Roundup Report: The Wild Horses of the Wyoming Checkerboard
Roundup Report: The Wild Horses of the Wyoming Checkerboard
The Checkerboard region in Wyoming includes five separate Herd Management Areas
(HMAs): Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, Great Divide Basin, White Mountain, and Little Colorado, spanning 3.4
million acres. The BLM’s unscientifically low Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the HMAs – the number of
horses the agency claims the range can sustainably support in conjunction with other animals and resource uses –
is just 1,550–2,165 horses. This population limit was established based on the allocation of 91% of available
forage in these areas to cattle and sheep, privately owned by the Rock Springs Grazing Association.
The BLM’s plan for the horses would reduce their numbers to the low AML of 1,550, at a density of 1 horse per 2,217 acres. The BLM’s plan would permanently remove 3,555 wild horses—or nearly 50 percent of the state’s total wild horse population—making this the largest wild horse roundup and removal operation in the Program’s history.
It is time for the BLM to manage wild horse habitat for the wild horses.
Photo by Kimerlee Curyl
Between three contracts (here, here, and here), this roundup will cost taxpayers at least $1.23 million to round up roughly 4,300 beloved horses from the Checkerboard. Of that, only approximately 800 are planned for return to the HMAs, so the removal will also incur a lifetime cost of approximately $175 million to house the remaining 3,555 horses for the remainder of their lives in government holding corrals. The contractors for this roundup are Cattoor Livestock Roundup Inc. and Shayne Sampson.
On top of that, taxpayers foot the bill for federally subsidized livestock grazing on public lands as well. The federal grazing fee remains at its historic low of $1.35 per animal per month. That’s a steep discount, thanks to the taxpayer subsidies that prop up this federal entitlement program. (Estimates indicate that the overall cost to taxpayers for the federal grazing program could be as much as $500 million annually.)
Helicopters are scheduled to fly starting on October 7, 2021. We will update this report as the operation progresses.
ROUNDUP REPORT
January 17, 2022: 117 wild horses were rounded up today.
On the final day of the Checkerboard roundup, we arrived at the observation point at 8:15 am and were at the same trap site as yesterday.
The helicopter could be seen shortly after at 8:30 am coming from the south with a group of around 15 horses, with an additional group of 15 horses coming from the west.
At 8:40, the first group of around 15 was in the trap, and the second group followed shortly after at 9:00 with a lone horse that was left behind and couldn't keep up.
The horse, known as "Jonah" to those who follow the White Mountain horses, was eventually driven toward the trap and cantered in at 9:03 am despite his large knees. I was later told he would be euthanized due to his knees.
Twenty minutes later, at 9:23, another group of 35-40 came from over a large ridge to the south of the trap.
They were trapped at 9:52, and then the helicopter left and wasn't seen again until almost 2 hours later at 11:43 with a large group of over 60. This group could be observed coming toward the trap at a trot, likely from having been driven from such a long distance. They were trapped at 12:09, marking the conclusion of the roundup.
I made it to temporary holding around 4:30. I was told there were no deaths or injuries, though some horses would be euthanized the following day (1/18), including the horse 'Jonah' with the large knee and the mare with the unknown condition that did not improve and was brought in yesterday.
Sixty-three stallions are supposed to be released on 1/18, with an additional 3 due to having over-caught 120 horses from the 117 needed to finish out the roundup.
Mares treated with PZP are likely to be released on the following Friday or Saturday (1/21-1/22), with an undetermined release date for the mares treated with IUDs.
January 16, 2022: 134 horses were captured. There were no deaths.
The following report is from photographer Somer McCain, who is onsite as a representative for AWHC.
Today we arrived at the observation point at 8:10 am. The site was approximately half a mile away from the trap and across a highway. The trap itself was behind a ridge with limited visibility, but the entirety of the jute funnel could be seen from observation.
The runs:
- At 9:17, the helicopter could first be seen west-southwest at a distance, moving multiple groups east toward the trap. The helicopter made its way south of the trap before combining groups and moving a large group of around 30 into the trap at 9:40. Some horses can be observed to be sweaty in photos.
- After the helicopter went south of the trap, it appeared again at 9:59 and ultimately brought in 40-50 horses at 10:07. The helicopter grounded after this until it left again at 11:18 and headed west.
