Gov. Gary Herbert Criticized for Wild Horse Management Comments

National wild horse advocacy organizations are criticizing Utah Gov. Gary Herbert for his comments suggesting that wild horse populations need more effective management, including reducing their numbers to benefit cattle grazing. This has sparked a significant backlash from groups dedicated to the protection of these iconic animals.

Advocacy Groups Respond

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) and its coalition partner, the Cloud Foundation, addressed a letter to Gov. Herbert following his remarks made during a KUED news conference. The letter emphasized that wild horses and burros are a national heritage and should be managed in the interest of all Americans, not just those who view them as competition for grazing lands.

“America’s wild horses and burros are the heritage of all Americans, and Americans overwhelmingly support maintaining and protecting these animals on our public lands,” the letter reads.

The groups accused Herbert of exaggerating wild horse numbers in Utah and scapegoating them for rangeland damage primarily caused by livestock grazing.

Context of the Comments

Herbert's comments were made in the context of Nevada cattle rancher Cliven Bundy's dispute with the federal government over unpaid grazing fees and recent controversies regarding wild horse populations in Utah's Beaver and Iron counties.

In response to the advocacy groups' letter, Herbert's office reiterated his concerns about wild horse management, highlighting the need for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to maintain herd sizes as per their plans. However, Herbert argued that the state could manage these issues more effectively than the federal government.

Proposals for Management

Herbert suggested that Utah could take over some responsibilities for managing wild horse populations, noting that no other animal managed by the federal government is not on an endangered species list. He proposed legislative changes to manage the population, which might include reducing the number of horses.

Advocacy groups countered with BLM statistics, showing that livestock grazing occurs on 22 million acres of BLM land in Utah, while wild horses are limited to 2.1 million acres. They stressed that fewer than 3,500 wild horses and burros exist in the state compared to the vast numbers of cattle.

“After reviewing the facts contained in this letter,” the groups said, “we are hopeful that you will acknowledge the disparity of resources allocated to private livestock versus wild horses on federal land in your state.”

For more information, visit the Deseret News website.