Narrative.

Our team arrived at Owyhee over a week ago. On the heels of the Eagle capture, we were the only org present at both Eagle and through week one of Owyhee.

A couple of days before we documented a mare run as she aborted or gave birth at Eagle we found a grey cat living in a parking lot. He came into our room and stayed. We nicknamed him “Speedbump” as he slowed down our ability to move as fast as we needed dealing with pressing issues. We are happy to report Speedbump, now named Hobo. will be picked up at a veterinary clinic in Carson City, after vaccinations and neuter, by his new adopter soon. We could not just leave him there.

We engaged at Eagle and are still in the process of bringing this matter to conclusion; she will not be forgotten.

Warning: Video Disturbing

Then came Owyhee.

At Owyhee we engaged observations and the check list we carry for the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy (CAWP).

One of our legal cases, that was instrumental in bring the policy change, happened at Owyhee. That case was brought after BLM claimed a protocol but had not included it into contracts of “operating procedures.”

You can read part of the court order gained HERE and watch a short video of a roundup that created that order: https://wildhorseeducation.org/2013/01/10/judge-orders-blm-to-handle-wild-horses-humanely-at-ongoing-roundup/

Wild Horse Education is the only org in history to litigate issues surrounding  inappropriate actions at BLM roundups.

We are taking action for the “Eagle Mare.” We are taking action for the breakdowns we see ongoing. We will have more info for you soon.

Week one at Owyhee: 936 captured, 21 dead. (you can see the breakdowns of deaths each day by scrolling through the daily reports in the blog section of the site on the main page HERE: http://WildHorseEducation.org

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Owyhee has a long background for us of many experiences. Each of these experiences is not had as if you are a machine with a camera attached simply taking photos and litigating.

Each experience is arduous; physically and emotionally.

The bed I slept in for this operation is the same bed I lay in 2012/2013 with hypothermia after I was denied the ability to “get warm” in my vehicle as it rained/snowed and the wind blew. BLM and contract staff could warm up, but if I went to my truck I would have to leave. I stayed.

Two days later I wrote my declarations, photo logs and drafted litigation. It won.

The litigation also involved matters surrounding the sheer lack of data for the claims of “Appropriate Management Level,” the number of horses BLM can live in the complex. It also involves the lack of information surrounding boundary lines; including some of the most absurd in the West. We are looking at options to resurrect this action.

 Some of WHE Background:

BLM cancels Snowstorm after litigation filed:  https://wildhorseeducation.org/snowstorm-owyhee/

Stop Order from Federal Judge amid Owyhee Complex Abuse (including a horse run through barbed wire): https://wildhorseeducation.org/2013/01/04/blm-owyhee-roundup-under-stop-order-from-federal-judge/

Editorial from 2012 including the time period between 2010-2012 and the threats of arrest simply trying to see horses in holding, after a court orders it. https://wildhorseeducation.org/2012/11/26/almost-200000-miles-ago-owyhee-then-and-now/

(you can see our resume here).

In some areas mining is the political power. In the Owyhee Complex it’s livestock.

We are editing video of the first week of Owyhee. There is just no time to complete the edit as we build a legal foundation, document, report and engage.

We are working on an issue of WHE EMag. The issue will focus on the roundup year 2018; a look at individual operations and what they mean as a “big picture.”

During the first week of Owyhee we also hosted a film maker and did a fast round trip to do a recorded interview for a very credible venue. The interview focused on public lands, wild horses and the politics that run the show. We will let you know when it airs.

Both of our volunteers have gotten sick, but our team remans in the field. We will publish a daily report for the beginning of week two of Owyhee in the morning.

We are running on a shoestring and have some big tasks ahead. Habitat is the most crucial part, the most neglected part. of wild horse management. We have a series for you, as we take action, coming soon.

If you can support our work we will send you a link and code to access your copy of the E-Mag when it publishes Oct 15.

Click the Mag cover to make a donation and add your name to the list.