The price of hay has climbed 32% in this area since July and equestrians are now paying around $125 per AUM to feed their horses, but the public-lands ranchers will continue to pay $1.35 per AUM, according to today’s news release.
The grazing program insulates the ranchers on the cost side from the realities of a free market, as noted previously.
By moving horses into feedlots and livestock onto the range, taxpayers bear the burden of rising feed prices, not the ranchers.
Western Horse Watchers Association 