Contact Congress: Stop Salazar's BAD Plan For Wild Horses/Burros

You can also call your Representative and Senators and urge them to reject the current Wild Horse & Burro budget proposal which wastes tax dollars by increasing funding of an ill-conceived, broken program. Secretary Salazar's proposal is bad for wild horses and bad for American taxpayers.  See below for more details. For telephone numbers click here.

On March 3, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing (click to view hearing) Secretary Salazar testified on his proposed budget. Thanks to Americans voicing their opposition to the ill-conceived Salazar plan for wild horses and burros - senators are now speaking up expressing their concerns about the proposal.  Click here for a summary of the hearing.

Forest Service Proposes artificially-low numbers for wild horses & buttos

Take Action: Say "NO" To Forest Service Proposal
DEADLINE for public comments is Monday, April 5, 2010.
Please take a minute to tell the Forest Service that you oppose their  plan to establish artificially-low numbers for wild horses and burros AND short-cuts the public comment period. Click here to take action.

Proposed roundup of 1,000 horses in Wyoming (11 HMAs)

Take Action: Say "NO" To Wyoming Roundup
DEADLINE for public comments is Friday, April 2, 2010.
Please take a minute to tell the Bureau of Land Management that you oppose their proposal to roundup more than 1,000 wild horses in Wyoming. Click here to take action.

UPDATE: Senate Energy and Natural Resource committee hearing

Today, March 3, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the U.S. Department of Interior's budget request for Fiscal Year 2011. Included is an increase of $12 million for the controversial Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro program, and $42.5 million to purchase the first of several holding pastures in the Midwest or East to house wild horses taken from the West.

Thanks to Americans voicing their opposition to the ill-conceived Salazar plan for wild horses and burros - senators spoke up at today's hearing expressing their concerns about the proposal.

 At the hearing (you can view it online here), both Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Landrieu (D-LA) addressed the wild horse issue.  In opening comments vice chair Murkoski voiced her "concern" about the direction the agency - she said something to the effect that she was concerned about moving more horses to the east and not managing on the range.

Landrieu was terrific talking about her concern of the program and how the horses have lost millions of acres over the years, the inhumane roundups during winter weather of ice/snow, and she highlighted that the "horses only have a measly 31 million acres" out of 500 million acres overseen by the Depart. of Interior. Salazar responded (looking at Landrieu and gesturing to other senators) that he knows about the concerns and that he is "not wedded" to his proposal and looks forward to working together.

Thank you to everyone who took action to contact the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee members. This is just the first step in Congress' long appropriations process.

We'll continue to provide updates and action alerts - so stay tuned.  The horses and burros need you to keep fighting for them ... and please tell a friend about their plight.

On another note:
PUBLIC COMMENTS are due FRIDAY, MARCH 5 to oppose a proposed roundup of 1,980 wild horses and burros in California.  Please click here to take action now & tell a friend.

Thank you.

Twin Peaks Proposed Roundup: 1,980 Wild Horses & Burros Targeted in CA

Our voices are making a difference for America's wild horses, and now is the time to keep up the pressure! We told you this would be a long, difficult fight - and we are the horses' only hope. Please take action below and send this alert to at least three friends or family members. It's critical that we grow our grassroots efforts on behalf of these magnificent horses. The deadline for submitting public comments is March 5, 2010.

In the last two months, after receiving well over ten thousand public comments in opposition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has postponed two scheduled wild horse roundups in Utah's Confusion Mountains Complex and eastern Nevada's Eagle Herd Management Area.

And on February 5, 2010, the BLM halted -- several weeks early and 500 horses short of its 2,432 horse removal goal - the intensely controversial Calico Mountains Complex wild horse roundup. So far we know at least 49 horses have lost their lives due to the helicopter stampede and capture at Calico and an additional 25-30 pregnant mares spontaneously aborted. Equine veterinary experts dispute the BLM's claim that the miscarriages were due to poor nutritional condition of the mares, citing the stress and trauma of the roundup and capture as a more likely cause. As a result of calls, letters and emails from concerned citizens, 700 free-living mustangs in Utah and Nevada have, for now, been spared the sad fate that has befallen the Calico horses.

Now we need you to act again to oppose the massive removal of more than 1,980 wild horses and burros from the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA) in California which is scheduled to take place in August and September, 2010.

