39 foals to Wheatland; 74 mares and 1 foal to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 19, 2021
Summary: mostly sunny and breezy
Animals gathered: 81 (33 Mares, 36 Stallions, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 131 (24 stallions and 22 foals to Wheatland; 85 to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 20, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 55 (24 Mares, 20 Stallions, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 106 (36 stallions to Wheatland; 53 stallions, 5 mares, and 12 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 21, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 140 (46 Mares, 70 Stallions, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 47 (24 stallions and 23 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 1 (A 3-year old mare ran into the corrals and suffered a broken neck.)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 22, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
There were no gather operations today
Animals shipped: 116 (24 stallions and 22 foals to Wheatland; 1 stallions and 69 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
November 23, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 70 (33 Mares, 24 Stallions, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 38 (38 stallions to Wheatland)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
IN THE NEWS
oct 9 21 Wyoming Wild Horse Round-Ups – Jane Unchained News
oct 7 21 Largest-ever roundup an alarming signal for future of Wyoming’s wild horses
Rock Springs Start Date Confirmed (Largest Roundup in US History)
BLM captures 43 wild horses on first two days of Rock Springs (Wyo.) roundup
Rally held tomorrow against proposed October BLM horse roundup
Wild horse advocates cry foul on cusp of enormous roundup, removal
Proposed roundups target 3,500 wild horses in Wyoming
BLM to Gather and Remove Over 3,500 Wild Horses in Southwest Wyoming
‘Defiant Five’ win temporary freedom in Wyoming wild horse roundup
https://www.yahoo.com/now/largest-ever-roundup-alarming-signal-002800912.html
https://www.earth.com/news/blm-plans-to-remove-half-of-wyomings-wild-horses/
Contracts Located – Rock Springs
2022 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0496 / (01/04/2022-02/28/2022) / OPEN / $286,000.00 / Wyoming White Mountain and Little Colorado Drive Trapping Gather /4
2021 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0478 / (11/08/2021-12/31/2021) / OPEN / $550,005.00 / Wyoming, Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek Drive Trapping Gather /4 / sol 140L0620R0043
2021 WY ROCK SPRINGS LANDER /CT 140L0621F0490 -0 / (10/06/2021-11/05/2021) / OPEN / $391,092.00 / Wyoming Great Divide Basin Drive Trapping Gather / 2 / sol
2017 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER / CT INL17PD01058 -1 / (09/13/2017- 12/11/2017) / OPEN / $683,173.00 / Wyoming Helicopter Gather / 2
2014 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL14PD00691 -3 / (07/14/2014-09/30/2014) / CLOSED / $535,540.08 / Checkerboard Horse Gather /1
2013-14 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL14PD00019 -1 / (11/20/2013-12/18/2013) / OPEN / $281,495.60 / ADOBE TOWN/ SALT WELLS HORSE GATHER FY14 /
2010-12 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL10PD04052 -2 / (08/30/2010-09/16/2012) / CLOSED / $738,596.20 / Adobe Town/Salt Wells Wild Horse Gather /1
2011 WI ROCK SPRINGS SAUK /CT INL11PD01126 -1 / (08/08/2011-09/06/2011) / CLOSED / $296,015.20 / WY White Mountain /Little Colo Horse Gather /1
SALT WELLS CREEK HMA (#salt-wells)
combined with adobe town / complex
- 1,173,000 acres
- AML: 251-365
- Livestock AMU on HMA only: 24,003 cattle and sheep
AMU in Shared Space: 122,905 cattle and sheep (not sure how many of these utilize the HMA shared space with horses) - EST 2020 # 894 horses # 0 burros # a minimum of 34,823 cattle & sheep + an unexact portion from shared space livestock use 326,362
Wildlife: supports significant wildlife populations including elk, deer and pronghorn. Domestic cattle and sheep use the area lightly in the summer and moderately in the winter, but primarily cattle use. (note that BLM lists domestic cattle and sheep in with wildlife. They are not wildlife!)
Energy Conflicts: Yes – located
Livestock Conflicts: Yes, Rock Springs Grazing Association
Grazing allotments: 11 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM & 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
These allotments are on the HMA only
Circle Springs. WY04001, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 946 – Livestock use 2,547
Mellor Mountain. WY04027, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 6,102 – Livestock use 13,295
Salt Wells. WY04009, Cattle / Total AUMs 2,597 – Livestock use 642
Vermillion Creek. WY04003, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 11,578 – Livestock use 14,286
Rife. WY04002, Cattle / Total AUMs 508 – Livestock use 284
Alkali Creek. WY04004, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 2,272 – Livestock use 3,769
TOTAL AUM 24,003 – Livestock use 34,823
These allotments share space and unknown exact use # in HMA
see Wyoming Grazing allotments for map
Pine Mountain WY04007, Cattle / Total AUMs 7,760 – Livestock use 4,214
(This is very small section in the HMA, most of allotment in Wyoming grazing district. No idea how many AMU utilize this area)
Hiawatha Tridistrict CO04300, Sheep / Total AUMs 5,602 – Livestock use 4,803
(this allotment connects to Adobe Town HMA and Colorado grazing district)
Canyon Horseshoe CO04326, Sheep / Total AUMs 1,603 – Livestock use 1,358
(This is very small section in the HMA and also include Colorado grazing district. No idea how many AMU utilize this HMA area)
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 107,940 – Total Livestock 315,987
(this allotment is massive and includes sections of 4 HMA’s of the Rock Springs JMA and checkerboard complex – 2/3 of white mountain, 1/2 of divide basin, more than 1/2 of salt wells creek, 1/5 of adobe town and also non HMA areas) 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM
TOTAL AUM IN SHARED SPACE 122,905 – Livestock use 326,362
Animal Management Unit (EST AMU) =
An AUM is the amount of forage needed to sustain one horse (1 aum), one cow per 1000 lbs (1 aum), two burro (.5 aum), five sheep (.18 aum), or five goats (.19 aum) for a month
In the NEWS – Salt wells
May 15 07 Four Men Convicted for Killing Wild Horse – BLM
(tags: Salt Wells Creek, Wyoming, wild horse, castrated, death, ramsay ranch, Clint Proffit, James Hoffman, Randy Hoffman, Terry Reid, Conspiracy to Kill a Wild Horse, Property Destruction)
During the spring of 2005, at the Ramsay Ranch south of Rock Springs, Wyoming, the Hoffmans roped a BLM wild horse stud and brought it to the ground. Proffit used a knife to castrate the horse. The horse died. Reid hauled the dead horse to a remote draw. The incident occurred within the BLM Salt Wells Wild Horse Management Area. The case was investigated by a BLM Special Agent and Ranger. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the Wyoming Livestock Board assisted BLM with the investigation.
