2021 Surprise Complex Wild Horse Gather

Purpose of Gather

The Surprise Complex gather is designed to reduce the wild horse population in six northwest Nevada herd management areas to their appropriate management levels. The HMAs are Massacre Lakes, High Rock, Wall Canyon, Bitner, Nut Mountain and Fox Hog.  Based on recent census flights and population modeling, the BLM believes there are between 1,300 and 1,700 horses in the six HMAs.  The combined appropriate management level, set in the BLM land use plan for the area, is 283 to 496 wild horses and 0 wild burros.  

Details of Gather

Gather operations began Tuesday, Sept. 28, and are expected to continue through the first week of November.  Animals will be gathered with the assistance of a helicopter, which moves the animals toward a capture corral. The BLM plans to gather 1,220 horses and remove 1,050 from the range. Horses and burros selected for removal will be transported to BLM adoption facilities, primarily the Litchfield Corrals near Susanville, CA, and the National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley, near Reno, NV. Up to 170 horses will be returned to the range to maintain viable populations in the HMAs.

Public Observation

The public is invited to observe the gather daily from established viewing areas. Anyone interested should contact the BLM public affairs officer at 530-260-0189 to reserve space. Daily attendance is limited to 10 people due to space limitations and COVID-19 prevention protocols. Dogs are not allowed in the public viewing area. On most days, observers will depart promptly at 6 a.m. from a meeting area at the Rabbit Traxx gas station and mini mart along California Route 299 at the west end of Cedarville. Arriving early is recommended to be prepared to depart on time. Any changes in departure times or operations will be noted in a message on the public affairs officer phone line above. The BLM strongly recommends traveling in a high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle with sturdy tires, a good spare and tire changing equipment. Be prepared for changing weather and a full day in the high desert. There are no services or cell service.

Adoption Information

For information on adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro, please visit the wild horse and burro program website

Background

The BLM last gathered excess wild horses from herd management areas within the Complex in 2011, removing 1,148 excess animals from the High Rock, Bitner, Nut Mountain, Fox Hog and Wall Canyon HMAs. The Massacre Lakes HMA was not included in the 2011 gather. The Surprise Complex of HMAs covers nearly 397,000 acres of public and private lands, mostly in Washoe County, Nev., with some lands in Humboldt County, Nev.  All public lands in the Complex are managed by BLM California’s Applegate Field Office, part of the Northern California District. The Complex name refers to the BLM Surprise Field Station, part of the Applegate Field Office, in Cedarville. 

Gather Reports

Thursday, Oct. 14

Summary: The gather concluded today.

 

Animals Gathered:  0

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  32

Animals Released:  61 (26 Stallions to Fox Hog, 18 Mares to Fox Hog, 17 Mares to High Rock Complex)

Animals Shipped:  79 (15 Stallions, 43 Mares, 21 Foals)

Deaths:  1

  • 1 3yo, born with crooked knees leading to enlarged ankles - very lame, euthanized.

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Wednesday, Oct. 13

Summary: Operations continued at the Denio trap in the Fox Hog HMA. Tomorrow's operation consists of treating and releasing mares into the High Rock and Fox Hog HMAs; and stallions into the Fox Hog HMA. This will likely conclude operations on the 2021 Surprise Complex Horse Gather.

 

Animals Gathered:  93 (36 stallions, 43 mares, 14 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped:  36 (36 stallions)

Deaths:  0

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Tuesday, Oct. 12

Summary: Operations continued in the Fox Hog HMA. In the afternoon, the trap site moved to another location further east in the Fox Hog HMA. The weather was cold and windy.

 

Animals Gathered:  36 (17 stallions, 12 mares, 7 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped:  36 (36 mares)

Deaths:  0

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Monday, Oct. 11

Summary: No gathers due to high winds, continue tomorrow at Fox Hog HMA.

 

Animals Gathered:  0

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped:  98 (57 mares, 41 foals)

Deaths: 1

  • 1 stallion, club foot, 20+, euthanized.

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Sunday, Oct. 10

Summary: Today’s continued at Hog HMA. The weather was calm and sunny.

 

Animals Gathered:  104 (56 mares, 25 stallions, 23 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped:  111 (75 stallions, 36 mares)

Deaths:  5

  • 1 mare, 30+, BCS 2, bad teeth, euthanized.
  • 1 mare, 20+, possible neurological/spinal condition, ambulatory issues, euthanized.
  • 1 yearling, crooked legs, lame, euthanized.
  • 1 stallion, complete club foot, euthanized.
  • 1 stallion, preexisting injured knee, lame, 20+, euthanized.

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Saturday, Oct. 9

Summary: Today’s operations consisted of gathering animals from Fox Hog HMA. The weather was breezy and cool.

 

Animals Gathered:  86 (33 stallions, 35 mares, 18 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0

Animals Released:  13 stallions to High Rock Complex

Animals Shipped:  87 (26 stallions, 36 mares, 25 foals)

Deaths:  0

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Friday, Oct. 8

Summary: Today’s operations consisted of gathering animals from the High Rock area and Foxhog HMA. Weather was breezy and cool with scattered rain.

