2017 ADOBE TOWN, SALT WELLS CREEK AND GREAT DIVIDE BASIN WILD HORSE GATHER
Gather completed October 17, 2017
Purpose of Gather:
The BLM Rock Springs and Rawlins field offices have issued a decision to remove excess animals to the lower limit of the AML range from the Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin Herd Management Areas.
The gather is in response to the results of the 2017 census that demonstrated wild horses are exceeding the AML limits are set forth in Resource Management Plans.
Additionally, the BLM has received a written request to remove wild horses from private lands within these HMAs. Through a series of legal proceedings, the BLM RSFO entered into a Consent Decree in April of 2013 [Rock Springs Grazing Association v. Salazar, Civil Action No. 11-CV-263-NDF (D.Wyo.)]. This Consent Decree requires the periodic removal of wild horses from the HMAs based on the results of census flights. The results of the 2017 census flights demonstrate a need to remove wild horses from these HMAs as per the 2013 Consent Decree.
Details of Gather:
The BLM uses a federal gather contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined that excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses towards a set of corrals. The helicopter is assisted by a ground crew and a domesticated horse, to lead the gathered horses into the corrals. If needed, the ground crew may assist the helicopter by roping the horses from horseback.
The BLM takes very seriously the humane treatment of wild horses and burros, especially during gathers. Helicopter has shown to be the most humane method to gather wild horses.
The gather will begin on September 23, 2017 and take approximately four to six weeks.
Of the 1,560 wild horses to be gathered, approximately 725 would be removed from the Salt Wells Creek HMA, 513 from the Adobe Town HMA and the 322 from the Great Divide Basin HMA.
Only adult horses count toward the 1,560 AML removal number.
Additionally, the BLM will reinitiate a wild horse collaring operation within the Adobe Town Herd Management Area as part of collaboration with the University of Wyoming to study wild horses.
The collaring operation is part of a study to explore the movement and habitat selection of wild horses in ATHMA. The research will involve using GPS collars on up to 30 mares to learn more about seasonal use, migration patterns, and herd movements in the area. No horses will be removed from the range as part of this effort. Collaring will occur in conjunction with the already scheduled Appropriate Management Level horse gather for the Adobe Town HMA and will use helicopters to gather the horses. During this gather, the BLM will replace the five collars that were dropped due to malfunctions and collar an additional 16 mares bringing the total number of collared horses to 30 mares.
The University of Wyoming requested this action to study how the wild horses in ATHMA interact with their surrounding environment. It will also provide BLM with new information so there are healthy wild horses living on healthy rangelands.
More information is available in this press release.
Public Observation:
Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Public viewing opportunities are anticipated to begin on Sept. 23. Those interested in participating should notify Tony Brown at (307) 352-0215. Participants will meet daily at the BLM Rock Springs Field Office at 280 Highway 191 North.
Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
Follow the Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin Gather on @BLMWyoming and @BLMWHB Twitter with hashtag #WYGATHER.
Adoption Information:
Gathered horses will be sent to Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility in Rock Springs, Wyo., and to the contract facility in Axtell, Utah, where they will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed, and receive a negative Cogins. Some of these horses will be shipped to a contracted facility in Bruneau, Idaho. While the Idaho and Utah corrals are not open to the public, the horses will be offered for adoption or purchase through upcoming internet events and other events throughout the country. The corrals that are receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
After the gather is completed, they will enter the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program in an attempt to find them good homes. If you are interested in taking home a wild horse from this gather, please get pre-approved and be ready for the first events in the New Year!
Animals not adopted will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act. The BLM is committed to managing and protecting these living symbols of the historic and pioneering spirit of the West and will continue to care for and seek good homes for animals that have been removed from the range.
Background:
The Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin HMAs encompass 2,427,220 acres of public, State, and private lands in Sweetwater, Carbon and Fremont counties in southwest Wyoming. The AML for the Adobe Town HMA is 610-800 wild horses. The AML for the Salt Wells Creek HMA is 251-365 wild horses. The AML for the Great Divide Basin HMA is 415-600 wild horses. The estimated population before the 2017 foaling season was approximately 1,123 wild horses in the Adobe Town HMA, approximately 976 wild horses in the Salt Wells HMA and approximately 737 wild horses in the Great Divide Basin HMA. In combination the three HMAs are exceeding the low AMLs by 1,560 wild horses.
