No Horse Roundup on Pryor Mountain Range: A Victory for Wild Mustangs

September 30, 2018

There will be no removal of wild mustangs from the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range this fall. This decision comes after significant efforts from local and national wild horse advocates, who hope to engage in fruitful discussions about the future management of the herd.

Proposed Removal and Concerns

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a proposed action on August 3 to remove 17 young horses from the range using bait and water trapping. This was part of a plan to achieve the appropriate management level of 90 to 120 horses, as outlined in the current herd management area plan. At the time, the herd population was 154 animals, plus a small 2018 foal crop of just six surviving animals.

Following the announcement, the Lovell-based Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center and the Cloud Foundation of Colorado Springs expressed serious concerns about the potential impact on the herd's genetic health.

Legal Actions and Outcomes

Both organizations took action later in the month. The Wild Mustang Center submitted an appeal and petition for stay to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, citing concerns that the removal would “place the herd at genetic risk.” The Cloud Foundation filed a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent the removal, arguing it posed a “real and present danger of losing the genetics that make them (the Pryor horses) unique.”

In late August, United States District Judge Susan P. Watters granted the temporary restraining order, halting the bait and water trapping plan pending a hearing on the Cloud Foundation’s motion for a preliminary injunction. Although a hearing was initially set for September 28, it was later canceled. Ginger Kathrens of the Cloud Foundation confirmed that no hearing is scheduled, and the BLM has stated there will be no removal this fall.

Future Management Discussions

Both the Cloud Foundation and the Wild Mustang Center are eager to resume management discussions with the BLM. They had previously held several meetings with BLM officials during the comment and review period preceding an environmental assessment on the proposed action. Kathrens expressed hope that the BLM would be open to discussions about the management of the horse range.

“Judge Watters granted the temporary restraining order,” Kathrens said. “The BLM couldn’t rectify numerous issues by September 28, leading to the decision not to remove the horses this year. We hope to collaborate with them to develop a plan that is acceptable to both parties.”

Wild Mustang Center board president Nancy Cerroni echoed Kathrens' sentiments, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to ensure the genetic health of the herd. She noted that the Center had previously reached some consensus with the BLM on safely removing certain horses without damaging genetic lines.

“I would love to resume collaboration and discussions with the BLM,” Cerroni said. “Pooling our resources is the best way to find effective management solutions. Our knowledge base is critical to maintaining a healthy gene pool.”

Looking ahead, Cerroni emphasized the need to consider management solutions for a small herd with a limited gene pool. “As we move into the next 50 years, it’s crucial to follow the example set by the community of Lovell 50 years ago, when they rallied to protect the horses.”

Originally posted by Casper Star Tribune