WINNEMUCCA, NEV (BLM)  – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District concluded the Tri-State Calico Complex wild horse and burro gather on Monday, Jan. 9. The preliminary numbers for the animals gathered are 1,203 excess wild horses and 142 excess wild burros gathered from the HMAs, located northeast of Gerlach, Nev., and northwest of Winnemucca, Nev., within Humboldt and Washoe counties. Of those gathered, some stallions and mares were released back to the range after the mares received a 22-month fertility control vaccine treatment.

“The gather was a success and significant strides have been made on the public rangelands with the removal of excess wild horse and burros,” said District Manager Gene Seidlitz. “In turn, we now have a better balance with wildlife, livestock, and wild horse and burros. During this gather, the BLM provided a transparent and safe opportunity to the American public, to take time to observe and interact with the BLM staff to gain additional insight and information about the BLM’s management of wild horses.”

The gather started on Nov. 19. The gathered wild horses have been transported to the Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nev., and the majority of wild burros were transported to Broken Arrow/Indian Lakes Facility at Fallon, Nev., where they will be prepared for the BLM adoption program. Un-adopted horses will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanly cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

The Complex consisted of approximately 584,000 acres (public and private) but the gather area consisted of approximately 1,041,000 acres to encompass wild horses and burros residing outside of the HMAs. The Complex included the following HMAs: Black Rock Range East, Black Rock Range West, Calico Mountains, Granite Range, Warm Springs Canyon, and McGee Mountain.

Removing the excess wild horses and wild burros will help to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship as required under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as well as help to achieve and maintain healthy wild horse and burro populations.

For more information, contact Lisa Ross, BLM Winnemucca District public affairs specialist, at 775-304-8850 or lross@blm.gov. ]]> http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13554/feed 5 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:26:54 +0000 steven http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/?p=13521

BLM to Begin Pancake Complex Wild Horse Gather

This new way of managing large herd management area (HMA) complexes involves conducting three to four gathers over a six to 10 year period instead of one much larger removal in order to reach AML. The project involves smaller removals and increased use of population controls to slow the wild horse population growth rate. The Pancake Complex, which is located approximately 30 miles west of Ely and 80 miles northeast of Tonopah, Nevada, currently has an estimated wild horse population of 2,200, of which an estimated 1,847 are in excess of low AML. The initial operation will remove approximately 800-1,000 excess wild horses from the Complex.

The Pancake HMA has an AML of 240-493 wild horses, but currently has a population of more than 1,653 wild horses; the Sand Springs West HMA has an AML of 49 wild horses and a population of 153 wild horses; the Jakes Wash Herd Area (HA), which is managed for 0 wild horses has a population of 132 wild horses; and 270 wild horses in the Monte Cristo Wild Horse Territory (WHT) where the AML is 72-96 wild horses. The current wild horse population estimates include the 2011 foal crop. Wild horse numbers fluctuate between the HMAs, HA and WHT, based on seasonal movement.

The gather and removal of excess wild horses, and implementation of population control measures for horses that would be released are intended to slow wild horse population growth, maintain population size within the appropriate management levels necessary to achieve a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands and to extend the time before another gather to remove excess wild horses would be needed.

Public lands within the HMAs and WHT will be open to the public during the gather operations, subject to necessary safety restrictions. The public is welcome to attend the gather, and is encouraged to attend on Saturdays, when the media and public will have enhanced opportunities to view gather activities. The BLM has tentatively scheduled the dates of January 14, 21 and 28; and February 4, 11, and 18. The dates are subject to change depending upon weather and gather operations, and the public is encouraged to check the gather hotline nightly (775-289-1880) for changes in the schedule. Saturdays will provide visitors more opportunity to interact with BLM staff and could include escorted opportunities to observe the animals at the gather and holding corrals. For more information or to sign up, call Analise Forbush, BLM Ely District administrative assistant, at (775) 289-1866. The BLM will also regularly post gather information on its website at: www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office.html.

The gather will be conducted in close coordination with the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s (NDOA) Brands Division. The NDOA brand inspectors will verify that all gathered animals are wild horses and burros as defined by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Once verified, the brand inspector will provide the BLM a certificate to transport the animals.

Without this cooperation and coordination, the BLM would not be able to remove the excess wild horses and burros which, if not removed in a timely manner, would result in degradation of our native rangelands. The NDOA also may take jurisdiction of any estray, branded or abandoned domestic horse(s) under the State of Nevada estray laws.

