For Immediate Release: May 1, 2008

Contact: Mel Lloyd, 970-244-3097

Leaving horses on public lands is not only inhumane, it’s illegal

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeing an increase in the abandonment of domestic horses on the 36,000-acre Little Book Cliffs (LBC) Wild Horse Range, located north of Grand Junction. Abandoning any kind of animal—large or small—on public lands is not only inhumane; it’s illegal and punishable by state and federal law. The BLM is responsible for managing approximately 29,000 wild horses nationwide. Locally, the Grand Junction Field Office manages up to 150 of these wild horses on public lands designated specifically for that purpose.

"If you find that you can’t take care of your horse or no longer want it, please don’t abandon it on public lands," said Wild Horse Specialist Jim Dollerschell. "Domestic horses are not adapted to the rugged terrain or to foraging for food in the harsh desert, and chances of a slow and painful death are high."

Wild horses will typically ostracize and fight off horses that are unfamiliar to their band, increasing the odds for injury to animals. More importantly, domestic horses can introduce disease to a wild horse herd, increasing the risk of a catastrophic die-off of the herd. Dealing with abandoned animals diverts BLM resources away from the wild horses they are tasked with managing.

Please act responsibly and humanely in caring for your own animals. If you are struggling with adequate care of large animals, don’t wait until you are faced with no options. Place an ad in your local paper to find another owner. If it is an older animal with health issues, have it humanely euthanized. While most rescue organizations in the country are overwhelmed with too many unwanted horses, you can try researching organizations online that are still accepting animals. If you haven’t made the decision yet to own a horse, be aware that having one is a long-term commitment and represents a significant financial obligation. Educate yourself before you take on the responsibility of owning a horse.

For further information on the management of wild horses, contact BLM Wild Horse Specialist Jim Dollerschell at (970) 244-3016.

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