The largest roundup on the 2024 schedule at East Pershing is drawing to an end. BLM targeted 2,875 wild horses for capture and permanent removal, none will be released. BLM has captured 2,634.

Cumulative totals at the bottom of the article.

There are numerous issues with the roundup from a lack of data that clearly omits significant exchange with neighboring complexes resulting in fault AML (numbers allowed on range), forage allocation and more. This is a “data-poor” operation (we will have articles in the coming weeks that delve into this subject further).

BLM has moved back to the Battle Mountain side for a last “clean up” of the area as winter storms keep moving in and out and foaling has begun.

Above: As observers arrived, this small band was in the area grazing. They moved by the trap that would, very shortly, be the gateway to their loss of freedom. Soon, the helicopter began to drive these wild horses (that are in amazing body score for this time of year) to the trap.

Above: The last wild horse seen during the day appeared to be trying to use the livestock infrastructure to hide. But humans nearby kept him uneasy. The little horse moved out of sight and the operation was called for the day.

Above: Trailers filled with captured wild horses were getting stuck and needed to be towed. The weather is going to continue to be cold and wet. You can see the livestock grazing and horses running by the trailers taking wild horses off of public lands.

80 wild horses (27 Stallions, 41 Mares, and 12 Foals) were captured and none shipped.

Capture continues at this trap tomorrow. Our observer remains onsite.

Cumulative totals:

Captured: 2,634 Wild Horses (1,054 Stallions, 1,221 Mares, and 359 Foals) 

Shipped: 2,505 Wild Horses (1,013 Stallions, 1,148 Mares, and 344 Foals) to the off-limits facility in Winnemucca NV. BLM has never allowed any observation at this facility.

Deaths: 26  (captured day 1 and euthanized the next morning BLM said: 10 year-old Bay Stud – blind in left eye; 7 year-old Bay Stud – right front club foot; 16 year-old Bay Stud – blind in left eye; 14 year-old Bay Stud – blind in right eye; 14 year-old Bay Mare – blind in left eye; 20+ year-old Bay Stud – blind in left eye; 4 year-old Bay Mare, Euthanized – broken neck; 12 year-old Bay Mare, Euthanized – broken left rear leg; 7 year-old Bay Stud – previous injury, broken right front leg that healed on range crooked; 20 year-old Sorrel Stud – blind in right eye; Yearling Sorrel Colt – dislocated front right knee. On the same day: 20+ year-old Sorrel Stud – left front knee /cannon fracture; 17 year-old Bay Stud – left front knee / cannon fracture. 8 year-old BLACK stud incorrectly marked as bay, BLM said was club foot. 8-year old Bay Mare – Equine Lordosis- sway back; 15-year old Sorrel Stallion – pre-existing condition; soft tissue injury to right rear fetlock; 17-year old Roan Stallion was put down BLM said “due to pre-existing condition, broken left front knee; 18-year old Bay Stallion – BLM said shattered nose prior to gather, poorly healed resulting in respiratory issues; 12-year old Dun Stallion – Blind; 1-year old Bay Filly – Euthanized due to pre-existing condition, Blind. BLM killed 3 horses, 20-year old Sorrel Stallion – arthritis, 8 year-old Grulla Stallion – club foot, 4 year-old Dun Mare – swayback, 9 year-old Buckskin Mare – missing left eye. 4-year-old Sorrel mare, broken eye socket, 20-year-old stallion, missing an eye.)

Released: 3 Wild Horses. Although BLM lists horses were released, no daily report notes releases. We can only assume they count a horse escaping from trap or temporary holding as “released” as has become BLM’s common soft wording for a horse jumping out and escaping after capture.

As the last helicopter drive operation of the season (July-February) pushes toward conclusion. we have focused on gaining an enforceable welfare policy as a priority for the public and for Congress. You can continue to help.

You can send a fast letter to your lawmakers in Congress by clicking the linked text: Roundups need to stop until BLM creates an enforceable welfare policy. Click HERE.

We need your help to continue to document, expose, work toward reform with lawmakers and litigate. Our wild ones deserve to live free on the range, free from abuse and you deserve a voice. 

Thank you for keeping us running as we work to protect and preserve our wild ones.