BLM concludes Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Gather
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The BLM Grand Junction Field Office concluded wild horse gather operations on the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range today. The gather operations began Sept. 11 and approximately 140 horses from four areas of the horse range were gathered during the eight days. The final gather numbers and details will be posted on the gather website this evening.
Horses are still being sorted to determine which ones will receive fertility treatments, moved to different areas of the range or removed to a long-term holding facility. Seventy-eight horses have already been transported to a long-term holding facility in Canon City.
During the gather operations this morning a 24-year-old mare broke her back leg. After consultation with the onsite veterinarian, the horse was euthanized, in accordance with BLM policies and protocols outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.