Watching the entire herd run by. In this part of the Dishpan HMA, perhaps a handful of wild horses remain on range.

Cumulative capture totals for the operation:

Captured: 598 Wild Horses (245 Stallions, 245 Mares, and 108 Foals)

Shipped to Wheatland: 557 Wild Horses (213 Stallions, 240 Mares, and 104 Foals)

Died 3: A 10-year old grey mare was kicked in the head. A foal was reported as having wobblers and was put down. A 3-year-old stallion broke his neck at temporary holding.

Additional notes: One foal was sent to vet and then to the Wyoming Honor Farm.

You can see day 1 team reporting and background on this operation HERE

You can see day 2 team reporting HERE

You can see day 3 HERE

Above: Part 1, single run of the day. Wild ones were peacefully grazing and wild things were enjoying the first rays of sun as they began their day. A solo wild horse walked from trap area up near observation as the helicopter drove wild horses behind observation and then toward the trap. One of the most poignant moments was as the herd was driven past him.It took two attempts at trap mouth before the wild ones went into the jute wings and freedom was lost, July 4, 2024.

The day began peacefully on the Fourth of July. That peace was quickly shattered.

A 3-year old stallion broke his neck during loading to go to Wheatland.

25 (18 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals) wild horses were removed. This is an extremely strange breakdown and we saw more than 5 mares in the groups taken. BLM may have transposed stallions and mares when they filled in the sheet last night and we are checking.

After capture, BLM said “a few” horses remained on the range. They said they would make a determination after a post-roundup census flight for any numbers for release after fertility control (2-dose GonaCon regime is planned at this time).

Screenshot showing the torn flesh on the hip of the grey.

A grey came in with a serious wound and skin missing on his hip. BLM said they will treat him and send to holding if they believe the wounds will heal. If the horse is not released, he would then be available for adoption at Wheatland.

Above: Part two of the run today. Once captive, rival stallions did fight. This was a group of 25. On day one groups were as large as 80 and up. The fighting would have been intense but was not visible to observers as trap was down in a draw. As soon as the commotion ended, cattle crossed the area of the run and headed for observers that were tucked in by a water trough (not turned on). Horses were loaded and sent to the temporary corrals. Observation of sorting was not permitted and no tour of holding was given on the holiday. 

The operation will continue in the Dishpan Butte area tomorrow and our team will be out onsite.

WHE has just been offered a match challenge! Dollar-for-dollar your contribution will be matched up to $5,000. If you have been contemplating a contribution, every dollar donated will be matched! Can you help us reach this goal and unlock the match?

Thank you for keeping WHE on the frontline in the fight to protect and preserve our treasured wild ones!