As noted yesterday, if the allotments were a Complex (consisting of two or more HMAs), the AML would be 534 and 2,551 horses would be consigned to off-range holding because of permitted grazing.
The horses allowed by plan would receive 534 ÷ 3,085 × 100% = 17.3% of the authorized forage, with the balance going to livestock. A small amount would be reserved for wildlife, not considered in the analysis.
This is typical in areas managed for wild horses.
The low end of the AML would be 267.
Horse #268 would be excess, the beginning of overpopulation, even though the land can support him and many others.
Some advocates defend this philosophy with their HMAPs, guaranteeing that more and more wild horses will be crammed into government feedlots.
Others say the problem can be avoided by snuffing out new life with pesticide-laced darts.
Even the casual observer realizes they’re not playing for the home team.
Western Horse Watchers Association 