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Moved to new trap location.

Studs shipped to Burns.

Observation is a bit under half mile away. I am still not able to assess pilot conduct with absolute documentation. However there is every indication that conduct is continuing. That documentation is being compiled.

This beautiful horse broke at the trap and escaped free, but alone.

39 removed today.

I will be editing video and compiling full reports in the next 48 hours.

Thank you for understanding.

BLM has finally begun updating the Barren Valley page: http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/whb/barrenvalleycomplex.php

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Very fast update.

7 taken at trap later in the morning.

Trap moved to new location that should afford ability to assess pilot performance.

Several documents being prepped. They will be uploaded as soon as time allows.

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This update will begin with a repost of 9/11 from RT Fitch’s blog for 9/11. 9/12 to follow:

Wild Horse Freedom Federation’s (WHFF) Laura Leigh was on-site the first day of the contested Barren Valley, Oregon wild horse roundup on 9/11/2011.  Ms. Leigh is a plaintiff in several suits filed against the BLM and the most recent case riled Federal Judge H. McKibben enough for him to admonish the BLM for “inhumane” treatment of the horses and issued a rare emergency order which clearly warns the BLM and their contract helicopter stampede pilot to conduct their controversial wild horse roundups in a humane and controlled fashion.  According to Leigh’s report it appears that both the BLM and their contractor may be paying attention.

“There were some improvements in areas I was explicit about in the documentation of the Court case.” reported Leigh, “But this is just one day with no way to hold that expectation that this will carry through to other roundups or if the public is not present.”

When asked how the actual operation was conducted Leigh said,

“I could not see the actual trap mouth (around hill… in a draw). But the small pieces I could see were not so “frantic.” But this was day one. When I can really see it … I’ll comment.”

Leigh went on to comment on improvements over what she observed at the Triple B stampede with the same contractor, Sun J.

“They did do dust control and by golly there was water. The horses water tubs were being monitored.”  Leigh continued, “Yet they did try to overload the trailers and rushed too many through at a time at holding. There were heads caught and horses crushed … one time a horse’s head was stuck and it was pinned. Whatever is accomplished in dialogue on the ground has no meaning without a written protocol that follows through program wide. There needs to be a commitment to follow the principles of humane care, with accountability, as outlined in the Act.”

R.T. Fitch, President and co-founder of WHFF commented by email,

“It appears that Laura has made a significant improvement in the horse’s care on this first day.  Even though we are on opposite sides of the fence it looks as if a dialogue is beginning, “ wrote Fitch, “and being that we are demanding that the BLM follow their own rules we, likewise, will play by the book.  The last thing we want to do is lose access as our daily presence in the field means better treatment for the horses.”

Ms. Leigh indicated that she will issue an in-depth report on September 12^th after documenting day two.

9/12: Leigh

I still cannot observe much of pilot conduct. But today I saw indications that there may be the same issues. I could here the back and forth of the chopper behind the hill indicating that the horses were not making clear forward motion. I could see that horses were trying to break up a hill as the chopper blades and the occasional top of a horses head would appear.

I saw a band receive conflicting signals and be driven back and forth and one run through the jute.

I cannot tell you what occurs at the trap mouth nor can I tell you what a drive looks like.

BLM COR and observers are about 35 feet up the hill from me. They have a much greater view and their view is not obstructed by the same rock outcropping I am. I am not allowed to move up to their vantage.

I observed the same crowding during processing at temporary holding as yesterday.

Full video report and more details as time permits. Days are beginning at 5 am pst and not returning until after 7 pm pst.

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First Group… Full report later. We need your help to support the ACTIVE case to conduct. The case is still active. To support the case and read the amended complaint, go to: http://wildhorsefreedom.org

Donations can be made to the field work at the above link or click on the donate button. This case is ACTIVE and needs your support.