Horses at Twin Peaks

2022 Twin Peaks Herd Management Area Wild Horse and Burro Gather

The Bureau of Land Management completed the Twin Peaks Wild Horse and Burro gather on Aug. 15, 2022. In the coming weeks, mares treated GonaCon fertility control drug will be released into various home ranges within the Twin Peaks HMA.

Purpose of Gather:

The gather is being conducted to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Horses Act.  

The gather is designed reduce the wild population closer to the appropriate management level, or population, designated in the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office Resource Management Plan, which is 448 to 758 wild horses and 72 to 116 wild burros.  Population census flights conducted by helicopter in the spring of 2022 showed there are 3,316 wild horses and 401 wild burros in the HMA.

Details of Gather:

This helicopter drive trap gather operation will remove excess wild horses and burros from the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area along the California-Nevada border in Lassen County, California and Washoe County Nevada.  The plan is to gather 1,978 wild horses and remove 1,868 excess wild horses from the range.  Up to 110 mares will be released back into the herd management area after being treated with a fertility control vaccine. The plan will capture and remove 339 wild burros.  Captured animals will be transported to BLM off range corrals in Litchfield, CA, Bruneau, ID and Palomino Valley near Reno where they will be checked by veterinarians and prepared for private placement.

Horses and burros removed from the range will be available for placement in private ownership through the BLM’s adoption and sales programs.

Public Observation:

Members of the public and the news media are welcome to view gather operations daily.  A BLM public affairs officer and law enforcement ranger will escort observers to the viewing site each morning.  Anyone interested is asked to reserve space by calling the gather information line at 530-252-5332 the evening before their planned attendance date.  The information will be updated nightly and include the meeting times and locations.

We ask that visitors be familiar with the “Know Before You Go” and “Visitation Protocols and Ground Rules” provided in the links to the right.

Adoption Information:

Information on adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro is available at www.blm.gov/whb.

Background:

Horses in the Twin Peaks HMA descended from ranching or mining work animals that were released or escaped into the area in the late19th century or early 20th century.  Some wild horses are descendants of animals that were raised for the U. S. Army’s Cavalry remount program.  Twin Peaks horses exhibit a variety of colors, from bays and browns to palominos and paints. They are generally good-sized.

Location: The Twin Peaks HMA, the largest managed by the BLM-California, covers nearly 800,000 acres of public and private land.  The HMA boundary stretches about 55 miles from north to south and about 30 miles from east to west.  The high desert topography ranges from about 5,000 feet in elevation to about 7,000 feet at the highest points. It is arid, with precipitation averaging six to 10 inches yearly, mostly from snow.  Higher elevations support stands of Western juniper, while lower elevations are sagebrush, shrubs, forbs and grasses.  Much of the area burned in the 315,000-acre Rush Fire of 2010, and many shrub stands were covered to grasslands.

Wildlife: The area supports large mammals including mule deer and pronghorn.  It includes areas managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a premier trophy mule deer area.  The HMA also contains habitat for greater sage-grouse, a species of special interest.  The area also provides habitat for upland birds, primarily chukar partridge, along with raptors, coyotes, mountain lions and small mammals.

Livestock Grazing: There are nine livestock grazing allotments in the HMA.  Livestock, primarily cattle, use grazing allotments for designated seasons detailed in grazing permits administered by the Eagle Lake Field Office.
 

Daily Gather Reports

Wednesday, August 31

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Eagle Lake Field Office released three stallions back into the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area. The animals were captured during the Twin Peaks gather, completed on Aug. 15. Because stallions do not reproduce, they will not contribute to population growth of the Twin Peaks Herd.  

Animals released:  3 Stallions
3 Stallions
 


Wednesday, August 24

Today, the Eagle Lake Field Office staff released 24 mules back on to the range in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Area.   The animals were captured during the Twin Peaks gather, completed on Aug. 15.   Because mules do not reproduce, they will not contribute to population growth of the Twin Peaks Herd.  

Animals released:  24 mules
11 mollies
13 johns
 


Monday August 15

Summary:  Today was the last day of gather operations.  The gather focused on burros in the Skedaddle and Dry Valley home ranges of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All captured animals were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one observer.

