Monday, June 27, 2016

Where's Mama? : What Happens to Foals After a Wild Horse Roundup



 





WASHINGTON, DC (June 23, 2016 ) Republicans on the Federal Lands Sub-Committee launched a plan for the extinction of America's wild horses. Rep. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming purred that euthanasia is "such a lovely way to die." An alternate strategy? Round up 100% of America's wild horses so they won't suffer on the range. 

Here's what happens to wild foals if they survive roundups. I was at Palomino Valley Wild Horse corrals with photographer Karen Hopple a few years ago when these foals arrived.
The first filly out of the contractor's truck tumbled out backward, but kept her balance. Most horses were sorrels, but there were also bays, duns and paler horses, including a palomino.

Bodies huddled together as close as possible, the foals stared at the truck which still held their mothers. Only a few pairs were reunited.

The red chestnut foal with blaze, pictured at blog-top, was so traumatized by roundup, shipment and loss of her family, her face was frozen in this expression the entire time I was there.
She and a few others tried to nurse from other foals.     
This method of self-soothing indicates these babies are too young to be separated from their mothers, even though they met BLM's guidelines for weaning.
This is a perversion of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and if you're an American tax-payer, you're paying for it.

   

Too young to be taken from her mother, a foal tries to nurse another baby (Photos by Karen Hopple)

Labels: BLM, BLM roundup, contractors, euthanasia, filly, foal, mares, mustang, Palomino Valley, Rep. Cynthia Lummis, weaning, wild horses, Wyoming

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 3:00 AM   10 comments

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Running Sage

Photographer Cat Kindsfather first sighted RUNNING SAGE in the wild.

Dear Readers, 
Most of us want wild horses home on the range. 
When BLM or the Nevada Department of Agriculture rips them off their lands and threatens their lives, however, we step up to help.
 Mustang photographer Cat Kindsfather first photographed a dappled gray colt she called Running Sage in the wild.
 When he was rounded up, she came to his rescue and he now shares pasture land with other herd members who were taken away from their wild homes. 

WATCH THIS VIDEO: as they recognize each other & celebrate  Family reunion for Running Sage

Enjoy,
Terri

Labels: BLM roundup, Cat Kindsfather, Running Sage

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Wild Horse Poetry from a Reader

Memories of a Heartsore Mustang
by Abigail


I am running, my breath coming in jagged gasps
I can feel and smell all the fear around me
This big noisy predator chases us relentlessly
I want to be free from it, but I can not break away
My feet hurt and I want to stop to rest, but I cannot
I do not understand where this predator came from
But I hope it will leave us, let us be free.


I am separated from my family,
Pushed together with unknown horses
They are as scared and confused as I
I am thirsty but the water tastes stale
Where is the grass I am used to?
All we have is some kind of forage it is dry
And tasteless I long for my family and home
But I am not set free


We are pushed in a small space and examined
I try to resist but they are stronger
We are poked a prodded I hurt all over
I try to remember the safety of the herd
My true family but I cannot remember there scents
They are lost to me.

Labels: BLM roundup, heartsore mustang, poetry

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 4:13 PM   0 comments

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Monday, July 12, 2010

SEVEN HORSES DEAD ON DAY ONE


photo by Terry Fitch
Straight from the Horse's Heart

Dear Readers,
Last Thursday we talked about the callous & foolhardy nature of the Tuscarora roundup. Thousands of Americans begged BLM not to go forward with this plan.
But they did.
"The roundup was halted Sunday morning after four horses were found dead in the pens and several others showed signs of colic and brain swelling. Seven horses eventually died."
BLM blames a pre-existing condition, but why didn't the horses DIE of dehydration until they were stampeded across the desert in searing heat, then slammed into pens? Oh, and that horse that had to be shot because of a broken bone? Shrug, who knows?
If you can stand to read more, read the BLM press release below.



BLM Nevada News
NEVADA STATE OFFICE No. 2010-024
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
For immediate release: Monday, July 12, 2010
Contact: Heather Emmons, 775-861-6594, heather_emmons@blm.gov

BLM Temporarily Suspends Tuscarora Wild Horse Gather

Reno, Nev.–The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it is temporarily suspending the Tuscarora wild horse gather operations in Elko County, Nev., after BLM staff determined that gathered horses were dehydrated after seven gathered wild horses died from dehydration-related complications because of insufficient water in the area. The BLM also announced that the Tuscarora gather operations, aimed at removing horses from overpopulated herds, will remain on hold until an assessment has been completed to determine how to best proceed in light of the current condition of these horses.

“Our agency is committed to the humane treatment of wild horses and burros, both on and off the range,” BLM Director Bob Abbey said. “Toward that end, I am suspending further Tuscarora gather operations until the situation concerning the initial stage of the Tuscarora gather is analyzed and thoroughly understood, and the options for minimizing mortality of horses weakened by dehydration can be assessed.”

The Tuscarora wild horse gather encompasses the Owyhee, Rock Creek, and Little Humboldt Herd Management Areas (HMAs) located in northern Elko County . The BLM initiated gather operations in the northern portion of the Owyhee HMA at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, July 10. By 9 a.m., the BLM contractor had gathered 228 wild horses, consisting of one group of approximately 32 horses located within a mile of the on-site temporary holding corrals, and a second group of approximately 196 horses located about eight miles from the corrals.

On arrival it was noted the horses were “drawn up,” or lacking fill from water. They were, however, generally in good body condition with most scoring 4 to 5 on what is known as the Henneke body condition scale. The horses were provided with hay and water through the afternoon and evening. One horse was euthanized shortly after being gathered due to a fractured leg that occurred in the temporary holding corrals.
The morning of July 11, four horses were found dead in the pens and several horses were exhibiting signs of colic and brain swelling which was subsequently attributed to water starvation/dehydration and subsequent water intoxication. Gather operations were stopped at that point, and BLM staff, specialists, the gather contractor and the on-site U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarian began treating the horses. So far, seven horses have died from complications related to water starvation/dehydration or subsequent water intoxication. It was determined this was a direct result of a lack of water in the immediate areas occupied by the horses. The BLM brought in extra water, tank trucks and troughs to the temporary holding site to ensure that all gathered animals have ample water available. Electrolytes were provided in each pen and affected animals were examined and treated as indicated by the veterinarian on site.

The private contractor conducted an aerial flyover of the immediate area Sunday morning, July 11, and located two large bands of wild horses. One band, approximately 100 to 150 horses, is staying close to a nearly dried-up water hole. The second band, approximately 150 to 200 horses, is located approximately eight to 10 miles from the nearest water source. Both of these bands are presently at risk of mortality from dehydration if they do not reach other water sources. The BLM is unable to bring water into this area because the area where these bands are located is not readily accessible by road. The BLM will carefully monitor the two bands of horses during the next few days to determine whether they are independently moving to other water sources or can be encouraged to reach such waters on their own. The BLM will also continue to provide food, water and veterinary care for the animals in the on-site temporary holding corrals.

As more information becomes available it will be posted at the website: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/elko_field_office/blm_programs/wild_horse_and_burro/owyhee_rock_creek.html. For further comments and questions, the public may call 1-866-468-7826.

Labels: BLM roundup, dead horses, Tuscarora

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