The gathered animals will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nev., and the Gunnison Prison Wild Horse Facility in Gunnison, Utah, where they will be offered for adoption to qualified individuals. Un-adopted horses will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

For more information, contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist, at (775) 289-1842 or chris_hanefeld@blm.gov. The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. ]]> http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/13521/feed 1 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/12624 http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/12624#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:59:00 +0000 steven http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/?p=12624  

GEORGETOWN, TX (Mustang Heritage Foundation) – the first Extreme Mustang Makeover Team Roping. The event is designed to show the trainability of Mustangs and their ability to successfully compete in roping events. The wild American Mustangs previously untouched by humans will begin training for the competition in May. The Extreme Mustang Makeover Team Roping will be held August 31- September 1 at the Wildfire Arena in Salado, Texas. It will be held in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Resistol Roping.

Applications are due April 2, 2012. An estimated $30,000 in prize money will be up for grabs to the top 10 placing trainers. All Mustangs competing in the Extreme Mustang Makeover Team Roping will be available for adoption on September 1 following the competition. The competition will consist of four classes – steer stopping, heeling, team roping (option to head or heel) and a maneuvers class to display the reining ability of the horse. In addition to competing for an estimated $30,000 purse, trainers will also receive 50 percent of the adoption price above the $200 minimum. Mustangs will be randomly assigned to approved trainers and will be picked up from the Bureau of Land Management facility in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, in May.

“Our trainers have showcased the talents of Mustangs as roping partners for years, and this event will allow them to focus on roping more specifically to display the athletic ability and intelligence of American Mustangs,” said Patti Colbert, Mustang Heritage Foundation executive director.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (www.blm.gov) created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events to highlight the recognized value of Mustangs through a national training competition. The events give the public a unique opportunity to see the results of wild horses becoming trained mounts and then have the chance to adopt one of these treasured animals.

Since the inception of the Extreme Mustang Makeover events in 2007, the Mustang Heritage Foundation has placed more than 3,000 Mustangs, and an estimated 100,000 fans have filled the stands and walked the barns of events held across the United States. For more information on the

-MORE-

Extreme Mustang Makeover Team Roping or other Extreme Mustang Makeover events, visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com. For more information on the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s adoption programs, visit www.mustangheritagefoundation.org.

Date                                        Event – City, State                 

January 19-21, 2012                Mustang Magic – Fort Worth, Texas 

March 31, 2012                       Supreme Extreme Mustang Adoption – Fort Worth, Texas

April 20-22, 2012                    Extreme Mustang Makeover – Madison, Wisconsin

May 18-20, 2012                     Extreme Mustang Makeover – Norco, California

June 8-10, 2012                       Extreme Mustang Makeover – Ft. Collins, Colorado

June 29-July1, 2012                Extreme Mustang Makeover – Albany, Oregon

August 10-12, 2012                Extreme Mustang Makeover – Gloucester County, New Jersey

August 31-Sept 1, 2012          Extreme Mustang Makeover Roping Edition – Salado, Texas

September 13-15, 2012           Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover – Fort Worth, Texas

October 19-21, 2012               Extreme Mustang Makeover – Clemson, South Carolina

Photo by Laura Leigh, Horseback Magazine

HOUSTON, (WHFF) – Two actions brought into Federal Court by Laura Leigh, Founder of Wild Horse Education (WHE) and VP of Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) moved forward this week.

Litigation filed referencing First Amendment claims against the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Interior that addresses areas of discriminatory access, and access denied, to document the governments care or lack there of wild herds will be heard on January 9 in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This case began in 2010 and addresses repetitive conduct by the Defendants toward hiding actions from public scrutiny.

Plaintiff Leigh contends that the activities addressed in that case are ongoing to date. Leigh says “the games continue.”

“If government becomes committed to silencing those voices of opposition, or to hiding their actions to avoid opposition,” states Leigh’s attorney Gordon Cowan of Reno “we have truly entered into dangerous times.”

This case has been signed on through Amicus brief by both the Reporters Committee for a Free Press and the National Press Photographers Association. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching ramifications into the ability of the American Press to address issues that create controversial conversation in the public sphere.

In Leigh’s other ongoing action against the Agency, that has become known as the “Humane action” case, the BLM has published their reply to the Court.

The agency’s defense includes statements that challenge Leigh’s right to address the actions she witnessed (including a helicopter skid striking a horse), and the timeliness of her claim, yet fail to address any measures the Agency has taken to rectify the situations that cause such activity to occur.

