You can view our team updates from the first 2 weeks of the Pancake Complex Roundup HERE.
We will continue the updates from week 3 onward on this page. The page from the first 2 weeks is overloaded with video and information. (HERE)
Our teams are in field and have been working hard on the backside. As concrete news arises on either front, we will update as soon as possible and prudent.
Newest updates will appear at the top. Scroll down for earlier updates.
Our team is working very hard to push forward our underlying case and add additional factors. BLM only gave 108 hours notice right before a weekend and then a holiday weekend. We know all of you have been standing with us for this herd for years. We will keep working for this beloved herd.
Total captured: 2,054 Wild Horses (853 Stallions, 954 Mares, and 247 Foals)
Shipped: 1,960 Wild Horses (813 Stallions, 902 Mares, and 245 Foals) (Note: all wild horses captured at the beginning of this operation were shipped into off-limits facility in Sutherland Utah. BLM sent some wild horses to Palomino Valley Center north of Reno. BLM has now resumed sending wild horses off-limits to viewing at Broken Arrow, Indian Lakes in Fallon. Many of the wild ones you are looking to adopt or for reports on, we can not visit. BLM provides no statistics online from Sutherland or Broken Arrow to track injury, births or death.)
Released: 18 (3 stallions, 15 mares) Mares “retreated” with PZP-22 from ten years ago. BLM is only releasing mares they treated before even though most of those mares are no longer alive, BLM is not releasing any mares to preserve unique herd genetics (medicine hat, curly, etc.).
Deaths: 26 (full list at the bottom of the page)
None of the reported deaths include those that died during or after transport to holding/processing facilities.
All wild horses, except a few minor exceptions of older horses, have come into trap showing great body condition for this time of year. Domestic livestock grazing will begin very soon in much of this (public) complex as well.
02-13-22, Day 34
25 (14 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 1 Foal) captured ends the Pancake Complex roundup.
BLM killed 2 more: An 8 year old Sorrel Stallion broke his neck; 20+ year old Bay Stallion was killed BLM said he had a “pre-existing” fracture to rear leg.
02-12-22, Day 33
49 (17 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 7 Foals) wild horses captured. Heavily pregnant mares (and one new baby) came in today as wild horses were driven by privately owned livestock. (long report and more video HERE)
02-11-22, Day 32
25 (7 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 6 Foals) squeezed from the core area leaving less than 100 members of the core herd. Trap returns to the area to the West near Fish Creek to squeeze the remaining wild horses down before the operation ends.
Colt slides his head through gap between trailer and panel prior to loading to be shipped off to corral and then to off-limits to the public holding facility.
02-10-22, Day 31
BLM captured 56 (13 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 16 Foals) wild horses this day and another lost his life. A 3 year old bay stud was killed because BLM said he was “blind/missing an eye.”
02-09-22, Day 30
BLM went back into Jakes Wash to continue the push to zero out this HA that is part of the Pancake Complex. Fifteen years ago BLM carried over the anecdotal data (confirmed by the NAS in 2013) into a Land Use Plan revision and declared Jakes Wash an HA, “no longer an area that could sustain management of wild horses.” The area has livestock grazing and part of/adjoining a very popular area for hunting.
BLM captured 39 (18 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 6 Foals) wild horses. Heavily pregnant mares continue to be driven as foaling season begins in the Pancake complex.
3 more have died: 20+ year old Roan Mare was killed due to “body condition;” a 20+ year old Bay Mare “due to pre-existing condition (Body condition/Unable to maintain or improve);” a 6 year old Bay Mare BLM said had “pre-existing condition (Blind/missing eye).”
Tomorrow BLM will return to the heart of the complex to finish removing the core herd.
Above: wild horses are captured by helicopter as cattle walk by.
02-08-22, Day 29
69 (26 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 9 Foals) wild horses were captured in the Sands Springs West area.
2 more deaths reported: 12 year old Roan Mare that BLM said had Kyphosis of spine (curvature of the spine measuring 50 degrees or greater on an X-ray) and an 11 year old Bay Stallion BLM said was “Blind/missing eye.”
Trap moves tomorrow back into Jakes Wash area (by the hunting zone).
02-07-22, Day 28
85 (31 Stallions, 44 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were captured as BLM continues to remove wild horses from Sand Springs West (part of the complex). This 1.2 million acre complex is at the center of “wild horse country” and spans over 45 miles north to south. BLM is squeezing the area down to around 400 wild horses (we dispute the estimated population pre-operation as we have reason to believe it includes wild horses from nearby HMAs outside the complex). When this operation is over, one of our last large wild horse populations is gone.
A mare collided with the jute at or near the t-post. She became tangled. She rose only to fall again. She did rise and slowly walked into the trap by wranglers.
Video above, release
02-06-22, Day 27
23 (13 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 0 Foals) wild horses were captured as BLM continued to squeeze the trap. 88 (43 Stallions, 35 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were shipped to the off-limits to public view facility on Indian Lakes Rd in Fallon, NV (Broken Arrow).