 

Animals Gathered: 128 (55 stallions, 47 mares, 26 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Animals Shipped: 80 (35 stallions, 26 mares, 19 foals)

Deaths: 1

  • Foal - Yearling, not able to bear weight on right front leg, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.

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Thursday, Oct. 7

Summary: Today’s operations consisted of gathering animals from the south end of the High Rock HMA and Foxhog HMA. Operations were cut short due to adverse weather.

 

Animals Gathered: 132 (60 mares, 53 stallions, 19 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Animals Shipped: 77

Deaths: 0

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Wednesday, Oct. 6

Summary: Today’s operations consisted of gathering animals from the south end of the High Rock HMA. Operations were cut short due to adverse weather.

 

Animals Gathered: 82 (37 mares, 37 stallions, 8 foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Animals Shipped: 0

Deaths: 0

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Tuesday, Oct. 5

Summary: Today’s operations consisted only of fertility control and releasing mares and stallions into the Massacre Lakes, Bitner, Nut Mountain and Wall Canyon HMAs.

 

Animals Gathered:  0

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  36

Animals Released:  66 (34 Mares and 32 Stallions)

Animals Shipped:  29 mares and 10 foals

Deaths:  4
- Sudden/Acute: 1
- Chronic/Pre-existing: 3

  • Stallion- Broken neck during loading.
  • Mare – 20+ years old, sway backed, BCS 2, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.
  • Mare - 20+ years old, sway backed, BCS 2, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.
  • Stallion- 20+ years old, sway backed, BCS 2, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.

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Monday, Oct. 4

Summary:  Gather operations continued today for the off-HMA horses near Indian Springs. Weather was warm and sunny with breezy conditions. We are investigating the possibility of pigeon fever in some horses. Further tests are being ordered. Tomorrow mares will be treated with fertility control and will be released along with some stallions to their respective HMAs. 

Animals Gathered:  45

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  0 

Animals Released:  0  

Animals Shipped:  79

Deaths:  0
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  0

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Sunday, Oct. 3

Summary:  Gather operations concluded today in the Wall Canyon HMA. Weather was warm and sunny with calm winds. The trap site was dismantled and will be reassembled tomorrow to gather off HMA horses near Massacre Mountain. 

Animals Gathered:  69

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  1 (1 stallion) 

Animals Shipped:  36

Deaths:  2
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  2

  • Stallion, estimated older than 20-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 2, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.
  • Stallion, estimated older than 30-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 2, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.

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Saturday, Oct. 2

Summary:  The trap was reassembled today and gather operations continued in the Wall Canyon/High Rock HMAs. Weather was warm and sunny with calm winds.

Animals Gathered:  69

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  0 

Animals Shipped:  39

Deaths:  0
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  0

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Friday, Oct. 1

Summary:  Gather operations concluded today at the Bitner/Nut Mountain HMAs trap site. Weather was warm and sunny with calm winds. The trap site was dismantled and will be reassembled tomorrow to gather in the Wall Canyon/High Rock HMAs.   

Animals Gathered:  65

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  0 

Animals Shipped:  87

Deaths:  1
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  1

  • Foal, 1-month-old orphan. Colt showing obvious signs of poor nutrition and dehydration, died.

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Thursday, Sept. 30

Summary:  Gather operations continued today at the Bitner/Nut Mountain HMAs trap site. Weather was warm and sunny with calm winds. The same trap site will be used tomorrow.   

Animals Gathered:  133

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  15 stallions

Animals Shipped: 70

Deaths:  2
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  2

  • Mare, estimated older than 25-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 1, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.
  • Stallion, estimated older than 30-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 1, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.

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Wednesday, Sept. 29

Summary:  Gather operations concluded today at the Massacre Lakes trap site. Weather was cool and sunny with calm winds. The trap site was moved and reassembled along the boundary between the Nut Mountain and Bitner HMAs.  

Animals Gathered:  32

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped: 85

Deaths:  2
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  2

  • Mare, estimated older than 25-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 1, poor prognosis for recovery, euthanized.
  • Mare, estimated older than 25-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 2, died.

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Tuesday, Sept. 28

Summary:  Gather operations started today at the Massacre Lakes trap site. Weather was cool and sunny with calm winds. 

Animals Gathered:  142

Animals Treated with Fertility Control:  The number of mares to be treated has not yet been determined. 

Animals Released:  0

Animals Shipped: 0

Deaths:  2
- Sudden/Acute:  0
- Chronic/Pre-existing:  2

  • Stud, estimated older than 25-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 2-3, euthanized due to weak condition with a poor prognosis for recovery.
  • Mare, estimated older than 25-years-old. Henneke Body Condition Score of 1, died. (This is a correction from an earlier report that the horse was euthanized; it was not.)