Genocide of America’s wild horses

Manage Wild Horses by Behavior, Not by Numbers Reproductive rates can be controlled by BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT saving the taxpayers millions of dollars from unnecessary roundups. 

First – Helicopter roundups must end. The sustainability and functional adaptation of wild horse societies are based on long term stable social bonds of group members. Helicopter roundups disrupt these social bonds and cause disorder within the herd structure of major magnitude, leading to the loss of herd wisdom which is vital to healthy functional behavior. 

Second – Management objectives must sustain stable functional behaviors. As a result of destabilized band structures whether from loss of mare fertility or helicopter roundups, we see dysfunctional reproductive behaviors, loss of leadership and cooperative skills, and most critically we could see the loss of their true wild nature. 

Third – The minimal feasible management stated in the law must be the rule. What we know. Reproductive rates are low because of stable family bands, not because of forage availability. Under the best of feed conditions, never disrupting our horses, and based on 16 years of studies of ISPMB’s two wild horse herds, growth rates are under 9% while BLM’s projected growth rate is 20%. When we began our study, there were 31 horses in our Gila wild horse herd. If we used the BLM’s calculation of herds doubling every four years, we should have 496 wild horses, but instead there are only 120. We have 220 wild horses in our White Sands herd, but if we used the BLM’s figures, there should be 1,120 horses. We must remember that human intervention is not smarter than nature and social mammals need the stability that can only come from nature. Nature manages for functional species, but this harmony is constantly being disrupted by current wild horse management techniques. 

Fourth – If you want to save the true wild nature of wild equids – we need your support. ISPMB is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is home to over 500 wild horses. It is vital that everyone supports our efforts to continue our important studies and maintain our wild herds. Every single monetary gift, no matter how small, makes an impact. We also accept donations in the form of hay, tack or equipment necessary to run our operation. Membership and sponsorship information is available on Facebook and at ISPMB.org. Your generosity will help support our mission of developing and implementing the best model for managing wild horses in our country, protecting them for future generations to enjoy.