2021 Rock Springs Gather Reports – Salt Wells Creek/Adobe Town Hmas
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA below for details. This roundup includes checkerboard complex 3 hma’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more (White Mountain and Little Colorado) for a total of 5 HMA’s being targeted.
Animals: 0 gathered / 0 returned / 0 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: Gather Method:
Contractor:
Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: Animals Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Plan:
Notes:
Gather Reports:
IN THE NEWS – 2021 Salt Wells / Adobe Town
2017 ADOBE TOWN, SALT WELLS CREEK AND GREAT DIVIDE BASIN
Animals: 1560 adults 408 foals gathered / 4 returned / 15 deaths / 0 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (Sep 23-Oct 17, 2017) Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered:
Animals Shipped:
Facility Destination: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Notes:
Plan:
Of the 1,560 wild horses to be gathered, approximately 725 would be removed from the Salt Wells Creek HMA, 513 from the Adobe Town HMA and the 322 from the Great Divide Basin HMA. Only adult horses count toward the 1,560 AML removal number.
GATHER REPORTS
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Summary: Personnel looked for potential trap sites for horses located outside the HMA in the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA. As a result of wind and rain, we were weathered out the remainder of the day and no horses were gathered. Tomorrow’s plan is to locate a trap site possibly in the Salt Wells Creek HMA as this is the only HMA that is currently accessible due to mud and weather conditions. As soon as the area dries out, we will return to the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA to resume normal operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Summary: As a result of wind and rain, we were weathered out again and no horses were gathered. Tomorrow’s plan is to locate a trap site possibly in the Salt Wells Creek HMA as this is the only HMA that is currently accessible due to mud and weather conditions. As soon as the area dries out, we will return to the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA to resume normal operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, September 25, 2017
Summary: Weather conditions improved enough that 49 horses were gathered in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. As the area has dried out a bit, tomorrow we will focus efforts south of Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek on the Colorado border and will be targeting horses outside the HMA.
Animals gathered: 40 Adults, 9 Foals
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 61 horses gathered from outside the HMA, south of Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek near the Colorado border. Twenty-eight horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will focus south of Pine mountain and continue to focus on horses outside of the HMA.
Animals gathered: 48 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 28
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*A grey mare was euthanized due to a poorly healed previous fracture to the right hind ankle, was lame with a severely deformed foot. The vet reported that the prognosis was hopeless for recovery.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 71 horses gathered from outside the HMA, south of the Salt Wells Creek HMA in the Pine Mountain area. Fourty-two horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA now that it has dried out and will concentrate on the horses outside the HMA near the northwest corner.
Animals gathered: 48 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 28
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today–a five month old palomino colt with a severe angular deformed right knee, a three year old palomino mare with a severe spinal deformity, and a six year old palomino mare with severe arthritis in the left front knee. As per the vet, all three horses had a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 65 horses gathered. The plan was to target horses outside the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA, but after recon of this location no horses were found as they had migrated east into the HMA. From there, we went south to concentrate on outside HMA horses around the mine and power plant. Seventy-two horses were shipped to Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 55 Adults, 10 Foals
Animals shipped: 72
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Friday, September 29, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 45 horses gathered in the checkerboard within the Great Divide Basin HMA. Thirty-six horses were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and fourty-two horses were shipped to Rock Springs. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 32 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 78
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 95 horses gathered from the checkerboard in the Great Divide Basin HMA. A total of 84 horses were also shipped to Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will continue to concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 76 Adults, 19 Foals
Animals shipped: 84
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today–a sorrel stud with pre-existing enlarged right front carpus with severe ligament and tendon damage, a 9 year old bay mare with spinal deformity, and a 13 year old grey mare with a previously injured fetlock with severe hoof deformity. As per the vet, all three horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 45 horses gathered in the Great Divide Basin HMA. A total of 40 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility, and an additional 36 studs were shipped to the facility at Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow the gather is planned to continue at the Great Divide Basin HMA and concentrate in the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 34 Adults, 11 Foal
Animals shipped: 76
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Monday, October 2, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 155 horses gathered in the Great Divide Basin HMA. We gathered four excess horses for this HMA so four studs will be released back into the Great Divide Basin HMA tomorrow and all numbers for this report will reflect 151 horses (63 studs, 62 mares and 26 foals) for 10/2/2017. We have reached our low AML number with with the 322 adult wild horses removed from the Great Divide Basin HMA and will be moving to the Adobe Town HMA tomorrow. We also shipped 37 studs to Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow we will ship horses to Axtell, Utah and Rock Springs, before heading to the northeast corner of the Adobe Town HMA to focus on horses outside the HMA.
