With each herd management area, there is only x-amount of acres per herd, so management will be necessary. But management has to create a healthy balance with the *least invasive* methods as possible for our mustangs. Population suppression, in my opinion from years of study, is the best way to keep our wild ones out of taxpayer funded roundups and stockpiled in holding. However, theres a bit of an confusion about methods out there, especially sterilization. And there is much to lose if management is not careful with this form of population suppression. So, for those wanting my opinion~ I am advocating the use of wild mare (reversible/temp) fertility control only, also known as PZP. Wild horses should not be altered in any way shape of form, *permanently*. When BLM becomes involved in selecting who breeds- it does away with the whole natural scope of what it is to be a wild horse. And the mustangs are downgraded, and will not be able to have the same protection once we treat them like a breeding farm- selecting for genetics, rather then by survival through Nature. The only drawback to PZP is that every few years, theyll have to come in and reapply, but to different mares- rotating, to assure all genetics are represented on that HMA. Keeps the genetics fresh and natural, keeps the band behaving naturally, and herd dynamics as they should be. The Fed govt claimed it doesnt work, but theyve only applied 1% of management budget (per AWHPC) to PZP in terms of population management. South Steens in SE ORegon, where I photograph, it was apparent after the gather and pzping 59 mares- for two years following, there were very little foals. By 2012 the foal crop was near normal. So when they say it doesnt work- what theyre saying it works for about two years, but not a perm solution. But in my book, I would say, they just return and redo the PZP application, capturing the animals in various ways, including bait trapping (proved successful on Pryors), or field darting. Simple. I wrote several articles on the permanent sterilization of mustangs, esp the stallions and the ramifications. ON SS, Ive had the opportunity to observe the gelded males- (15 in 09 were sterilized) and theres a marked difference. It effects the horses, the natural band/herd behaviors, and even the areas they habituate- they essentially become unhealthy (fat), and well mannered, what one would think of when they see ranch geldings, overall not fitting in with other horses, and habituating to areas causing localized degradation of the areas they graze. There is no room for sterilizing the stallions- ineffective too, really when simply one intact stallion can service all the receptive mares, regardless of the rest of the males as altered. Dangerous procedure, costly, and essentially ineffective. Invasive ovariectomies on mares, same thing. Vets do not recommend that on the range- invasive, costly, and proved deadly in Sheldon to many mares. Veterinarians recommend 3 weeks recovery, isolated in sterilized stalls. Permanent sterilization changes everything. In terms of population methods, the win-win is reversible wild mare fertility control methods (PZP) only- a win-win for the mustang, the advocates, the land, the BLM, the ranchers. For additional information, contact with The CLoud Foundation and the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign. Theres also a Q & A on the web with a 19 year study of PZP use on the wild ponies in our east and its effectiveness. Google Dr Jay F Kirkpatrick and pzp. Im fighting this tooth and nail. Here is my link to one of my articles on this very topic. In my Notes tab near the top, is also an article I did on sterilization of the stallions, a few years back. Another article you may want to review that I wrote, a few entries down in the Notes tab is called Controlling the Natural Horse. Sources, links, are listed in them as well. Heres In the Balance, a look at creating feasible/sustainable solutions for our wild horses and burros for a better tomorrow: https://facebook/notes/mustang-meg/in-the-balance-by-mustang-meg/10151303634957776 Keeping the Wild in our West!
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:47:33 +0000
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