 The letters sent:

We oppose the current proposal by the Eagle Lakes Field Office to roundup 1,800 wild horses and 180 burros from the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA). The BLM has been found repeatedly to arbitrarily set Appropriate Mangement Levels for Wild Horses at numbers so low they often defy common sense. Such is the case with the BLM's contention that the 798,000-acre Twin Peaks public HMA can only sustain 448-758 horses and 72-116 burros.

The BLM's proposed massive removal of wild horses and burros from the Twin Peaks HMA and the warehousing of these animals in government holding facilities violates the intent of Congress and the will of the American people that our wild horses be managed on the range in a humane and minimally-intrusive manner that preserves their wild and free-roaming behavior.

As a result, I urge the field office to consider and explore in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) the following measures to improve management of the wild horses in the Twin Peaks HMA:

*  Re-evaluate and increase the Appropriate Management Level (AML) for wild horses for this 798,000-acre complex;

*  Utilize the BLM's discretion under 43 C.F.R. 4710.5(a) to close or limit livestock grazing in the Twin Peaks HMA and/or or designate this area to be managed principally for wild horse herds under 43 C.F.R. 4710.3-2

*  Offer any ranchers grazing livestock in the Twin Peaks HMA the option to retire cattle grazing allotments or convert cattle grazing allotments to wild horse allotments which could in turn promote ecotourism activities;

*  Implement and expand the current proposal of fertility control treatments to allow more horse to remain on the range;

*  Implement range improvements and water enhancements that will benefit all animals, including wildlife and horses, living in the Twin Peaks HMA.

Further, any environmental assessment conducted for this capture plan must include objective evaluation of the above mentioned items, as well as an detailed economic analysis of the costs associated with the capture, removal and short- and long-term warehousing of these horses, and a full consideration of the impacts of capture, removal and warehousing on the horses taken from the range. The EA must consider and determine how actions listed above would allow the BLM to increase the Twin Peaks AML.

Please use this opportunity to implement a humane and progressive management program for the Twin Peaks mustangs and burros and reject the proposed plan to massively round up and warehouse these free-living animals.

Thank you for your consideration.

Public comment period closed on March 5, 2010.

Take Action To Stop Next Roundup - Public Comments Close This Friday

We were given an extension to submit public comments for the preparation of the preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Antelope Complex. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is saying this complex, which is 1.3 MILLION acres, can only support 471 to 788 wild horses.

BLM reports that more than 9,000 public comments were received regarding the Eagle roundup. We need to keep up the pressure. 

This is our opportunity to get public comments in BEFORE a preliminary EA is written.

Click here for the ACTION ALERT


Click for BLM press release and letter of notice.

Please tell your friends and family. Every voice counts and every action makes a difference.
Thank you.

BLM death and veteriarian reports:

January 26, 2010 Death Report

January 30, 2010: Vet report on 2nd colt killed due to "hoof sloughs" resulting from roundup stampede

January 18, 2010: Vet report on 1st colt killed due to "hoof sloughs" resulting from roundup stampede

January 1, 2010: Vet report on foal run to death
(also below)

February 1, 2010: BLM vet report on deaths/problems resulting from change of feed

BLM Changes Story

Feb 3, 2010: The public observers were told the roundup was canceled today. Judging from the (limited) information provided by the BML it seems they are having difficulties finding horses. The BLM is now claiming the horses are moving so much that they needed to fly the entire complex to find the horses and are planning to work with other field offices (specifically Surprise, CA) to plan future roundups. The BLM did not mention to observers yesterday that a mare was killed as is now being reported on the BLM website.

Meanwhile the BLM and cattle rancher Interior Secretary Ken Salazar are pushing the Obama's plan to increase by $12 million the Wild Horse and Burro program and give Salazar $42.5 million to buy his first "mid-west preserve" so that the BLM can continue to remove horses from the west to be stockpiled in zoo-like "pastures" in the mid-west. Basically Obama's plan is business as usual and the BLM will continue to serve the special cattle ranching interests. For more information click here.

UPDATE on Downed Mare Killed

UPDATE on Jan 21 posting:

Mare Killed After Downed on 4-Hour Truck Ride From Trap to Holding Facility

BLM states that yet another mare died at the Fallon holding facility after being downed in the trailer probably for hours. Upon arrival at the holding facility she was found down and subsequently died. She was likely trampled as the horses are packed tightly into the transport trucks. 

