Wild Horses in the West
A friend of mine asked me to write an article about wild horses as part of my outdoor writing.
I had shared with them that I observed and enjoyed both wild horses and burros in several states during our travels.
A fun and interesting assignment I thought. A little research quickly proved me wrong. Too many wild horses now occupy public lands available for them, according to surveys by Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) BLM is also running out of places to relocate them. Presently, in 10 western states, it is estimated that there are roughly 40,000 wild horses or Burros on public lands plus another 50,000 that have been removed from the land and held in BLM operated corals or relocated private land leased by BLM to accommodate them at a current cost of roughly 46 million dollars per year.
In 1971 at a time when the wild horse population was estimated at roughly 17,000, congress passed the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. The act was intended to protect the wild animals and considered them an integral part of the land. Today, according to one survey, approximately 90,000 animals occupying public lands estimated to have a food supply capable of accommodating only 27,000 animals. Since horses have very few natural predators, populations typically double every four years if left undisturbed. BLM and Tribal Nations have attempted to offer animals for adoption or sale but demand for the animals does not nearly offset their ability to reproduce. Holding areas now exceed capacity and what can be done with additional excess animals is unresolved. Some Tribal Nations are allowed to euthanize animals as a population control measure, but they tend to resort to this very reluctantly. Estimates vary from 5,000 to 10,000 horses on Yakama Nation Land and 1,000 plus animals on Colville Nation Land putting animal numbers well over land carrying capacity at each location.
Too many horses and burros on public lands creates other problems besides just them starving to death. Nearby farmers and ranchers also must deal with the possibility of wild horses spreading disease or breeding with their livestock. Overpopulation to available food supply not only puts the wild horse population at risk but also compromises other grazing animals trying to survive in the same area. When grazing food supply diminishes, all animals in the area are at risk of starvation.
Who will ultimately come up with the best solution to managing the wild horse land?
My bet will be on the Yakama Nation.
They have more freedom in management techniques than BLM plus they have demonstrated a long-term love and caring of their land and the creatures on it. Horses have been, and still are, important to Yakama culture. They are attempting to have wildlife in balance with the land as it was in their past. Yakama Nation has successfully brought back runs of salmon to the Yakima River and I have observed and admired their technique in doing so. Yakama Nation is also in the process of reintroducing once native pronghorn antelope, sage grouse and Bison to their land, which require good habitat in order for their reintroduction to be successful. They understand the balance needed between animals and food supply and are expected to use thoughtful management technique to achieve it.
It will be interesting to see what Yakama Nation have accomplished in a few more years and perhaps learn from their technique.
Management of their land for them goes beyond just doing a job. It involves a pride of ownership, which allows them to develop their land to the benefit their own future.
I expect to see healthy wild horses on their land in the future, and that they will have adequate natural food available to graze on.
