Colorado Farm Bureau Urges Federal Action on Wild Horse Management

The Colorado Farm Bureau is taking a stand to improve the management of wild horses and burros on public lands. At the upcoming American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in San Diego, California, they will advocate for federal enforcement of existing laws to protect both the animals and the ranchers who share the land with them.

Call for Federal Enforcement

Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft emphasized the need for the federal government to enforce the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. He stated, "The most important thing in our recommendation is a clear call on the Bureau of Land Management to follow the act as written and keep those animals within the determined numbers in areas where the animals are managed."

Impact on Ranchers

Ranchers sharing land with wild horse populations face significant challenges due to competition over grazing resources. Shawcroft noted, "The biggest problem is that where those animals exist, they are not being managed and the numbers are not being controlled. It’s an issue for those with grazing rights in some areas."

Jason Vermillion, chair of Colorado’s Young Farmers and Ranchers, highlighted the particular impact on the Western Slope, where ranchers have felt the greatest effects of the uncontrolled wild horse population. This issue was raised by Colorado Farm Bureau members in Mesa County.

Concerns for Wild Horses

Shawcroft also pointed out that the lack of management harms the horses themselves, resulting in inadequate protection.

Legal Actions and Funding Needs

On December 8, Wyoming filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management, urging them to enforce the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Wyoming Governor Matt Mead stated that the Bureau currently lacks the resources to enforce the act and needs more funding to manage wild horse populations effectively.

Originally Posted By The Fence Post