2024 Sulphur Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather will help balance the number of horses to what the rangeland can sustainably support, known as the appropriate management level (AML). The AML within the Sulphur HMA is 165 to 250 animals; the current population is estimated at 606 wild horses.
Details of Gather:
Gather operations will begin on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The BLM will gather approximately 420 wild horses from BLM-administered lands using the helicopter drive-trapping method. Population growth suppression will be administered to selected mares to help stabilize the annual increase of animals being born on the HMA. Horses removed from the range will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah.
The gather was expected to last approximately 14 days and concluded after 10 days.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily gather operations through BLM-escorted tours, so long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants and 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.
Adoption Information:
All excess wild horses identified for removal will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. Those that are not placed into a new home will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they live off the rest of their lives on grass pastures.
For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
Background:
In the mountain peaks and sloping lowlands of western Utah roams a nationally recognized population of wild horses with a Utah heritage much older than most of ours. Many of these horses draw their bloodlines from the old Spanish Type, the Colonial Spanish Horse, the first horses brought to America by the Spanish Explorers in the 1500s. Through time, the Sulphur Herd has bred with escaped ranch livestock, but some still hold many of the Colonial Spanish Horse traits. These traits include colors that are dun and grulla, a gray or mouse color. Their ears can curve in like a bird's beak, with fawn-colored insides rimmed in black. They may have a dorsal stripe down their back, bi-colored manes and tails, and striped legs. Some may even have some facial cob webbing or a mask on their face. The horses have a short back, because they may have only five lumbar vertebrae instead of six. There are only a few other herds of wild horses in the United States which may exhibit these same characteristics.
Location
The HMA is located in western Iron, Beaver, and Millard counties. Approximately 50 miles west of Minersville, Utah in the Indian Peak and Mountain Home Mountain Ranges). The elevation ranges from 9,790 feet on top of Indian Peak to 6,000 feet in the valley floors.
Size
The HMA contains 230,157 acres of BLM lands and 35,554 acres of Federal, State-, and privately-owned land for a total of 265,711 acres.
Topography/Vegetation
The Sulphur HMA supports multiple vegetation types including Aspen, Mountain Fir, Spruce-Fur, Mountain Shrub, Pinyon-Juniper (PJ), sagebrush, grasslands, and salt desert shrub. The PJ woodland type dominates the HMA and is very dense with minimal understory forage. Open areas outside the PJ canopy are dominated by big sagebrush with Indian ricegrass, wheatgrass, bluegrass, and squirreltail grass as the primary forage species. Available water within the HMA is the limiting factor regarding these horse populations. Water is limited to isolated springs and man-made developments that supply water to permitted livestock, wildlife, and wild horses.
Available water within the HMA is the limiting factor regarding this HMA. Water is limited to isolated springs and man-made developments that supply water to permitted livestock, wildlife and wild horses. Several springs primarily used by wild horses were dry during the summers of 2000-2004, 2007-2008, and 2012-2015, forcing animals onto winter ranges and into areas outside of the HMA traditionally unoccupied by horses. Most water sources produced less than average levels for the summer, forcing wild horses to use winter ranges throughout the summer.
Wildlife
Big game species that occur in the Sulphur HMA include mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk and pronghorn. All three species are year-long residents. Competition for forage between big game species and wild horses is greatest during the spring and summer months when mule deer, elk and pronghorn are feeding primarily on grasses and forbs. Additionally, forb consumption is crucial during the early spring months for does to maintain a healthy body condition while meeting the nutrient requirements of nursing fawns. Competition is reduced in fall and winter when mule deer and pronghorn shift their diets to browse (i.e. bitterbrush, sagebrush) species. Typically, elk move to wintering areas throughout the Pine and Hamlin Valleys. During periods of drought competition between wildlife and wild horses increase dramatically when less forage is available.
- Tuesday, August 13
-
Tuesday, August 13
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 71°- 87°with winds picking up toward the end of the day's operations at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 89 (25 Stallions, 46 Mares, and 18 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- 8-year-old mare was in the back pen of the trap while another group was being sorted. The mare tried jumping the panel, fracturing her neck.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Wednesday, August 14
-
Wednesday, August 14
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 79°- 86°with the day's operations ending at 4:30 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 40 (22 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 17Foals)
Animals Shipped: 38 (25 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Thursday, August 15
-
Thursday, August 15
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 76°- 80°with the day's operations ending at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 26 (10 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 53 (0 Stallions, 28 Mares, and 25 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Friday, August 16
-
Friday, August 16
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 80°- 91°with the day's operations ending at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 48 (11 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 7 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 40 (27 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Saturday, August 17
-
Saturday, August 17
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 71°- 73°with the day's operations ending at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 20 (6 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 37 (12 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Sunday, August 18
-
Sunday, August 18
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 69°- 83°with the day's operations ending at 3:50 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 35 (13 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 7 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 44 (1 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 19 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Monday, August 19
-
Monday, August 19
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 69°- 85°with the day's operations ending at 3:15 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 22 (5 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 7 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Tuesday, August 20
-
Tuesday, August 20
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 59°- 91°with the day's operations ending at 4:22 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 84 (27 Stallions, 43 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 44 (13 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
- 18-year-old stallion had an old fracture on the right front knee preventing movement. No prognosis of recovery.
- 12-year-old stallion had an old fracture on the right front ankle preventing movement. No prognosis of recovery.
- Wednesday, August 21
-
Wednesday, August 21
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 83°- 84°with the day's operations ending at 12:12 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 6 (3 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 39 (13 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- Thursday, August 22
-
Thursday, August 22
Summary: The gather will continue tomorrow. The temperatures during operations ranged 76°- 85°with the day's operations ending at 4:19 p.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 21 (8 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 4 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 41 (0 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 15 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
- A foal colt had a left front congenital club foot.
- Friday, August 23
-
Friday, August 23
Summary: Gather operations ended today. The remaining animals in temp holding will be shipped tomorrow morning. A final daily gather overview will be sent once the animals are received at the Axtell facility. High winds in the area contributed to the gather concluding at 11:00 a.m. MT.
Animals Gathered: 31 (9 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 9 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 33 (0 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 13 (13 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
- A foal colt had a preexisting fracture on left front humerus, causing limited movement.
- A stallion had a preexisting fracture around left front knee, causing limited movement.
- Saturday, August 24
-
Saturday, August 24
Summary: Gather operations concluded yesterday. Accounting for Saturday includes only the remaining animals shipped from temp holding to the Axtell facility this morning.
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 32 (32 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Gather Status
The gather began Tuesday, August 13, 2024, and concluded Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Animals Gathered: 422
422 Wild Horses (139 Stallions, 196 Mares, and 87 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 403
403 Wild Horses (123 Stallions, 195 Mares, and 85 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
Animals Released:
13 Wild Horses (13 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 6
-Sudden / Acute: 1
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 5
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"