Gather Reports
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Summary: Personnel looked for potential trap sites for horses located outside the HMA in the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA. As a result of wind and rain, we were weathered out the remainder of the day and no horses were gathered. Tomorrow’s plan is to locate a trap site possibly in the Salt Wells Creek HMA as this is the only HMA that is currently accessible due to mud and weather conditions. As soon as the area dries out, we will return to the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA to resume normal operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Summary: As a result of wind and rain, we were weathered out again and no horses were gathered. Tomorrow’s plan is to locate a trap site possibly in the Salt Wells Creek HMA as this is the only HMA that is currently accessible due to mud and weather conditions. As soon as the area dries out, we will return to the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA to resume normal operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, September 25, 2017
Summary: Weather conditions improved enough that 49 horses were gathered in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. As the area has dried out a bit, tomorrow we will focus efforts south of Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek on the Colorado border and will be targeting horses outside the HMA.
Animals gathered: 40 Adults, 9 Foals
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 61 horses gathered from outside the HMA, south of Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek near the Colorado border. Twenty-eight horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will focus south of Pine mountain and continue to focus on horses outside of the HMA.
Animals gathered: 48 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 28
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*A grey mare was euthanized due to a poorly healed previous fracture to the right hind ankle, was lame with a severely deformed foot. The vet reported that the prognosis was hopeless for recovery.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 71 horses gathered from outside the HMA, south of the Salt Wells Creek HMA in the Pine Mountain area. Fourty-two horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA now that it has dried out and will concentrate on the horses outside the HMA near the northwest corner.
Animals gathered: 48 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 28
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today--a five month old palomino colt with a severe angular deformed right knee, a three year old palomino mare with a severe spinal deformity, and a six year old palomino mare with severe arthritis in the left front knee. As per the vet, all three horses had a hopeless prognosis for improvement.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 65 horses gathered. The plan was to target horses outside the northwest corner of the Great Divide Basin HMA, but after recon of this location no horses were found as they had migrated east into the HMA. From there, we went south to concentrate on outside HMA horses around the mine and power plant. Seventy-two horses were shipped to Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 55 Adults, 10 Foals
Animals shipped: 72
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Friday, September 29, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 45 horses gathered in the checkerboard within the Great Divide Basin HMA. Thirty-six horses were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and fourty-two horses were shipped to Rock Springs. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 32 Adults, 13 Foals
Animals shipped: 78
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 95 horses gathered from the checkerboard in the Great Divide Basin HMA. A total of 84 horses were also shipped to Rock Springs Holding Facility. Tomorrow we will return to the Great Divide Basin HMA and will continue to concentrate on the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 76 Adults, 19 Foals
Animals shipped: 84
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today--a sorrel stud with pre-existing enlarged right front carpus with severe ligament and tendon damage, a 9 year old bay mare with spinal deformity, and a 13 year old grey mare with a previously injured fetlock with severe hoof deformity. As per the vet, all three horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 45 horses gathered in the Great Divide Basin HMA. A total of 40 horses were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility, and an additional 36 studs were shipped to the facility at Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow the gather is planned to continue at the Great Divide Basin HMA and concentrate in the checkerboard area.
Animals gathered: 34 Adults, 11 Foal
Animals shipped: 76
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Monday, October 2, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, resulting in 155 horses gathered in the Great Divide Basin HMA. We gathered four excess horses for this HMA so four studs will be released back into the Great Divide Basin HMA tomorrow and all numbers for this report will reflect 151 horses (63 studs, 62 mares and 26 foals) for 10/2/2017. We have reached our low AML number with with the 322 adult wild horses removed from the Great Divide Basin HMA and will be moving to the Adobe Town HMA tomorrow. We also shipped 37 studs to Axtell, Utah. Tomorrow we will ship horses to Axtell, Utah and Rock Springs, before heading to the northeast corner of the Adobe Town HMA to focus on horses outside the HMA.
