Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Horse roundups are inhumane


After reading the July 29 article in the Wood River Journal section of the Mountain Express, anyone out there romanticizing the recent round-up of approximately 300 of the Challis-area wild horses would be wise to give themselves a reality check. These roundups are cruel, and for the majority of the animals captured, this marks the beginning of an unbearably inhumane descent into what many consider a living hell and taxpayers are footing the bill.

There are currently over 30,000 wild horses and burros being held in long-term facilities (government holding pens) where many are forced to live out the rest of their lives. If the cruelty doesn't move you, perhaps the cost will. The price for holding wild horses and burros in short- and long-term facilities was $21.9 million in 2007 and exceeded $27 million in 2008. For 2008, less than 5 percent of BLM's wild horse and burro program budget was allocated to herd management on the range, with the remaining 95 percent directed towards captures, holding and placement. According to BLM, in order to continue this capture and holding program, they will require $77 million by 2012.

Likely, the number of these horses adopted will be minimal, especially considering our current economy. Isn't it ironic that one of the stipulations of adoption is that there are no prior convictions for inhumane treatment of animals—obviously, this is not a prerequisite for capture and holding? There are hundreds of articles online and many links to organizations and people who are working towards an acceptable resolution. I urge everyone to research the BLM's management of wild horses and burros and work together towards a humane and cost effective solution.

Candy Funk

Bellevue




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.