Yesterday, we reported to you about a foal seen on the side of the road before the roundup began.

IMPORTANT NOTE: BLM Nevada State Office is telling the public taking the action item that you have a wrong number when you call them. You do not have a wrong number. The numbers we gave you are listed by BLM for the State Director and office (see here for BLM listings). BLM is saying the “Mining Department,” sending callers into an automated loop, or simply saying wring number; tell BLM it is what they list on the State Office website. BLM NV seems to be trying to deflect all calls to the 866 468-7826 (866-4MUSTANGS) number that is a national office number. The state office budget funded and approved this operation. The district wrote the plan and is onsite saying “what is humane” and running the removal. Both the state and district have the power to stop this.

Reminder: The State Office of BLM manages more wild horses and burros than all other state offices combined. They have not been the subject of a “call in” for a long time like for smaller (and better known herds due to local photo clubs) like in Utah or Wyoming. Utah and Wyoming seem to take the calls. Nevada does not seem to want to. Thank you to all of you calling.

It appears BLM captured the foal shortly after it was seen around 7:30. They said it just “walked up to them.” They put the foal on a trailer. They went out to look for the mare after 2 runs and 4 hours had gone by (after we published the update, but were never updated onsite until later. See yesterdays update HERE.).

They sent them directly to the off-limits to the public facility in Winnemucca. That facility has never had a single public tour and is built in an area known for flooding. This also masks the rising death rates. Deaths of horses arriving at the facility will not be attributed to capture.

As noted in yesterdays update: “Normal foals nurse every 30 minutes..” American Association of Equine Practitioners. This time of year is far too fragile for capture with possible injury, separation on the range and, if captured, the nearly 4 hours it would take to reunite after the trauma of separation, loading and trailering (some new moms will stop producing milk from stress).

Although this foal was caught and is with mom at a facility, this incident speaks to a much larger issue. Every single year we see heavily pregnant mares and tiny foals being run, roped and captured by helicopter drive in the last days of January and into February.

Below: You can see at least 1 pregnant mare during this run.

BLM has failed to create actual management plans that should provide data on many things. Data should be disclosed that was used to set the number of horses allowed on the range, forage allocation and more. The East Pershing Complex has large exchange with 2 other BLM districts and HMAs seasonal. The failure to document this movement has led to faulty census counts for over 40 years. Data should also define an actual foaling season for the region.

BLM created a standard that disallows capture by helicopter during foaling season and when heavily pregnant mares are observed. However, BLM simply relies on anecdotal information from a tribal herd in the Dakotas to claim foaling season runs from March through June. Every single year we see that this is not factual in herds far from the Dakotas.

This is the same way BLM does everything. Create an internal standard, claim it is a policy and then create an internal myth in order to skirt any parameter they might set.

Below: Medicine Hat captured that will not be released and never contribute genetic material to this herd again. Historically, colorful horses were captured and diminished the gene pool. When BLM took over jurisdiction in 1971, they did nothing to preserve unique genetic aspects of herds,

Not only has BLM failed to create a data-based foaling season, they have failed to create an enforceable welfare policy.

BLM has captured 2,246 Wild Horses (916 Stallions, 1,032 Mares, and 298 Foals) so far and has over 500 to go before this roundup ends. 

We ask that you please continue to take the action outlined yesterday:

We rarely do this kind of action item. We make every attempt to work through outlined processes and the courts. 

Foaling has begun. Heavily pregnant mares are observed. This roundup needs to stop. 

East Pershing Complex is managed by the Winnemucca District Office of the NV BLM. 

Sam Burton is the Winnemucca District Manager: 775-623-1500

Jon Raby is the State Director: 775-861-6400 (Main number for state office, BLM no longer lists individual numbers) You can also call 775-862-6500 as another main office number. 

EDIT: We are getting feedback that the, when state office answers the phone, they are claiming wrong numbers and misrouting calls or simply refusing to put people through. So we will give you the direct email for Jon Raby, NV State Director, is: JRaby@BLM.gov 

Please call, be polite, do not take out your frustrations on the person that answers the phone at the front desk.  Please call and ask: “Please suspend the roundup at East Pershing until BLM defines a data-based foaling season. Running heavily pregnant mares, new babies and sending them into an off-limits facility that is known for flooding during winter storms to hide welfare issues… is simply not ok. Stop the roundup.” 

You can also send this letter to your representatives in Congress: Roundups need to stop until BLM creates an enforceable welfare policy. Click HERE.

Our wild horses and burros need to be protected and preserved wild on the range. They also deserve to be free of abuses.

We need your help to stay in the field and to continue to keep the lawsuit active in the courts now to bring about an enforceable welfare policy. 

Thank you for keeping us running to preserve and protect the wild ones!