- The helicopter finally returned to view at 12:33 and around 25-30 were finally driven into the trap at 12:59. Shortly after the horses were in the trap, two wranglers were sent out to retrieve a mare that was left behind and not able to keep up. She was roped and brought into the trap at 1:07. At holding, I was told there was something off with the mare, but the vet couldn't determine what exactly was wrong with her at that time.
- At 2:08, the helicopter could then be seen again and brought in around 30-40 horses at 2:19.
- After, the helicopter went off near the trap behind a ridge and flew low as though they were looking for something or checking an area but ultimately landed 10 minutes after driving horses into the trap.
After the helicopter landed for the day, we headed to temporary holding, which was north of the trap in Farson, WY. On the way, a single bay horse could be seen from the highway looking toward it as though he had seen the recently caught trailered horses that had just traveled north. This horse was found not far north of the trap and may have been separated from his herd during the roundup.
Once at holding around 5 pm, we were told 134 horses had been caught with no deaths and only the roped mare with a currently unknown condition. All pens were relatively calm.
The roundup is expected to conclude on 1/17, with a small chance it may last an additional day with a new trap site. All stallions will be released the following day after the conclusion of the roundup.
January 15, 2022: 95 wild horses were rounded up and removed. There were 4 deaths; however, the BLM only listed out the reasoning for 3 of the horses which they euthanized for having clubbed feet (a non-life-threatening condition).
January 14, 2022: 132 wild horses were captured today and there were no deaths reported.
January 13, 2022: 24 wild horses were captured and there were 5 deaths; however, the BLM only gave reasoning for 3 of the horses which they euthanized for having clubbed feet (a non-life-threatening condition).
January 12, 2022: 62 wild horses were captured and there were 3 deaths: The BLM euthanized 2 horses with broken legs and 1 horse in "poor condition."
January 11, 2022: 48 wild horses were captured and there was 1 death: BLM euthanized a mare with "bad knees."
January 10, 2022: 40 wild horses were captured and there were 4 deaths: A 14-year-old mare was euthanized by BLM for being blind, an 8-year-old stallion was euthanized by BLM due to a "pre-existing" broken leg, and a 3-year-old stallion and 3-year-old mare were euthanized by BLM for having clubbed feet, a non-life-threatening condition.
January 9, 2022: 50 (20 Mares, 17 Stallions, 13 Foals) were rounded up and removed.
AWHC did not have an observer onsite today.
January 8, 2022: 107 horses -- 50 mares, 37 stallions, 20 foals -- were captured.
The following report is by Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places, who is on the ground for AWHC.
AWHC's field representative was one of two members of the public onsite and was placed approximately 1 mile from the trap site, which was hidden because it was located in a gully.
We met the BLM at 7:00 am at a truck stop in Farson, WY. We arrived at the observation site at 7:50 am. The temperature stayed at approximately 16° all day. The first run was at 10:30 with the last run at 2:30, bringing in groups of 10-20 at a time. Sorrel and bay seem to be the colors out here, although I did see a pinto or two.
January 7, 2022: 112 horses —49 mares, 39 stallions, 27 foals were captured and no deaths were reported today.
The following report is by Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places, who is on the ground for AWHC.
AWHC's field representative was the only member of the public onsite and was placed approximately 1 mile from the trap site, which was hidden because it was located in a gully.
It was 13° after bringing in the first big group of horses at 10:30 am. The helicopter flew northwest. He was gone until 12:45 p.m. At this time, the helicopter zoomed back to the trap location to refuel, then sped out again. Ten minutes later, he was pushing two small groups of horses towards the trap location. At first, I saw a single horse walking exhaustedly, rapid breaths of steam puffing out of his nostrils. He was too tired to even trot. Then another horse caught up with him, and they just kept walking.
A band of horses behind them was also walking, and for a minute, they all stopped in the road to bunch together and rest while the helicopter continued to circle and hover. They stammered a bit and began trotting behind the first two. Because the helicopter was gone for so long, he must have been pushing these horses for many miles. By the time they got close to the trap, they were clearly exhausted. I could not see if they were sweaty.