14 (3 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 0 Foals) were released. The released wild horses at this operation are primarily older horses. Only two wild horses released yesterday represent any of the unique genetics from this complex. (The most unique gene pool was captured first, none released and all sent to the off-limits facility in Sutherland, UT.) BLM has not added any fertility control treatment to the official update page for any of the released mares. On-site (it appears) BLM is treating the few (mostly older) mares released with PZP-22.
BLM killed 3 wild horses: a 20 year old Sorrel Stallion they said was “chronically mane;” a 20 year old bay mare BLM said had severe tooth loss, an 11 year old bay they said was “blind” as she was missing an eye.
Above: Sweat drenched wild horses stampeded as BLM squeezes the area to capture as many wild horses as they can.
02-05-22, Day 26
BLM is now in the process we call “squeezing the rock.” The BLM is now searching for wild horses left in the complex to remove. To us, this is always an indication that the numbers are inflated and the operation is simply planned to get the largest number of wild horses off the range; an operation not planned on rangeland health site-by-site.
BLM captured 69 (32 Stallions, 36 Mares, and 1 Foal).
BLM reported, “18 year old Sorrel Stallion died unexpectedly due to acute injury (fractured neck).” BLM does not state if this were at the trap or during processing at holding.
Our observer could not see the actual trap. She believes the stallion crashed into a panel at trap and broke his neck out her her line of sight.
02-04-22, Day 25:
25 (12 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 3 Foals) were captured. At this trap the range finder states observers continue to be 1.7 miles from trap. (We are editing footage)
02-03-22, Day 24:
79 (35 Stallions, 38 Mares, and 6 Foals) wild horses captured.
BLM killed a 20+ year old Sorrel Stallion they claim had pre-existing condition (Physical defect – congenital/lax flexor tendons in both front legs). So either they ran a horse with a pre-existing condition for miles, or they ran an old horse until his tendons blew. You decide where the error was made yesterday; was an already injured horse run by chopper instead of being left on-range or euthanized on range, or did they run an old horse until his tendons blew?
02-02-22, Day 23:
Our observer was held down the road and given little time to get to the observation area before the run came in. We were able to document the trailering of wild horses off the range from (extreme) distance. This is an area we have documented intense livestock use and will re-visit that issue in future articles. After this run of 33 (15 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 3 Foals) wild horses, the operation was called off due to windy conditions.
We went to holding and were able to document a fragment of off-loading. Yesterday was a “no fly day” that including shipping and few horses came in today. We were given an opportunity to see pens that did not have the same numbers (due to capture and shipping levels) of previous days.
02-01-22, Day 22:
No fly day. Moved to new trap location and then high winds. Our team went to previous trap locations and only a small fragment was found in one location.
We have disputed the BLM population estimate for this area. The only way they could have even near that many horses is if they aded all the horses in the complex to the West. The lack of an underlying Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP-EA) disallowed our addressing methodology in the Gather EA BLM approved for this operation.
01-31-22, Day 21
64 (25 Stallions, 37 Mares, and 2 Foals) wild horses were captured. We are still documenting extremely heavily pregnant mares as Pancake enters true foaling season that BLM failed to determine (as required) in an HMAP. BLM is forbidden from helicopter capture during foaling season. Due to distance, we can not see if any “hot shots” are being employed during loading.
BLM has resumed shipping wild horses into off-limits to the public facilities. 89 (31 Stallions, 42 Mares, and 16 Foals) wild horses were shipped to Broken Arrow (Indian Lakes, Fallon, NV). Our observer asked to arrive at holding prior to trailers arriving so she could get a closer look at body condition. Wild horses continue to arrive, as they have since the beginning of this operation, in good body score for a wild herd.
From our limited vantage point at temporary holding we could see stocking still appears high for the overnight period prior to morning shipping. Our ability to assess any handling (processing) at holding is still hamstrung and we can not report to you on any practices including the use of “hot shot” electric prods, rushing, etc.
01-30-22, Day 20
The operation that was approved to last until the end of February continues to rush toward the goal of 2030 wild horses removed. Today, 127 (53 Stallions, 58 Mares, and 16 Foals) were captured. Even though BLM has 29 days to complete this operation they remain in high gear.
From what we can see of the temporary holding corrals the BLM continues to over-stock the corrals beyond the limits set in the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy (CAWP). The holding observation zone is far from trap and obstructed from a clear view. However, we can see multiple indications of overstocking, including simply the numbers captured vs the number shipped each day.
You can view the latest update from the legal team HERE.
01-29-22, Day 19
After waiting this morning, operations were called off apparently due to fatigue and a pilot “under the weather.”
Our observer went to holding and a spot was designated for observation of holding that will be open. However, all equipment appears to be parked in the line of sight.
We will update as photos and information come in.
01-28-22, Day 18
99 (43 Stallions, 47 Mares, and 9 Foals) wild horses captured. 130 (59 Stallions, 56 Mares, and 15 Foals) were shipped.
