Who’s Advising Bobby Khan About Wild Horses?

The advocates asserted in the Nevada Current op-ed that “America’s wild horses have faced competition from livestock, unfair resource allocation, and shrinking habitat for generations,” which is a fair statement, but their solution is completely unrelated and can only make the problem worse.

Makes perfect sense once you realize they’re in the tank for the ranchers.

Bobby Khan, a candidate for the seat currently held by a co-founder of the pesticide caucus and author of the “Ground a Helicopter, Sterilize a Mare” Act, has proposed a five-step plan for resolving the issues.

1. End the Roundups.  “Halt helicopter roundups and stop funneling horses into holding facilities or auctions.”  The goal is to end the removals not the roundups.  Bait trapping and fertility control are alternate methods of removal.

2. Return Horses to the Wild.  “Reintroduce horses and burros to their designated lands where they legally belong.”  Not if they’re managed principally for livestock.

3. Herd Management Solutions.  This one wrecks the whole program: “Work with experts, ranchers and advocates to implement responsible herd management practices that protect horses and respect ranching interests.”  Resource management is a zero-sum game.  What you give to the ranchers must be taken from the horses.  This is why there so many in off-range holding.  Not compatible with item 2.

4. Cut Costs and Save Taxpayer Money.  “Replace costly confinement programs with humane, natural management that saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”  Probably a reference to fertility control, straight out of the advocates’ playbook.

5. Build Coalitions for Change.  “Partner with leaders, advocates, and public voices…to bring national attention and action to the issue.”  Enlarging the committee will not produce the required knowledge.

RELATED: Palomino Valley Horse Rally Won’t Break Any New Ground.