BLM’s 2017 Budget Threatens Wild Horse Protection with Slaughter and Sterilization Proposals

Washington, DC (February 11, 2016) – The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is raising concerns over the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2017 budget proposal. This proposal includes a provision that could strip wild horses of their legal protection against slaughter, marking a significant shift from President Obama’s previous stance on safeguarding these animals.

Potential Loss of Protection

The budget provision would allow wild horses to be transferred to state and local authorities, many of whom have advocated for their slaughter. Once transferred, these horses would lose their protected status, enabling their sale for slaughter.

“The proposed 2017 budget opens the door to slaughtering America’s magnificent wild horses by essentially laundering the horses through state and local authorities,” said Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of AWHC. “This is an end run around Congressional prohibitions and the will of the people, who strongly support protecting America’s cherished wild horses on public lands in the West.”

Controversial Sterilization Plans

The BLM’s “2017 Budget in Brief” also suggests pursuing controversial spaying and gelding of wild horses, contradicting recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences. Experts warn that such procedures could strip wild horses of their natural behaviors, essential to their identity as wild animals.

Recently, 21,000 citizens submitted public comments opposing the BLM’s plan to conduct invasive sterilization experiments on wild mares in Oregon. They urged the use of a humane, scientifically proven wildlife contraception vaccine instead.

“The BLM is taking the wild horse program in an increasingly dangerous direction that is directly counter to scientific recommendations and the wishes of the American public,” continued Roy. “We need leadership from Congress to stop federal mismanagement of the wild horse and burro program and bring it in line with good science and the will of the people.”

Challenging Misconceptions

AWHC also challenged the Administration’s claims of “unsustainable proliferation” of wild horses and burros, noting they occupy just 12% of federal rangelands and are vastly outnumbered by livestock.

National opinion polls show the majority of Americans oppose horse slaughter and support protecting wild horses on public lands.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is dedicated to preserving America’s iconic wild horses and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come. AWHC’s mission and grassroots advocacy efforts are endorsed by a coalition of over 60 organizations.

More Information

President's Interior budget request Section 110 states, “... the Secretary of the Interior may transfer excess wild horses or burros that have been removed from the public lands to other Federal, State, and local government agencies for use as work animals…[and] … That any excess animal transferred under this provision shall lose its status as a wild free-roaming horse or burro as defined in the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act…”

BLM Budget in Brief: “The BLM will also continue expanding the use of contraceptives and the application of spay and neuter to begin to reduce program costs and help the unsustainable proliferation of wild horses and burros on public lands.”

The National Academy of Sciences, 2013 report “Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burros Program: A Way Forward” stated:

A potential disadvantage of both surgical and chemical castration is loss of testosterone and consequent reduction in or complete loss of male-type behaviors necessary for maintenance of social organization, band integrity, and expression of a natural behavior repertoire. p. 142

The possibility that ovariectomy [spaying] may be followed by prolonged bleeding or peritoneal infection makes it inadvisable for field application. p. 130