2 deaths: an 11 year old Sorrel mare and a 6 year old Roan stallion were killed because BLM said they were both missing an eye.
Sorrel mare coming past observation and toward the trap far off in the distance
The court did not stop this operation in a TRO. The case remains active. Details on the status of the filing HERE.
01-27-22, Day 17
134 (57 Stallions, 62 Mares, and 15 Foals) wild horses were captured according to BLM. Observation was far away and only for a moment of capture. Wild horses were being captured and transported rapidly to corrals.
Our observer asked public affairs to see if he could get permission for her to go to holding. She wanted to check on stocking capacity of the temporary corral. The permission was granted after public affairs conferred on the radio with the IC and State WHB lead. (It should be noted that this heavy restriction to not even watch holding without a tour, is extremely unusual. In fact, we have had observers sit at holding all day in the past.)
On arrival at the corrals she was met by BLM at the corrals where they yelled at her for going to the corral (the same man that granted her permission to go over the radio). It has been confirmed that BLM will continue to disallow our ability to simply check stocking capacity each day.
Our teams will update you soon about the increasing tensions at trap for our observers as we work through the designated and lawful processes available to us to protect our legal interests.
A story from AP reporter Scott Sonner that listened in on hearing HERE. WHE is not making any statement until the Judge issues an order. We feel it is not appropriate and the roundup updates all speak volumes.
Tensions at trap can increase significantly when you are addressing an issue through a legal channel. The behavior of BLM staff can get very aggressive and off-putting in several districts, not all.
01-26-22, Day 15
66 (33 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 8 Foals) wild horses captured.
One band ran near observation as it headed off to the trap far in the distance. We can not report on any handling at trap (as we could not see) and observers are not permitted to view the temporary corrals until all handling ceases. (Yes, we used to be able to report handling at temporary but in recent years access to view actual handling is restricted in many districts, not all. It is our opinion that this has more to do with contractors not wanting pictures of themselves handling horses taken, not that taking pictures of the handling of horses is a problem.)
Wild horses captured include very heavily pregnant mares. BLM is prohibited from helicopter capture during foaling season, bait trapping is allowed nearly all year, for a reason. Mares this pregnant run a high risk of preterm birth and complications. There is also usually no way to tell if any newborns have been left on the range unless the mare is still bloody from labor.
You can continue to take the earlier action listed after a lone (wet, nursing) mare was chased for over an hour. We know you feel a very strong need to take public action as we work on the backside. You can access the page HERE.
You can view our team updates from the first 2 weeks of the Pancake Complex Roundup HERE.
More info on the battle to save our wild ones:
2022, the state of wild horses/burros
You can help keep us in the field and working in the courts.
Deaths: 26
7 year old Bay Mare put down BLM said due to chronic pre-existing condition (Break); Bay Foal was died due to acute injury (Break); 3 year old Bay Stallion died unexpectedly due to pre-existing condition; 3 year old Bay Mare was “euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to acute condition (Undiagnosed)” and BLM is claiming this is not roundup related (even though both could have been a heart attack); 3 year old Bay Mare was “euthanized due to pre-existing condition (Congenital Sway back);” 20+ year old Bay Mare was “euthanized due to pre-existing condition (Body Condition unable to maintain or improve);” 8 year old Bay Stallion “due to pre-existing condition (Break);” 4 year old Bay Mare “due to pre-existing condition (Blind);” 20+ year old Black Mare was “due to pre-existing condition (Body Condition unable to maintain or improve);” 6 year old Bay Mare was euthanized “in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to pre-existing condition (Blind missing an eye);” 20 year old bay stallion BLM said had a previously broken leg; 11 year old Sorrel Mare was “due to pre-existing condition (Blind missing eye);” 6 year old Roan Stallion “due to pre-existing condition (Blind missing eye);” 20+ year old Sorrel Stallion BLM claimed was killed due to “pre-existing condition (Physical defect – congenital/lax flexor tendons in both front legs).” (In other words: they blew the old horses tendons by running him.) An 18 year old stallion broke his neck; A 20 year old Sorrel Stallion they said was “chronically mane;” a 20 year old bay mare BLM said had severe tooth loss, an 11 year old bay they said was “blind” as she was missing an eye; 12 year old Roan Mare that BLM said had Kyphosis of spine (curvature of the spine measuring 50 degrees or greater on an X-ray) and an 11 year old Bay Stallion BLM said was “Blind/missing eye;” 20+ year old Roan Mare was killed due to “body condition;” a 20+ year old Bay Mare “due to pre-existing condition (Body condition/Unable to maintain or improve);” a 6 year old Bay Mare BLM said had “pre-existing condition (Blind/missing eye);” 3 year old bay stud was killed because BLM said he was “blind/missing an eye;” An 8 year old Sorrel Stallion broke his neck; 20+ year old Bay Stallion was killed BLM said he had a “pre-existing” fracture to rear leg.
Categories: Wild Horse Education
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