2021 Rock Springs Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The BLM plans to remove approximately 3,500 horses to return wild horse populations to within the appropriate management levels. BLM estimates that around 800 animals that are gathered will be returned to the range. Any mare returned to an HMA will be treated with temporary fertility control. Managing wild horses at appropriate levels allows BLM to maintain rangeland and wild horse heard health and reduce trespass onto private land and highways.
Details of Gather:
The BLM estimates the wild horse population across the five HMAs to be approximately 5,105, which is more than double the combined appropriate management level of 1,550-2,145 horses. The gather is being conducted to address the overpopulation on the HMAs, prevent deterioration of the rangeland due to the overpopulation, remove horses from private lands and areas not designated for their long-term use, and comply with the 2013 Consent Decree between the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM.
The BLM uses a federal contractor to gather wild horses from HMAs where the BLM has determined excess animals exist. The contractor uses a helicopter to locate and herd horses toward a set of corrals. The helicopter is assisted by a ground crew and a domesticated horse to lead the gathered horses into the corrals. If needed, the ground crew may assist the helicopter by roping wild horses from horseback.
The BLM takes the humane treatment of wild horses and burros during gather operations very seriously. Helicopters have been shown to be the most humane method to gather horses.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff, contractors and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands or authorized private lands. If you are interested in watching the gather, you must contact Brad Purdy at bpurdy@blm.gov.
Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, and footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions. Public restrooms will not be available onsite.
Adoption Information:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Wheatland, Wyoming; and other locations to be determined where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses may also be taken to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton or the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.
Background:
The BLM will transport all wild horses removed from the range to holding facilities in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Wheatland, Wyoming; and other locations to be determined where the horses will be freeze branded, vaccinated, dewormed and given a Coggins test. The corrals receiving the horses from the gathers will not be taking requests from the public to hold specific horses.
Some of the horses may also be taken to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton or the Mantle Adoption and Training Facility in Wheatland for gentling before being made available for adoption.
Gathered wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.
- Daily Gather Reports
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Great Divide Basin HMA
October 7, 2021
Summary: Clear with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 9 (5 Mares, 1 Stallion, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 8, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 34 (14 Mares, 13 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 2 (0 Studs, 1 Mare, 1 Foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 9, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
Animals shipped: 18 (0 Studs, 18 Mares, 0 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
October 10, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 24 (10 Mares, 9 Stallions, 5 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Animals shipped: 11 (0 Studs, 10 Mares, 1 Foal)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 11, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, with scatted showers
Animals gathered: 76 (45 Mares, 10 Stallions, 21 Foals)
Animals shipped: 80 (0 Studs, 42 Mares, 4 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals) (20 Studs, 0 Mares, 14 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals )
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 12, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and snow.
October 13, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds and poor road conditions.
October 14, 2021
Summary: Cold with strong afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 26 (15 Mares, 5 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 16 (16 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2 (clubbed foot)October 15, 2021
Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 29 (11 Mares, 12 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46 (10 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals) (13 Stallions, 23 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 1 (broken leg)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (clubbed foot)October 16, 2021
Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 37 (14 Mares, 19 Stallions, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 17, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 50 (24 Mares, 15 Stallions, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 41 (38 Mares, 3 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 18, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 19 (11 Mares, 4 Stallions, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 55 (24 Stallions,18 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals) (11 Mares, 2 Foals to Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 19, 2021
No gather operations due to poor road conditions.
October 20, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 104 (34 mares, 52 stallions, 18 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 21, 2021
Summary: Partly sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 68 (34 mares, 22 stallions, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 142 (51 mares, 68 stallions, 23 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 22, 2021
Summary: Sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 62 (28 mares, 18 stallions, 16 foals)
Animals shipped: 61 (28 mares, 21 stallions, 12 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 23, 2021
Summary: Cloudy with some rain and afternoon winds.
Animals gathered: 62 (12 stallions, 34 mares, 16 foals)
Animals shipped: 67 (17 stallions, 34 mares, 16 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 2
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 24, 2021
Summary: Sunny in the morning gave way to partly cloudy in the afternoon.
Animals gathered: 143 (49 stallions, 61 mares and 33 foals)
Animals shipped: 43 (1 stallions, 40 mares, 2 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 25, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy and windy. No gather operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 108 (49 stallions, 19 mares, 40 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 26, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 27, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 28, 2021
No gather operations due to poor weather conditions. No animals shipped.
October 29, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy.
Animals gathered: 77 (35 stallions, 29 mares, 13 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 30, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy.