Animals gathered: 125 Adults, 26 Foals
Animals shipped: 37
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Summary: The day started off in Adobe Town, but due to significant precipitation in the HMA, we were unable to gather. The decision was made to move to the Salt Wells Creek HMA. A trap was set up on the checkerboard near the Brady Plant and we will be ready to gather horses tomorrow. A total of 155 horses, which included 64 stud horses to Axtell, Utah, and 91 horses to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 155
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today–a palomino stud with a right front hoof deformity. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Summary: Trapping operations began at the Brady Plant site today and two helicopters were run. A total of 166 horses were gathered from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, a total of 71 horses (44 mares and 27 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 132 Adults, 34 Foals
Animals shipped: 71
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today–a sorrel mare with chronic Laminitis. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run for a total of 168 horses gathered from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, 69 horses (49 mares and 20 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 142 Adults, 26 Foals
Animals shipped: 105
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Friday, October 6, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run to gather 44 horses from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, 71 horses (50 mares and 21 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 73 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 36 Adults, 8 Foals
Animals shipped: 144
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run today, gathering 167 horses in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. We shipped 69 horses (35 mares and 34 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 128 Adults, 39 Foals
Animals shipped: 105
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run. A total of 60 horses were gathered in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, a total of 86 horses (68 mares and 18 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 46 Adults, 14 Foals
Animals shipped: 122
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today–a 20 year old sorrel stud with a body condition of 2 and Laminitis; a 12 year old chestnut stud with a front left severe club foot; and a sorrel colt with a left front severe club foot. As per the vet, these horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Summary: Due to snow and wind overnight, gather operations were cancelled for today. Thirty-six studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 144 horses from the checkerboard in the Adobe Town HMA. Also, seven studs were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 117 Adults, 27 Foals
Animals shipped: 7
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 106 horses outside the Adobe Town HMA and in the checkerboard within the Adobe Town HMA. Also, 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 105 horses(65 mares and 40 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 91 Adults, 15 Foals
Animals shipped: 141
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 79 in the Adobe Town HMA. In addition, 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 105 horses(65 mares and 40 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 91 Adults, 15 Foals
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today–a buckskin colt with severe scoliosis from past injury. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 44 in the Adobe Town HMA. We shipped 36 studs, 28 mares, and 15 foals to Axtell, Utah, and 22 horses (7 mares and 15 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Additionally, 50 horses were gathered for the collaring effort.
Animals gathered: 26 Adults, 18 Foals
Animals shipped: 101
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Summary: As a result of inclement weather, gather operations were cancelled for the day. We shipped 38 studs and 38 mares to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 76
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 157 horses in the Adobe Town HMA.
Animals gathered: 123 Adults, 34 Foals
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Monday, October 16, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering a total of 236 horses, 54 in Adobe Town HMA, and 182 in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Additionally, 91 horses (25 studs, 33 mares and 33 foals) were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 43 Adults, 11 Foals from Adobe Town and 140 Adults, 42 Foals from Salt Wells Creek
Animals shipped: 91
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Summary: One helicopter was run to gather the final 10 adult horses, along with 5 foals in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. A total of 204 horses were shipped today, with 112 (36 mares and 76 studs) were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 92 horses (39 mares, 52 foals and 1 stud) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 10 Adults, 5 Foals
Animals shipped: 204
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
*Two horses were euthanized today–a seven year old stud with old fracture of left hind cannon bone with drainage and a nine year old mare with body condition of 2, along with profound weakness in central nervous system. As per the vet, these horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Summary: The gather has concluded, but a total of 140 horses were shipped today, 97 studs to Axtell, Utah, and 43 horses (34 mares, 9 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. This is the final report.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 140
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
2013 ADOBE TOWN AND SALT WELLS WILD HORSE GATHER
- DEAR READER LETTER
- DECISION RECORD
- FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
- ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
- DAILY PEN REPORTS
Animals: 668 gathered / 79 returned / 3 deaths / 40 fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: (11/21- 12/4/2013) Gather Method:
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 700
Animals Shipped:
Facility Destination: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: 3 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Notes:
Plan:
An estimated 700 wild horses will be gathered from both HMAs and approximately 586 excess horses will be removed. Roughly 114 mares and studs are expected to be returned to the Complex. All mares released will be treated with the fertility control vaccine.
Approximately 57 mares will be treated with the fertility-control vaccine Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) and released back into the HMAs. Approximately 851 wild horses will remain in the HMAs, which is the low appropriate management level (AML) for this herd complex.
GATHER REPORTS
Thursday, November 21
Summary: Operations today consisted of final setup of traps and holding facilities. Our first trap site is set up and ready to go for tomorrow in the Table Rock area. Actual gather operations were canceled today due to severe weather conditions consisting of blowing snow and windy conditions. Weather conditions look favorable for tomorrow with sunny conditions and moderate winds. Note: Wednesday 11/20/13 we shipped 112 horses from the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility to Canon City, Colorado, of which 39 were geldings, and 73 mares.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 22
Summary: Gather operations commenced today in the Table Rock area. The name of the trap is the Table Rock Trap. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. Weather conditions were sunny and calm with temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees. There were a total of 134 horses gathered today which included 41 studs, 63 mares, and 30 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 4.0. Note: We shipped 99 horses from the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility to Canon City, Colorado, of which 88 were geldings, and 11 mares. These are not part of the contract and will not be counted on the shipped totals.
Animals gathered: 134
Animals shipped: 41
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 23
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Table Rock area. The name of the trap is the Table Rock Trap. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. Weather conditions were partly sunny and windy with temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees. There were a total of 53 horses gathered today which included 24 studs, 19 mares, and 10 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+.
Animals gathered: 53
Animals shipped: 116
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* 1 – Grey yearling mare that had a pre-existing angular deformation of the right front leg and hoof.
Sunday, November 24
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Table Rock area. The name of the trap is the Table Rock Trap. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. Weather conditions were sunny with calm winds and temperatures ranging from 17 to 40 degrees. There were a total of 84 horses gathered today which included 40 studs, 34 mares, and 10 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+. The Table Rock Trap was taken down today after operations and trap #2 will be set up tomorrow and will be called the Pinnacle Draw Trap.
Animals gathered: 84
Animals shipped: 44
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 25
Summary: Gather operations continued today in a new area, called the Brady Plant trap, was constructed. Two helicopters were used for gather operations today. Weather conditions were sunny with calm winds and temperatures ranging from 22 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a total of 123 horses gathered today which include 43 studs, 53 mares, and 27 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+.
Animals gathered: 123
Animals shipped: 67
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* 1 – Sorrel filly two-month-old stepped on at trap site causing broken left hind leg. 1 – Two-year-old grey mare with severe, pre-existing right hind limb and hoof deformities due to a previous poorly healed fracture of the ankle.
Tuesday, November 26
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Brady Plant Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations today. Weather conditions were sunny with calm winds and temperatures ranging from 15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a total of 136 horses gathered today which included 57 studs, 56 mares, and 23 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+. Note: We shipped 66 horses from the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility to Canon City, Colorado today, all of which were mares. These are not part of the contract and will not be counted on the shipped totals for this gather.
Animals gathered: 136
Animals shipped: 117
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 27
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Brady Plant Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations today. Weather conditions were sunny with calm winds and temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a total of 40 horses gathered today which included 7 studs, 17 mares, and 16 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+.
