Foal from Triple B at PVC

Now that the Triple B roundup has ended, let’s not forget the ones captive and those still free. Areas like Triple B make the media when there is a roundup. Roundups start long before a chopper flies and the fight for voice and equity for the wild continues. Let’s all keep Triple B and the more remote HMAs in our minds, even when the sound of the chopper fades. 

Many of those now captive are facing their last days as “wild under law.” After adoption (or sale) title is transferred and they will lose their protected status as “legally wild” and be governed in the law books on domestic horses.

This change occurred in 2004 with the “Burns Amendment.” Prior to that amendment, in an Omnibus Appropriations bill, wild horses were “wild” under law for their lifetime and protected from slaughter. The Burns Amendment did not just change the original Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act to allow sale to slaughter (“sale authority”). After 2004 title transfer, immediate after sale and 1 year after adoption, changed everything and the wild horse lost any protection of “birth in the wild.”

Stallion pacing the fenceline by the mare pen, his family on the other side of the alleyway

The wild horses from the Triple B roundup were transferred to Palomino Valley Center (PVC). They have tagged and branded about 200 mare/foals so far. In about two weeks we will go back and get more tag numbers for those interested in adopting. We were told there are 4 orphans (off limits to viewing) that did not pair up with mares yet. Most foals are too young to be adopted as singles for another 2-3 months, and will only be adopted out as mare/foal pairs.

Below is a slideshow of stallions. The stallions are often the hardest to witness after capture, the displacement of all they are hardwired to be. They pair up with sons and even grandsons. They try to create a semblance of the order, they are hardwired to create, for band survival in the wild. Most of these wild horses wont be adopted, some will be sold and lost track of.

The pillar of survival of the wild, trying to figure out their new surroundings and their place in this captive state. Most we will never see again.

We will remember them… always.

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To learn about Triple B and the obstacles faced by the ones still free, click HERE, and scroll down, for a free copy of Triple B digital magazine. 

We will bring you “adoption photos” after BLM processes more and we can get tag numbers. In about two weeks we will bring you a “Triple B” slideshow of tags. 

Help us stay in the fight.