A spokesman for the BLM indicated in yesterday’s news release that they were getting quite a bit of feedback from the public about the poor condition of the horses.
They’re in a remote area, did those concerns come from campers, hikers and tourists?
The HMA was established in an area occupied by grazing allotments, as shown on the Western Watersheds map. The gather area will likely extend beyond the HMA and will include some of the outlying allotments.
Given that most people want to see horses running wild and free on their home range, it seems unlikely that comments from the public would lead to their removal.
A more plausible explanation would involve complaints from the ranchers and concerns from the advocates.
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Western Horse Watchers Association 