2024 Swasey Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather decision supports the BLM’s continuing efforts remove wild horses from within and around the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) in Millard and Juab Counties to help balance the number of horses to what the rangeland can sustainably support, known as the appropriate management level (AML). The AML within the Swasey HMA is 60-100 animals; the current population is estimated at 287 wild horses.
Details of Gather:
The BLM will gather approximately 166 wild horses from Federal and State lands using the helicopter drive-trapping method.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily gather operations through BLM-escorted tours, so long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants and gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended.
Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at: 801-539-4050.
Adoption Information:
All excess wild horses identified for removal will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. Those that are not placed into a new home will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they live off the rest of their lives on grass pastures.
Background:
The historical origin of wild horses or the source of the animals that occupy the Swasey HMA is unknown. However, many of the horses in the herd are descendants of horses that were turned loose or escaped from local ranches. Historically the Swasey Herd was dominated by gray and light-colored horses, and this trait continues today. Other common colors include black, brown, bays, buckskins, and pintos. The average size of herd adults is 14 to 14 1/2 hands.
Location
The Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) is located in Juab and Millard counties, in the Swasey Mountains in north-central Millard County, approximately 50 miles west of Delta.
Size and AML
The HMA contains 120,113 acres of public and state lands.
Topography/Vegetation
This range is made up of long, narrow and steep ridges with large flats areas in Whirlwind Valley. Elevation varies from 9600 feet to 4500 feet. Precipitation averages 4-6 inches at lower elevations to 6-8 inches at the highest elevations. Temperatures also vary, from 0 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to between 100 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.
Vegetation in the area is made up of three main vegetative types. Saltbush-grass type, black sage-grass type, and rabbit brush-grass type. There are juniper and pinyon pine trees that occur on the mountain ridges. Key species include indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, galletta, needle-and-thread, sand dropseed, and winterfat.
Permanent waters are located on the east side of the HMA below Swasey Peak. Several of these waters have been developed and are piped to various portions of the HMA to distribute availability. Horses also water at Coyote Springs which is located on the west side of the HMA in Tule Valley. Water is also available occasionally at several springs on the north end and catchment ponds throughout the HMA after large storm events.
Wildlife
Pronghorn Antelope and Mule Deer reside in the HMA year-round. The antelope mainly use the low elevations; the deer tend to use the higher elevations for most of the year, dropping to lower elevations during the winter. Other wildlife in the area includes rock squirrels, antelope squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.
Additional Information
For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit the Wild Horse and Burro Program page.
- Daily Gather Report - Saturday, July 20, 2024
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Summary: The gather concluded today. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 73°-94°F when operations concluded just before 11 a.m.
Animals Gathered: 36 (10 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death - N/A.
- Daily Gather Report - Sunday, July 21, 2024
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Summary: The gather will resume tomorrow. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 69°-97°F when operations concluded just before 12 p.m.
Animals Gathered: 42 (10 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 36 (10 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death - N/A.
- Daily Gather Report - Monday, July 22, 2024
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Summary: The gather will resume tomorrow. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 87°-92°F when operations concluded just before 10:30 a.m.
Animals Gathered: 7 (4 Stallions, 2 Mares, and 1 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 35 (10 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death - N/A.
- Daily Gather Report - Tuesday, July 23, 2024
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Summary: The gather will resume tomorrow. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 73°-96°F when operations concluded just before 2:00 p.m.
Animals Gathered: 60 (21 Stallions, 29 Mares, and 10 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 37 (11 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death - N/A.
- Daily Gather Report - Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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Summary: The gather will resume tomorrow. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 81°-83°F when operations concluded just before 9:00 a.m.
Animals Gathered: 12 (5 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 1 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 31 (12 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death - N/A.
- Daily Gather Report - Thursday, July 25, 2024
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Summary: The gather will resume tomorrow. The weather was sunny and hot with temperatures ranging 76°-91°F when operations concluded just before 12:30 p.m.
Animals Gathered: 32 (7 Stallions, 20 Mares, and 5 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 49 (14 Stallions, 29 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic:
- 1 mare was euthanized for a pre-existing condition - eye abnormality. The mare was missing its left eye.
Gather Status
The gather concluded on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Animals Gathered: 189
157 Wild Horses (57 Stallions, 99 Mares, and 33 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 188
188 Wild Horses (57 Stallions, 98 Mares, and 33 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
-Sudden / Acute: 0
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
- 1 mare was euthanized for a pre-existing condition - eye abnormality. The mare was missing its left eye.
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"