2020 Red Desert Complex Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The BLM plans to remove approximately 2,400 horses to return wild horse populations to within the appropriate management levels and ensure long-term viability of sage-grouse populations in the area. The appropriate management level for the complex is 480-724 horses, and its current estimated population is approximately 3,000 horses.
Following the gather, the BLM will return a small number of mares and stallions to the complex to ensure genetic variability and preserve the New World Iberian genotype present in the complex. All mares returned will be treated with fertility control.
Details of Gather:
The gather will began October 10, 2020, and will continue for about 4-8 weeks.
The BLM uses a federal contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses toward 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 during gather operations. Helicopters have been shown to be the most humane method to gather horses.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe 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. If you are interested in watching the gather, you must contact Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.
Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, and footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
The following COVID-19 guidelines will apply:
- Always stay at least six feet from others. Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
- Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as restrooms will not be available.
- Do not attend the gather if you are sick, recently exposed (within 14 days) to someone with COVID-19 or are not feeling well.
Follow the Red Desert Complex Gather on @BLMWyoming and @BLMWHB Twitter.
Adoption Information:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Canon City, Colorado; and other locations to be determined where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses will be taken to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton or the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. If you are interested in taking home a wild horse from this gather, please get pre-approved and get ready for the first events in the New Year!
Background:
The complex includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas (HMAs), spanning 703,500 acres of public land and 49,500 acres of private land in south-central Wyoming.
- Daily Gather Reports
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October 10, 2020
Summary: Clear with mild temperatures and light winds in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 112 (42 Studs, 46 Mares, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 11, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Sunday, October 11, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 12, 2020
Summary: Clear with cool temperatures and strong winds between 20-30 mph.
Animals gathered: 84 (19 Studs, 38 Mares, 27 Foals)
Animals shipped: 79 (24 Studs, 27 Mares, 28 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 13, 2020
Summary: Clear with cool temperatures and moderate winds.
Animals gathered: 75 (30 Studs, 33 Mares, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 53 (0 Studs, 26 Mares, 27 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 14, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 15, 2020
Summary: Partly Cloudy with cool temperatures and light winds.
Animals gathered: 78 (31 Studs, 31 Mares, 16 Foals)
Animals shipped: 43 (4 Studs, 27 Mares, 12 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 16, 2020
Summary: Slightly overcast with cool temperatures and strong winds in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 128 (41 Studs, 56 Mares, 31 Foals)
Animals shipped: 37 (37 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1** One horse was euthanized due to a limb deformation on the left front leg.
October 17, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Saturday, October 17, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 127 (36 Studs, 66 Mares, 25 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 18, 2020
Summary: Mostly cloudy with cool temperatures and light winds.
Animals gathered: 121 (40 Studs, 49 Mares, 32 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 19, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Monday, October 19, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals shipped: 136 (36 Studs, 44 Mares, 56 Foals)
October 20, 2020
Summary: Overcast and windy with moderate temperatures.
Animals gathered: 75 (22 Studs, 33 Mares, 20 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 21, 2020
Summary: Clear skies and windy with moderate temperatures.
Animals gathered: 13 (8 Studs, 4 Mares, 1 Foals)
Animals shipped: 83 (26 Studs, 39 Mares, 18 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 22, 2020
Summary: There were no gather or shipping operations on Thursday, October 22, 2020 due to weather conditions.
October 23, 2020
Summary: Snow and wind with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 263 (101 Studs, 107 Mares, 55 Foals)
Animals shipped: 35 (12 Studs, 1 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*One horse was euthanized after suffering a fractured head due to being kicked by another horse.
October 24, 2020
Summary: Clowdy with wind and cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 113 (48 Studs, 41 Mares, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 35 (12 Studs, 1 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1**One horse was euthanized due to an angular limb deformation of the left front leg.
October 25, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Sunday, October 25, 2020 due to weather conditions.
Animals shipped: 60 (0 Studs, 1 Mares, 59 Foals)
October 26, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 61 (30 Studs, 19 Mares, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 77 (38 Studs, 39 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 27, 2020
Summary: There were no gather operations on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Animals shipped: 34 (0 Studs, 20 Mares, 14 Foals)
October 28, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cold temperatures.
Animals gathered: 188 (63 Studs, 84 Mares, 41 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*One horse was euthanized due to a neck injury suffered at the trap site.
October 29, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 178 (66 Studs, 73 Mares, 39 Foals)
Animals shipped: 95 (7 Studs, 47 Mares, 41 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 30, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 107 (34 Studs, 48 Mares, 25 Foals)
Animals shipped: 75 (36 Studs, 39 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 31, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 76 (21 Studs, 39 Mares, 16 Foals)
Animals shipped: 86 (0 Studs, 61 Mares, 25 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 1, 2020
No gather operations today.
Animals shipped: 82 (1 Studs, 65 Mares, 17 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2**Two animals were euthanized today due to Ostioarthrites of both knees.
November 2, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 98 (32 Studs, 49 Mares, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 36 (36 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 3, 2020
Summary: Sunny with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 81 (29 Studs, 34 Mares, 18 Foals)
Animals shipped: 73 (36 Studs, 37 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3** 3 animals were euthanized for pre-existing conditions. 1 for chronic lameness due to an old dislocated or broken front leg, 1 for club foot, and 1 for multiple melanomas.
November 4, 2020
Summary: Sunny, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 24 (16 Studs, 4 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 48 (10 Studs, 3 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 5, 2020
Summary: Sunny, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 50 (14 Studs, 22 Mares, 14 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0*One horse was euthanized after suffering a fractured leg or pelvis.
November 6, 2020
Summary: Overcast, windy with cool temperatures.
There were no gather operations on Friday, November 6, 2020.
Animals shipped: 43 (9 Studs, 15 Mares, 19 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 7, 2020
Summary: Cloudy, windy with cool temperatures.
Animals gathered: 27 (10 Studs, 11 Mares, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 27 (10 Studs, 11 Mares, 6 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 8, 2020
Summary: Cloudy, windy with cold temperatures and scattered snow.
There were no gather or shipping operations on Sunday, November 8.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 9, 2020
Summary: Low cloud cover with cold temperatures and scattered snow.
There were no gather or shipping operations on Monday, November 9.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 10, 2020
Summary: Cold, windy with scattered snow.
There were no gather operations on Tuesday, November 10.
Animals shipped: 23 (17 Studs, 6 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 11, 2020
There were no gather or shipping operations on Wednesday, November 11.
November 12, 2020
Summary: Cold, sunny, with light winds.
Animals gathered: 17 (9 Studs, 6 Mares, 2 Foals)
Animals shipped: 17 (9 Studs, 6 Mares, 2 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 13, 2020
There were no gather or shipping operations on Friday, November 13. This is the final day of the Red Desert Wild Horse Gather.
Gather Status
As of November 13, 2020
Animals Gathered
1970
Animals Treated with Fertility Control
100
Animals Returned to Home Range
197
Animal Deaths
10
-Sudden/Acute: 3
-Pre-existing/Chronic: 7
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports”.