This is always a busy season on the calendar of wild horse advocacy. As the calendar year winds down for most people, the fiscal year of federal agencies begins. We are beginning the fiscal 2021 year with additional confusion brought on by a budget that has not been finalized in Congress and a health crisis that will continue to hit Americans hard this winter. However, advocacy for wild horses and burros must continue full-steam under the onslaught of projects, policies, and a lack of transparency, from federal managers. The chaos is a “perfect storm.”

Our team is working hard to root through the layers of hidden backdoor deals, massive projects threatening wild horses and their habitat, to determine channels where we can push back, speak out and keep you informed.

We recently filed against “the spay plan” in Utah. The brief covers deficits in the process, the inclusion of a dangerous and extreme surgical experiment (spaying) and the plan to hide the unprecedented procedure from start, until release back into the wild. (you can read more HERE)

Our teams are also working to clarify the link between William Perry Pendley (former BLM Chief), who is still sitting in a leadership role as Deputy Director, and changes to the way field offices are operating concerning wild horses. A lawsuit from Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) successfully challenged Pendley’s tenure as acting BLM Chief. Judge Brian Morris ruled that Pendley “served unlawfully as the Acting BLM Director for 424 days.” WHE sent a preliminary packet out to key members of Congress (more HERE)

As soon as we can openly answer questions about the legal action and the information we have on Pendley, without jeopardizing the work in these highly political times where self interest overrides the interest of wild things, we will. Many of our readers are among the ranks of long time advocates and really want to know, we understand. We just do not want the work itself cut off at the knees by those “in the deals.”

But, our inbox is filled with a lot of other questions as more and more people become aware of the plight of American wild horses.

For those of you asking about “wild horse slaughter” this article might help answer questions :  https://wildhorseeducation.org/2020/06/24/wild-horse-slaughter-safe-burns-budget/

Many are asking about the difference between “adoption and sale.” This is an older article that is a good place to start: https://wildhorseeducation.org/three-strikes-adoption-and-sale-authority/

For those of you asking about the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy (CAWP, amid a flurry of internet rumor, this might help answer questions: https://wildhorseeducation.org/2020/09/20/humane-handling-it-is-the-law-rumor-mill/

The beginning of the 2021 roundup schedule, that began in October, has been published, but is likely to change. You can read more here: https://wildhorseeducation.org/2020/10/21/2021-roundup-schedule/

After decades of shoddy on range management for wild horses, based more on conjecture than actual data (National Academy of Sciences 1982-2013), our wild horses are in serious trouble. We have experienced several years now of massive habitat loss, water wars and competitive business models running the show where the law and transparency mean nothing to federal land managers. The picture is not pretty. (more here)

We really are encouraged by the number of relevant, intelligent, questions in the inbox. The number of Americans that are serious about advocating, truly advocating, is growing.

An educated and active advocacy is their only hope to remain a  part of the system of our land, our public lands.

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Help us stay in the fight. 

What you can do, now, to help our wild ones

Please take action to demand Congress defund any roundups where the BLM has failed to create open and transparent management planning.  Click HERE.

Call the Senate switchboard and ask for your rep. Demand that all actions against wild horses and burros halt until William Perry Pendley leaves the BLM. His tenure was ruled illegal and BLM is still moving an agenda forward for Pendley’s former law clients.  Switchboard (202) 224-3121