Animals gathered: 40
Animals shipped: 174
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 28
Summary: No gather operations occurred on Thanksgiving Day.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 29
Summary: No gather operations occurred today. Crews are constructing the next trap site in the Manuel Gap area following the Thanksgiving Holiday. Weather conditions are mostly sunny with about an 11 mph wind, and temperatures ranging from the mid-20’s to the 40’s. Gather operations will resume tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 30
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Manuel Gap Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations. Weather conditions are mostly sunny with calm winds, and temperatures ranging from 10 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. There were a total of 98 horses gathered today which included 39 studs, 37 mares, and 22 colts. Henneke body condition score of animals gathered today 3.0 to 5.0+.
Animals gathered: 98
Animals shipped: 0
Animals released: 1 – One study self-released
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, December 1
Summary: Gather operations have officially concluded. The number now gathered will meet the criteria of the 586 excess wild horse removal goal. The treated mares are scheduled to be released on Tuesday when we will conclude final operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 27
Animals released: 38 – Stud wild horses were released today south of the checkerboard in the Adobe Town HMA.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, December 2
Summary: The PZP fertility control vaccine arrived today and is being prepared so it can be administered tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals released: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, December 3
Summary: The PZP fertility control vaccine is being administered today, however the release of the treated mares has been postponed due to winter weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Mares fertility treated: 40
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, December 4
Summary: The 40 PZP fertility control treated mares from the Bitter Creek temporary holding facility were released today south of the checkerboard in the Adobe Town Herd Management Area. This officially concludes the Adobe Town/Salt Wells Creek Wild Horse Gather for 2013.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Animals released: 40
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2010 ADOBE TOWN AND SALT WELLS WILD HORSE GATHER
Animals: 2,269 gathered / 318 returned / 9 deaths / y? fertility / 0 collared
Date of gather: Gather Method: HELI
Contractor: Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 1950 Animals Gathered: 2,269
Animals Shipped:
Facility Destination: Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals: 9 Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Notes: (no numbers for individual HMA – combined)
PLAN
It was initially estimated that approximately 1,950 wild horses would need to be gathered from both HMAs and that 1,580 excess horses would be removed; however, during a Sept. 2010 census flight, wild horse specialists found that the population of wild horses in the HMAs was greater than previously thought. In addition, wild horses which have migrated outside the HMAs will need to be gathered. As a result, approximately 157 additional horses will be removed from within the complex, and slightly more than 200 horses will be gathered outside the HMAs.
Approximately 100 mares will be treated with the fertility-control vaccine Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) and released back into the HMAs.
Approximately 860 wild horses will remain in the HMAs, which is the appropriate management level (AML) for this herd complex.
GATHER REPORTS
Sunday, October 10
Summary: Today was the first day of gather operations in the Adobe Town/Salt Wells Herd Management Complex. Henneke Scores ranged between 3.5 and 5, with the majority of the horses above 4. All of the horses appeared healthy in general. One mare came in with a slight limp, but the APHIS veterinarians on scene believed the limp was due to a pre-existing injury.
Animals gathered: 123
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 11
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged between 3.5 and 6, with many studs in the 5-6 range. In general, all the horses appeared healthy.
Animals gathered: 75
Animals shipped: 75
Total Deaths Today: 1*
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* The horse was thoroughly examined by the APHIS veterinarian and aged to be 20-plus years. No obvious abnormalities were discovered and the veterinarian believed the cause of death was a combination of strain and age. A necropsy was performed and the report is pending.
Tuesday, October 12
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged between 3.5 and 6. In general, all the horses appeared healthy. The Canon City holding facility received 75 horses on Oct. 11. The horses were in good shape and with no visible problems. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 122
Animals shipped: 33
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 13
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged between 4 and 5. In general, all the horses appeared healthy. The Canon City holding facility received 33 horses on Oct. 12. The horses were in good shape and with no visible problems. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 52
Animals shipped: 120
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 14
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged between 3.5 and 5. Some mares gathered today appeared to be a little thin with the stud horses at or near 5. The Canon City holding facility received 120 horses on Oct. 13. The horses were in good shape and with no visible problems. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 68
Animals shipped: 68
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 15
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged between 3 and 4.5 for the mares, and between 4 and 5 for the studs. In general, the mares were noted as being thin, with the stud horses somewhat healthier looking. The Canon City holding facility received 68 horses on Oct. 14. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 85
Animals shipped: 113
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* The horse was thoroughly examined by the APHIS veterinarian (and the AAEP veterinarians) and no obvious abnormalities were discovered. The APHIS veterinarian believed the cause of death was strain related to the gather. A necropsy was performed and the report is pending.
Saturday, October 16
Summary: No horses were gathered today. Twelve horses were returned to the Adobe Town HMA. The Canon City holding facility received 113 horses on Oct. 15. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 101
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, October 17
Summary: Henneke Score ranged from 4.0 to 5.5. Mares comprised the majority of the fours with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 80
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 18
Summary: Ten horses were returned to the Adobe Town HMA. In addition, three horses gathered yesterday were identified as private horses from the neighboring grazing allotment. The owner of the horses was on site this morning to load and haul his horses back to his home ranch. No horses were gathered today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 67
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, October 19
Summary: Approximately 300 horses are anticipated to be gathered at this trap site over the next 3-4 days. The Canon City holding facility received 67 horses on Oct. 18. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 97
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 20
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 3.5 to 5.5. Mares comprised the majority of the four scores with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 176
Animals shipped: 81
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 21
Summary: This was the last day of gather operations at this trap site. The Canon City holding facility received 81 horses on Oct. 20. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 95
Animals shipped: 81
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 22
Summary: The contractor and CORs will use the temporary holding corrals at Sand Creek to administer PZP to 39 selected mares. Fifty-seven studs and 41 mares will be returned to the HMA. No wild horses will be gathered. The Canon City holding facility received 81 horses on Oct. 21. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 103
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, October 23
Summary: The contractor is moving facilities to the Salt Wells HMA. The Canon City holding facility received 81 horses on Oct. 22. The horses were in good shape. They will be freeze-marked, vaccinated, and prepared for adoption.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, October 24
Summary: A total of 22 horses were gathered today, before operations had to be shutdown due to high winds. On Friday (10/22) three loads of horses were shipped from the previous trap site #4 (Sand Creek). Two loads went to Canon City and one load went to Rock Springs. A total of 23 stud horses were shipped to Rock Springs. Also, the total number of horses released back into the Adobe Town HMA has been updated as follows: 126 horses have been released back into the HMA. This total includes the 39 mares which were administered PZP on Friday.
