Controversy Over Wyoming Estray Horse Gather and Sale

A recent gather conducted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Wyoming has sparked controversy among wild horse advocates. The gather involved estray horses, which were quickly sold to a Canadian horse processing firm, raising concerns about the process and its legality.

BLM's Gather of Estray Horses

Sarah Beckwith, public affairs officer for the BLM office in Worland, Wyoming, reported that 41 estray horses were gathered on March 18 and 19 after they wandered onto federal land north of Graybull, Wyoming. Estray horses are those previously owned by private individuals but later abandoned. The BLM intervened because the state of Wyoming does not gather estray animals, especially when they encroach on federal lands.

“A brand inspector from the Wyoming Livestock Board was present at the trap site, and took possession of the animals,” Beckwith said.

Sale of the Gathered Horses

Wyoming Livestock Commissioner Lee Romsa clarified that while the agency did not participate in the gather, the inspector confirmed the horses lacked identifying marks or tattoos. The horses were subsequently sold at the Worland Sale Barn to the highest bidders, including Bovary Exports, a Canadian horse processing firm, and Terry Warneke. A group of four colts was sold to another buyer and then resold.

Advocates' Concerns

Patricia M. Fazio, PhD, statewide coordinator for the Wyoming Wild Horse Coalition, expressed concern over the rapid sale, which left little time for negotiation. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) has engaged an environmental attorney to investigate potential legal violations.

“We are in the process of researching just what really happened here, and the verdict is not yet in,” she said.

Originally Posted By The Horse