Animals gathered: 39 (27 stallions, 8 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 82 (24 stallions, 20 mares to the Wheatland Corrals) ( 37 mares, 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0October 31, 2021
Summary: Partly cloudy and windy.
Animals gathered: 21 (13 stallions, 5 mares, 3 foals)
Animals shipped: 38 ( 33 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals) ( 5 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 1, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cold and calm.
Animals gathered: 64 (22 stallions, 30 mares, 12 foals)
Animals shipped: 31 (30 mares and 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 2, 2021
Summary: Rainy and overcast. No gather operations.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 42 (24 stallions and 18 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 3, 2021
Summary: Sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 39
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 4, 2021
Summary: Mostly sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 30
Animals shipped: 49 (24 stallions and 7 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 17 mares and 1 foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 5, 2021
Summary: Sunny and breezy.
Animals gathered: 57
Animals shipped: 134 (58 stallions and 6 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 25 stallions, 33 mares and 12 foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Today was the final day of gather operations in the Great Divide Basin HMA.
- Daily Gather Reports
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Salt Wells Creek/Adobe Town HMAs
November 9, 2021Summary: Cloudy with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 98 (39 Mares, 40 Stallions, 19 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 10, 2021
Summary: Cloudy, cool, and breezy
Animals gathered: 26 (9 Mares, 11 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 84 (39 mares to Rock Springs Corrals) (26 stallions, 19 foals to Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 11, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
Animals shipped: 14 (9 mares, 5 stallions to Rock Springs Corrals)
November 12, 2021
No gather operations due to high winds.
No horses shipped.
November 13, 2021
Summary: Cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 28 (9 Mares, 12 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1November 14, 2021
Summary: sunny with mild temperatures, afternoon winds
Animals gathered: 30 (10 Mares, 13 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 15, 2021
Summary: sunny with mild temperatures
Animals gathered: 170 (63 Mares, 73 Stallions, 34 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 16, 2021
Summary: cloudy, cool and windy
Animals gathered: 14 (2 Mares, 10 Stallions, 2 Foals)
Animals shipped: 133 (25 stallions and 1 foal to Wheatland; 1 stallion, 82 mares, and 4 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 17, 2021
Summary: sunny and cold
Animals gathered: 193 (79 Mares, 77 Stallions, 37 Foals)
Animals shipped: 67 stallions shipped to Wheatland
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 18, 2021
Summary: sunny and cold
Animals gathered: 131 (52 Mares, 52 Stallions, 27 Foals)
Animals shipped: 160 (46 stallions and 39 foals to Wheatland; 74 mares and 1 foal to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 19, 2021
Summary: mostly sunny and breezy
Animals gathered: 81 (33 Mares, 36 Stallions, 12 Foals)
Animals shipped: 131 (24 stallions and 22 foals to Wheatland; 85 to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 20, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 55 (24 Mares, 20 Stallions, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 106 (36 stallions to Wheatland; 53 stallions, 5 mares, and 12 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 21, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
Animals gathered: 140 (46 Mares, 70 Stallions, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 47 (24 stallions and 23 foals to the Wheatland Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 1 (A 3-year old mare ran into the corrals and suffered a broken neck.)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 22, 2021
Summary: partly cloudy and breezy
There were no gather operations today
Animals shipped: 116 (24 stallions and 22 foals to Wheatland; 1 stallions and 69 foals to Rock Springs)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 23, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 74 (33 Mares, 24 Stallions, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 38 (38 stallions to Wheatland)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 24, 2021
No gather operations.
Animals shipped: 88 (33 mares and 17 foals to Rock Springs; 38 stallions to Wheatland)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (Left hind leg injury)November 25, 2021
No gather operations and no animals shipped.
November 26, 2021
No gather operations and no animals shipped.
45 stallions were returned to the Salt Wells Creek HMA.
November 27, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 150 (58 Mares, 55 Stallions, 37 Foals)
No animals shipped today.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 28, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 121 (44 Mares, 52 Stallions, 25 Foals)
75 animals shipped ( 36 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals and 38 mares and one foal to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 2 ( two mares ran into panels and suffered broken necks)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0November 29, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 95 (37 Mares, 40 Stallions, 18 Foals)
99 animals shipped ( 60 foals to the Wheatland Corrals and 39 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (one horse was euthanized due to a pre-existing hind leg injury)November 30, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 132 (56 Mares, 50 Stallions, 26 Foals)
77 animals shipped ( 38 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals and 39 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute/Sudden: 2 (An 11-year old stallion suffered a broken leg and a 12-year old mare suffered a ruptured uterus)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0December 1, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 117 (49 Mares, 42 Stallions, 26 Foals)
148 animals shipped ( 72 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals and 76 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (A 19-year old stallion with a pre-existing hind leg injury)December 2, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 69 (22 Mares, 35 Stallions, 12 Foals)
144 animals shipped ( 36 stallions and 63 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 39 mares and 6 foals to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0December 3, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 144 (65 Mares, 48 Stallions, 31 Foals)
69 animals shipped ( 36 stallions to the Wheatland Corrals and 33 mares to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0December 4, 2021
Summary: sunny and mild
Animals gathered: 112 (44 Mares, 44 Stallions, 24 Foals)
130 animals shipped ( 48 stallions and 43 foals to the Wheatland Corrals; 38 mares and 1 gelding to the Rock Springs Corrals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0December 5, 2021
Summary: windy and partly overcast
There were no gather or shipping operations today.
