New BLM Rules Restrict Sales of Wild Horses

January 5, 2013 — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced new rules to restrict the sales of wild horses and burros. This decision follows an investigation into the sale of over 1,700 horses to a Colorado livestock hauler linked to the horse meat industry.

The new regulations are a response to an inquiry by the Office of the Inspector General of the Interior Department. Tom Gorey, a BLM spokesman for the wild horse program, stated that the investigation is ongoing.

Wild horse advocates have criticized the new rules as insufficient, arguing they won't prevent mustangs from ending up with kill buyers. The inspector general is examining the fate of 1,777 horses sold since 2009 to Tom Davis, with concerns they were taken to Mexico for slaughter.

"He's the biggest buyer among all of our buyers over the years," Gorey said of Davis. Since 2005, the BLM has sold 5,400 animals, allowing bulk purchases instead of adoptions.

Under the new rules, sales are limited to no more than four horses within a six-month period unless approved by a BLM assistant director. Buyers must also specify where they will keep the animals.

Suzanne Roy, director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign), criticized the policy, stating it allows the BLM to overlook issues after six months.

Laura Leigh, an advocate with Wild Horse Education, called for the rescindment of the sales policy, arguing it leaves wild horses vulnerable to the slaughter pipeline.

Approximately 37,000 wild horses roam the Western states, with about half in Nevada. The BLM manages these populations, often rounding up horses for adoption or long-term holding pastures.

Currently, more horses are in captivity than on the range, with over 45,000 in holding facilities. From 2005, buyers could purchase 20 or more horses for $10 each, with smaller numbers priced between $25 and $75.

Heather Emmons, a BLM spokeswoman, noted that most horses are older and typically sold for $25.

Originally Posted By The Associated Press