Roundup Report: Fox-Lake Range HMA, December 2021
The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) reports on the December 2021 roundup at the Fox-Lake Range Herd Management Area (HMA). This operation, conducted by the Black Rock Field Office, aimed to manage wild horse populations in central Washoe County, Nevada.
Roundup Overview
On or around December 10, 2021, the Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) initiated a wild horse roundup in and around the Fox and Lake Range Herd Management Area (HMA), located approximately 60 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The Fox-Lake range encompasses 172,692 acres of BLM land and 5,032 acres of mixed private and other public lands, totaling 177,724 acres.
The BRFO allocated tax dollars to remove approximately 88 wild horses, eliminate around 20 "excess" wild horses, and treat and release about 40 mares. The released mares were treated with the untested Gona-Con Equine fertility control.
The contractors for the operation were Cattoor Livestock.
Roundup Report
ROUNDUP CONCLUDED: 81 wild horses captured, 4 deaths.
December 16, 2021
No wild horses were captured today, but there were two deaths:
- A 20+-year-old stallion was euthanized by BLM due to a "pre-existing chronic injury" noted as lameness.
- An 18-year-old bay roan mare was euthanized by BLM for having colic.
December 15, 2021
27 wild horses were captured, with no deaths or injuries reported.
December 14, 2021
19 wild horses were captured, and there was one death after the BLM euthanized a 3-year-old mare for a "pre-existing" fracture.
December 13, 2021
No wild horses were captured today, but cows and a burro were observed when leaving the area.
December 12, 2021
No wild horses were captured today.
The observation point was the same as the previous day. No horses were seen, and after waiting about four hours, the operation was called off for the day.
Access to the temporary holding area was restricted as it is located on private land.
December 11, 2021
Approximately 36 mustangs lost their freedom today, and there was one death after a 25-year-old bay stallion was euthanized following a leg fracture while attempting to escape the trap.
Three members of the public were present on-site for the operation, placed approximately 1/4 mile away from the trap. Temperatures remained in the 40s throughout the day.
The first group of horses entered the trap without issue. However, during the second run, eight horses escaped, with two going through a flagged barbed wire fence. Several stallions attempted to escape over the trap panels.
After several attempts, three horses were eventually trapped, and another was roped. One horse was chased by helicopter and horseback until it crossed the road, at which point the pursuit was abandoned.