Spring Creek Basin Mustangs

To keep our current scoping process in front of people and continue to ask for your help to help us help the horses (!), I’m reposting links to the scoping request out now from the Dolores Public Lands Office ahead of our fall roundup. Also, a sample letter that might help you in crafting your own comment letter to send Tom Rice, Associate Field Manager, Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores, CO  81323. Comments, due May 12, may also be sent via email to: trice@blm.gov

A reminder: A public hearing about the helicopter portion of the roundup will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Dolores Public Lands Center, near the junction of Colorado highways 184 and 145 just west of Dolores. If you’re local and can attend, please do so to make your comments about our Spring Creek Basin mustangs known to BLM!

This is the link to my post about points to make in your comments:

https://springcreekwild.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/scoping-comments-points-to-make/

This is the link to the scoping letter itself:

https://springcreekwild.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/scoping-is-out/

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This is a cover (explanatory) letter and sample comment letter NMA/CO sent to NMA/CO members by longtime board member Pati Temple that I thought would be helpful to share here:

TO: Members of National Mustang Association and those who care about wild horses

DATE: April 21, 2011

RE: Bureau of Land Management scoping process for the September 2011 wild horse roundup

Hi Everyone –

National Mustang Association needs your help by sending a letter to BLM introducing important issues related to the upcoming gather (roundup) of the wild horses in Disappointment Valley – our Spring Creek Basin herd. Currently, BLM is soliciting information during their “scoping” process. After that, BLM will develop “alternatives” contained in a document called an “environmental assessment” (EA) that will be presented to the public for review. Last, BLM will review the comments and select  one of the “alternatives” that will guide the process of the gather. Now is the time to submit issues and concerns that you may have.   

As you know, NMA has been working for the benefit of this herd for more than 10 years and trying to persuade BLM to include immunocontraception (birth control) as a regular tool to address reproduction rates.  The preferred fertility control agent is native porcine zona pellucida (PZP), which has been used extensively with great results. A successful birth control program will result in fewer round-ups, fewer horses going to long term government pens, tremendous monetary savings, significantly less stress for the horses as family bands remain together, on the range and wild, and improved land health.   

About PZP:  PZP does not inhibit a mares’ cycles at all, so yes, she will continue to come into heat. PZP does not harm either the mare or the fetus she may be carrying at the time of application (of either primer or booster). PZP is a protein derived from pig eggs. It simply blocks fertilization of the mare’s egg by the stallion’s sperm. It does not cause a mare to develop masculine features. Mares in herds where PZP has been in long use are living longer, healthier lives – the result of not having babies year after year after year. PZP is administered by remote dart when biologically appropriate. The mares aren’t rounded up, they aren’t tranquilized, they aren’t touched except by the dart. PZP has at least a 90 percent efficacy (success) rate. We don’t want to stop reproduction; we want to slow it. No Spring Creek Basin adult horses died last year, which means it’s not very realistic to think that we’ll equal birth and death rates.

Be assured, NMA has researched this issue extensively and concluded it is safe, humane and cost-effective, with a long history of use. Our chapter president, TJ Holmes, has become certified to dart, and NMA has purchased the appropriate darting rifle.

We also have concerns about the gather process as listed below. Please join us in providing comment to BLM during this scoping process.  Comments should be in by May 12.

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Please send your letters or emails to:  (sample below)

Bureau of Land Management, Attn:  Tom Rice, Associate District Ranger/Field Office Manager, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores, Colorado 81323 and/or email:  trice@blm.gov  

Dear Mr. Rice:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment regarding the upcoming wild horse roundup of the Spring Creek Basin herd. Below are my comments and concerns:

 A roundup is necessary this year while the horses remain in good condition and to preserve the health of the range.

The use of native porcine zona pellucida (PZP) should be introduced at this roundup. Further, native PZP should become an integrated tool to address reproductive rates and part of the Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area Management Plan.  

Native PZP is cost-effective. 

An effective birth control program will result in fewer roundups and fewer horses being removed from the range and ending up in expensive and unnatural government holding pens. It would amount to significantly less social disruption to the herd and fewer injuries to horses during the gather process. Roundups and removals completely remove genetics of horses that have never contributed to the gene pool. Reducing the frequency of roundups will allow more horses to contribute their genetics over a longer period of time – even though fewer horses are reproducing at any given time.  

Roundups are extremely stressful and socially devastating as family bands often become permanently separated. The social structure in the equine world is the single most important thing in their lives. To greatly reduce this practice and to progress toward selective and infrequent removal of horses is far more acceptable management.  

Use the expertise and ability of TJ Holmes in the administration of native PZP. TJ is familiar with each and every herd member, is properly certified to dart and the Colorado chapter of the National Mustang Association (NMA/CO) has ownership of the appropriate darting rifle.

It is unnecessary to brand treated mare because NMA maintains extensive documentation of 100% of the horses in Spring Creek Basin.   

We do not support excessive gender skewing where more stallions versus mares remain in the herd. This is socially incorrect.

It will not be necessary to reduce the herd down to the lower end of the “appropriate management level” of 35 because of the documented efficacy of native PZP and potential slowed growth of the Spring Creek Basin herd.

In the future, please institute mineral bait trapping and horse removal (with continued PZP treatment of wild mares) as a more humane alternative to helicopter-driven gathers.  

Regarding the use of helicopters during the gather process, please instruct the contractor and helicopter operator to bring the horses in band by band and corral them that way to avoid the injuries suffered by forcing unfamiliar horses together. Please do not drive them too fast, particularly those that are with foals, very old or somehow incapacitated.

At the trap site, it is imperative that BLM instruct the contractors and other handlers to be careful NOT TO OVERSTIMULATE the horses with their flagging, which often causes the horses to become very frightened, unduly stressed and often injured by jumping into panels. This is not contemporary or humane handling. Once the animal is going in the desired direction, stop stimulation. It will go a long way toward reducing injuries.

Please be certain the contractors provide salt and water at the trap site and only good-quality grass hay (not alfalfa).

Our wild horses are important to us. They touch our hearts in many ways. The remote Disappointment Valley’s Spring Creek Basin herd is truly wild, incredibly beautiful and significant. They provide an important nonconsumptive use of wildlife, an opportunity to view spirit, wildness and beauty all at the same time. They represent so much to so many for a variety of reasons.

BLM is the keeper of this resource. Please do the best job you can, hand-in-hand with willing volunteers.   

Sincerely,