Animals gathered: 125 Adults, 26 Foals
Animals shipped: 37
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Summary: The day started off in Adobe Town, but due to significant precipitation in the HMA, we were unable to gather. The decision was made to move to the Salt Wells Creek HMA. A trap was set up on the checkerboard near the Brady Plant and we will be ready to gather horses tomorrow. A total of 155 horses, which included 64 stud horses to Axtell, Utah, and 91 horses to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 155
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today--a palomino stud with a right front hoof deformity. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Summary: Trapping operations began at the Brady Plant site today and two helicopters were run. A total of 166 horses were gathered from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, a total of 71 horses (44 mares and 27 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 132 Adults, 34 Foals
Animals shipped: 71
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today--a sorrel mare with chronic Laminitis. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run for a total of 168 horses gathered from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, 69 horses (49 mares and 20 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 142 Adults, 26 Foals
Animals shipped: 105
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Friday, October 6, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run to gather 44 horses from the checkerboard in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, 71 horses (50 mares and 21 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 73 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 36 Adults, 8 Foals
Animals shipped: 144
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run today, gathering 167 horses in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. We shipped 69 horses (35 mares and 34 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 128 Adults, 39 Foals
Animals shipped: 105
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run. A total of 60 horses were gathered in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Also, a total of 86 horses (68 mares and 18 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility and 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 46 Adults, 14 Foals
Animals shipped: 122
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3*
*Three horses were euthanized today--a 20 year old sorrel stud with a body condition of 2 and Laminitis; a 12 year old chestnut stud with a front left severe club foot; and a sorrel colt with a left front severe club foot. As per the vet, these horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Summary: Due to snow and wind overnight, gather operations were cancelled for today. Thirty-six studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 144 horses from the checkerboard in the Adobe Town HMA. Also, seven studs were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 117 Adults, 27 Foals
Animals shipped: 7
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 106 horses outside the Adobe Town HMA and in the checkerboard within the Adobe Town HMA. Also, 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 105 horses(65 mares and 40 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 91 Adults, 15 Foals
Animals shipped: 141
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 79 in the Adobe Town HMA. In addition, 36 studs were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 105 horses(65 mares and 40 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 91 Adults, 15 Foals
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
*One horse was euthanized today--a buckskin colt with severe scoliosis from past injury. As per the vet, this horse had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 44 in the Adobe Town HMA. We shipped 36 studs, 28 mares, and 15 foals to Axtell, Utah, and 22 horses (7 mares and 15 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. Additionally, 50 horses were gathered for the collaring effort.
Animals gathered: 26 Adults, 18 Foals
Animals shipped: 101
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Summary: As a result of inclement weather, gather operations were cancelled for the day. We shipped 38 studs and 38 mares to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 76
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering 157 horses in the Adobe Town HMA.
Animals gathered: 123 Adults, 34 Foals
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Monday, October 16, 2017
Summary: Two helicopters were run, gathering a total of 236 horses, 54 in Adobe Town HMA, and 182 in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. Additionally, 91 horses (25 studs, 33 mares and 33 foals) were shipped to Axtell, Utah.
Animals gathered: 43 Adults, 11 Foals from Adobe Town and 140 Adults, 42 Foals from Salt Wells Creek
Animals shipped: 91
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Summary: One helicopter was run to gather the final 10 adult horses, along with 5 foals in the Salt Wells Creek HMA. A total of 204 horses were shipped today, with 112 (36 mares and 76 studs) were shipped to Axtell, Utah, and 92 horses (39 mares, 52 foals and 1 stud) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility.
Animals gathered: 10 Adults, 5 Foals
Animals shipped: 204
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2*
*Two horses were euthanized today--a seven year old stud with old fracture of left hind cannon bone with drainage and a nine year old mare with body condition of 2, along with profound weakness in central nervous system. As per the vet, these horses had a hopeless prognosis for recovery.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Summary: The gather has concluded, but a total of 140 horses were shipped today, 97 studs to Axtell, Utah, and 43 horses (34 mares, 9 foals) were shipped to the Rock Springs Holding Facility. This is the final report.
Animals gathered: 0 Adults, 0 Foals
Animals shipped: 140
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*
Veterinary Reports
There are no veterinarian reports to display at this time.