Total Animals Captured:  47 burros

Jacks: 20
Jennies:  21
Foals: 6

Total Animals Shipped: 47
To BLM Litchfield Corrals:  47 burros

Jacks: 20 
Jennies:  21
Foals: 6

Deaths:  0

Released:  0
 


Sunday, August 14

Summary:  Gather operations for burros went smoothly at trap sites in the Dry Valley Home Range in the southern part of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All animals arrived at the trap in good condition, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one observer.

Total Animals Captured:  44 burros.

Jacks:  30
Jennies:  13
Foals:  1

Total Animals Shipped:  44
To BLM Litchfield Corrals:  44

Jacks:  30 
Jennies:  13
Foals:  1

Deaths:  0

Released:  0
 


Saturday, August 13

Summary:  Burro gather operations went smoothly today under warm and calm conditions in the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All animals were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5. There was one observer.

Total Animals Captured: 49
Burros: 48
Jacks:  18
Jennies:  22
Foals:  8

Horses: 1
Stallions:  1

Shipped: 49
To Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corrals: 49

Burros: 48 
Jacks:  18
Jennies:  22
Foals:  8

Horses: 1
Stallions:  1


Deaths: 0

Released: 0
 


Friday, August. 12

Summary:  Burro gathering operations went smoothly under warm and calm conditions at a capture site in the Skedaddle Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All animals were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were three observers.

Total Animals Captured:  60
Burros: 59
Jacks:  29
Jennies:  26
Foals: 4

Horses: 1
Stallions: 1

Shipped:  60

To Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corrals: 60
Burros:  59
Jacks:  29 
Jennies:  26
Foals: 4

Horses: 1 
Stallions: 1

Deaths: 0

 


Thursday, Aug. 11

Summary:  Gather operations shifted to burros in the Skedaddle Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  Conditions were warm and clear.  All captured animals were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were three observers.

Total Animals Captured:  103 burros
Jacks:  51
Jennies:  42
Foals: 10

Total Animals Shipped:  57 horses to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center
Stallions: 35
Mares: 22

Deaths: 0

Animals Released: 0
 


 

Wednesday August 10 

Summary:  There was no gathering today, as horses were shipped from temporary holding and the capture trap was dismantled and moved to a new location.  Activity will resume tomorrow, Aug. 11,  capturing burros.

Total Animals Captured: 0

Total Animals Shipped: 112

To Litchfield Corrals: 2
Stallions: 1
Mares: 1

To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center: 110
Stallions: 37
Mares:  73

Deaths: 3
Sudden/Acute: 3

7-year-old mare, found dead in temporary holding.  Unknown cause of death.

20-year-old mare, unable to move through temporary holding area.  Euthanized. Poor prognosis for recovery.   Veterinarian performed necropsy; blood and tissue samples sent for analysis.

20-year-old mare.  Collapsed in temporary holding and could not be revived.  Euthanized. Poor prognosis for recovery.  Veterinarian performed necropsy; blood and tissue samples sent for analysis.
 


Tuesday August 9 

Summary: Operations went smoothly in cool and calm conditions  for the last day at the trap site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  With today's gather, the target number of horses to be captured was achieved.  The gather will shift to burro capture later this week. Horses captured were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were no observers.  There will be no gathering activity on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Total Animals Captured: 112
Stallions:  43
Mares:  56
Foals: 13

Total Animals Shipped: 134
To Litchfield Corals:
Foals: 2

To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center:
Stallions:  66
Mares:  66

Deaths: 5
Sudden/Acute: 3
Pre-existing/Chronic: 2


11 year-old stallion, BCS 3, with pre-existing broken rear fetlock and poor teeth. Euthanized. Poor prognosis for recovery.

20-year-old stallion, BCS 4, with pre-existing blindness in left eye.  Dangerous to handle. Euthanized.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

5-month-old colt, with sudden/acute injury to right front shoulder.  Euthanized. Poor prognosis for recovery.

6-month-old colt, acute, sudden death in temporary holding. Veterinarian necropsy revealed no cause of death.

