November 2019: The Roundup of White River/Seaman Mustangs

November 2019: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began rounding up horses from the Seaman and White River Herd Areas (HAs) in Nevada. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is particularly concerned about this operation. The BLM plans to remove all wild horses from these HAs, despite an active lawsuit challenging a similar plan for the Caliente Complex. Additionally, the agency has refused to consider reducing domestic livestock grazing on these public lands, meaning sheep and cattle will continue to graze as horses are removed.

Legal and Environmental Concerns

Last Thursday, we sent a letter to the BLM asking them to delay the Seaman/White River roundup until the court ruled on our Caliente Complex lawsuit. The BLM responded, stating they plan to proceed. They will need to return to these HAs multiple times to ensure all horses are removed. We will monitor this closely and provide updates.

Roundup Progress and Observations

November 20, 2019: No mustangs were rounded up today. The operation is suspended due to "unseasonably warm weather," with horses in higher elevations. The BLM plans to return until January to remove the remaining horses. So far, 294 wild horses have been removed, with nine deaths.

November 19, 2019: 14 wild horses were captured, with one death: a 10-year-old grey mare with a missing eye was euthanized.

November 18, 2019: 26 wild horses were rounded up and removed, with three deaths:

• An 8-year-old buckskin stud with a club foot was euthanized.
• An 11-year-old dun mare with a club foot.
• A 12-year-old grey stud with a missing eye was euthanized.

November 17, 2019: 43 wild horses were rounded up and removed. A 20+-year-old grey was euthanized due to body condition and "severe tooth loss."

November 16, 2019: Seven mustangs were captured. Our observer was the only public member on-site. The trap site returned to its initial location, about a half-mile away. Few horses were captured, prompting a move to a site 12 miles south. Contractors temporarily relocated to chase a colt and a mare, but these attempts were unsuccessful. During this time, two wild horses approached our field rep, peacefully observing from a ridge.

November 15, 2019: 32 mustangs were rounded up and removed. Two horses were euthanized: a 16-year-old mare captured the day before due to body condition and having one eye, and a 6-year-old grey stallion with a "previously broken left rear leg." Two horses were roped off, requiring transport. Two loads from prior days were shipped to Ridgecrest holding corrals.

November 14, 2019: AWHC's field representative was the only public member in attendance. 56 mustangs were captured with no deaths, bringing the total to 172 captured (68 studs, 81 mares, 23 foals) and two deaths.

November 13, 2019: AWHC's field representative was the only public member in attendance. 14 horses were captured, and one horse died. The BLM euthanized a healthy, 4-year-old stallion with an old eye injury.

The weather was unusually warm, creating a mirage effect on the horizon. The trap site was about a half-mile from the viewing area, limiting visibility of the horses inside the capture pen. The day ended early as there were no more horses in the area.

November 12, 2019: AWHC's field representative was the only public member onsite for the first day of the roundup. The helicopter contractor was Sampson Livestock Company. 102 mustangs were captured (40 stallions, 45 mares, 15 foals) with one death after a stallion broke his neck.

Two colts were separated from their herd and brought in by contractors. During a lunch break, a colt wandered to the trap, highlighting the dangers of roundups. Contractors had not noticed the separation, and the colt could have been left alone in the wild.

One of the Judas horses, used to lead mustangs into the trap, ran off during a colt chase, climbing a mountain and staying there for hours. Perhaps inspired to be wild and free.

According to BLM, 530 wild horses live in the area, with a goal to capture 450, but they aim to remove them all.