Animals gathered: 22
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, October 25
Summary: Today’s operations were cancelled due to high winds and snowy conditions. Tuesday’s weather forecast is very similar to the conditions experienced today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, October 26
Summary: Gather operations were scheduled to continue this morning, however, were cancelled around 10:00 a.m. due to high winds. Currently, there are 22 wild horses in the temporary holding corrals (per gather operations on Sunday 10/24). Per the Contractor and CORs, all horses at the temporary holding corrals looked good.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 27
Summary: Gather operations were scheduled to continue this morning but were cancelled around 10:00 a.m. due to high winds. There are still 22 wild horses in the temporary holding corrals located at Blue Points. As reported by the Contractor and CORs, all horses at the temporary holding corrals looked good.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, October 28
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 3.5 to 4.0. All of the horses (mares and studs) gathered today were in noticeably poorer condition (thinner) than the previous horses gathered from the Adobe Town HMA. One mare gathered today had a number of cuts and scratches across the front of her chest. Cause of the injuries was not determined. CORs and APHIS veterinarian at the trap site determined that instead of holding the mare at the temporary holding corrals overnight and shipping her to Canon City in the morning, she was hauled in a gooseneck trailer to the Rock Springs corrals this afternoon for further observation.
Animals gathered: 36
Animals shipped: 1
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, October 29
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Mares comprised the majority of the four scores with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 106
Animals shipped: 38
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, October 30
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Mares comprised the majority of the four scores with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 116
Animals shipped: 76
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* After gather operations had concluded for the day and while sorting horses, one horse was euthanized after the COR/WH&B Specialist determined the horse was blind.
Sunday, October 31
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Mares comprised the majority of the four scores with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 107
Animals shipped: 82
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 1
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Mares comprised the majority of the fours with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 65
Animals shipped: 82
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 2
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Mares comprised the majority of the fours with the stud horses in the fives. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 141
Animals shipped: 211
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 2*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* Before leaving the temporary holding corrals Monday evening (11/1), the COR observed a young horse that appeared to be in discomfort. The horse was administered banamine in an attempt to relax the horse. Upon arriving at the corrals this morning at daybreak, the horse was found dead in one of the pens. Obvious cause of the horse’s death has not been determined, but a necropsy was performed and the report is pending. A second horse broke its leg at the satellite trap today after being gathered during sorting and was euthanized.
Wednesday, November 3
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good. PZP was administered to 35 mares.
Animals gathered: 7
Animals shipped: 14
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 4
Summary: No horses were gathered today. 95 horses were returned to the Adobe Town HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 5
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. Overall, the horses gathered today looked quite good.
Animals gathered: 258
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 6
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. In general, the horses gathered today looked quite healthy.
Animals gathered: 95
Animals shipped: 232
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
* One horse had a broken leg from a previous injury. The other horse had many visible tumorous growths, some of which were opening up. The horses were euthanized in accordance with WO-IM-2009-041.
Sunday, November 7
Summary: No horses were gathered today. Instead, PZP was administered to nine mares who were then returned to the Salt Wells HMA along with 40 studs.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 66
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 8
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. In general, the horses gathered today looked quite healthy.
Animals gathered: 63
Animals shipped: 62, 1 released back to HMA
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 9
Summary: Gather operations have been canceled today due to poor weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 10
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.0 to 5.0. In general, the horses gathered today looked quite healthy.
Animals gathered: 63
Animals shipped: 57
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* A 20+ year old horse gathered today was euthanized because it had a club foot. The horse was euthanized in accordance with WO-IM-2009-041.
Thursday, November 11
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 4.5 to 5.5. In general, the horses gathered today looked very healthy. PZP was administered to five mares which were returned to the Salt Wells HMA.
Animals gathered: 176
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* One horse gathered today was euthanized because it had a pre-existing injury (broken front leg). The horse was euthanized in accordance with WO-IM-2009-041.
Friday, November 12
Summary: Henneke Scores ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 and the horses looked very healthy. Today is the last day horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 41
Animals shipped: 113
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 13
Summary: PZP was administered to 11 mares which were returned to the Salt Wells HMA along with 32 selected studs. Today is the last day of gather operations.
Animals gathered: 63
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
2007 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Winter Gather
Animals: 920 gathered / 0 returned / ? deaths / 41 fertility / 0 collared
(846 from salt wells, no horses were removed from within the Adobe Town HMA due to snow cover.)
Date of gather: (january ?-31 2007) Gather Method:
Contractor:
Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 1,760 Animals Gathered: 920
Animals Shipped:
Facility: CANON PRISON, ROCK SPRINGS Max capacity: 800 Public Access: N/ appt
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Notes: gathered 920 total and released 41 – 33 horses unaccounted for. Does that mean 33 deaths?
Plan:
BLM Prepares for Wild Horse Gathers in Adobe Town, Salt Wells AreasThe Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will begin gathering wild horses Friday, Jan. 5, in the Salt Wells and Adobe Town Herd Management Areas (HMA) in southwest Wyoming.This gather is part of an on-going effort by the BLM to achieve herd management area objectives to maintain the health of public rangelands, and to maintain wild horse populations at levels that ensure the health and viability of the horses and prevent unwanted damage to federal, state and privately owned land.The Adobe Town/Salt Wells Creek action will gather 1,760 wild horses and remove 1,339 excess animals based on the population estimate of 2,200 wild horses. Populations are based on statistical models using direct observations of the wild horses. These techniques are similar to those used to estimate wildlife populations, and are more accurate than direct counts, which often miss horses.Approximately 200 mares will be treated with a fertility control vaccine and released back to the HMAs in an attempt to reduce population growth in 2008 and 2009. The BLM anticipates that using fertility control will reduce the potential 2009 population growth by 200-300 horses.The Adobe Town HMA has an appropriate management level (AML) of 700 wild horses with a management range of 610 to 800 adult horses. The Salt Wells Creek AML is 300 with a range of 251 to 365.The 1971 Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act requires the BLM to monitor and control the wild horse herds to protect the habitat. There are 16 HMAs in Wyoming, with a strong concentration of wild horses in southwest Wyoming. Wild horses have no natural predators and reproduce at a rate of 15-20 percent annually.The identified AMLs and management actions conform to the August 2003 Consent Decree upheld by the United States District Court of Wyoming. This agreement specifies that when information is gathered that indicates that an HMA within Wyoming is determined to be over the established AML, the BLM has one year from discovery to remove wild horses to the low range of AML. |
IN THE NEWS – 2007
Feb 1 07 BLM Concludes Winter Wild Horse Gather
jan 5 07 BLM Prepares for Wild Horse Gathers in Adobe Town, Salt Wells Areas
2007 State And Regional/BLM Wraps Up Horse Roundups – Tribune $
“Federal cowboys captured about 920 wild horses in January from the Salt Wells and Adobe Town management units in southeastern Sweetwater County before bad weather shut down the effort.”
