2020 South Steens Wild Horse Gather

Gather concluded September 28, 2020

Purpose of Gather:

The objective of this gather is to capture and remove approximately 200 wild horses which have strayed onto private property within and outside the southern boundary of the herd management area.

Details of Gather:

The gather is expected to take approximately five days and operations will be limited to these specific areas. The Appropriate Management Level – the number of horses the range can sustainably support in conjunction with other animals and resource uses – for this area is 159 to 304 horses. The current population estimate for this herd is 979 adults and 200 foals.

Public Observation:

All gather activities and temporary holding facilities are on private land. There are no public viewing opportunities until horses arrive at Oregon’s Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines.

Adoption Information:

Animals removed from the range are transported to Oregon's Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines to be prepared for adoption. 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. Federal holidays may fall during the regular work week. We recommend calling ahead to ensure the facility will be open during your visit.

Background:

The HMA is managed for pinto colored horses with above average conformation. Colors however range from pinto to buckskin, sorrel, bay, palomino, gray brown and black. The horses in this herd average anywhere from 14 to 16 hands in size and from 900- to 1,200 pounds.

The herd area is about 70 miles southwest of Burns and 10 miles south of Frenchglen along Hwy 205 and the Steens Mountain south loop road.

Daily Gather Reports

Monday, September 28, 2020 - FINAL REPORT
Animals gathered: 105 (29 stallions, 47 mares, 29 foals)
Animals shipped: 105
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Sunny, high of 75, good air quality

Sunday, September 27, 2020
Animals gathered: 36 (15 stallions, 14 mares, 7 foals)
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Sunny, high of 75, good air quality

Saturday, September 26, 2020
Animals gathered: 9 (3 stallions, 3 mares, 3foals)
Animals shipped: 9
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Cloudy, high of 65, good air quality, breezy

Friday, September 25, 2020
Animals gathered: 6 (1 stallion, 4 mares, 1 foal)
Animals shipped: 6
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Partly cloudy, high of 68, good air quality, windy

Thursday, September 24, 2020
Animals gathered: 21 (10 stallions, 7 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 21
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: High winds halted helicopter operations mid-morning; partly cloudy, high of 63, good air quality, windy

Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Animals gathered: 20 (1 stallion, 13 mares, 6 foals)
Animals shipped: 20
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: High winds halted helicopter operations mid-morning; overcast, high of 73, good air quality

Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Animals gathered: 7 (6 mares, 1 foals)
Animals shipped: 7
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Moved capture location today; sunny, high of 78, clear, good air quality

Monday, September 21, 2020
Animals gathered: 14 (9 mares, 3 studs, 2 foals)
Animals shipped: 14
Total Deaths Today: 0

Other: Sunny, high of 78, clear, good air quality