I would like to comment on the proposed research projects “to develop new or improve existing population growth suppression methods for wild horses.”
Altogether there are eight different research projects ranging from 6 months to 4 years in duration that involve finding ways to evaluate, assess or develop permanent sterilization for wild mares.
According to the Panel to Assess Spay Techniques for Mares in Field Conditions (9/24/15), Dr. Pielstick has performed colpotomies on 188 mares with only 2 fatalities. Some of those mares were from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, and in 2014 we received 8 of those mares, all in their 20’s, along with 8 intact mares. We also received 36 vasectomized studs (however we had two foals born this year, so the vasectomies are not 100%). In addition we received 19 geldings.
We’ve observed that the spayed mares continue to be receptive to studs, and the intact mares continue to cycle into heat, and because neither group of mares are bred, the studs fight constantly over the mares. No doubt it does not help that the ratio of mares to studs is 1:2 (not including geldings), but the fact that the mares do not conceive, there is no lull in the breeding cycle as there would be if the mares were bred, creating instability within the herd. Currently we’ve separated the mares and studs/gelding to create peace among all the horses.
Trap-neuter-return of feral cats (where cats are spayed/neutered, then returned to their colony) is being used by animal care and control agencies because it has been proven to reduce and eventually eliminate feral cat colonies in communities. It is not necessary to spay/neuter the entire colony to get this result. The sterilization and re-release of mares follows this model and will lead to the extinction of many herds, due to suppressed reproduction and a reduction of long term herd health. The goal of all this research is to reduce the number of horses on public lands over time through permanent sterilization, with extinction being the ultimate goal.
Some herds are already below genetic viability (less than 150 horses).
Permanent sterilization of mares will reduce genetic viability and long term health of the herd, much more so than the reduction of intact studs.
According to the National Academy of Sciences 2013 report, there is no scientific basis used by BLM to determine the number of horses on the range, nor does BLM actually know how many horses are on the range, or what appropriate AMLs are for each HMA.
Manipulating herd genetics, reproduction and dynamics was not the intention of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which was enacted to preserve wild horses and burros on the land where they were found, and keep them free from slaughter and harassment from man.
Finding real, viable solutions would require focusing on getting more accurate population counts, along with developing realistic AMLs based on the horses/burros being the PRIMARY users of the HMAs. The second half of that equation would be focusing on reintroducing predators wherever possible in order to maintain stable populations naturally.
The research to find “new and improved” permanent sterilization for wild mares is not only unnecessary because there is no wild horse or burro overpopulation, but it is redundant, has already been shown to be detrimental to herd health, and will result in the eventual elimination of wild horses from our public lands.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Mohr, founder
The Mustang Project
P.O. Box 1161
Corning, CA 96021
Altogether there are eight different research projects ranging from 6 months to 4 years in duration that involve finding ways to evaluate, assess or develop permanent sterilization for wild mares.
According to the Panel to Assess Spay Techniques for Mares in Field Conditions (9/24/15), Dr. Pielstick has performed colpotomies on 188 mares with only 2 fatalities. Some of those mares were from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, and in 2014 we received 8 of those mares, all in their 20’s, along with 8 intact mares. We also received 36 vasectomized studs (however we had two foals born this year, so the vasectomies are not 100%). In addition we received 19 geldings.
We’ve observed that the spayed mares continue to be receptive to studs, and the intact mares continue to cycle into heat, and because neither group of mares are bred, the studs fight constantly over the mares. No doubt it does not help that the ratio of mares to studs is 1:2 (not including geldings), but the fact that the mares do not conceive, there is no lull in the breeding cycle as there would be if the mares were bred, creating instability within the herd. Currently we’ve separated the mares and studs/gelding to create peace among all the horses.
Trap-neuter-return of feral cats (where cats are spayed/neutered, then returned to their colony) is being used by animal care and control agencies because it has been proven to reduce and eventually eliminate feral cat colonies in communities. It is not necessary to spay/neuter the entire colony to get this result. The sterilization and re-release of mares follows this model and will lead to the extinction of many herds, due to suppressed reproduction and a reduction of long term herd health. The goal of all this research is to reduce the number of horses on public lands over time through permanent sterilization, with extinction being the ultimate goal.
Some herds are already below genetic viability (less than 150 horses).
Permanent sterilization of mares will reduce genetic viability and long term health of the herd, much more so than the reduction of intact studs.
According to the National Academy of Sciences 2013 report, there is no scientific basis used by BLM to determine the number of horses on the range, nor does BLM actually know how many horses are on the range, or what appropriate AMLs are for each HMA.
Manipulating herd genetics, reproduction and dynamics was not the intention of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which was enacted to preserve wild horses and burros on the land where they were found, and keep them free from slaughter and harassment from man.
Finding real, viable solutions would require focusing on getting more accurate population counts, along with developing realistic AMLs based on the horses/burros being the PRIMARY users of the HMAs. The second half of that equation would be focusing on reintroducing predators wherever possible in order to maintain stable populations naturally.
The research to find “new and improved” permanent sterilization for wild mares is not only unnecessary because there is no wild horse or burro overpopulation, but it is redundant, has already been shown to be detrimental to herd health, and will result in the eventual elimination of wild horses from our public lands.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Mohr, founder
The Mustang Project
P.O. Box 1161
Corning, CA 96021
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