On August 15, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will initiate a wild horse roundup in the South Steens Herd Management Area (HMA), which covers over 130,000 acres in Oregon. Using helicopters, the BLM plans to trap 600 horses. Of these, 562 will be removed, 19 will be treated with the fertility control drug GonaCon, and 38 will be released back into the wild. This operation aims to adjust the horse population to the BLM's designated appropriate management level (AML) of 159-304 horses. According to a 2019 survey, the current population is estimated at 727.
Post Roundup Summary
Aug 15, 2024-Aug 21, 2024
Observers documented a number of alarming patterns. The trap’s construction appeared to be consistently flawed and/or dangerous; there was chaos, distress, lunging, overcrowding, and near escapes. There was also a notable amount of horses euthanized due to an eye abnormality, many of which were cremellos. In the 2022 South Steens roundup, the BLM euthanized 22 horses, 11 of whom were cremellos.
Upon the roundup’s conclusion, the range appeared barren to our observer.
Contractor: Sampson Livestock LLC
Final totals*According to BLM report
Captured: 869 horses—over BLM target.
Shipped: 860
Herd reduction: 91%—below AML.*According to BLM's estimated population
9 Deaths.*According to BLM report
6 of the 9 due to an eye abnormality
AWHC is on the ground—see our reports below
August 21, 2024
Weather: 40s°- 80s°F
Summary: Last day of the roundup, observers were at the same viewpoint with poor visibility of the loading area. Yesterday, the BLM added 120+ horses to its total for removal—essentially zeroing out the range. Over the course of nine runs, the helicopter pushed sparse groups from far away. A trio of bachelors were trapped, one palomino escaped when one of the contractors appeared unexpectedly. He lunged over the wing, cleared the jute, and sweatily raced to freedom. Another bachelor ducked under the jute, following the palomino. The two disappeared behind a gully. It is unclear if they remain free.
In a following run, the helicopter lost a band in the wings, likely startled. The band bolted in the other direction and away from the trap site. A handler failed to bring attention back to the trap and the helicopter pushed them to no avail. The band was later captured.
By the end of operations, observers remarked that the range was starkly barren of horses.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 45 (20 stallions, 17 mares, 8 foals)
Shipped: 129 (30 stallions; 60 mares; 30 foals)
1 Death. *According to BLM report
20+ year old buckskin stallion with acute condition – poor body condition
August 20, 2024
Weather: 40s°- high 80s°F
Summary: Over the course of ten runs, mostly small groups were driven into the trap. Placed at a distance, the observer had low visibility of the trap site; the trap’s flaws appeared to be amended today (covered panels and extended wings). Temporary and short-term holding (Burns facility) did not offer public viewing.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 117 (43 stallions, 52 mares, 22 foals)
Shipped: 107 (23 stallions; 53 mares; 31 foals)
Horses entering into trap.
August 19, 2024
Weather: Ranged in the 80s°F
Summary: Four observers attended today’s roundup and arrived at the new capture location. The unexpected relocation caused confusion between the observers and BLM; the attendees had to scout their own photo location. Soon after, the contractor demanded they change observation points. At this point observers were placed about a half mile from the trap with far less visibility.
At the trap site, several contractor vehicles were haphazardly parked in front of the trap. An observer also noted that the contractors' brightly colored outfits could potentially spook the horses. Moreover, barbed fencing in the area appeared improperly flagged—a potential danger to the running horses.
Over the course of seven runs, several large bands of horses were driven into the trap. One group briefly broke away, only to be pursued again. In the trap, horses crowded, with some lunging at the panels. Surprisingly, many bands calmed down, which an observer suggested might be due to the presence of older horses, who had experienced capture before and were familiar with the process. As one large group entered the trap, another was still in the loading area.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 133 (48 stallions, 54 mares, 31 foals)
Shipped: 135 (61 stallions; 49 mares; 25 foals)
August 18, 2024
Weather: High 50s°- high 80s°F
Summary: Over the course of seven runs, observers had clear visibility of today’s roundup. The helicopter began pushing several bands of horses; trapped and sweaty, smaller groups appeared to calm faster than those that were larger. A couple more bands approaching the trap hesitated at the neck, only one pinto temporarily evaded the trap. The remaining bands stalemated, staring down the helicopter or down the trap entrance, despite the low-hanging pilot. A handler eventually ran at the horses, brandishing a red flag he pushed them into the trap. The helicopter departed and retrieved the stray pinto.
The next trapped group was large and bottlenecked in the trap’s loading area. Several of the horses attempted to escape, jumping and lunging into panels. One horse was particularly panicked and repeatedly lunged at other horses to attempt escape. Overcrowding and chaos escalated to the point of this horse crawling on top of the other horses, even getting his entire body on top of them and lunging to break free. Throughout these runs, the trap was overcrowded and chaotic, leaving trapped horses in distress. Moreover, the operation failed to clear the trap’s dust; large puddles of water remained, in the two sections horses move fastest. Altogether, the trap site became a major hazard for horse injury.
Temporary holding was private and inaccessible to the public.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 129 (48 stallions, 56 mares, 25 foals)
Shipped: 161 (49 stallions; 85 mares; 27 foals)
3 Deaths.*According to BLM report
8 year old sorrel stallion with pre-existing eye abnormality – blind in one eye
6 year old sorrel mare with pre-existing eye abnormality – blind in one eye
13 year old sorrel mare with acute condition – poor body condition, unable to maintain or improve
Trap chaos; pinto mounting other horses to escape.
Handler pushing horses into trap, shrouded in clouds of dust.
August 17, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: 2 observers present.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 128 (40 stallions; 61 mares; 27 foals)
Shipped: 127 (36 stallions; 50 mares; 41 foals)
1 Death.*According to BLM report
10+ year old cremello stallion with pre-existing condition/eye abnormality - broken teeth & blindness
August 16, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: 6 observers present.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 163 (52 stallions; 70 mares; 41 foals)
Shipped: 165 (60 stallions; 72 mares; 33 foals)
3 Deaths.*According to BLM report
20+ year old dun stallion, with pre-existing condition/unable to maintain or improve - no teeth
5 year old pinto stallion with pre-existing eye abnormality - missing eye
14 year old cremello mare with pre-existing eye abnormality - blindness
August 15, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: 11 observers present.
Daily total *According to BLM report
Captured: 154 (60 stallions; 61 mares; 33 foals)
Shipped: 36 (35 stallions; 1 mare)
1 Death.*According to BLM report
1 - 11 year old stallion with sudden, unexpected cervical fracture
Last updated July, 2024
