Demand that the BLM provide wind protection for corralled Wyoming mustangs.
- by: Joyce Dolence
- recipient: Joan Guilfoyle, Chief of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, Washington D.C.
In late January members of the Cloud Foundation, a Colorado-based horse advocacy group met with the BLM in Rock Springs, Wyoming to discuss ways to protect the over 600 horses held captive in the 30-year old corral facility. Harsh westerly winds regularly blast the corrals and the BLM has tried to deal with the problem in the past by putting up plywood on the corral panels, but few of the wooden windbreaks remain. The members of the Cloud Foundation were excited to report that they would gladly pay for and install a state-of-the-art lightweight wind-barrier product, made of material similar to tarp, called Tenax. The foundation's donated wind barrier would extend along the west side of the corral to the top of the hill for about 1000 feet.
The BLM turned down the generous offer from the Cloud Foundation---for two reasons---it wasn't needed and accepting it would mean more upkeep onsite. They said that horses are herd animals and use each other for windbreaks. They assume that since they are getting plenty of feed and water, and extra grain when it's "extra cold" that there is no need for additional facilities.
The wild mustangs who are lucky enough to live free have the freedom to to get out of the worst part of a storm by moving to protected areas such as rock formations, mesas and cliffs. The horses trapped in pens with no windbreak have no alternative but to huddle together in the freezing cold, snow, and wind. This is not humane treatment. This is abusive.
And to top it off, the BLM requires adopters of any wild horse to provide proof of shelter before they can adopt an animal. Specific instructions state, "You must provide shelter from weather and temperature extremes for your adopted wild horse or burro. Shelters must be a two-sided structure with a roof, well-drained, adequately ventilated, and accesessible to the animal(s). The two sides need to block the prevailing winds and need to protect the major part of the bodies of the horse or burro."
That is so hypocrital that the BLM requires adopters to follow these guidelines, but those kept captive for years are provided none!
The Wyoming winter is far from over and snow and extremely high wind chills can continue into late April. A foal has recently been born in the Rock Springs facility and more little ones will be arriving. They deserve protection! Please sign the petition to urge Joan Guilfoyle, Chief of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, to accept the generous offer from the Cloud Foundation to build a wind break in the Rock Springs, Wyoming horse corrals.
In late January members of the Cloud Foundation, a Colorado-based horse advocacy group met with the BLM in Rock Springs, Wyoming to discuss ways to protect the over 600 horses held captive in the 30-year old corral facility. Harsh westerly winds regularly blast the corrals and the BLM has tried to deal with the problem in the past by putting up plywood on the corral panels, but few of the wooden windbreaks remain. The members of the Cloud Foundation were excited to report that they would gladly pay for and install a state-of-the-art lightweight wind-barrier product, made of material similar to tarp, called Tenax. The foundation's donated wind barrier would extend along the west side of the corral to the top of the hill for about 1000 feet.
The BLM turned down the generous offer from the Cloud Foundation---for two reasons---it wasn't needed and accepting it would mean more upkeep onsite. They said that horses are herd animals and use each other for windbreaks. They assume that since they are getting plenty of feed and water, and extra grain when it's "extra cold" that there is no need for additional facilities.
The wild mustangs who are lucky enough to live free have the freedom to to get out of the worst part of a storm by moving to protected areas such as rock formations, mesas and cliffs. The horses trapped in pens with no windbreak have no alternative but to huddle together in the freezing cold, snow, and wind. This is not humane treatment. This is abusive.
And to top it off, the BLM requires adopters of any wild horse to provide proof of shelter before they can adopt an animal. Specific instructions state, "You must provide shelter from weather and temperature extremes for your adopted wild horse or burro. Shelters must be a two-sided structure with a roof, well-drained, adequately ventilated, and accesessible to the animal(s). The two sides need to block the prevailing winds and need to protect the major part of the bodies of the horse or burro."
That is so hypocrital that the BLM requires adopters to follow these guidelines, but those kept captive for years are provided none!
The Wyoming winter is far from over and snow and extremely high wind chills can continue into late April. A foal has recently been born in the Rock Springs facility and more little ones will be arriving. They deserve protection! Please sign the petition to urge Joan Guilfoyle, Chief of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, to accept the generous offer from the Cloud Foundation to build a wind break in the Rock Springs, Wyoming horse corrals.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.