Wild Horses from the Diamond Complex

After not being adopted at the trapsite this young colt greets a Diamond mare through the panel

After not being adopted at the trapsite this young colt greets a Diamond mare through the panel

This page is a feature designed to HIGHLIGHT the young wild horses from the DIAMOND COMPLEX available NOW on the BLM INTERNET ADOPTION. Click on the text to go to the BLM page! you can then see them side by side(click on Palomino Valley center) with our report on Diamond  and see the horses during capture and in holding!

````Diamond_mapThe Diamonds comprise three areas: The Diamond HMA is approximately 40 miles long and averages 6-9 miles wide extending from the ridge down slope along the western face of the Diamond Mountain Range, comprising 164,737 acres. The Diamond Hills North HMA comprises the northernmost portion of the Complex and is approximately 12 miles long by 12 miles wide encompassing 69,305 acres of public land. The Diamond Hills South HMA is located in the most northeastern tip of the Diamond Mountain Range comprising the smallest portion of the Complex at 21,162 acres of public land. For a total of 255,204 acres.

The Diamonds are also unique in that they literally sit “central,” and are managed by three BLM districts; Ely, Elko and Battle Mountain.

Nine legal livestock grazing operations have allotments in the area. This intensive use by the livestock industry has made the Diamond Complex literally “ground zero” for the current Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) legal action that demands broad scale removals of wild horses throughout the state and goes as far as to seek destruction of wild horses in holding to make room (or to destroy them on the range). We loaded a copy of the NACO suit at the bottom of this article HERE>>http://wildhorseeducation.org/2014/01/15/naco-suit-asks-court-to-order-destruction-of-wild-horses/

Wild Horse Education filed on January 27th to intervene in the suit. 

Family band using trail to water source in Corta. The only band found in the area extensively utilized by sheep.

Family band using trail to water source in Corta. The only band found in the area extensively utilized by sheep.

In 2012 these wild horses became the focal point of “backlash” as livestock restrictions were put into place due to drought and decades of overuse by domestic livestock. We were on the scene to document. Of course the livestock industry blames the horses. They have even gotten their “buds” to do a documentary airing on KNPR/PBS called “Rangeland Under Fire.” But what they fail to tell you is that livestock restrictions are active even where there are no wild horses. (We will keep you updated on the case).

Our range monitoring showed many infringements to wild horses in their ability to appropriately utilize the area. Fence lines literally cut the Complex in half and crisscross the HMA. Massive turnouts force horses out of areas. Livestock water hauls significantly impact everything.

The wild horses showed the stress. Body conditions dropped in the south and west.

The roundup where these babies were taken happened in winter 2013. There was a huge discrepancy in body condition. The horses that were stressed in summer bore all the signs of a very hard winter.

During the roundup the weather was intense. Freezing rain, sleet and  feet of snow fell during operations and there were several delays. http://wheblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/snowed-in-and-information-on-diamond-complex-wild-horse-roundup/

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At the end of this operation there was a “trapsite adoption” event. 19 youngsters under one year old were set aside. The fire station in Eureka became their temporary way station. There they were vaccinated and branded. But the weather was expected to hinder adoption efforts. 12 of the nineteen found local homes in spite of the difficulties. The ones not adopted shipped to Palomino Valley. One of those horses (0109) is featured in the Internet adoption… and if that baby is not adopted will now have two strikes in a “three strike” system before being labelled “sale authority.” READ about sale authority HERE>>>

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In addition to the trapsite adoption 30 wild horses were transported to the Carson Correctional Center for release back to the range. The weather and range conditions in winter created a situation where more horses were taken from the lowland areas than anticipated. The 30 were set aside for their genetic contribution to be returned. The return was announced yet never took place. A huge uproar came from local livestock producers against the release. A flyover revealed more horses in the Diamonds than there should have been post roundup. From our observations it appears that horses crossed over from Triple B to the west. No explanation for the exodus has been found…. and the “Diamond 30” went for auction, sale and transport to other facilities. SEE the Diamond 30 HERE>>>

See the story of babies available at Carson city on the Internet Adoption from Diamond HERE>>>

These Diamond horses have sure been through a lot. Each and every one of them deserves to be safe. These horses represent the “squeeze” our horses are under at “ground zero.”

Check out the ones available at the BLM Internet adoption horses at Palomino Valley and the babies at Carson City. Share this page and help change the whole world for a baby that has nothing but strife.

(0155 is the Diamond paint) Internet adoption horses facebook "chatting" from the Internet adoption gelding pen at PVC

(0155 is the Diamond paint) Internet adoption horses facebook “chatting” from the Internet adoption gelding pen at PVC

0151 came off the range with 0155 (both on the Internet)

0109 came in with 0118.0125,0110 (the three buddies did NOT make the Internet but can be adopted through PVC)

0168 and 0169 came off the range together

To see the story of the Owyhee horses on the Internet Adoption go here>>> http://wildhorseeducation.org/owyhee-complex-wild-horses/

Our Main page on the Adoptions go here>>> http://wildhorseeducation.org/2014/03/09/internet-adoption/

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Wild Horse Education is devoted to gaining protection for our wild horses and burros from abuse, slaughter and extinction. Through education and participation (and litigation if needed) we strive toward those goals. Many other organizations may look like us on the surface but we are “boots on the ground in the field and wherever necessary” to give you what you need to be a voice for them. We need your support.