Oregon Roundups Conclude: Comprehensive Summary

Oregon Roundups Conclude: Comprehensive Summary

The recent Oregon wild horse roundups have concluded, providing insights into the operations conducted at the Hog Creek, Stinkingwater, and Palomino Butte Herd Management Areas (HMAs). These roundups aimed to manage the wild horse populations on public lands, ensuring their health and sustainability. Below is a detailed summary of each roundup, highlighting the number of horses captured and the conditions faced during these operations.

Hog Creek HMA Roundup Summary

August 24, 2023

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) captured 38 horses, consisting of 18 stallions, 18 mares, and 2 foals, and shipped 24 to the Burns Corrals. Fourteen animals were released, including 7 stallions and 7 fertility-treated mares. The average Henneke Body Score was 4. Roundup operations ended at 2:45 p.m. under sunny and clear conditions with a high near 82°F. The Hog Creek roundup officially concluded with 38 mustangs captured.

Stinkingwater HMA Roundup Summary

August 17-20, 2023

• August 20, 2023: 5 Mustangs were captured. The pilot spotted the horses descending from the mountain and managed to coax them out of hiding. Approximately 60 horses were captured in total, with only two foals seen.
• August 19, 2023: Approximately 23 Mustangs were captured. A different trap setup was used to address horses avoiding the usual trap site. One band of horses managed to escape, but the rest were captured within 10 minutes. A band with a three-day-old foal was left undisturbed.
• August 18, 2023: 27 Mustangs were captured. The helicopter located and brought several bands together to the trap site. Some horses showed disagreement and reared up at each other. The horses were loaded onto trailers calmly, and those with freeze brands will be returned to the range. A group of 12 horses escaped and were chased by the helicopter, but only 8 were captured.
• August 17, 2023: 9 horses were captured. The first run chased 9 horses into the trap. During the second run, two smaller bands escaped into the hills. The roundup was concluded for the day due to strong winds.

The Stinkingwater roundup concluded with 63 mustangs removed, and thankfully, zero deaths were reported. For more detailed information, please refer to the full reports, here.

Palomino Butte HMA Roundup Summary

August 14-16, 2023

• August 16, 2023: The roundup took place near Burns, Oregon, with limited visibility due to heavy smoke in the morning. The temperatures ranged from the low 70s to the mid to upper 90s by the end of the roundup, making it extremely hot. Throughout the day, horses were captured and loaded onto trailers, with some challenges encountered, such as one palomino horse escaping the trap and a foal refusing to jump off the trailer. In the end, around 40-50 fewer horses were captured than originally expected.
• August 15, 2023: We met BLM at 4:30 a.m. and traveled to the trap site. We observed a helicopter slowly pushing a group of horses, eventually capturing 12 of them. However, the pilot struggled to capture a specific group of 6 horses, despite the efforts of another band of horses to encourage them. After several failed attempts, the pilot released the 6 horses and brought in the remaining 6. Later, the pilot spotted three more horses but was unable to capture them. The roundup concluded for the day, and the trap site will be relocated to another area.
• August 14, 2023: The day started early at 4:30 a.m., with a meeting at the BLM office. The observation spot was reached after a 45-minute drive, where private land was used for parking. The helicopter located large groups of horses, guiding them towards the trap. Some hesitation was observed before the horses entered the catchpen. By 9:10 a.m., three trailer loads of horses had been transported to the corrals. Another large group was located and brought to the trap, with some horses splitting into smaller bands. At 9:35 a.m., all the horses entered the trap. A small band of six horses initially resisted capture but was eventually corralled. The pilot had to refuel and make room for more horses, so a band of six horses was left temporarily. After a 40-minute battle, the pilot decided to give up and search for other horses. At 11:30 a.m., the roundup concluded for the day, and the horses were transported to the nearby corrals. The horses appeared to be in good condition and were promptly checked by veterinarians.

The Palomino Butte roundup concluded with 192 wild horses captured, and thankfully zero deaths. For more detailed information, please refer to the full reports, here.