Incompetent and Dangerous Management of Corrals on Full Display at Adoption Event

(November 20, 2018) The Double Devil Corrals in the Modoc National Forest near Alturas, CA, hosted a sale/adoption event for recently captured wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory. The sight of these majestic creatures, once roaming freely, now confined and marked, was heartbreaking. The event, however, was marred by the incompetent and dangerous handling of the horses by the Modoc County Farm Bureau and hired wranglers, leading to chaos and potential injuries.

Inexperienced Management at the Helm

Laura Snell, a pro-horse slaughter advocate with no experience in handling wild horses, was in charge of the corrals. Assisted by her intern and several inexperienced wranglers, the management of the event was predictably chaotic. The mishandling led to trauma for the horses and raised serious safety concerns.

During the event, attempts to sort and load horses resulted in a stampede within the confined space of the pen. The lack of experience among the handlers was evident, as they struggled to control the situation, leading to horses crashing into gateposts and falling.

Concerns Raised and Ignored

Despite concerns raised by observers, including myself, about the safety of the horses and the handling practices, the response from the management was dismissive. The Forest Service, responsible for overseeing the operation, allowed this mismanagement to continue unchecked.

In contrast to the chaos at Double Devil Corrals, other adoption events managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are typically well-organized, with experienced staff ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals.

Official Complaints and Requests for Information

Before leaving, I lodged a complaint with Amanda McAdams, Modoc National Forest Supervisor, regarding the handling of the horses and the role of the Modoc County Farm Bureau. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) will file an official complaint and request detailed information about the qualifications of those involved, the number of injuries or deaths, and the placement of horses.

• The qualifications of the Farm Bureau and Ms. Snell to operate the corrals and load horses.
• The number of horses injured or deceased during the event.
• Weekly and bi-monthly reports on horse injuries, deaths, and placements.

Ongoing Concerns

• Lack of disease control, including moving horses despite a pigeon fever outbreak.
• Offering recently castrated geldings for adoption while still recovering.

Final Thoughts on the Adoption/Sale Event

According to an inventory list, 261 horses were at the corrals, with several mares having foaled. The event saw 20 adoptions and 24 sales, with horses going to trainers and legitimate adopters. The Forest Service must address the inadequate management at the Double Devil Corrals to ensure the safety and well-being of these wild horses.

Read more about the event in our Day One Report.