3-month-old colt, acute, sudden death in temporary holding.  Veterinarian necropsy revealed no cause of death.
 

 


Monday August 8

Summary:  Operations continued smoothly at a trap site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peas Herd Management Area.  All captured horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5. The BLM Eagle Lake Field Office has received BLM headquarters approval to remove an additional 128 wild horses over the original planned removal target of 1,868 animals.  The BLM now plans to gather 2,106 wild horses and remove 1,996 from the range.  There were no observers at today's gather operation.

Total Animals Captured:  160 wild horses.
Stallions:  52
Mares:  81
Foals:  27

Shipped:  114

To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center:
Mares:  46
Foals:  32

To BLM Corrals Bruneau, Idaho:
Stallions: 36

Deaths: 0
 

 


Sunday August 7

Summary:  Gather operations went smoothly under warm and calm conditions at a trap site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range  of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  Captured horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were no observers.

Total Animals Captured:  100

Stallions:  39
Mares:  43
Foals:  18
 

Shipped:  181
To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno:  168
Stallions:  102
Mares:  66

To Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corrals:  13
Stallions: 9
Mares:  4

 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 2 

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

4 year-old mare.  BCS 4. Euthanized.  Split right hoof.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

5-month-old filly. BCS 3.  Euthanized.  Left rear leg injury. Poor prognosis for recovery.
 


Saturday August 6

Summary:  Conditions were  mild today and gather operations continued smoothly and without incident at at trap site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All captured horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were no observers.

Total Animals Captured:  131
Stallions:  58
Mares:  57
Foals:  16

Shipped:  119

To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno:
Mares:  44
foals:  39

To BLM Corrals, Bruneau, Idaho:
Stallions:  36

Deaths:  0
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Friday August 5

Summary:  Gather operations went smoothly at a trap site in the North Twin Peaks home range of the Twin Peaks HMA.  Temperatures were cool and winds were calm.  All captured horses were healthy, showing body conditions of  4 and 5.  There were nine observers.

Total Animals Captured:  148
Stallions:  66
Mares:  57
Foals:  25

Total Shipped:  99

33 mares to Litchfield Corrals
66 stallions to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 


Thursday August 4

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly in cool to mild conditions at a trap site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  All horses were in good condition, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one observer.

Animals Gathered: 98
34 stallions
40 mares
15 foals
 

Shipped:  136

To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno: 128
74 mares
54 foals

To BLM Litchfield Corrals: 8
3 stallions
4 mares
1 foal
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

A five-year-old mare, BCS 4,  was euthanized due to a facial deformity and missing left eye. Poor prognosis for recovery.

A six-month-old filly, BCS 4, was euthanized due to a congenital deformity in the left front knee.  Poor prognosis for recovery.
 


Wednesday August 3

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly in warm and calm conditions at a capture site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks WSA.  All horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one member of the public observing.

Animals Gathered: 158
53 stallions
69 mares
36 foals
 

Shipped:  70
To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno:
33 stallions
37 mares
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

Yearling colt was euthanized due to a pre-existing broken leg. Poor prognosis for recovery.


Tuesday August 2

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly at a capture site in the North Twin Peaks Home Range of the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area.  Conditions were warm and calm, with a reduction in the temperatures experienced over the past several days.  Horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5. There was one member of the public observing.

Animals Gathered: 112
39 stallions
51 mares
22 foals
 

Shipped:  79
To Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno: 35 stallions
To BLM Litchfield Corrals:
23 mares
21 foals
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

6 month-old colt had an existing broken right front knee and other existing injuries.  Body Condition Score 3.  Euthanized.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

6 month-old filly with pre-existing puncture wounds and abscesses.  BCS 3.  Euthanized.  Poor prognosis for recovery.
 


Monday August 1

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly under calm conditions and moderate temperatures.  All captured horses were healthy, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one member of the public observing.  The capture site will be moved tomorrow to the North Twin Peaks home range within the Twin Peaks HMA.

