Removal of 40 wild horses is not in the FY26 schedule, but that’s the plan according to yesterday’s news release.
The capture goal may be higher because some of the mares with be treated with fertility control and returned to the range.
The current population is thought to be 187.
A start date was not given.
Animals will be drawn into the traps with bait.
Operations will probably not be open to public observation.
Horses identified for removal may be taken to the holding facility at Britton Springs but the ultimate destination was not specified.
The HMA is not subject to permitted grazing but is surrounded by allotments on all but the east side.
The announcement contains two incompatible statements:
- The AML is 107 to 120 horses
- The gather will help ensure the herd remains healthy and genetically diverse
The narrow range of the AML implies heavy use of fertility control, as discussed previously, which destroys the breeding population and ends genetic mixing.
Removal of horses cannot improve or maintain genetic diversity if the remnant is too small and/or the mares have been ruined with PZP, which is the case at Pryor.
The advocates, evil beyond imagination, are 100% on board with the idea.
RELATED: BLM Issues Final Planning Docs for Pryor HMAP and AML.
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