US Charity Steps Up to Aid Vieques Island's Wild Horses

A rapidly growing wild horse population on Vieques Island, off mainland Puerto Rico, has prompted the Humane Society of the US (HSUS) to step in and assist with equine welfare. Known for its stunning bioluminescent bays and free-roaming paso fino horses, Vieques faces challenges due to scarce water resources, leading to conflicts between horses and humans.

The Humane Society was approached by Victor Emeric, the mayor of Vieques, seeking help to preserve the island's horses for their intrinsic value and the tourism economy, while maintaining a healthy population level. As the number of horses increases, so do the challenges they face, including high mortality rates during droughts.

Since 2015, the HSUS has been active in Puerto Rico, partnering with the commonwealth's government to enhance animal welfare. This includes training thousands of law enforcement officers in animal cruelty investigations and educating administrators, social workers, and teachers to foster a greater appreciation for animals among schoolchildren. Numerous vaccination and spay/neuter clinics have been conducted across the island.

In November, the HSUS began administering PZP to wild mares in Vieques to prevent annual foaling. The use of PZP in wild horse herds has been extensively studied for over 20 years, proving to be more than 90% effective and safe. This initiative aims to gradually reduce the wild horse population, alleviate human-horse conflicts, and improve the quality of life for the horses. Treated mares will benefit from increased health and longevity, free from the stress of repeated pregnancies in an environment with limited resources.

Additional initiatives include placing water troughs closer to the horses' natural habitats to draw them away from urban areas, reducing vehicle collisions. In January, the HSUS will host a horse festival in Vieques alongside its darting program. The festival targets young horse enthusiasts, offering veterinary services, grooming materials, and educational resources. Concurrently, spay/neuter/vaccine clinics for domestic animals will be held, supported by HSUS advocates who have enabled these programs to benefit Puerto Rico's animals.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the HSUS, expressed the organization's goal to create a "Humane Puerto Rico."

Originally posted by HorseTalk NZ.