2016 Cold Springs Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The purpose of the gather is to return and maintain the wild horse population within the established AML on Cold Springs HMA, protect rangeland resources from deterioration associated with overpopulation, and restore a natural ecological balance and multiple use relationship on public lands in the area consistent with the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971. Overpopulation within the HMA is jeopardizing the health of surrounding rangelands, wetlands, wildlife habitat and ultimately, the health and well-being of the horses themselves.
Details of Gather:
Our overall goal is to maintain a thriving ecological balance of the Cold Springs HMA, surrounding rangelands, and to preserve the health and well-being of the Cold Springs herd. The horses will be gathered using a bait-trap method which will draw horses to a predetermined trap site stocked with food and water. Trapping operations could take anywhere from one week to several months depending on the amount of animals to trap, weather conditions, or other considerations. Operations will be conducted either by contract or BLM personnel.
This gather proposes to gather 150 horses, remove 100, and apply approved fertility control treatment to approximately 25 mares to be returned to the HMA. This will result in 100 horses removed from the HMA beginning September 15, leaving approximately 235 adult horses and foals in the HMA. This will result in the Fiscal Year 2017 final HMA population being approximately 150 percent of AML based on current estimates.
Captured wild horses are planned to be released back to the HMA in order to maintain a diverse age structure and sex ratio. Additionally, released horses will be selected to preserve herd characteristics, in the case of the Cold Springs herd, common colors of grey, sorrel, buckskins bay, brown, black and red roan. Maximum effort will be undertaken to return released horses to the same general area they were gathered.
Fertility control treatments will be implemented for this gather because of the need to reduce population growth. Approximately 25 mares that are two years of age or older will be returned to the HMA after receiving PZP fertility treatment.
Public Observation:
Bait/water trap gathers are not conducive to capture site viewing opportunities. However, the BLM will host public viewing days at temporary holding corrals near the capture site as horses are gathered and sorted.
Anyone interested in these viewing opportunities must read the Field Observation Protocol (found on left side of page) information before visiting. A maximum number of 15 observers may attend on public viewing days.
If you are interested in observing the gather, you must contact Larry Moore at the BLM Vale District Office (l2moore@blm.gov or 541-473-6218) to have your name added to the viewing list. Observation will be offered in order of request. If for some reason you are not able to attend, please notify Mr. Moore as soon as possible so that your slot can be offered to the next person.
Adoption Information:
Horses are captured at temporary trap sites located within or adjacent to the HMA and then moved to a larger temporary holding facility. At the holding facility horses are sorted by mares, studs, and foals to be transported by semi-truck to the Oregon Adoption facility near Burns/Hines OR. They will be available for adoption later in the year. For viewing, the public may visit the Corral Facility anytime between regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Background:
This herd originated from the offspring of horses that escaped from homesteaders, ranchers, and farmers in the area. In the early 1970’s, wild horses within the Cold Springs HMA were predominantly grays and draft type. White, blue roan and bays were also found, with most showing draft breed characteristics. Adult horses in the HMA weigh an average of 950 to 1250 pounds and stand between 14.2 and 16.0 hands, with some stallions being slightly larger. Stallions from other herds with similar characteristics have been periodically introduced into this HMA to help ensure genetic diversity. This was especially important after a large dieoff that occurred in the winter of 1992-93 due to extremely deep snowpack and lack of access to winter feed. Genetic analysis indicates that genetic variability within the Cold Springs HMA is high and the herd appears to be of mixed origins from North American breeds.
The HMA is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Harper, Oregon near Star Mountain. It is bordered on the west side by the Rooster Combs.
Gather Status
Animals Gathered
107
Animals Returned to Home Range
0
Animal Deaths
2