The Sheldon Horses
Photo courtesy of Marilyn Gregory
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" They may not be able to stay on their range, but with your help, at least they will still be free."
The horses that lived on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Unlike horses that live on Federal lands and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), they are not protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act passed in 1971. In the past, management has included being rounded up and sent to slaughter, and experimental fertility control. Most recently, the FWS approved its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for managing Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, which includes the plan to remove ALL horses and burros from Sheldon Refuge by 2017.
Removal of these horses started in 2013, and 415 horses were gathered. Horses were sent to three separate contractors, and there is some concern among wild horse advocates that the contractor who received the majority of the horses (252), may have allowed most of the horses to be put into the slaughter pipeline. This included pregnant mares. FWS began removing the remaining estimated 450 horses from the reservation in August of 2014. Once these horses are sent to various contractors - no matter what the outcome - this historic herd will be dispersed and gone forever. Although the previous contractor is no longer being used by FWS, it is believed that three new contractors allowed their horses to enter the slaughter pipeline.
The Mustang Project received a total of 60 horses from FWS in the fall of 2014. We requested the horses that were at most risk of going to slaughter - the older horses and those with injuries that make them "unadoptable" - to provide them sanctuary. Some of the Sheldon horses remaining at our sanctuary are in their late 20's - early 30's, and some were born at our sanctuary to mares removed from the wild. Reports from those who visit the range say they have not seen any horses since 2015.
They may no long be on their home range, but with your help, at least they will still be free. Your donation of any amount helps us provide a permanent sanctuary where they can live out their lives in peace and freedom!
Below is the history of the Sheldon horses:
Removal of these horses started in 2013, and 415 horses were gathered. Horses were sent to three separate contractors, and there is some concern among wild horse advocates that the contractor who received the majority of the horses (252), may have allowed most of the horses to be put into the slaughter pipeline. This included pregnant mares. FWS began removing the remaining estimated 450 horses from the reservation in August of 2014. Once these horses are sent to various contractors - no matter what the outcome - this historic herd will be dispersed and gone forever. Although the previous contractor is no longer being used by FWS, it is believed that three new contractors allowed their horses to enter the slaughter pipeline.
The Mustang Project received a total of 60 horses from FWS in the fall of 2014. We requested the horses that were at most risk of going to slaughter - the older horses and those with injuries that make them "unadoptable" - to provide them sanctuary. Some of the Sheldon horses remaining at our sanctuary are in their late 20's - early 30's, and some were born at our sanctuary to mares removed from the wild. Reports from those who visit the range say they have not seen any horses since 2015.
They may no long be on their home range, but with your help, at least they will still be free. Your donation of any amount helps us provide a permanent sanctuary where they can live out their lives in peace and freedom!
Below is the history of the Sheldon horses:
Please send checks to: P.O. Box 1161, Corning, CA 96021
