A lot has happened in the days since the Advisory Board to the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro program dropped the nuclear option and recommended the potential euthanasia of tens of thousands of animals in holding facilities. Read our op-ed here.
There was a collective sigh of relief when the BLM said that it won’t accept its Advisory Board’s recommendation to euthanize some 49,000 horses in holding facilities.
Of course, the problem is not solved. Many, many horses still live tragic lives in those dead-end facilities.
Horses at the BLM’s Delta, UT facility.
Here are some ideas for how you can be part of the solution:
Educate yourself.
- Don’t listen to just one advocacy group. Read and listen to news and updates from the government and from multiple agencies.
- Get to know the many herds within the Wild Horse and Burro program. There is the Stone Cabin herd, famous for its grey horses (likely descendants of a grey Texas thoroughbred) There are herds in California that have rare mustang mules (the offspring of wild burros and horses). There are the famed Sulphur horses, with their striking striped legs and dun coloration.
- Get involved. Some advocacy groups support specific herds. Herds are helped by civilian documentation. Some herds are undocumented and have no group specifically following it.
- If you are really invested in being part of the solution, contact the BLM and/or advocacy groups which are in need of certified darters. You can be trained to dart at the Science and Conservation Center Training Program in Billings, Montana. Read more.
- Check out our many pages dedicated to Wild Horse & Burro issues, especially the training log, Mustang Miles & Minutes.
Here are some good reads:
BLM declines to accept Advisory Board recommendation of euthanasia. Read here.
An update on what the BLM accepted as recommendations in the Elko, Nevada newspaper. Read more.
An important op-ed of the situation in the Grand Junction, Colorado newspaper, including comments from Advisory Board member, Ginger Kathrens. Read more.
An informative op-ed on the PZP darting program in High Country News. Read more.
An interview with one of my local heroes, TJ Holmes, who helps manage the Spring Creek Basin herd. Read more.