Animals Gathered: 111
42 stallions
47 mares
22 foals
 

Shipped:  0
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


 

Sunday July 31

Summary: There was no gathering today, as the trap and temporary holding facilities were dismantled and moved to new locations.

Animals Gathered: 0
 

Shipped:  103

10 stallions
30 mares
27 foals
30 burros
      20 jacks
      10 jennies
6 burro foals

To BLM Bruneau, Idaho Corrals: 72
36 stallions
36 mares
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Saturday, July 30

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly at the last day for this capture site north of Smoke Creek. Ranch.  Conditions were warm and calm.  Horses and burros were healthy, with horses showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5. There were two public observers from the American Wild Horse Campaign.  There will be no gathering or public observation on July 31, as the trap and temporary holding will be moved.

Animals Gathered: 79
43 horses
      18 stallions
      19 mares
      6 foals
36 burros
 

Shipped:  104

35 stallions, 33 mares to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno.
36 stallions to BLM Bruneau, Idaho corrals

No animals were treated with birth control
No animals were released.
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

A two month old colt was found dead in temporary holding.  The veterinarian performed a necropsy, but could not determine a cause of death.

A seven-year-old stallion with a BCS of 3 was euthanized after he broke his neck by hitting a panel during loading.
 


Friday July 29

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly at a trap site near the north Twin Peaks Home Range under hot but calm conditions.  All horses were healthy, most showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There was one member of the public, an affiliate of the American Wild Horse Campaign, observing.  There were no issues.

Animals Gathered: 139

55 stallions
63 mares
21 foals

No animals were shipped
No animals were treated
No animals were released
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 5

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

Stallion, over 20 years old, missing one eye with a Body Condition Score of 3 was euthanized.  Pre-existing/Chronic condition, poor prognosis for recovery.

Mare, 11 years old, BCS score 3, severely worn teeth, missing one eye.  This horse was dangerous and difficult to work with.  Pre-existing/Chronic condition. Euthanized.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

Stallion, over 30 years old with a  BCS score of 1 was very week.  Pre-existing/Chronic condition.  Euthanized.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

Stallion found dead in temporary holding.  A veterinarian performed a necropsy and was unable to find a cause of death.  Sudden/acute.

Stallion foal went down in temporary holding pen.  Attempts were made to revive him with water and electrolytes, but he refused to drink.  Unable to determine a cause of  death.  Sudden/acute.
 


Thursday July 28

Summary: Operations ran smoothly for a short gather day at the Bull Flat location.  After one gather of horses, the trap was dismantled and moved to a new location.  Animals were in good condition, showing Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5, with the exception of one old mare showing BCS 3.  There were six members of the public observing.  Three were affiliated with the American Wild Horse Campaign and three were local residents.

Animals Gathered: 19

10 stallions
7 mares
2 foals
 

Animals Shipped:  116

To Litchfield Corrals:
2 stallions
51 mares
27 foals

To Bruneau Corrals:
36 stallions
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Wednesday July 27

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly at the Bull Flat capture site.  Temperatures were warm, climbing into the 90s at the end of operations.  Winds were calm.  All horses were healthy with Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  Six members of the public observed.  These included three affiliated with the American Wild Horse Campaign, an independent film maker and videographer and a graduate student.

Animals Gathered: 153
63 stallions
63 mares
21 foals

Animals Shipped:  36

Shipped to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and burro Center, Reno:
6 stallions
30 mares
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

A five-year-old mare jumped out of a temporary holding pen and ran through fencing at the ranch property where temporary holding has been set up. She was later found deceased.  A necropsy conducted by a veterinarian showed she died of a pulmonary hemorrhage. 

 


Tuesday July 26

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly and without incident at the Bull Flat trap site.  Temperatures were warm and wind was calm. All horses came into the trap smoothly, and were healthy, with Body Condition Scores of 4 and 5.  There were nine members of the public observing, including Joy Benedict, a reporter from KCBS TV, Los Angeles and her crew.  Benedict interviewed two BLM public affairs officers and the BLM Northern California District monitoring coordinator.   Also observing were three members of the American Wild Horse Campaign, including the organization's deputy director, a freelance filmmaker and videographer, and a graduate student.

