How We’re Fighting to Protect Arizona’s Beloved Salt River Wild Horses

In the summer of 2015, the beloved Salt River wild horses in the Tonto National Forest near Mesa, Arizona, faced an immediate threat of eradication due to a U.S. Forest Service plan to round them up and remove them. These horses have roamed the lands around the Salt River for over a century, but the Forest Service labeled them as “estray livestock” and planned to impound all “unauthorized” horses.

Why Was This Allowed?

The Salt River horses lack federal protection because the Forest Service failed to designate a protected Wild Horse Territory for them after the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed in 1971. Despite acknowledging the horses' presence in the National Forest since the 1930s, the Forest Service's oversight meant they could be rounded up and sold at auction, potentially for slaughter.

Thanks to the tremendous support from the local Arizona community and advocates worldwide, these horses were spared this fate.

In February 2015, the Arizona House of Representatives approved bill HB 2340, amended by Representative Kelly Townsend. The bill recognizes the Salt River wild horses as not being livestock, defines the herd's scope, and clarifies that they are not stray animals.

The amended bill establishes clear jurisdiction and provides a process to resolve incidents requiring interaction with the herd to protect the horses' and public's health and safety. It also criminalizes harassing, shooting, or killing Salt River wild horses and affirms their importance to the state.

After passing in the Senate (27-2) and Arizona legislature (53-3), HB2340 was signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey on May 11, 2016.

“May 11, 2016, was a historic day for horse advocates, the Salt River wild horses, and the public, who would not stand for the removal and disposal of this historically and economically significant herd,” said Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), who worked tirelessly to ensure HB2340's passage.

Helping Horses

The latest rescue of a Salt River wild horse foal by the SRWHMG field team exemplifies humane, community-based wild horse management. The foal, Pacman, had injured legs and developed a severe infection. He is receiving intensive treatment at a veterinary hospital. Another orphaned foal, rescued in March, is thriving and has been “adopted” by a mare whose own foal died just days before Roscoe was rescued. Help with the rescue of these foals by visiting the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group's website.

Originally posted by One Green Planet