When the tired group of horses was brought to the trap, two wranglers appeared on horseback with lassos. Because all the trap activity was hidden from our view, I heard from BLM later that day that one of the colts from this group decided he didn’t want to enter the trap wings, so he promptly climbed a small hill. After the colt's family had entered the trap, that’s when the wranglers brought him in.
At temporary holding, viewing the horses is nearly impossible except for ears and hooves. It’s completely taped in tan canvas. I was allowed to take pictures through small openings in the canvas. Fresh water and hay were available. Horses were not agitated. A vet was on site.
We went to the Rock Springs Holding Corrals to see the 39 mares who had been captured on Day 1, January 6. They were all huddled close together, confused, scared, and a few times turned to look at me with desperation in their eyes; almost pleading, it seemed. They are absolutely stunning mares, many sorrels with white blazes and long flaxen manes.
January 6, 2022: 119 wild horses captured, 4 dead: One horse died after suffering a broken back, and the BLM euthanized 3 more: a horse with a clubbed foot (non-lethal condition), a horse with a broken leg, and a horse with a sway back (non-lethal condition).
The following report is by Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places, who is on the ground for AWHC.
AWHC's field representative was one of three members of the public onsite. We were placed approximately 1 mile away from the trap site, which was hidden down in a gully. Only a few feet of the wings of the jute chute were visible from the observation point.
The whole day lasted maybe 3 hours. The helicopter brought in 3-4 big groups each time.
At temporary holding, we received a tour by a BLM representative. He explained that the mares in one of the pens will be returned back to the range via an IUD implant. The stallions to be returned were in a pen by themselves. We were pleased to see no high-strung behavior and no injuries or problems observed.
January 4, 2022
The following report is by Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places, who is on the ground for AWHC.
There were no roundup operations today. Yesterday I was informed by BLM WY that roundup operations were scheduled to resume today. I received no email notice last evening regarding the roundup, details, or whether operations would be canceled due to the Rock Springs Severe Weather Alert today through Wednesday.At 10:30 AM today, I finally received an email from BLM on resuming operations in the White Mountain and Little Colorado HMAs in the next few days. So I paid a visit to the Rock Springs Holding Facility where most of the mares who were captured from the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek, and Adobe Town HMAs wander aimlessly or stand around, the light in their eyes fading with their heads hanging low. The foal pen is small, packed with young ones who have a lot of energy and need to run. I watched one dynamic colt race around, darting back and forth, back and forth. Now that’s a stallion in the making. If only he was still wild and free. They all deserve to be.
December 3, 2021: 144 wild horses were captured today and no deaths were reported.
The following report is from photographer Somer McCain, who is onsite as a representative for AWHC.
Today we arrived at temporary holding at 8:15 to wait while the new trap was set. We were placed approximately .7 miles southeast of the trap. We had a mostly obstructed view and little could be seen. As we waited, a lone stallion could be seen on the other side of the fence from temporary holding, staring at the remaining horses from yesterday’s operation. Minutes after we left temporary holding and arrived at our observation site at 9:00, the new trap offered limited visibility aside from horses occasionally coming up on a ridge near it and when making their way into the trap.
By 9:18, a large group of around 25 was trapped, and the helicopter was gone again, only to return at 10:00 with a large group of approximately 25 that was trapped at 10:10. After that, the helicopter landed to refuel, and horses were trailered out to make room for more.
The helicopter was up again by 11:50 and was driving multiple large groups toward the trap by 12:55. As horses were coming toward the trap, groups scattered, with some going on a ridge above the trap, and an older black foal got separated from its group and began to run along the jute funnel. The foal eventually took off with a group and headed south away from the trap. A couple of horses could be seen running north of the trap that were on the opposite side of the fence.
Within the next hour, 3 separate large groups were driven into the trap, and the helicopter headed back to temporary holding to call it a day at 1:40.
By 4:35, I made it to temporary holding where I was told a total of 144 horses were captured, including one branded domestic horse. There were 2 horses with pre-existing injuries that included a young swaybacked mare and a stallion with an enlarged knee. They were not euthanized and are supposed to be shipped out with others.
December 2, 2021: 69 wild horses were captured and there were no deaths reported.
The following report is from photographer Somer McCain, who is onsite as a representative for AWHC.