Animals Gathered:  46

23 mares
17 stallions
6 foals

Animals Shipped:  178

1 burro
36 stallions to Bruneau Idaho BLM Corrals
63 stallions to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno

To Litchfield Corals:
58 mares
19 foal horses
1 foal burro
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies) 

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

1 stallion, over 20 years old with a Body Condition Score of 2 and an existing knee injury.  Poor prognosis for recovery.  Euthanized

1 mare, over 30 years old.  BCS 1.  Poor prognosis for recovery. Euthanized.
 


Monday, July 25

Summary: Gathering operations were conducted under warm and calm conditions at the Bull Flat trap site, the third day at this Lassen County location.  All gathered animals were in good condition, showing Body Condition Scores 4 and 5.  A horse behavior incident in the trap resulted in injuries to two horses, both of which had to be euthanized.  In the incident, horses that had been moved into the trap by helicopter stopped their forward motion and reversed as a group, moving toward the gates and exerting sufficient pressure to bend and break panels.  About 10 horses escaped.  The helicopter hovered to keep the remaining horses in place while crews repaired the gate panels.  The horses were then moved into the pens without further incident.  There were no injuries to personnel.

Animals Gathered:  124

47 stallions
52 mares
24 foals
1 burro foal

Animals Shipped:  183

To Litchfield Corrals:
20 stallions
94 mares
32 foals
1 burro

To PVC:
32 stallions
 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 2

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

A 4-year-old stallion had a broken leg from the incident noted above.  Poor prognosis for recovery.
A mare, over 20 years old, had a lacerated eye and collapsed eye socket.  Poor prognosis for recovery.
A 7-year-old mare had a chronic severe hip displacement issue, limiting mobility.  Poor prognosis for recovery.

 


 

Sunday, July 24

Summary: Gather operations went smoothly at the second day of operations at the Bull Flat capture site in Lassen County, CA.  Temperatures were climbing toward the 90s when gather operations shut down.  Winds were calm.  Four members of the public were on hand to observe, including two videographers, an independent film maker and one photographer.

Animals Gathered: 235
234 Wild Horses (90 Stallions, 104 Mares, and 37 Foals) 
1 Wild Burros (1 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 84
84 Wild Horses (36 mares to BLM corrals in Bruneau, ID. 48 stallions to Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center, Reno, NV)

 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

Four-month-old filly died shortly after collapsing on arrival at the capture pen. Veterinarian performed a necropsy and determined the foal had severe pneumonia, with only 20 percent of lung capacity. 


Saturday, July 23

Summary: Today's gather went very well at the Bull Flat capture site in the Twin Peaks HMA.  Weather was warm, with temperatures in the low 90s by mid morning. There was no wind;  conditions were clear.  There were 11 members of the public observing, including a TV production crew working on "Human Footprint, the Film," to be aired on PBS, a reporter from KUNR public radio in Reno, NV and a freelance filmmaker and videographer. 

Animals Gathered: 231
231 Wild Horses (90 Stallions, 104 Mares, and 37 Foals) 
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 104 
104 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 67 Mares, and 37 Foals - 14 of these mares will be held for treatment with fertility control for later release back into the HMA.) 
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

2 euthanasia of animals with poor prognosis for recovery due to chronic conditions:

-- Stallion, over 30 years old with Body Condition Score of 2. Observed tumors, a muscle deformity and lacerations in the rib area.

-- Stallion, over 20 years old.  Missing one eye.  BCS score 3.
 

 

Gather Status

Gather Concluded

Animals Gathered: 2450
2111 Wild Horses (820 Stallions, 941 Mares, and 350 Foals) 
339 Wild Burros (159 Jacks, 144 Jennies, and 36 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 2414
2075 Wild Horses (809 Stallions, 927 Mares, and 339 Foals) 
339 Wild Burros (159 Jacks, 144 Jennies, and 36 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals) 
  PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
  PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
  GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
  IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
  Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
  Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)

Animals Released:
30 Wild Horses 
1 Wild Burros 
24 Mules

Deaths: 31
-Sudden / Acute: 15
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 16

Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"