BLM Halts Controversial Wild Horse Spay Project

November 8, 2018

In a significant development, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has decided to halt its controversial spaying experiment on wild horse mares. This decision follows a federal judge's preliminary injunction and widespread public opposition. The project, which involved the removal of ovaries from wild mares, had already led to the removal of horses from the range.

BLM's Decision and Legal Challenges

TheBLMannounced its decision to halt the project, as reported by the American Welfare Institute. The project faced several appeals due to the nature of the surgery, which veterinarians criticized as unscientific, inhumane, and dangerous. The procedure was expected to cause pain, suffering, and potentially life-threatening complications for the mares.

To conduct the spay and behavior research study, theBLM-Burns District attempted to round up all horses in the Warm Springs Herd Management Area. Before the roundup, the 475,000-acre range had over 800 horses, but now only about 20 to 30 remain.

Impact on Wild Horse Population

A total of 813 horses, 41 burros, and two mules were captured and transported to a facility in Hines. The plan was to return 200 horses to the range as part of the study and adopt out the remaining animals. However, the timeline for returning the horses remains unclear.

Legal Proceedings and Public Response

U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman ruled in favor of the coalition and plaintiffs, leading to theBLM's decision to halt the experiments. The defendants, includingRyan Zinke, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, made a settlement offer, which was rejected by the plaintiffs, including Ginger Kathrens and the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign).

Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program manager for theAnimal Welfare Institute, expressed relief at the decision, emphasizing the need for humane approaches to population management.

Future of Wild Horse Management

Despite theBLM's decision to vacate the project, legal procedures require filing a motion to vacate and remand the Decision Record with the Interior Board of Land Appeals. TheBLMmust update the court on its progress by November 21.

Brieanah Schwartz, government relations and policy counsel for AWHC, urged theBLMto focus on humane, scientifically recommended forms of population management, such as PZP fertility control, which reduces stress in mares.

Ginger Kathrens highlighted the importance of preserving the natural behaviors of wild horses, advocating for humane management options in collaboration with advocates.

Originally posted by The Argus Observer