02/01/10 UPDATE: The contractor indicates that this mare was packed with up to 13 other horses in a compartment on the truck and that they load up to 39-40 horses per truck load. Because the BLM refuses to photo- or video-document horses they kill we will never have evidence that this downed horse in the trailer was not trampled, kicked or sustained injuries because she could not stand. The contractor claims this horse did not sustain injuries from being downed in the truck for hours or when the other horses were removed from the truck. 

No photos have been provided of this mare after she was removed from the truck.
 
No members of the public were allowed to observe any of the Jan 21 roundup and public observation at the Fallon holding facility is severely restricted to specific hours on specific days. 

On Jan 26, 2010 long-time BLM rep Lilly Thomas told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill.

NOTE: To be clear, Lilly Thomas was not suggesting the horses be killed, she only said that of the horses who were "euthanized" (for humane proposes - i.e. too weak or injured) she did not want her wranglers or vets carrying cameras to document the conditions of the horses.

ORPHANED FOAL UPDATE

January 27, 2010:  John Neill told humane observers yesterday that the orphaned foal would be moved to Palomino holding facility tomorrow so that Willis Lamm and his organization could get the foal for adoption.

BLM rep Lilly Thomas Does Not Want Staff Photographing Horses Who Are Killed

Long-time BLM rep, Lilly Thomas, told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.

Lilly Thomas, BLM veteran, Says She Does Not Want Vets/Wranglers Taking Photos of Animals Who Will Be Killed

Jan 26, 2010: Long-time BLM rep Lilly Thomas told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week.

Roundups canceled Mon-Wed

Roundups canceled for Mon-Wed; Death Toll Rises

While forbidding the public to observe all aspects of this government operation, the BLM is now releasing select information pertaining to deaths, some previously unannounced, resulting from the Calico roundup.

We now learn that on Jan 23 a mare, at the holding facility, was stressed and struggled so much that she "ran into a gate and broke her neck." We are also now told that a stallion was found dead in a pen on Jan 14 (note: BLM waited 11 days to announce this death) and attributed his death to "failure to adjust to a change in feed." BLM does not reveal how long either of these horses were at the facility. For the BLM's latest laundry list of deaths and rationalizations click here.

Roundups canceled for Mon-Wed; Death Toll Rises; Jan 26 update

Jan 26, 2010 UPDATE: Roundups canceled for Mon-Wed; 
Death Toll Rises

While forbidding the public to observe all aspects of this government operation, the BLM is now releasing select information pertaining to deaths, some previously unannounced, resulting from the Calico roundup. For more information click here.

We now learn that on Jan 23 a mare, at the holding facility, was stressed and struggled so much that she "ran into a gate and broke her neck." We are also now told that a stallion was found dead in a pen on Jan 14 (note: BLM waited 11 days to announce this death) and attributed his death to "failure to adjust to a change in feed." BLM does not reveal how long either of these horses were at the facility.

For the BLM's latest laundry list of deaths and rationalizations click here.

27 horses captured on Sunday, Jan 24

Jan 25: 27 horses captured on Sunday

We arrived at the trap site today, Monday, and were told by Alan Shepherd, Nevada lead for Wild Horse & Burro program, that the roundup had been canceled due to weather conditions. We requested that we be allowed to observe the roundup on Tuesday (especially considering today's cancellation). Mr. Shepherd said that would not be allowed and indicated that the Nevada and Washington DC offices "had decided" that the public would be restricted to observation of the government operation to a few hours on three days a week. See video below of Don Glenn, director of the Wild Horse & Burro, who heads up the Washington office state the public would be provided full access to observe roundups.

Al Shepherd Says BLM-DC Office Restricts Public Access To Observe Roundup

Jan 25, 2010:  We requested that we be allowed to observe the roundup on Tuesday (especially considering today's [Monday's] cancellation). Mr. Shepherd said that would not be allowed and indicated that the Nevada and Washington DC offices "had decided" that the public would be restricted to observation of the government operation to a few hours on three days a week.

(revised) COLT KILLED AFTER RUN SO HARD HOOVES DESTROYED; DOWNED MARE DIES AFTER 4 HOUR RIDE TO HOLDING FACILITY

COLT KILLED AFTER RUN SO HARD HOOVES DESTROYED;
DOWNED MARE DIES AFTER 4 HOUR RIDE TO HOLDING FACILITY 

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week. Based on the highly limited information that the BLM is providing ... we now know that at least two more horses were killed at the Indian Lakes Road Fallon holding facility.