- 2021 Rock Springs Gather Reports – Salt Wells Creek/Adobe Town Hmas
- 2017 Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
- 2014 Checkerboard Wild Horse Gather
- 2013 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Wild Horse Gather
- 2010 Adobe Town and Salt Wells Wild Horse Gather
- 2007
SALT WELLS CREEK CONTRACTS LOCATED
2021 WY ROCKSPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0478 / (11/08/2021-12/31/2021) / OPEN / $550,005.00 / Wyoming, Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek Drive Trapping Gather /4
2013-14 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL14PD00019 -1 / (11/20/2013-12/18/2013) / OPEN / $281,495.60 / ADOBE TOWN/ SALT WELLS HORSE GATHER FY14 /
2010-12 WY ROCK SPRINGS SWEETWATER /CT INL10PD04052 -2 / (08/30/2010-09/16/2012) / CLOSED / $738,596.20 / Adobe Town/Salt Wells Wild Horse Gather /1
2007
STEWART CREEK HMA (#stewart-creek)
- WY0033 – Horse
- 167,797 acres = BLM 157,500
- AML: 125-175
- Livestock AMU: 8,263 cattle / 0 x5= 0 sheep
- EST 2020 # 475 horses # 0 burros # 1,443 cattle # 0 sheep
Energy Conflicts:
Livestock Conflicts: yes Grazing allotments: 1 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Stewart Creek WY10102, Cattle / Total AUMs 8,263 – Total Livestock 1,443
(#white-mountain)
- WY0003 – Horse / ? county
- 391,868 acres = BLM 207,372
- AML: 205-300
- Livestock AMU: ? cattle / ? x5= ? sheep
- EST 2020 # 469 horses # 0 burros # ? cattle and sheep
Supports significant wildlife populations including elk, deer and antelope.
Energy Conflicts: Yes Wyoming Pipeline Corridor
wyoming is covered in energy projects
Livestock Conflicts: Yes, Rock Springs Grazing Association
Grazing allotments: 3 / records as of 2020
Conflicts: 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM & 2003 Consent decree – State of Wyoming vs BLM
Lombard WY13022, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 6,586 – Total Livestock 5,527 (shows a small piece of this allotment on HMA)
Highway – Gasson WY13025, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 5,198 – Total Livestock 16,862
Rock Springs WY13018, Sheep & Cattle / Total AUMs 107,940 – Total Livestock 315,987
(this allotment is massive and includes sections of 4 HMA’s of the Rock Springs JMA and checkerboard complex – 2/3 of white mountain, 1/2 of divide basin, 1/2 of salt wells, 1/5 of adobe town and also non HMA areas)
BLM claim: Domestic cattle and sheep utilize the area lightly in the summer and moderately in the winter.
2021 ROCK SPRINGS WILD HORSE GATHER
See ROCK SPRINGS JMA for details. This roundup includes checkerboard complex 3 hma’s (Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMA) and adds two more White Mountain and Little Colorado for a total of 5 HMA’s targeted.
2011 WHITE MOUNTAIN AND LITTLE COLORADO WILD HORSE GATHER
Total gathered: 699 / 205 returned / 11 deaths (both areas) / 72 fertility
Animals: 475 gathered / 149 returned / 8 deaths / 52 fertility / 0 collared
(these numbers only represent the White Mountain portion)
Date of gather: (8/20-8/31/2011) Gather Method: 2 HELI
Contractor: CATTOOR INL11PD01126 Contract price: $296,015.20
Plan Gathered: approx 696 excess mustangs
Animals Shipped:
Facility: ROCK SPRINGS / GUNNISON PRISON Max capacity: 800 / ? Public Access: Appt /No
Dead Animals: ? Shipped: ? Buried: ?
Public viewing:
Notes:
Plan:
Details of Gather
This was a helicopter-assisted gather. The estimated population in the White Mountain/Little Colorado herd management areas (HMAs) is currently 970 wild horses. This figure is based on April 2010 census flights, adjusted for two years’ foal crop, and 14 percent unobserved wild horses. There are approximately 696 excess mustangs above the low appropriate management level in the White Mountain/Little Colorado HMAs.
Roughly 177 wild horses will be returned to the combined HMAs. It is estimated the ungathered wild horse population in these HMAs is approximately 10 percent, or 66 wild horses in White Mountain, and 31 wild horses in Little Colorado, which consist of an assumed sex ratio of 50 percent stallions and 50 percent mares.
Approximately 40-60 mares will be treated with the fertility-control vaccine Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) and released back into the HMAs.
Approximately 274 wild horses will remain in the White Mountain/Little Colorado, which is the appropriate management level (AML) for these HMAs. AML is the point at which the herd’s population is consistent with the land’s capacity to support wild horses in balance with other public rangeland uses and resources.
Public Observation:
If interested in watching the gather, please contact Serena Baker, sbaker@blm.gov, to be added to the anticipated visitors’ log. Only individuals listed on the visitors’ log will be contacted with daily viewing sites, times, and meeting locations. Email contact is requested as cell phone service is spotty in the HMAs.
The White Mountain/Little Colorado HMAs are in rugged and remote areas. Safety is our first priority and BLM staff will be available each public observation day to escort you into areas where you can safely view gather operations. We are providing the following information for your safety so you can be prepared for your visit.
