Protestors Criticize BLM Wild Horse Policies Favoring Cattle Ranchers

Wild Horse advocates recently gathered at Central Wyoming College to protest the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) treatment of wild horses across the West.Simone Netherlands, representing Respect 4 Horses, emphasized the need for change inBLMpolicies.

“There is no overpopulation of wild horses. We’ve gone from over two million wild horses to just 30,000 in the wild,” Netherlands stated. “Yet, they complain that they’re overrun with wild horses.”

Netherlands highlighted that over 50,000 wild horses and burros are confined in holding facilities, often in poor conditions. She pointed out the disparity in land allocation, with wild horses having less than 26 million acres compared to the 160 million acres available for cattle.

She criticized theBLMfor policies that contradict their mission, stating, “Their mandate is to protect wild horses, not do pest control for cattle ranchers. It’s not fair to wild horses, and it’s because they don’t make anybody any money.” She noted that wild horses receive only 18 percent of the forage in their management areas.

Marjorie Farabee from the Wild Horse Freedom Federation added that theBLM's actions disrupt the natural balance by removing older horses, which are crucial for the herd's survival and knowledge.

In a related development, Governor Matt Mead urged theBLMto “take immediate action” and “remove excess horses from its herd management areas” in Wyoming. See that story by clicking here.

Originally Posted By County 10