Report on Tour of Bureau of Land Management Indian Lakes Short Term Holding Facility
Fallon, NV (October 17, 2014) – After two years of restricted access, the public was finally allowed to tour the Bureau of Land Management's Indian Lakes Road Short-Term Holding Facility in Fallon, Nevada. This facility, also known as "Broken Arrow," is operated by contractor Troy Adams.
The tours, conducted on October 17, were led by John Neill, the Operations Manager of the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Facility. Neill announced plans for future tours, emphasizing the public's right to see the horses.
Mustangs at Indian Lakes exhibit a variety of adaptations, with conformation and coloring ranging from pintos to palominos, reflecting breeds like Quarter Horses, Arabs, and Morgans. All horses are available for adoption or sale, although adoptions are processed at facilities like Palomino Valley.
Despite being a short-term facility, some horses have been at Indian Lakes since 2010. The facility can hold 2,850 equines, with current numbers at 2,712 wild horses and 21 burros.
The Numbers
The 320-acre facility has 36 holding pens, each designed for about 100 horses. Seventy-five percent of the horses are mares, with recent transfers including geldings.
Indian Lakes serves as an overflow facility for Palomino Valley, accommodating horses from recent round-ups.
The Past: Has Anything Changed?
Since its closure to the public in 2010, the facility has seen improvements. Originally built for cattle, it was unsuitable for wild horses, leading to numerous deaths. Today, feed troughs are more appropriate, and veterinary care is regularly provided.
Hoof care is conducted weekly, and the facility has addressed issues like tail chewing among young horses.
Even an “Improved” Prison is Still a Prison
Despite improvements, the horses at Indian Lakes endure the trauma of captivity, having been innocent bystanders to range management issues.
Terri Farley is a well-known author and wild horse advocate, contributing to efforts by the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) to protect wild horses.