After being run long and hard, the BLM reports that a colt's hooves were so badly destroyed (hoof sloughing) during the roundup and he was killed presumably on Jan 18 - even though BLM didn't report on this until Jan 21.

Originally BLM simply reported, "One colt with multiple hoof sloughs from the capture was euthanized at the facility." (click here for original BLM posting) Later the BLM amended its post to claim that this colt had been treated for two weeks. BLM never informed  the humane observers who visited the holding facility of this colt's condition and treatment; BLM never reported this colt's condition before his death yesterday.

BLM states that yet another mare died at the Fallon holding facility after being downed in the trailer probably for hours. Upon arrival at the holding facility she was found down and subsequently died. 02/01/10 UPDATE: She was packed with up to 13 other horses in a compartment on the truck - the contractor indicates they load up to 39-40 horses per truck load. Because the BLM refuses to photo/video document horses they kill we will never know whether this downed horse in the trailer was trampled, kicked or sustained injuries because she could not stand.  (NOTE on 01/26/10 Lilly Thomas told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.)
 
No members of the public were allowed to observe the Jan 21 roundup and public observation at the Fallon holding facility is severely restricted to specific hours on specific days. 

Below is video of Don Glenn, director of BLM Wild Horse & Burro program. Mr. Glenn stated repeatedly on Dec 7, 2009 that full public observation of roundups ("gathers") would be provided:
"All of our gathers are open to the public ... if we had hundreds of thousands of people wanting to come out and watch a gather we'd have to manage that situation ... If the public or the press wants to observe a gather, they just need to get a hold of us and tell us that they want to observe a gather and we'll accommodate them ... they can come and observe the gather for the whole time ... we will accommodate them."

COLT KILLED AFTER RUN SO HARD HOOVES DESTROYED - Jan 21

COLT KILLED AFTER RUN SO HARD HOOVES DESTROYED;
DOWNED MARE DIES AFTER 4 HOUR RIDE TO HOLDING FACILITY
 

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week. Based on the highly limited information that the BLM is providing ... we now know that at least two more horses were killed at the Indian Lakes Road Fallon holding facility.

After being run long and hard, the BLM reports that a colt's hooves were so badly destroyed (hoof sloughing) during the roundup and he was killed presumably on Jan 18 - even though BLM didn't report on this until Jan 21.

 

Originally BLM simply reported, "One colt with multiple hoof sloughs from the capture was euthanized at the facility." (click here for original BLM posting) Later the BLM amended its post to claim that this colt had been treated for two weeks. BLM never informed  the humane observers who visited the holding facility of this colt's condition and treatment; BLM never reported this colt's condition before his death yesterday.

BLM states that yet another mare died at the Fallon holding facility after being downed in the trailer probably for hours. Upon arrival at the holding facility she was found down and subsequently died. She was likely trampled as the horses are packed tightly into transport trucks.
 
No members of the public were allowed to observe the Jan 21 roundup and public observation at the Fallon holding facility is severely restricted to specific hours on specific days.

The BLM claims no photo documentation was taken of the foal or mare.

Death Toll Climbs to 4 at Fallon - Jan 14

DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 4 AT FALLON FACILITY

Without providing any details, BLM claims: "Two mares were found dead at the facility, cause of death is attributed to failure to adjust to a change in feed."

ANOTHER CALICO DEATH AT HOLDING FACILITY - Jan 13

ANOTHER CALICO DEATH AT HOLDING FACILITY
The BLM claims another horse died at the brand new "Indian Lakes" Fallon holding facility. All the BLM states is: "One 12-year-old mare from the Black Rock West HMA died at Fallon. She arrived in weak and poor condition and had been at the facility for four days."

Mare Found Dead Over Weekend - Jan 11

Jan 11, 2010: ANOTHER DEATH REPORTED
BLM reports another death has resulted from the Calico roundup. This time a mare (age unknown) was found dead over this past weekend at the Fallon "Indian Lakes" holding facility. The only information provided by the BLM on this latest death follows: "The veterinarian diagnosis is the mare died as the result of dietary feed change." BLM states that bad weather stopped roundup actions on Thu (1/7), Sat-Mon (1/9-1/11).  Sadly, on Tue BLM took 99 horses from their homes on the range and separated them forever from their families. Latest victims include 43 stallions, 34 mares & 21 "weanlings/foals."