“It is so absurd that an agency tasked with humane care of our wild herds by Congress has no standard of care and consequence for violation. Instead it is left up to a citizen to address the issue in a Courtroom,” said Leigh “And even after we gain a TRO (temporary restraining order) the agency still will argue my right to call them on inappropriate behavior instead of addressing it. It’s like dealing with a very naughty child.”

The Complaint filed by Leigh addresses conduct that was clearly demonstrated at the Triple B roundup earlier this year in eastern Nevada. The conduct addressed has been documented on many occasions at other operations by the agency.

“The amount of work required to obtain documentation and then format it into appropriate action to create meaningful change is incredible,” states Leigh “We are talking about two simple premises here: handle our horses with care and demonstrate accountability to the public. Why is this so difficult to accomplish within the agency tasked, and paid, to do exactly that?”

Leigh and her attorney will be filing their response to the Court before Thanksgiving.

“Leigh is working diligently in both field and research,” states equine author R.T. Fitch and President of WHFF “and the commitment of Ms. Leigh, WHFF and the American public to see this through to a positive outcome has never been stronger.”

Links of interest:

http://WildHorseEducation.org

http://WildHorseFreedomFederation.org

Video:

Horse hit with helicopter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObXB0Wq3nRE

Orphan and hotshot use
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPi7emkvWLg

Foal chased and roped
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyM9a11ihLs

Clips of denied or discriminatory Access
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2p3KwmgJ6I

Tuesday, November 2, 2011, the U.S. District Court in Wyoming granted the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) and our coalition partners,The Cloud Foundation (TCF) and the International Society for the Protection of Mustang and Burros (ISPMB), the right to intervene in the lawsuit filed by the Rock Springs Grazing Association (RSGA) against the U.S. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The court decision gives AWHPC, TCF and ISPMB the right to vigorously defend Wyoming’s mustangs against the RSGA’s attempts to remove all wild horses from a 2 million-acre swath of public land in southern Wyoming. We will mount this aggressive defense because we know that the federal government will not — especially since the Interior Department itself advised the grazing association to file this litigation as a way to get Congress to appropriate more funding for wild horse roundups and removals!

This lawsuit epitomizes what our wild horse herds are up against in all 10 Western states — it is one battle that we simply cannot afford to lose. But we need your help to continue this fight for the mustangs!

HOUSTON, (WHFF) – An amended complaint was filed yesterday, September 8^th 2011, in Federal District Court Reno, Nevada. The action was filed by attorney Gordon Cowan on behalf of Plaintiff Laura Leigh, Founder of Wild Horse Education (WHE) and Vice President of Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF), against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of Interior (DOI) asserting allegations of inhumane treatment of wild horses at roundups.

The amended Complaint comes after a Temporary Restraining Order was issued to inhumane helicopter pilot conduct at the Triple B roundup in Eastern Nevada. That decision was rendered more than a week ago by Federal Judge H. McKibben. The BLM has yet to directly address the ruling. Instead the BLM simply released a report completed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) which claims that conduct is acceptable, but cautions helicopters to keep their distance, on the same day the Court ruled.

“This is the exact conduct that the Court found distressing,” said Leigh “Instead of saying ‘there is something wrong and this is how we have fixed it’ they continue to deny that there are any issues by simply ignoring the obvious consequences of their operations.”

On September 10^th, tomorrow, the same agency, the same contractor and perhaps the same pilot will begin another roundup at Barren Valley in Oregon.

“Another roundup and still no clear parameters for conduct” stated R.T. Fitch President and co-founder of WHFF “once again it’s full steam ahead for the BLM’s Wild Horse Harvesting Machine regardless of an Order given by a Federal Court. I am neither surprised nor am I amused”

Viewing opportunities at the Barren Valley Roundup will be limited to ten observers that must obtain BLM approval to be added to the attendance roster. It has been reported that the agency has not returned calls made by concerned individuals attempting to be included on the listing.

In addition the BLM is a defendant in a First Amendment suit also brought by Leigh that is now in the Ninth Circuit. The suit alleges that discriminatory access, and limited access, to avoid public review of their actions is commonplace within the management of Wild Horses on public lands.

