A 2020 post by the advocates explains habitat loss at the Salt River.
The prescribed course of action, which they were happy to fulfill, was to beat the numbers down with PZP until the population reached an acceptable size—even if it means sterilizing the mares.
How can that be good for the herd?
Why not start a war chest that could be used to buy a base property tied to one of the neighboring allotments and give the horses more space?
Appendix 5 in a 2018 report on forage availability said the Goldfield, Bartlett, St. Clair and Sunflower allotments were most similar in vegetation, soil and topography to the Salt River horse zone.
The horse zone is mostly in Goldfield, which has been closed to livestock grazing.
Sunflower contains Butcher Jones, one of areas where the horses roamed.
It is active while Bartlett and St. Clair are vacant.
Why don’t the advocates have their eyes on these parcels instead of the scopes of their darting rifles?
RELATED: Foal-Free Friday, Minimally Invasive Edition.
Western Horse Watchers Association 