Roundup Report: The 2022 Sulphur Wild Horse Roundup
The Sulphur Herd Management Area (HMA) spans approximately 265,675 acres in Utah, home to around 600 wild horses. However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maintains an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of just 165 to 250 horses, a figure many argue is unscientifically low. The last roundup in this HMA occurred in 2020. Read our report from the ground and watch a video of the experience.
Despite the ongoing removal of wild horses, the BLM continues to permit thousands of sheep and cattle to graze in nine overlapping allotments. It's time for the BLM to prioritize wild horse habitat management.
One major beneficiary of reduced wild horse numbers in the Sulphur HMA is Tammy Pearson, a Beaver County Commissioner and public lands rancher. Appointed to the BLM's National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, AWHC believes Pearson's position represents a conflict of interest, disqualifying her from serving in any capacity other than representing livestock interests.
This roundup will cost taxpayers at least $311,500 to remove approximately 376 horses. If all are permanently removed, the lifetime cost to house them could reach $18 million. Shayne Sampson is the contractor for this roundup.
Additionally, taxpayers subsidize livestock grazing on public lands, with the federal grazing fee at a historic low of $1.35 per animal per month. Estimates suggest the federal grazing program could cost taxpayers as much as $500 million annually.
Helicopters are scheduled to fly starting on February 8, 2022. We will update this report as the operation progresses.
Roundup Report
ROUNDUP CONCLUDED: 383 WILD HORSES CAPTURED, 11 DEAD.
February 16, 2022
6 wild horses were captured, concluding the roundup.
February 15, 2022
No wild horses were captured, but three deaths occurred:
- An 18-year-old dun stallion broke his neck during sorting.
- A 17-year-old dun stallion was euthanized due to lameness with no recovery prognosis.
- A 7-year-old sorrel stallion, blind in his right eye, was euthanized.
February 14, 2022
27 wild horses were captured with no deaths reported.
February 13, 2022
51 wild horses were rounded up, with one death after a 17-year-old grulla stallion, blind in his left eye, was euthanized. 350 wild horses have been captured so far, with 8 deaths.
February 12, 2022
29 wild horses were captured, with one death after a 9-year-old sorrel mare, blind in her right eye, was euthanized.
February 11, 2022
29 wild horses were removed, with four deaths. The BLM euthanized:
- A 12-year-old dun mare, lame on her left hind leg due to a pre-existing condition.
- A 3-year-old grulla stallion with bad knees on both front legs.
- A 7-year-old grulla stallion with a club foot on his front left leg.
- A 20-year-old dun mare with a large abscess on her chest.
The following report is by Darlene Smith, onsite as an AWHC representative.
We left the Border Inn at 7:00 AM, traveling to a new trap site about 39 miles southeast of Baker, NV. The trap was on the Utah side, and we observed from the Nevada side, over 1.5 miles away, making viewing difficult.
The pilot initially attempted to bring in four horses, but they diverted away. Adjustments were made to the trap wings, and several runs were conducted throughout the day, capturing a total of 29 horses.
We then moved to temporary holding, arriving before the last horses. The horses were calm, fed, and watered, with a vet onsite for inspections.
February 10, 2022
47 wild horses were captured, with one death reported.
The following report is by Darlene Smith, onsite as an AWHC representative.
We departed at 6:30 AM, traveling 47 miles south to the observation site. The trap was nearly a mile from observation, making viewing difficult.
Throughout the day, several runs were conducted, capturing a total of 47 horses. Notable instances included a 2-year-old stud breaking his neck during loading.
We concluded the day at temporary holding, where the horses were calm, fed, and watered.
February 9, 2022
74 wild horses were chased into traps today.
The following report is by Darlene Smith, onsite as an AWHC representative.
We left the Border Inn at 6:30 AM, traveling 36 miles south to the observation site. Several runs were conducted throughout the day, capturing a total of 74 horses.
We concluded the day at temporary holding, where the horses were calm, fed, and watered.
February 8, 2022
120 wild horses were captured, with one euthanized.
The following report is by Darlene Smith, onsite as an AWHC representative.
We began the day early, meeting at the Border Inn on the UT/NV border. Several runs were conducted throughout the day, capturing a total of 120 horses.
Notable instances included a yearling filly being euthanized due to a leg injury. The vet was onsite, assessing the horses.
After the day's operations, we headed to temporary holding, where the horses were calm, fed, and watered.
