BLM Uses Birth Control to Manage Wild Horse Populations
Managing wild horse populations humanely is a priority for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Through the innovative use of field darting, the BLM administers birth control to wild horses, effectively controlling their numbers while ensuring their well-being. This article explores the process and its impact on the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area.
Field Darting: A Humane Approach
Dazzle, a chocolate brown mare, cleverly avoided a dose of birth control during a field darting session at the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area. BLM wild horse specialist Tricia Hatle and volunteer Ada Inbody work diligently to administer birth control to mares like Dazzle, aiming to manage the wild horse population effectively.
“We’ve been working on her and figured if she was close today, we might be able to get her,” Hatle said, adding that her goal is to get the birth control to Dazzle by September.
Field darting requires patience and the ability to blend into the herd. Hatle and Inbody track untreated horses using a photo database and descriptions. Once identified, Inbody administers the shot with a dart gun, aiming at the horse’s backside from 20-40 yards away.
“It’s a little dart that pops in and out of the horse’s rump, but we only take a shot if we know the horse won’t know it was us,” Hatle explains. “They are smart animals, and if they know we did it, they won’t let a human near them next time.”
Challenges and Successes
There is always a risk of hitting an unintended target, but Inbody, confident in her aim, ensures accuracy. If a shot isn’t possible, the team waits for another opportunity, as darts must be used within 48 hours and cannot be reused.
The BLM began using field darting in 2011, and it has proven effective. About 65 mares receive birth control annually, reducing foal births significantly. In 2009, 46 foals were born, but by 2012, that number dropped to 14.
“This is the best and most humane form of birth control for the horses,” Inbody says. “The mares are nursing their foals longer now, and they aren’t lactating or foaling every year, and it’s amazing how good and healthy they look.”
Public Awareness and Future Plans
Hatle speaks to groups to raise awareness about the BLM’s field darting efforts, addressing misconceptions about the practice. Unlike other herds tracked with helicopter gathering, the McCullough Peaks herd benefits from this intimate tracking method.
Maintaining an appropriate adult wild horse population is crucial, and the BLM aims to keep the McCullough Peaks herd at about 100 horses. Field darting occurs seven days a week, with adjustments made as needed to manage herd size.
While birth control treatments may not always prevent pregnancies, they improve the horses' quality of life. The BLM continues to refine its methods, ensuring the well-being of these majestic animals.