Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has announced plans to tighten regulations on the federal government's wild horse program. These changes aim to restrict the number of horses individuals can purchase and facilitate the prosecution of buyers who sell mustangs for slaughter. This decision follows a ProPublica investigation that raised questions about the fate of horses sold to Tom Davis, a livestock hauler who has acquired over 1,700 horses since 2009.
Salazar outlined the new regulations in an interview, stating that the changes are a response to concerns about the potential slaughter of wild horses. Under the new rules, buyers will be limited to purchasing five wild horses every six months, with larger orders requiring approval from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) deputy director.
Salazar emphasized that these measures are intended to prevent horses from ending up in slaughterhouses. However, he acknowledged that comprehensive solutions to the wild horse program's longstanding issues remain elusive.
As Secretary of Interior, Salazar oversees the BLM, which manages most of the 35,000 wild horses on public lands in the West. These animals are legally protected from harassment, capture, or slaughter. Despite the agency's claims of screening buyers, there has been no verification of the horses' fate post-sale.
Salazar has initiated an investigation into Tom Davis, initially led by the BLM and later transferred to the Interior Department's independent Inspector General. This move came after concerns arose about potential impropriety within the agency.
Wild horse advocates have welcomed Salazar's proposed changes. Suzanne Roy, director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), described the steps as positive but noted that they do not address the program's broader issues.
For years, the wild horse program has struggled to maintain herd populations by rounding up thousands of horses annually and housing them in government facilities. This approach has led to increased costs and has been deemed unsustainable by several audits.
Salazar has advocated for the use of contraceptive drugs to manage horse populations, but critics argue that the BLM's efforts have been insufficient. The Humane Society of the United States has partnered with the BLM to test fertility drugs, but the agency has not met its treatment goals.
Despite the challenges, Salazar remains committed to finding a solution. He acknowledges the need for continued efforts to control the horse and burro populations to prevent further issues.
This story was co-published with the Colorado Springs Gazette and was originally posted by ProPublica.