Contractor Claims Orphan Foul Not Related To Mare Shot To Death - Jan 10

Sue Cattoor, owner of the roundup company, notified us that the mare who was killed by BLM on Jan 28, 2010 was not related to the orphaned foal shown below. This does not negate the tragedy that the BLM has inflicted on these two individuals. There is no way to verify any of this information due to the lack of transparency of the BLM . This confusion is the direct result of the BLM's refusal to allow daily public observation of all aspects of the gov't roundup operation. BLM is currently limiting public observation of this MILLION-DOLLAR, TAXPAYER-FUNDED operation to 3 out of 7 days a week and further restricts observation to only for 3-4 hours of each 10-hour day.

Mare Shot To Death - January 7

Yesterday the BLM killed another mare claiming "poor body condition." It is unknown if this mare's condition was documented with video and/or photos.  Despite the controversy surrounding the Calico roundup, the BLM reported that no photo-documentation was taken of the foal or mare who were killed last week.  

NOTE: It turns out the BLM PR person, Lisa Ross, was wrong when she informed humane observer Deniz Bolbol previously that no photos were taken of the mare who was killed. BLM and the contractor have since posted photos of a mare they claim is the one who was killed. BLM still claims no photos were taken of the foal who was run to death.

ORPHANED FOAL'S STORY

Click here for an UPDATE Jan 27, 2010

ORPHANED FOAL (Jan 7, 2010):

First the BLM traumatizes this foal by chasing him with helicopters to remove him from his home on the range. Somehow, inquiries have been submitted to BLM, this foal was separated from his mother - forcing this young calf to be on his own. Then he was trucked for hours, with other captured horses, to a holding facility where he was put in a pen with two mare/foal pairs. After he bonded with one of the mares - standing near her for comfort and security - the BLM then pulls him away from this mare and puts him by himself in a pen. Once again the BLM claims to be doing this for the "benefit" of the horses. What a sad and tragic story.

www.aowha.org; W./S. Lamm, Jan. 2, 2010 orphan foal on the left

Update from Willis Lamm, January 7, 2010: 

John Neill promised to provide an update on the "Calico orphan." I received the following report this morning.

Willis, just a quick update on the orphan. He has been gaining strength each day. We did relocate him to an adjacent holding pen next to the pairs in order to provide him more nutrition than he would consume through oat hay. He presently has both oat hay and alfalfa along with BLM formulated pellets for foals. Dr. Sanford and I continue to monitor the health of the animals each day.

orphan to left (click on photo to see entire photo)

Calico roundp update - 299 horses caught

The BLM reports that as of yesterday they rounded up 299 wild horses in Calico Complex, Nevada. BLM claims there were two mortalities to date - the 20+ year old mare who was shot to death due to "poor body condition" and the 6-month-old foal who was run to death (see details below). Photos and/or video of the animals killed have been requested; BLM has indicated they did not taken any photogenic documentation of these horses.

BLM has moved the capture operation from private land in Paiute Meadows Ranch to private land in Soldier Meadows where they will remain for the next two weeks. Daily access for public observation of the roundup activities is being denied and the BLM has selected 3 days each week (for the next 3 weeks) to allow orchestrated public observation. BLM claims staffing constraints as the reason to limiting public observation of this multi-million-dollar government operation.

Freedom's Story - January 2, 2010

FIELD REPORT
By Craig C. Downer, Wildlife Ecologist
and Elyse Gardner, Public Observer
January 2, 2010
  
Below are photos of the roundup that took place today (Saturday, January 2, 2009) showing how the captured band stallion, "Freedom," valiantly fought for and regained his liberty although he had to leave his family of 8 adult mares and 2 colts.  Jumping a 6-foot fence and immediately thereafter breaking through a barbed wire fence and injuring himself, this was an awe-inspiring, do-or-die effort demonstrating the loathing of captivity to a wild horse and his need for freedom.  We can only pray for his recovery from the injuries he sustained from the barbed wire. 

 

Before his escape, he became hung up by his front legs when he reared with all his might to attempt an escape from the narrow fenced area where he was being examined by Sue Cattoor and her wrangler. 