###

Wild Horse Freedom Federation

(WHFF

) is a registered, Texas non-profit corporation with 501c3 status pending.  WHFF puts people between America’s wild equids and extinction through targeted litigation against governmental agencies whose documented agendas include the eradication of wild horses and burros from public, federal and state lands. WHFF is funded exclusively through the generosity of the American public.

Links of Interest:

Wild Horse Education ~ http://wildhorseeducation.org

Wild Horse Freedom Federation ~ http://www.wildhorsefreedom.org

Video of horse being hit ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObXB0Wq3nRE

Straight from the Horse’s Heart Blog ~ http://rtfitch.wordpress.com

Laura Leigh’s Blog ~ http://artandhorseslauraleigh.wordpress.com/

Equine Welfare Alliance ~ http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org

RENO, (Wild Horse Education) – Wild Horse Education has published the draft report on operations at the Triple B roundup in Nevada.

The report contains photographs and video of the roundup during foaling season that has already taken the lives of 9 horses. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) “gather report” claims these foal deaths have been due to abnormalities in the young horses. Documentation obtained shows otherwise.

“The development of the foals I have seen ar
e all within normal range,” says Laura Leigh, founder/President of Wild Horse Education and VP of Wild Horse Freedom Federation “Joint development in young foals has a broad range of normal. None of the foals I was actually able to observe showed any fatal abnormality other than inflammation and damage from a run that never should have been allowed to happen.”

Other issues with this roundup include over driving, poor loading, lack of appropriate amounts of water and lack of public assessment opportunity.

Report can be downloaded for printing and faxing to Congress at:

http://WildHorseEducation.org

or here: http://wildhorseeducation.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/draftreport_tripleb_leigh.pdf

In Reno, Nevada on July 29-31, 2011

Photo by Steven Long,      PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO (Parelli) – Just three days to start eight gathered mustangs under saddle might sound like a time crunch to some people, but to horseman Pat Parelli, it sounds like all the time in the world.  Parelli, along with a team of seven Parelli Professionals, will demonstrate the techniques of natural horse taming at this once-in-a-lifetime event in Reno, Nevada on July 29-31, 2011.

“Wild horse taming and colt starting, done naturally – in a way that makes sense to the horse, should be beautiful, educational and exciting,” says Parelli. “Starting young horses is not about having a timeline. It is about taking the time it takes so that it takes less time.”

Audience members and live webcast viewers for the Reno event will have a firsthand glimpse as the horsemen start a group of wild mustangs provided in cooperation from the Bureau of Land Management and the Mustang Heritage Foundation. The Parelli team will guide eight wild mustangs through a critical taming phase that will show attendees the how’s and why’s of taming and then starting horses to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success. 

“Taming and starting colts are two distinct phases. To be successfully started, a horse must be tamed first. For some horses this happens within minutes of birth, for some horses they actually never get tamed, even though they progress through discipline specific training and this is where oftentimes you see horses labeled as crazy,”says Parelli.

Riding herd and giving guidance from outside the round pen, Parelli will fan the flames of learning as he passes down the wit and wisdom given to him from his mentors Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance and Ronnie Willis. Linda Parelli will present a special segment on the unique personalities of horses, dubbed Horsenality^TM and how horse training can be made more effective when tailored to the unique characteristics of individual horses.

“If you think wild horse taming applies only to old cowboys and mountain men who have plenty of guts, brawn and stamina, think again. While this event gives guidance on how to build a natural foundation for success when working with the mustangs, it can teach volumes about developing your abilities with horses at any stage of training,” says Parelli.

Overall, Wild Horse Taming Naturally will teach you how to find the sweet ending note each time you work on simple ground manners or in the round pen so that your horse eagerly asks, “You coming back again tomorrow?” Parelli predicts that most, if not all of the mustangs will have their first rides by the conclusion of the event and may even be trailer loading like seasoned mounts. While some may consider it a magical feat to accomplish so much in such a short period of time,  Parelli does not.

“It’s not supernatural, it’s supremely natural. When training makes sense to the horse and is natural for him, then everything else just flows from that.”

Discounted rates are available for live event tickets purchased in advance online. If you are not able to attend the event in Reno, be sure to catch the live webcast featuring bonus commentary by Linda Parelli, interviews with staff from the Mustang Heritage Foundation, background on the horses and horse trainers and more. Purchase the webcast before July 28^th for the special pre-event price of only $29.95. Don’t miss out on this early bird rate because the purchase price will increase to $39.99 the day of the event. For more information, visit http://www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/events-pat-parelli-presents-wild-horse-taming-naturally-2011/.

