BLM to Conduct Partial Wild Horse Gather in Colorado

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a decision to remove up to 50 wild horses from the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range in Colorado. This action aims to improve range conditions for the remaining wild horses and ensure sustainable forage availability.

The BLM plans to employ bait and water trapping methods to gather the wild horses starting in early September. The Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range currently hosts approximately 154 horses, exceeding the established Appropriate Management Level of 90 to 150 horses.

Recent drought conditions have adversely affected the range, necessitating a gather to secure enough winter forage for the wild horses and other wildlife. On August 20, the BLM will assess conditions at various monitoring stations to determine future forage production. The number of horses to be removed will depend on the range's capacity, with a maximum of 50 horses slated for removal.

The BLM will collaborate with the Friends of the Mustangs, a local advocacy group, to identify removal candidates. Priority will be given to horses five years old or younger from mares with other offspring remaining on the range.

Once removed, the horses will be transported to the Mesa County Sheriff Posse to await adoption.

Originally Posted By The Horse