The BLM really needs to get a better grasp on the situation since they are destroying the bloodlines and diversity of our wild mustangs and they don't seem to care.
You are definiely right Katie. Thank God they have mustang sanctuaries that help preserve rare bloodlines. If they didn't, these rare mustangs would probably be extinct. Also, all the other non-rare mustangs might end up in an auction with other poor horses where killer buyers will just grab them up. It's so sad and I'm glad even celebrities aree trying to help.
When I read about a winter round up, I was very upset. A few years ago I agreed with the BLM on keeping the population down, as to help the herds from starvation. But now a days, they are leaving too few mustangs on the range. They can have their round ups if they only take what would otherwise be mountain lion food and they keep them in the warmer weather. Please watch the Cloud: Wild Mustang series.
Wild Mustangs are just that - WILD! The methods used to gather these animals terrify them and are, in my opinion, crueler that leaving them alone. In the wild, it is survival of the fittest. Leave them alone !!!! If there is insufficient food or water, they will move to areas that have more or will die a natural death. We cannot save them all and there are not enough homes for the domesticated horses as evidenced by the number of rescues that are overwhelmed with the numbers of abused and abandoned horses. At least these animals are born to survive just where they are. Another example of the government trying to "fix" something that isn't broken.
As much as I agree with the supportive posts, the only people who can make our wild horses safe are on Capitol Hill, especially in the Senate. The Restore Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act remains stalled in the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senate committees are the graveyards of countless fine bills and worthy causes. As I understand the record, Senator Robert Byrd (blessings upon him!) is the sole sponsor of the Senate version of the bill (S. 1579). Who knows how long he will be able to hold on and champion our cause? We need to find another powerful Senator to lead the charge. Any suggestions?
From an e-mail I sent to eaglegather@blm.gov Dear Blm,The money and time spent on rounding up the wild horses of Nevada is being wasted. Those resources could be used for installing "guzzlers" (evaporation systems for watering the herds) in the foothills so that the horses do not cross busy roads or enter personal property in search of water. The money and time spent on feeding, boarding and managing the captured horses could be used for research into ways to control the size of herds (birth control/sterilizing) and redirecting their grazing areas. BLM has coined the phrase "America's Living Legends" in describing our wild horses but they do not show much respect for these beautiful animals. Please use your time and funds more carefully. Don't let a few ranchers force you into a "quick fix" . America is watching!Thank you for your time and consideration,Susan Barteau Caliente, NV
There used to be 1000s if not millions of horses roaming. I don't see how 3000 horses on 5.5 million acres would drastically upset the balance of things. I agree with those below who suggest using the money, not for relocation, but for watering and sustaining the population. And if some die from overgrazing or starvation, that is natural. I think most them would prefer that to living the rest of their lives in fear and/or in corrals. I see nothing wrong in adopting some out to good homes but most will not end up this way.
every other animal in that area is manages wether it be tags issued, or natural predators. the wild horses however are not. the calico complex is crawiling with horses. the horses u see in the videos and on the news are the healthiest and best looking of the area. some suffer from genetic conditions from inbreeding such as cleft pallets or deformed spines. theses horses either starve to death or need to be humainly euthinized if found. and of course as they said lack of water and feed. did u know that the ansestors of todays nevada mustangs... like horses 50 yrs ago were all privatly owned by ranches? did u know that half the heard was use for saddle horses the other half for human comsumption? and did u also know that during world war II soldiers survived on horse meat produced in northern nv and ca? as long as the horses arn't being wasted... really what is wrong with slaughter? thats a whole nother argument though. topic at hand: too many horses.. populations need controlled! ROUND EM' UP!
Beef cattle effectively control 98% of land the wild horses and burros were given by law and still rightfully should control. Grazing leases exist on 75% of all herd areas. The herds are, by law, supposed to be managed as the principal presence in their herd areas. The Bureau of Land Management is mismanaging the wild and horses and burros to extinction. 21 million acres of wild horse range has been zeroed out illegally by the United States Government. Taxpayers money is being wasted, the wild horses and burros are losing their homes, family groups and their health, and will be sterilized and maintained with no future reproduced by our government. Congress nor the Bureau of Land Management has the backbone to do anything about it. What needs to happen is the Bureau of Land Management needs to be removed from the wild horse and burro business. Interior Secretary Salazar also needs to be removed from the wild horse and burro business. A heritage species requires more thoughtful protection on its own ranges. The horses on the ranges are not costing the American public any money. It is the horses' roundups (millions of dollars per roundup) and their mishandling by the United States Government that is costing the $$. It is the 200 to 1 ratio cows to wild horses and burros that is costing the range degradation.