97 stallions were released into the adobe Town HMA and 38 mares were released into the salt Wells HMA.
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0December 6, 2021
Summary: windy and partly overcast
Animals gathered: 69 (21 Mares, 35 Stallions, 13 Foals).
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 ( An 18-year old stallion was euthanized due to severe arthritis in both front legs)Gather operations in the Adobe Town and Salt Wells HMAs have concluded.
- Daily Gather Reports
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2021 Rock Springs Gather Reports
White Mountain/Little Colorado HMAs
January 6, 2022Summary: Cold and windy
Animals gathered: 119 (50 Mares, 44 Stallions, 25 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 4
Acute/Sudden: 1 (broken back)
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3 (club foot, broken leg, sway back)January 7, 2022
Summary: Mild weather conditions
Animals gathered: 112 (49 Mares, 39 Stallions, 27 Foals)
Animals shipped: 39 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0January 8, 2022
Summary: Mild weather conditions
Animals gathered: 107 (50 Mares, 37 Stallions, 20 Foals)
Animals shipped: 39 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals; 48 Stallions and 39 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0January 9, 2022
Summary: Breezy and partly cloudy
Animals gathered: 50 (20 Mares, 17 Stallions, 13 Foals)
Animals shipped: 36 Mares to the Rock Springs Corrals and 36 Stallions to the Wheatland Corrals
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0January 10, 2022
Summary: Breezy and partly cloudy
Animals gathered: 40 (13 Mares, 21 Stallions, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 32 Mares and 3 Foals to the Rock Springs Corrals; 24 Stallions and 18 Foals to the Wheatland Corrals
Total Deaths Today: 4
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 4 (A 14-year old mare was blind, an 8-year old stud had a pre-existing broken leg, and a 3-year old stallion and 3-year old mare both had clubbed feet.)January 11, 2022
Summary: Breezy and partly cloudy
Animals gathered: 48 (21 mares, 19 stallions, eight foals)
Animals shipped: none
Total Deaths Today: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1 (mare with bad knees)January 12, 2022
Summary: Breezy and sunny
Animals gathered: 62 (32 Mares, 19 Stallions, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 36 to Canon City
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3 (two with broken legs and one emaciated horse in poor condition)January 13, 2022
Summary: Breezy and sunny
Animals gathered: 24 (9 Mares, 8 Stallions, 7 Foals)
Animals shipped: 34 to Rock Springs
Total Deaths Today: 5
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3 (three with bad knees and two with club feet)January 14, 2022
Summary: Breezy and sunny
Animals gathered: 132 (63 Mares, 41 Stallions, 28 Foals) - 2 privately branded geldings
Animals shipped: 17 to Rock Springs; 55 to Wheatland
January 15, 2022
Summary: Foggy in the morning; sunny and breezy
Animals gathered: 95 (36 Mares, 36 Stallions, 23 Foals)
Animals shipped: 64 to Rock Springs; 36 to Canon City
Total Deaths Today: 4
Acute/Sudden: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3 (three with club feet)January 16, 2022
Summary: Breezy and sunny
Animals gathered: 134 (52 Mares, 48 Stallions, 34 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 to Rock Springs (31 mares and 9 foals); 42 to Canon City (24 stallions and 18 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0January 17, 2022 - End of Gather Operations
Summary: Breezy and sunny
Animals gathered: 117 (47 Mares, 49 Stallions, 21 Foals)
Animals shipped: 87 to Rock Springs (48 mares and 39 foals); 42 to Canon City (24 stallions and 18 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute/Sudden: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Gather Status
As of January 17, 2022
Gather operations in the Great Divide Basin, Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, White Mountain and Little Colorado HMAs are complete.
Animals Gathered
4,161 (1603 stallions, 1700 mares and 858 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control
328
Animals Returned to Home Range
659
Animal Deaths
37
-Sudden/Acute: 10
-Pre-existing/Chronic: 27
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"