The Bureau of Land Management captured 29 wild horses on Thursday, the fourth day of an “emergency” helicopter roundup on the West Douglas Herd Area, 20 miles south of Rangely, Colo. 

Two stallions were euthanized for “pre-existing conditions”: one stud with a “pre-existing laceration on the back/soft tissue injury” and a second with “pre-existing upper and lower limb injuries to left hind,” according to BLM’s gather report.

The nine stallions, 14 mares and six foals are part of an estimated 450 wild horses that the agency plans to remove from their home range over 19-25 days. 

A total of 154 wild horses have been captured so far.

The agency says that the roundup was necessary because of limited forage and water, deteriorating condition of the horses, and because the nearby Oil Springs Fire has burned summer habitat and limited access to water sources. The fire burned 12,613 acres starting June 18.

The West Douglas Herd Area has not been managed for wild horses since 1975, according to BLM.

Captured horses are being shipped to the Canyon City Wild Horse and Burro Facility to be readied for adoption or sale.

Members of the public interested in viewing the roundup should call (970) 673-7768 for the next day’s meeting times and locations.