2020 Sulphur HMA Wild Horse Gather
Begins: August 15, 2020
Ends: August 31, 2020
Overview
On August 15, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office will begin gather operations to remove excess wild horses from within and outside of the Sulphur Herd Management Area (HMA) in Beaver and Millard counties. The gather is expected to last approximately sixteen days. Outdoor recreationists and visitors to the gather area should be aware that there will be low flying helicopters. During the gather, no recreational use of drones is allowed in the Sulphur HMA and surrounding lands within and near Highway 21 and within the Mountain Home area where wild horses may be found. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of horses during gather operations. The BLM will gather approximately 600 wild horses from BLM administered lands using helicopter drive-trapping method. Population growth suppression will be implemented to help stabilize the annual increase of animals being born on the HMA. The AML for this HMA is 165 - 250 animals and the current population is approximately 1,193 horses. Horses removed from the range will be transported to Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah. Public lands will remain open unless closures are deemed necessary to protect public safety.
Public Observation
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily helicopter operations through BLM-escorted tours so long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants and ensuring that gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended. Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at (801) 539-4050.
Gather operations will begin on Sat. August 15 and individuals should meet at the Border Inn located on the Utah-Nevada Border on Highway 6 and historic Highway 50 where tours will depart at 5:15 a.m. MDT. Please note that COVID-19 guidelines for visiting parks and recreational facilities will be followed. These guidelines, along with the number of visitors present each day will determine the observation locations.
The following COVID-19 guidelines will apply:
- Always stay at least six feet from others. Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to use if soap and water are not available.
- Do not attend the gather if you are sick, recently exposed (within 14 days) to someone with COVID-19 or are not feeling well.
Daily Gather Reports
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Summary: 78 horses were gathered today. Body scores of 4's and 5's. There were 11 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 78 (45 stallions, 22 mares, 11 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Summary: 18 horses were gathered today. Body scores of 4's and 5's. There were no members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 18 (8 stallions, 8 mares, 2 foals)
Animals shipped: 46 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, August 17, 2020
Summary: 82 horses were gathered today. A majority of the body scores were 3's. Five mares scored 2's and a few scored 4's. One foal was humanely euthanized due to a dislocated front right shoulder with torn muscles/ligaments. There were 5 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 82 (21 stallions, 44 mares, 17 foals)
Animals shipped: 49 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Summary: 54 horses were gathered today. A majority of the body scores were 3's. Six mares scored 2's and a few scored 4's and 5's. There were 3 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 54 (24 stallions, 18 mares, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 49 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday August 19, 2020
Summary: 23 horses were gathered today. A majority of the body scores were 3's or 4's. One stud was humanely euthanized due to an old injury resulting in a club-foot. There were 9 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 23 (16 stallions, 6 mares, 1 foals)
Animals shipped: 44 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
Thursday August 20, 2020
Summary: 18 horses were gathered today. A majority of the body scores were 3's or 4's. One mare was a body score of 2. There were 3 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 18 (7 stallions, 7 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 44 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday August 21, 2020
Summary: 54 horses were gathered today. A majority of the body scores were 3-5's. One stud was humanely euthanized due to a deformed left foot. One stud was humanely euthanized due to both front legs being deformed from the hock to the hoof. One horse died suddenly due to colic. There were 3 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 54 (12 stallions, 30 mares, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
Saturday August 22, 2020
Summary: 21 horses were gathered today. The body scores were 3-4's. There were 0 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 21 (7 stallions, 10 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 47 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday August 23, 2020
Summary: 55 horses were gathered today. The body scores were 4-5's. There were 0 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 55 (21 stallions, 24 mares, 10 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday August 24, 2020
Summary: 55 horses were gathered today. The body scores were 5's. There were 12 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 55 (13 stallions, 26 mares, 16 foals)
Animals shipped: 49 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday August 25, 2020
Summary: 32 horses were gathered today. The body scores were 5's. There were 3 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 32 (8 stallions, 14 mares, 10 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday August 26, 2020
Summary: 48 horses were gathered today. The body scores ranged between 4's and 5's, with the exception of three wet mares that scored 3's. One mare was humanely euthanized due to a broken neck sustained from hitting a panel. There were 0 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 48 (18 stallions, 20 mares, 10 foals)
Animals shipped: 96 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday August 27, 2020
Summary: 25 horses were gathered today. The body scores ranged between 4's and 5's. One stud was humanely euthanized due to suffering from a sway back. One stud was humanely euthanized due to a left hind leg injury causing tendons to contract. There were 2 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 25 (11 stallions, 9 mares, 5 foals)
Animals shipped: 81 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
Friday August 28, 2020
Summary: 57 horses were gathered today. The body scores ranged between 4's and 5's. There were 0 members of the public observing the gather.
Animals gathered: 57 (24 stallions, 19 mares, 14 foals)
Animals shipped: 61 (Axtel Off-Range Contract Facility)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0