Captured wild horses in a temporary holding pen during a BLM helicopter roundup. RTF file photo.

See below for ways to take action.

Return to Freedom continues to demand that the Bureau of Land Management take meaningful action after a wrangler was filmed kicking a downed wild horse.

RTF and partner organizations have met with BLM officials about the July 26 incident, which took place during a helicopter roundup on the Blue Wing Complex, northeast of Reno, Nev. We have made clear to the agency that such abuse is inexcusable and are discussing what must be done to ensure it is not repeated.

Further updates —

• The BLM acknowledged the actions of the wrangler working for a BLM contractor violated the agency’s Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy (CAWP). Note: The CAWP is a set of humane handling protocols that Congress has stated repeatedly that the agency and its contractors must follow.
• Our supporters have sent thousands of letters to the BLM and Congress demanding swift action.
• Members of Congress have contacted the agency about the incident.
• Our biologist, who chairs the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, is engaging with the BLM to find ways for the agency to publicly discuss the handling of wild horses and burros, including how the agency responds to violations of the CAWP.

According to BLM:

• The wild horse shown in the video was uninjured.
• The contractor removed the wrangler from direct work with horses.
• The BLM Incident Commander reviewed the CAWP with all on-site personnel.
• The BLM began an investigation following the incident. Because these are internal agency processes, it still remains unclear what consequences there will be for the contractor.
• Members of the BLM’s CAWP oversight group were on-site on the day of the incident and are in discussions about how to improve the protocols.

The Blue Wing roundup ended on July 31: 1,305 wild horses and 350 burros were captured and removed from the 2.3 million-acre complex and shipped to off-range holding. The agency’s stated reasons for conducting the roundup included what it deemed to be overpopulation and lack of water.

Nine horses died from “acute / sudden” causes like broken necks during the roundup, according to the gather report; 33 were put down for “pre-existing / chronic” conditions like arthritis.

Though the BLM’s roundup calendar says that 40 wild horses were to be treated with fertility control then released, no fertility control use was noted on the agency’s gather report.

We strongly support the use of proven, safe and humane fertility control to reduce the size and frequency of removals — and as a key tool to begin phasing out removals altogether.

Tell Congress and the BLM that immediate action must be taken

Demand transparency and accountability for the humane handling of wild horses and burros

Support safe, proven and humane fertility control that can end wild horse and burro roundups

Donate to RTF’s Wild Horse Defense Fund