Horses in Piceance East-Douglas HMA.

2024 White Mountain HMA Wild Horse Gather

The Rock Springs Field in High Desert district plans to begin the White Mountain Wild Horse Gather to collect 586 Horses.

Purpose of Gather:

The gather is being conducted to address the over population in the White Mountain Herd Management Area. BLM plans to remove 586 excess wild horses to address the overpopulation in the area, prevent deterioration of the range, and remove horses from private lands and areas that are not for designated for long-term use by wild horses. The Gather area is almost entirely comprised of Greater Sage-Grouse Priority habitat area with the other area categorized as mule deer and pronghorn range.

The White Mountain Complex has an appropriate management level (AML) of 205-300 wild horses. According to a population survey completed by BLM in 2022, BLM estimates, with a twenty percent annual growth rate, that the Herd Management Area's (HMA) current population is 791 animals. 

Details of Gather:

The White Mountain Herd Management Area consists of 240,000 acres of BLM managed public lands.

The BLM Plans to gather and remove approximately 586 excess wild horses using the helicopter assisted method to maintain the population control within its AML. 

In accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy, BLM Staff and contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for Wild Horse while meeting the projected goals and objectives in the gather.

Public Observation:

Opportunities are available for the public to observe the gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Those interested in observing the gather must email Wyoming State Office at BLM_WY_912@blm.gov

Adoption Information:

All removed horses will be transported to the Wheatland Off-Range Corral or Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility . Upon arrival at the facility, they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse adoption and sale program. Please visit the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/whb to learn more about adopting a wild horse or burro.

Background:

The environmental Assessment, decision record and other associated documents are at the BLM National NEPA Register.

Learn more about the White Mountain Complex at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/wyoming/white-mountain

Learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program at 866-468-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov.   

Daily Gather Reports

Monday, August 19th

Summary: Gathering is complete. 

Animals Gathered:  50 (19 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 10 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 94 (19 Stallions, 48 Mares, and 27 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
- PZP: 
- PZP-22: 
- GonaCon: 
- IUD: 
- Sterilizations: 0
- Other: 0

Animals Released: 

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

 A foal buckskin mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing congenital deformity of the rear fetlocks.

Sunday, August 18th

Summary: Sunny with temperatures ranging from 50s to mid-80s during gather operations.

Animals Gathered:  100 (39 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 22 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 177 (57 Stallions, 80 Mares, and 40 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
- PZP: 
- PZP-22: 
- GonaCon: 
- IUD: 
- Sterilizations: 0
- Other: 0

Animals Released: 

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

 A foal buckskin stallion was euthanized due to a pre-existing club foot, left front.

 A foal sorrel stallion was euthanized due to a pre-existing testicular hernia.

Saturday, August 17th

Summary: Sunny and rainy with temperatures ranging from 50s to mid-80s during gather operations.

Animals Gathered:  232 (86 Stallions, 106 Mares, and 40 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 163 (91 Stallions, 65 Mares, and 7 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
- PZP: 
- PZP-22: 
- GonaCon: 
- IUD: 
- Sterilizations: 0
- Other: 0

Animals Released: 

Deaths: 4

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 4

 A 9-year-old grey stallion was euthanized due to a pre-existing ruptured tumor, left side of the neck.

 A 10-year-old paint mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing club foot, right front leg.

 A roan foal mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing tumor in the rib area.

 A bay foal stallion was euthanized due to a pre-existing congenital knee deformity. 

Friday, August 16th

Summary: Sunny with temperatures ranging from 50s to mid-80s during gather operations.

Animals Gathered:  60 (23 Stallions, 29 Mares, and 8 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 141 (51 Stallions, 61 Mares, and 29 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
- PZP: 
- PZP-22: 
- GonaCon: 
- IUD: 
- Sterilizations: 0
- Other: 0

Animals Released: 

Deaths: 4

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 4

 A 3-year-old sorrel stallion was euthanized due to a pre-existing right hind leg deformity (Lameness).

 A 2-year-old sorrel mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing right hind leg deformity (Lameness).

 A 7-year-old chesnut mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing front left knee joint (Lameness).

 A red roan foal mare was euthanized due to a pre-existing congenital leg deformity. 

Thursday, August 15th

Summary: Cloudy with temperatures ranging from 50s to low-80s during gather operations.

Animals Gathered: 144 (52 Stallions, 63 Mares, and 29 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
- PZP: 
- PZP-22: 
- GonaCon: 
- IUD: 
- Sterilizations: 0
- Other: 

Animals Released: 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Gather Status

This gather began on August 15 and ended on August 19, 2024.

Animals Gathered: 586
(219 Stallions, 258 Mares, and 109 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 575
(218 Stallions, 254 Mares, and 103 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 

Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 

Deaths: 11
-Sudden / Acute:
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 11

Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"