ADOPTION: Most of these horses will be available for adoption at the Rock Springs Corrals, the Mantle Wild Horse Facility, the Wyoming Honor Farm, and through the BLM’s Internet adoption. The remaining horses will be sent to long term pastures in the Midwest.
CUMULATIVE TOTALS
Animals Gathered
699
Animals Returned to Home Range
205
Animal Deaths
11
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
LITTLE COLORADO HMA TOTALS
Animals Gathered
224
Animals Returned to Home Range
56
Animal Deaths
3
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
WHITE MOUNTAIN HMA TOTALS
Animals Gathered
475
Animals Returned to Home Range
149
Animal Deaths
8
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
GATHER REPORTS
CUMULATIVE TOTALS
Animals Gathered
699
Animals Returned to Home Range
205
Animal Deaths
11
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
LITTLE COLORADO HMA TOTALS
Animals Gathered
224
Animals Returned to Home Range
56
Animal Deaths
3
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
WHITE MOUNTAIN HMA TOTALS
Animals Gathered
475
Animals Returned to Home Range
149
Animal Deaths
8
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in “Gather Reports”
Saturday, August 20
Summary: No horses were gathered today. The contractor set up traps, holding pens, and facilities to prepare for gather operations tomorrow. The holding corral and trap were both located on Private land, and a public viewing area was established on Public Land. Weather conditions were mostly sunny today with a few scattered thundershowers and highs in the 80’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, August 21
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning. All traps and facilities are in place and ready for the gather. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 73 horses gathered today which included 33 Studs, 29 Mares, and 11 colts. One stud was released back into the HMA as a result of the horse jumping out of the corral. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with highs in the 80’s and only a few isolated thundershowers.
Animals gathered: 73
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, August 22
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Alkali Draw Trap. All traps and facilities are in place and ready for this area. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 120 horses gathered today which included 44 Studs, 54 Mares, and 22 colts. Two semi loads of horses (47 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s, and only a few isolated thundershowers.
Animals gathered: 120
Animals shipped: 47
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
* One 25 year old stud that was gathered yesterday was in very poor condition with a lame front leg, as a result of an old injury. After the APHIS veterinarian was consulted and the BLM protocol was followed, the horse was euthanized.
Tuesday, August 23
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Alkali Draw Trap. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 71 horses gathered today which included 33 Studs, 27 Mares, and 11 colts. Two semi loads of horses (85 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 71
Animals shipped: 85
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
* One brown and white pinto stud horse that was gathered on 8/22/11had a pre-existing chronic right front leg injury. The horse was euthanized following the BLM protocol. A black and white mare that was gathered on 8/22/11 had two clubbed front feet. The horse was euthanized following the BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted in both cases.
Wednesday, August 24
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Alkali Draw area. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 91 horses gathered today which included 35 Studs, 38 Mares, and 18 colts. One semi load of horses (32 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 91
Animals shipped: 32
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, August 25
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Alkali Draw area. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 44 horses gathered today which included 16 Studs, 18 Mares, and 10 colts. One semi load of stud horses (37 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to Gunnison, Utah and two loads (42 head) were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 44
Animals shipped: 79
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, August 26
Summary: Gather operations commenced in the Pilot Butte area today. The Alkali Draw Trap was moved to the Pilot Butte area and Trap #3 is now the South Pilot Butte Trap. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 76 horses gathered today which included 29 Studs, 35 Mares, and 12 colts. Two loads of horses (62 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s.
Animals gathered: 76
Animals shipped: 62
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, August 27
Summary: Gather operations commenced in the Northeast area of the Little Colorado HMA today. The Boundary Trap was set up and will be trap #4. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 30 horses gathered today which included 20 Studs, 7 Mares, and 3 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Tomorrow an undetermined number of horses will be treated with PZP and will be released back into the White Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 30
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, August 28
Summary: Gather operations commenced just outside (northeast) of the Little Colorado HMA. We used one helicopter for gather operations today. There were a total of 36 horses gathered today which included 9 Studs, 17 Mares, and 10 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Today there were 52 Mares treated with PZP and released back into the White Mountain HMA. There were also 94 studs released into the White Mountain HMA. With this release we are now estimated to be within the low AML range for this HMA.
Animals gathered: 36
Animals shipped: 1 (mare shipped to RS facility to have vet inspection.)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, August 29
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning in the 12 Mile area of the Little Colorado HMA. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 126 horses gathered today which included 51 Studs, 52 Mares, and 23 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. Two loads of horses (59 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. Two studs were released back into the HMA as a result of the horses not being able to load in the semi and gather personnel did not want to put undue stress on the animals.
Animals gathered: 126
Animals shipped: 59
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, August 30
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning in the 12 Mile area of the Little Colorado HMA. We used two helicopters for gather operations today. There were a total of 32 horses gathered today which included 12 Studs, 14 Mares, and 6 colts. Weather conditions were favorable for today’s operations with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the mid 80’s. Two loads of horses (90 head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden were transported to the Rock Springs corrals today. There were also 34 studs released into the Little Colorado HMA.
Animals gathered: 32
Animals shipped: 90
Total Deaths Today: 7
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 7*
* Six wild horses that were captured within the past five days had genetic defects (clubbed feet). One wild horse had a preexisting knee injury twisting the lower half of the leg and leaving the leg severely deformed. As a result these horses had limited ability to forage which made it difficult to maintain a healthy physical condition. These horses were euthanized following the BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted in all seven cases.
Wednesday, August 31
Summary: Gather operations have been completed for the White Mountain/Little Colorado gather. Today we finished up by treating 20 Mares with PZP and releasing them back into the Little Colorado HMA. There were also 2 studs released into the White Mountain HMA. With this release we are now estimated to be within the low AML range for White Mountain / Little Colorado HMA’s. We also transported the remaining horses (23 Head) that were being held at the temporary holding corrals near Eden to the Rock Springs corrals.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
* While the contractor was sorting and aging horses in the chute, one mare was fatally injured.