AWHC’s field rep was the only member of the public onsite today to document the removal of the Adobe Town wild horses.
We arrived at the observation site at 7:45, which was the same location as 11/30 and 12/1.
At 8:43, the helicopter could be heard coming from the north, pushing 3 large separate groups of horses with a group of pronghorns in between. Five minutes later, a large combined group broke off and headed west from the trap.
At 8:58, a group of 5 made it into the trap. The remaining large group was resisting the pressures of the helicopter and scattered. At 9:08, around 25 were ultimately driven into the trap.
The helicopter landed at 9:10, then took flight again 10 minutes later and took off going east of the trap. The helicopter didn't make an appearance again until 11:20 when it could be heard, and then at 11:33 when it could be seen far south of the trap. At 11:50, multiple groups of horses could be seen, with a smaller group of 6 breaking off and heading north toward the observation site and a group of around 10 that were driven into the trap.
The helicopter then went north to turn the smaller group of 6 back toward the trap, and they made it into the trap at 11:58. The helicopter landed at 12:00 and was back up 10 minutes after heading west.
At 1:56, the helicopter was visible east of the trap driving a large group over a ridge. After making it near the funnel, the horses broke off into one group that headed west and the other going north. The northern group was circled back around, and approximately 15 were driven into the trap, creating large dust clouds.
When driving the remaining 5 horses back at 2:20, a grey mare and foal broke off while the other 3 made it into the trap. The mare and foal were both highly resistant to the helicopter trying to move them back toward the trap and were eventually separated, with someone roping the foal at 2:28 and the mare brought in alone at 2:30. After an additional wrangler was sent out to assist with the foal, they made it back to the trap at 2:40, and we were done for the day.
At temporary holding, there were no visible injuries and we were told there were none. There were 2 rangers and Kevin Lloyd with us.
The horses were calm and had plenty of room today. I noticed the pen that was crowded yesterday (the proposed release pen) was empty, and they said they had moved them to Rock Springs so they'd have more room to move around. I did go to Rock Springs and verified they were there.
October 21, 2021: 68 captured today, no injuries or deaths.
The following report is from photographer Carol Walker, who is onsite as a representative for AWHC.
As usual, I could not see the trap or the run into the trap - my view was completely blocked by a ridge. I could hear the foals whinnying. I could see horses being chased by the helicopter in front of me or horses running if they escaped, but that was it. I was told that the new criterion is if the horses running into the trap could possibly see us, that is not okay. After the run of bad publicity surrounding recent Cattoor roundups in Nevada and Colorado, it appears that the Cattoors are intent on shielding their activities from the public, and the WY BLM is just going along with it. Observers at other roundups with other contractors are being given good views of the trap and approach to it. The BLM is preventing meaningful observation.
I was the only member of the public to observe today. My view and the trap were on the other side of the ridge.
The runs:
- Two groups of horses moving near the road on my way in - they were among the first groups into the bowl. But they evaded capture for a little while, then ultimately went in - two grays, one a stallion and the rest sorrels. Then a dun foal about 2 months old was spotted, and the helicopter went over and set down, waiting for wranglers to ride out to get him. The wrangler rode quietly over to intercept him - the foal looked and then took off. The wrangler went around him and drove him toward the trap. Hopefully, by now, the foal has found his mom.
- Three more groups were driven into the trap. Then we saw the helicopter moving very slowly behind the ridge. It took quite a while to work down to where we could see the horses he was behind. A dappled gray stallion, a palomino mare, and a 6-month-old cremello foal. At first, I thought they just were not afraid of the helicopter, but then I became increasingly concerned for the mare. She moved very slowly. The foal did not want to leave her behind, although his step was lively. The stallion was out front, ready to lead the way. They made painfully slow progress toward the trap, the helicopter hanging back, not pushing hard.
After the slow group went in, three bachelor stallions came running in, a bay, a sorrel bay, and a black stallion veered off.
There was a big family that was driven toward the trap, and a blaze-faced foal stopped and was left behind. Then the family was driven into the trap. One of the helicopters went and found the blaze-faced foal. He was slowly moving him toward the trap, and a wrangler rode out and finally ended up roping and bringing the foal in.