 

Also included here are shots of the capture of his entire band, the 11 horses including Freedom himself.  

 

More to come.  Right now we are just sending stills.  We have videos and interviews, but these photos really do capture the anguish and drama of the roundup for these majestic icons, our treasured American wild mustangs.

Photography by Craig C. Downer             1/2/10           11:11:46 a.m.

The capture of Freedom and his band by helicopter, 11 horses.

Photography by Craig C. Downer    1/2/10   11:11:58 a.m.

Band stallion, Freedom, in the lead. You can see the Judas horse, trained to run into the pens so the wild horses will follow, being released.

Photography by Craig C. Downer                       1/2/10     11:23:34 a.m.

Desperate horses, Freedom and his family huddle together.

Photography by Elyse Gardner        1/2/10                  11:28:48 a.m. 

During examination, Freedom attempts escape and gets caught up on the fence.

Photography by Elyse Gardner    1/2/10          11:28:51 a.m. 

Slipping as he struggles to free his upper leg from the fence.

Photography by Elyse Gardner        1/2/10                      11:28:53 a.m. 

Photography by Elyse Gardner    1/2/10          11:28:51 a.m.

Photography by Craig C. Downer                       1/2/10    11:30:18 a.m.

Preparing first failed attempt to clear 6-foot fence to freedom. He fell on his back during this attempt but pressed on to try again...

Photography by Craig C. Downer                       1/2/10                11:30:34  a.m.

Preparing for final herculean effort to clear 6-foot fence to freedom...

Photography by Craig C. Downer                       1/2/10               11:31:33  a.m.

...only to have to crash through barbed wire...

Photography by Craig C. Downer                       1/2/10                 11:31:36 a.m.

...to a bittersweet return to freedom, for leaving his cherished family behind

Foal Run To Death on January 1, 2010 ............. BLM releases vet necropsy

APHIS vet necropsy of Foal Run to Death on Jan 1, 2010 available here.

On New Year's Day, the BLM rounded up 10 wild horses but only captured 9 because a 6-month old foal died en route. APHIS vet at the scene, Dr. Al Kane, reported that after being chased by the helicopter for "1/2 mile" the little foal was falling down. It is reported that the pilot radioed Dr. Kane that this foal was having problems; Dr. Kane went out to see the foal who was found dead. Dr. Kane said that he did a necropsy in the field and indicated he thought the colt has a congenital heart defect. They left the body in the field and refused to allow the public observers to witness the body. This foal lived his last moments in utter terror, forced to run, falling repeatedly and his family being stampeded away by government-contracted helicopters.

Foal Run To Death - Vet Necropsy

APHIS Veterinarian Necropsy Report

Date:                    1/1/10
Prepared by:          Albert Kane, DVM, MPVM, PhD Location/Event:      Calico Complex Gather
Animal ID:              6 month old, dark bay/brown, colt

History:  The pilot reported this colt lied down twice while moving just ½ mile from the original location of the band of horses. The second time he radioed to the trap for wranglers to come with a trailer and assist the colt as he seemed unlikely to make it to the trap. I accompanied the wranglers to the location. We arrived to the colt’s location about 10 minutes after the call from the pilot. On arrival he was found dead, lying in left lateral recumbency, with no signs of struggle or agonal movements apparent in the surrounding snow.

Examination: Alan Shepherd accompanied me during this necropsy examination. The carcass was rolled onto the right side, no external abnormalities were noted. Front right leg was lifted and reflected dorsally. On opening the chest cavity negative pressure was apparent. There was no blood present in the trachea. There was a large amount of free blood in the chest cavity. The lungs were pink and airy with no abnormalities noted.

On examination in-situ a hole was apparent in the pulmonary artery at the base. The left ventricle was thickened and larger than expected and the atria were thin and without muscular tone. There was an area of thinning and apparent aneurysm on the left atrium.

The abdominal cavity was examined with no abnormalities noted. Body condition was moderately thin with only small amounts of subcutaneous and abdominal fat noted.

Conclusion/Differentials/Dx: Left side heart failure. Death caused by acute pulmonary artery rupture attributable to a pre-existing, probably congenital heart condition. Gather related but attributable to a pre-existing condition.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Albert J. Kane, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Veterinary Epidemiologist
Senior Staff Veterinarian
APHIS/BLM Wild Horse and Burro Partnership