—
A death labeled as “acute” is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as “chronic/pre-existing” is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
IN THE NEWS – 2011 White Mountain
jul 28 11 Wild Horses Are (Again) Losing Their Home on the Range – Andrew Cohen
https://www.denverpost.com/2011/07/26/groups-challenge-wyo-wild-horse-round-up-in-court/
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/blm-horse-roundup-set-for-sunday/73-334762075
sep 16 11 http://www.wildhorseroundups.com/2011-2012-2013.html – Cattoor
https://casetext.com/case/american-wild-horse-preservation-campaign-v-salazar
https://www.deseret.com/2011/8/6/20208048/wyo-horse-roundup-plan-changes-to-birth-control
2007 White Mountain & Little Colorado Gather
Total gathered: 856 / 63 returned / ? deaths (both areas) / 63 fertility
Original herd est: ? // ? gathered / 43 returned / ? deaths / 43 fertility / 0 collared
(these numbers only represent the White Mountain portion)
Date of gather: (?-Nov 27, 2007) Gather Method:
Contractor:
Contract price: $ ?
Plan Gathered: 695 horses from White Mountain and 161 from the Little Colorado
Animals Shipped: 570
Facility Destination: canon, Rock Springs Max capacity: Public Access:
Dead Animals shipped to: ?
Public viewing: none mentioned
Notes: located the gather in archives
PLAN: press release and gather reports
November 27, 2007
Contact: Rey Adame
(307) 352-0399
2007 Rock Springs BLM Reaches Wild Horse Gather Goal
The Rock Springs BLM reached its goal of gathering 856 horses from the White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas (HMAs) this month.
“We consider the gather operation a success,” said Jay D’Ewart, wild horse specialist with the Rock Springs BLM Office. “Our goal was to gather 695 horses from White Mountain and 161 from the Little Colorado HMAs. A total of 570 horses were shipped to the Canon City, Colo. BLM facility. The remaining gathered horses are currently in the Rock Springs horse corrals.
Fertility control measures were used during this gather operation. “We treated and released 43 mares from the White Mountain and 20 mares from the Little Colorado gathers,” D’Ewart added.
There are 16 Herd Management Areas (HMAs) on BLM-administered lands in Wyoming. Each of the HMA’s has a high and low Appropriate Management Level (AML). These gathers bring the White Mountain and Little Colorado HMAs within acceptable AMLs.
The horses sent to Canon City as well as those currently in the Rock Springs BLM Horse Corrals are available for adoption. Adoption information is available at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Wild_Horses.html and Internet Adoption information can be found at www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/, or visit the local BLM Office.
For more information on these gathers or Wild Horse adoptions, contact the Rock Springs BLM at (307) 352-0256.
-BLM-
archive link https://web.archive.org/web/20081108073029/http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/news_room/2007/11/27rsfo-whgather.html
- 2011 White Mountain and Little Colorado Wild Horse Gather
- 2007 White Mountain & Little Colorado Gather
WHITE MOUNTAIN CONTRACTS LOCATED
2022 WY ROCKSPRINGS SWEETWATER /SS 140L0621F0496 / (01/04/2022-02/28/2022) / OPEN / $286,000.00 / Wyoming White Mountain and Little Colorado Drive Trapping Gather /4
2011 WI ROCK SPRINGS SAUK / CT INL11PD01126 -1 / (08/08/2011-09/06/2011) / CLOSED / $296,015.20 / WY White Mount/Little Colo Horse Gather /1
OTHER WYOMING GATHERS
OTHER CONTRACTS
2014 WY CODY PARK /CT INL14PD00134 -1 / (02/20/2014-03/24/2014) / CLOSED / $28,233.00 / Sheep Mountain Estray Horse Gather /1
2008 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INL08PD04710 -a / (09/17/2008-09/30/2008) / OPEN / $125,434.00 / Wild Horse Gather /1
2008 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INL08PD04709 -a / (09/17/2008-10/25/2008) / OPEN / $83,150.00 / Wild Horse Gather /1
2006-07 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INLNAD07CL12 -2 / (12/19/2006-05/30/2007) / CLOSED / $270,764.40 / Wyoming Wild Horse Gather /1
2006 WY CHEYENNE LARAMIE /CT INLNAD06CL07 -1 / (08/09/2006-09/25/2006 ) / CLOSED / $461,716.40 / Wyoming Wild Horse Gather /1

This WYOMING HMA project will include gatherable information from a multitude of verified sources and combine it all together for a complete access point for wild horses of this state. It will show you FACTS and links to BLM, ROUNDUPS, MEDIA, ADVOCATES (on the ground), SANCTUARIES, NON PROFITS, YEARLY HISTORY, STATISTICS, RECORDS OF ABUSE, RESEARCH, POLITICS, CATTLE INDUSTRY, and any other important data for complete oversight in relation to the BLM’s activity related to the Herd Management Area’s of this nation’s wild horse herds.
Appropriate Management Level (AML) of horses and burros per Herd Management Area (HMA)
An AML (low-High) is the amount of animals they will let remain in areas
Animal Management Unit (EST AMU) = Current individual population estimates on HMA,
An AUM is the amount of forage needed to sustain one wild horse (1.27 aum 0.9 aum), one cow per 1000 lbs (1 aum),
two burro (.5 aum), one sheep (5.2 aum), five sheep (.18 aum), or five goats (.19 aum) for a month
HINT: How to read EST AMU: ( ? = yes, needs actual animal #’s / 0 = none / blank = unknown)# ? horses # 0 burros # cattle # sheep
I found in a 2006 EA (pg 212) shown below that states ‘wild horses’ are only 0.9 aum and that changed in 2007 to horses are 1.25 aum. So that makes me think,
Do wild horses require less forage than captive horses? Or are they changing the numbers to achieve their goal of less horses on the land?
“Animal Unit Month (AUM): The amount of forage to sustain one mature cow or the equivalent, based
on an average daily forage consumption of 26 pounds of dry matter per day. The equivalent animal units
for other ungulate species, based on a weight conversion (3 percent body weight per day), are: 10.5 for
antelope; 7.6, deer; 2.1, elk; 1.2, moose; 0.9, wild horses; and 5.2, sheep.”
Honestly… it is difficult to find this info in BLM pages.
THIS IS EXCELLENT AGAIN. Working my way through it. Seems all too fast and too much to comprehend. The good thing is it will not disappear but get more and stay updated. I am copying the map to see whether I can find a way to overlay it with the flights today.
I actually never got around to doing Wyoming’s map when I started but I’m going to get the series and attach him after what happened the other day with b l m