The helicopter brought in a gorgeous buckskin stallion and a black wild horse. The black horse looked tired but ran in.
Then one helicopter started chasing a gorgeous black mare, her buckskin foal, a chocolate two-year-old, and a bay stallion. They scattered before going behind the ridge, and the stallion ran off. The three were driven into the trap, and the stallion turned and ran by me.
Then a group of 4 with a sorrel mare and foal and a black mare and stallion were driven into the trap.
After the helicopters were done for the day, the mares and foals were loaded up and shipped to Rock Springs. I saw the little dun foal that had to be roped, and he had not found his mom - he was all alone, looking bewildered as the mares churned around him.
The beautiful buckskin who lost his family and freedom today.
The bay stallion fighting for his freedom.
The wranglers moving cattle out of the trap site.
October 14, 2021: Operations were resumed today and 26 wild horses were captured.
October 13, 2021: No operation was conducted today. The horses experienced a small reprieve.
October 12, 2021: No operation was conducted today. The horses experienced a small reprieve.
October 11, 2021: Today the BLM captured 76 horses (45 mares, 21 foals, 10 stallions).
To date, 44 horses (74 mares, 37 foals, 33 stallions) have lost their freedom in the largest wild horse roundup in BLM history.
111 horses (71 mares, 20 foals, 20 stallions) have been shipped to the Rock Springs or Wheatland Wild Horse Corrals.
Photo by Lynn Hanson
There is currently a winter storm warning in Rock Springs and in Bitter Creek, WY, the actual location of the observation/trap site in the Great Divide Basin. Wind at 50+ mph and snow all day, accumulation 1-3 inches.
October 10, 2021: Today AWHC had two observers on-site, Scott Wilson of Wilson Axpe Photographer and Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places. We were located about 1.5 miles from the trap site. The BLM claims the private landowners refused viewing access and the public parcel closer to the trap site was "inaccessible."
Two runs were completed before the operations were paused because of wind. In the first run, a bay escaped just before the jute but stayed hanging around outside of the pen, looking at his herd mates. On the second run, the lead stallion turned his band around no less than 4 times inside the jute in repeated attempts to escape the final run before they were eventually driven into the trap.
Operations ended up being suspended because of the wind.
October 9, 2021: The helicopters did not fly today due to high winds. Zero wild horses were captured.
October 8, 2021: 34 wild horses were captured and there were no injuries or deaths reported.
AWHC's representative Lynn Hanson was the only observer on-site today on the second day of the enormous Checkerboard wild horse roundup. The operation took place in the same areas as the day before, located in the Great Divide Basin HMA. It was a long day which resulted in 34 wild horses losing their freedom. Unfortunately, the band of horses we called "Defiant 5" were captured today.
October 7, 2021: 9 wild horses were captured and there were no injuries or deaths reported.
Today was the first day of the largest wild horse roundup in Program history. Our field representative, Lynn Hanson of Wild Horses Wild Places, was one of eight observers on site. The weather was a mixture of clouds, rain, and fog. At the location, the observation point was almost a mile away, as usual, with the trap site completely obscured by a ridge. The length of jute fencing to the trap was short, so what our field representative did see as far as any horses running to the trap was brief.
The runs:
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A small family of 3 was run in by the Judas horse (a trained domestic horse that leads the mustangs into the trap), but as you will see in the short video, they split away from the Judas horse and climbed a hill.
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The helicopter went back out to find them and unfortunately did succeed at bringing them in.
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Another impressive band of five ... who our field representative called the Defiant 5, were chased up and down rocky hills and terrain for about an hour. The helicopters made numerous attempts to drive them in, but every time they got near the trap site, the horses brilliantly split up and ran in different directions. This happened over and over.
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Finally, the contractor gave up and they called it a day.
Our field representative went to see the gorgeous black stallion with the extremely long mane and his family, along with the family of three at the temporary holding pens, which were set up right off Interstate 80. From our representative:
All I kept thinking was not more than an hour ago these horses were enjoying their lives in the most beautiful landscape you have ever seen. And just like that, their lives changed drastically. This beautiful family got split up from one another, separated in small iron pens, crying out to each other amidst the roaring engine noise of the freeway.