Cumulative capture totals for the operation:

Captured: 823 (333 Stallions, 334 Mares, and 156 Foals)

Shipped to Wheatland: 591 (240 Stallions, 244 Mares, and 107 Foals)

Died 5: 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.

Two babies captured on this day, July 5, died July 6: A bay foal mare was found deceased at temporary holding. A necropsy determined capture myopathy to be the cause. A bay yearling stallion was diagnosed with Wobbler Syndrome (this is the second time BLM said there was “wobblers”).

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

You can see day 4 HERE

Day 5 below

Babies, babies, babies seemed to be the theme of the day as the capture operation continued in Dishpan Butte. We observed foals ranging in age from a couple of months to nearly newborn. Several (not one or two) heavily pregnant mares were noted indicating peak foaling season is still likely to be occurring (BLM has never identified peak foaling season using data in any HMA through any Gather plan or Herd Management Area Plan, HMAP).

BLM is prohibited from utilizing helicopter drive-trapping during foaling season and, instead of identifying that fragile time, BLM uses anecdotal observations that are decades old to make that determination as a “west wide” range of March 1-June 30. BLM simply begins summer helicopter drive trapping season on July 1.

The Federal Land Management and Policy Act (FLPMA) requires BLM to run a helicopter hearing annually to identify and address concerns with the use of motorized vehicles in the program. Each year our team gives extensive testimony. Not once has BLM provided an analysis of testimony and response document. (Learn more HERE)

Above: It is pretty obvious who the mom and dad are of this newborn. The grey mare was literally pushed off her foal. This tiny one was taken to the vet and then back to the temporary holding corral. Hours later, when observers were finally permitted a “walk around” of temporary holding, BLM said the baby had not yet paired up with a mare.

Newborn foals nurse one to two times each hour. As foals age that rate decreases as they learn to eat grasses. However, even at 2 months of age foals are still nursing at a rate of 1 to 2 hours. A foal, particularly one under 3 weeks old, that has not nursed in hours, is a foal in serious danger.

We have requested an update from BLM on the foal in the video above.

Yesterday, we reported to you about a grey that entered trap with a serious injury. We have seen images from before the operation that show this injury in the process of healing. It appears that the run caused fresh bleeding.

BLM did update that the injury was deemed non life threatening and he was sent to Wheatland.

We do not know if this wild one will be part of the group chosen to be returned after BLM completes the post-operation census to determine numbers.

We will keep you updated.

Totals for July 5: 225 (88 Stallions, 89 Mares, and 48 Foals) wild horses captured. No deaths reported.

July 6 will be a “no fly day.”

Temperatures reached into the high 70s.

At the Blue Wing roundup scheduled to begin Monday, a dangerous heat warning has been issued as temperatures climb above 100 degrees for an extended stay. Please, take action HERE. 

Picture taken on July 4, 2024

“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” ~ Abraham Lincoln, Cooper Union Speech

Our new volunteer, Melissa Strickland, had the above quote in her head coming back from today’s operation. She accompanied our founder, Laura Leigh, to Wyoming to begin her training to see if she felt she had what it takes to join our welfare team.

Join us in welcoming the new member of our team. 

WHE has just been offered a match challenge! Dollar-for-dollar your contribution will be matched up to $5,000. through July 15th. 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!