The incident started on September 19. Results through September 25:
- FY: 2026
- Scope: Sand Wash Basin HMA
- Target: Horses
- AML: 362
- Pre-gather population: 505
- Type: Planned
- Contractor: Cattoor
- Contract amount: $222,590
- Unit cost: $742
- Method: Helicopter
- Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
- Better way: Destroy the breeding population with PZP (according to advocates)
- Capture goal: 300
- Removal goal: 245
- Captured: 301, up from 152 on Day 5
- Shipped: 215, up from 119 on Day 5
- Released: None
- Deaths: None
- Average daily take: 43.0
- Unaccounted-for animals: 86
- Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
- Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death
The figures above are based on the daily reports.
The incident can’t be marked complete with 86 unaccounted-for animals, contrary to a statement at the gather page.
The capture total includes 134 stallions, 129 mares and 38 foals. The gather page says 133, 130 and 38.
Youngsters represented 12.6% of the animals gathered.
Of the adults, 51.0% were male and 49.0% were female.
Body condition scores on Days 6 and 7 ranged from 4 to 5.
The location of the trap site was not disclosed.
Up to 55 horses will be returned to the area, including 22 mares treated with fertility control.
The HMA is subject to permitted grazing. Resources liberated to date:
- Forage: 3,612 AUMs per year
- Water: 3,010 gallons per day
Public lands within two miles of active trapping locations and temporary holding facilities are closed to the public for the duration of the roundup.
PREVIOUS: Sand Wash Roundup, Day 5.

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