Lawmakers Demand Action on Arizona's Salt River Wild Horses Management

Arizona lawmakers are calling for decisive action on a management plan for the state's iconic Salt River wild horses. This comes after a public outcry over potential mustering operations.

State Representative Matt Salmon is leading a congressional delegation that has written to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the issue. They expressed concerns that the US Forest Service's efforts to consult with constituents have been insufficient.

The Salt River wild horses gained attention in late July when the Forest Service announced plans to muster the horses for auction. This sparked a strong social media campaign by the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, leading to a public outcry.

The US Forest Service quickly withdrew its plans, promising to revisit its management strategy for the approximately 100 horses living along the river in Tonto National Forest. A spokesman stated that the service would engage with the local community, state, and federal officials to explore alternatives for land stewardship and public safety.

The horses are a tourist attraction, often seen wading into the river to graze on aquatic grasses. However, they lack the federal protection given to many wild horses, as they do not reside in a designated Herd Management Area.

Salmon and the Arizona congressional delegation, including lawmakers Trent Franks, Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, Ann Kirkpatrick, Martha McSally, David Schweikert, and Kyrsten Sinema, sent their letter to Vilsack on Friday. They questioned why the Forest Service has not followed through on plans to consult with Arizonans about the horses.

The delegation noted that no new management plan had been introduced and called on the agency to consult with those directly affected before implementing any strategy.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group expressed gratitude and pride in Salmon and the congressional delegation for standing up for the interests of the Arizona public. They emphasized that this issue is about the humane treatment and preservation of wild horses and reflects American values.

“This is about the humane treatment and preservation of wild horses, but even more so, it is about who we are as Americans and what we stand for … and what we don’t.”

Originally Posted By Horsetalk