Despite thriving natural ecological balance–scorched earth policy runs roundups,  

RENO, NV (Cloud) – In honor of the American spirit, independence, and freedom this 4th of July, the Cloud Foundation and individual wild horse advocates filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to stop the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundup of wild horses on the Triple B, Maverick Medicine and Antelope Valley Herd Management Areas (HMA), located on public land in eastern Nevada. The BLM has failed to show that these wild horses are a threat to the thriving natural ecological balance (TNEB) of this area or even that they are responsible for the few areas on this range which may be exhibiting some impacts from use. Despite the fact that these HMAs were specifically established for the protection of wild horse herds, the BLM is using the land mostly for other uses. There is nothing which justifies the BLM’s decision to remove 80% of the wild horses (more than 1,700 stallions, mares and foals) currently residing on this 1.7 million acre range. 

“The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act does not allow the BLM to employ this intensive management action–removing these majestic symbols of the West from the range and depriving them of their freedom–without determining that such an action is absolutely necessary to maintain the thriving natural ecological balance of the range.” states attorney for Plaintiffs, Rachel Fazio.  “The BLM hasn’t made this determination, so they do not have the legal authority to proceed with this roundup.”

The wild horses of the Triple B, Maverick Medicine and Antelope Valley HMAs are free-roaming on the remote high desert mountains and valleys of east central and northeast Nevada–north of Ely, south of Elko on the Utah border. They have been characterized as a diverse, colorful, intermingling herd with some possessing old mustang origins. Many wild horses descend from an old Shoshone Indian herd known for pintos and paints, as well as a number of medicine hats, horses sacred to Native Americans. 

“Wild horses and burros would be subjected to irreparable harm by chasing them with helicopters, branding and sterilizing them among other cruel acts including the potential for deaths,” states Anne Novak, spokesperson for The Cloud Foundation. “We must stop this abuse now and legal action is the way to do it.” 

The Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief was filed in the United States District Court in Nevada on June 29, 2011. Plaintiffs include The Cloud Foundation, Craig Downer and Lorna Moffat. Rachel Fazio and Julie Cavanaugh-Bill are the attorneys for the plaintiffs suing: the United States Bureau of Land Management; Ken Salazar, Secretary of Interior; Robert Abbey, Director of the BLM and Gary Medlyn and Bryan Fuell, the two BLM field managers that approved the roundup.

The roundup was originally scheduled to begin on July 7, 2011, but in response to filing this lawsuit, the BLM has delayed the start of  the round-up until July 16, 2011 to allow the Nevada District Court to take a preliminary look at the case. 

A hearing on preliminary injunction will be held in the federal courthouse, located at 400 S. Virgina Street in downtown Reno, Nevada, on July 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.. 

“Americans across the country and citizens throughout the world look to the American wild horse as an historical icon of freedom,” states Ginger Kathrens, Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation. “We simply cannot stand by while the very agency charged with their protection harasses, captures and removes thousands of free-roaming wild horses from the western range and ships them to the midwest to live out their lives in captivity–wild and free no-more.”

Story and Photo By Steven Long

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – Noted Wild Horse naturalist and former bureau employee Craig Downer has fired off an angry note blasting BLM ratios of cattle to Mustangs in just released plans for roundups in the west.

Downer charges the federal agency has wildly skewed grazing targets in favor of cattle ranchers to the detriment of wild horses. Downer claims the ratio is a lopsided 21/1 in favor of cattle while Mustangs, the naturalist says,  are mandated by law to have dominance under the 1971 Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act.

“I have been reviewing the numbers in..and am greatly disturbed by the gross unfairness your recommended action would perpetrate upon the wild horses. I calculate that there is the equivalent of 10,559 year-round animal units, or cattle equivalent, in the HMA (Herd Management Areas) in the four listed allotments…” he said. “This signifies that in terms of relative grazing pressure, there is 21 times more livestock consumption of forage than there is wild horse consumption of forage…” 

“My main point here is that this is an outrageous, monopolistic allocation of forage, especially within the wild horses’ legal HMA, where by law they are to be treated as the principal presence not relegated to some marginalized position. And 21 to one is definitely marginalized!”

Downer asked BLM to revise the numbers.

“It is neither fair nor legal, in terms of how it treats both the wild horses and their supporters and observers among the general public. I have personally observed the wild horses of the Great Divide and will feel personally affected should you go ahead with your ill conceived plan.”