(2011.JUL.20) Day One - Triple B Gather

(2011.JUL.20)

In our role as advocates for better treatment of our wild herds, it often seems like only the mistakes and abuses are talked about. The worst aspects of wild horse management operations do need to be brought to light, AND we should be just as quick to recognize improvements as they occur. 

Today, it must be said that Sun J and BLM did an excellent job in all aspects of their gather operations, and every part of the process was carried out with professionalism and skill.

Sun J pilot, Josh Hellyer, showed marked improvement from his earlier
performances at the Antelope Complex gather, early this past winter.

Throughout the day, Josh held back from the running herds, and at one point, even fell back and allowed them to rest and regroup before continuing into the jute enclosure.

None of the horses entering the trap appeared unduly stressed, and no lather appeared.



We noticed that most of the overhead railings were padded. Our BLM rep explained that the padding had been suggested as a way to reduce neck and head injuries, this small improvement has been incorporated into the standard setup. (One example of how speaking quietly gets better results than screaming epithets.) 

Padded overhead rails are known to reduce injuries significantly.



 A few of the railings were missing pads, and this was also pointed out to the rep.

Situated in a gravel pit, the gravel mounds provided an excellent point of vantage for wranglers.

Today's trap set-up was unique, inthat the trap and sorting corrals were directly connected to short term holding pens. This eliminates one in a series of loading and unloading, as the horses will be taken directly to their destination in Gunnison, UT.  This not only reduces stress on the horses, it is economically advantageous.

The pens were well supplied with fresh water and hay. A water truck from BLM Fire filled troughs, and then encircled the pens with a swath of cooling spray to quell the dust. We noticed that the animals seemed undisturbed by the large truck driving around the pens, while workers on foot were frightening to them. Given that this is a mining area, the horses are used to heavy vehicles rolling through their habitat.



The sorting process was carried out quickly and efficiently, and each group of animals settled down quickly after sorting.

The four-wave gather brought in eight stallions, eight dry mares, two mares with foals, and two heavily pregnant mares, for a total of twenty-two. At the end of the day's gather operations, we were invited to approach the holding pens.  All animals were in very good condition, and no series injuries were observed.

It is gratifying to note that cooperative efforts between advocates and BLM have brought about some improvements in the roundup process. We can be grateful for the horses' sakes. Such progress in dialogue bodes well for continuing efforts to achieve a healthy equine environment, and an end to mass removals of horses from their native ranges.

This is no time to relax our efforts toward achieving transparency  in all phases of wild horse management.

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Blaze Of Glory: Final Days Of Freedom

(2011.JUN.29) - Northwestern Steptoe Valley - Nevada, USA





Blaze (as I have come to call him) is a bachelor stallion that originated from a band of wild horses that have become known as the ’’Cherry Creek Nine". He was forced out about two years ago, when he had reached maturity and became a contender to the patriarchy. Still, Blaze continues to stay fairly close to his first family, though now he wanders alone, waiting his chance to start a family of his own.

The Cherry Creek Nine inhabit a narrow strip of public land in northwestern Steptoe Valley (Nevada), and they are scheduled for removal by the BLM in early July.



2011.JUN.27





2011.JUN.27

His fate is grim. At four years of age, Blaze is too old to adapt well to captivity, and won't be very adoptable. He'll most likely be shipped (eventually) to a long-term holding facility in Oklahoma, to live out his days in captivity, among other geldings.

If the "gather" is "successful", Blaze will never again know freedom. Will never again follow the trail to water, that he has followed nearly every day since his birth on the open range. He will never reach his mustang potential; will never mate or sire a foal.

ARCHIVE PHOTOS OF BLAZE



2010.APR.13

Blazing Stallion 2009

2009



2008 - Just a pony, still at home with his family.
(Blaze is #3 in this parade.)



(2011.MAY.22) - Siegel Creek Band

Siegel Creek, far up in the High Schells Wilderness, is inaccessible throughout most of the year.  Today, we were able to cross numerous water-gorged wash-outs, with the use of a high suspension 4-wheel drive vehicle.  The way is steep, and the road is deeply washed in several places.

(Not recommended to the inexperienced rough terrain driver.)

High precipitation and melting snow have produced a lush and verdant landscape, resplendent with new wildflowers. Forage is extremely plentiful, and the deciduous trees and shrubs are just beginning to show buds. Evidence of large game is abundant, though we saw only tracks and scat, as the animals have probably heard us coming slowly along the muddy trail, and taken cover.  Along our two-hour tour we encountered rain, snow, sleet, hail, and finally, a few rays of sunshine as we descended back into the canyon .



Survivors of January's Antelope Complex roundup are safe in their

high country home in the Schell Creek Mountains. 



Two known bands of wild horses in this isolated range are yet unaccounted for. That does not mean they are gone forever; most of the mountain remains inaccessible at this time, and stormy weather has likely driven most wildlife into the shelter of  mahogany thickets and aspen groves.

Archive Photo: Bachelor Stallions of Siegel Creek (2010.AUG.22)

Come! Ride along with me on a journey that is sure to impact your perception of horses in the wild!

PhotoRover@GreatBasinLife.com



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