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The Mustangs
With over 109,000 acres of free roaming land, the McCullough Peaks Wild Horses continues to give us the legend and history of the west. These horses to me or more than just animals, but rather families.
Every horse has their own unique personalities which makes each one distinct from one another. From the charismatic personality of Thor, to the fiery side of Tonkawa, not one horse is the same. Between conflict's of bachelor stallions, to the loving family bond of a band as they welcome a new born, these wonderful horse families pour out the way nature should be.
There are quite a few different bands, or families, with in each herd. A band generally consists of a lead band stallion, a lead mare, a lieutenant to the band stallion, and a few more mares. A lieutenant's roll in the band, should a band stallion have one, is to take care of conflicts that may be apparent to the family. However, a great trust has to be in place between the band stallion and the lieutenant because only the band stallion is allowed to breed with the mares.
With every herd, there are always a few bachelor stallions lurking in the area. Bachelor stallions are stallions that were either kicked out from their band when they were around 2-3 (kinda like a kid going to college) and its their time to prove themselves alone or they could be older stallions that were over taken by a younger stallion and lost his band. Every now and again, a bachelor will decide to make an attempt to try and overtake a band stallions family, causing a great battle between the two, in a fight for supremacy for the band. Note, not one horse is severely injured.
From day to day scuffles and spars over stud piles, and mares, band ranks, there is never a dull moment with my wonderful horse families.
Meet the Mustangs!
Snow Angel Series
Snow Angel Series
Snow Angel Series
These wonderful horse families in the snow.
Mares & Stallions
Snow Angel Series
Mares & Stallions
Over 170 horses in the area, here are images of their adventures.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh
One of the sweetest but adventurous stallions in the area, Tecumseh.
Fate of the Peaks Horses
The horses of the McCullough Peaks have recently unfortunately been on the list for HMA's for a scheduled gather. The proposition would be a bait trap gather of 1/3 of the population. Currently there are roughly 181 horses that populate the McCullough Peaks HMA. Their proposal is to reduce the population to reach proper AML for the area which is documented at 70-140 horses. Each and everyday I have shared their lives with you, filled with love, compassion, and drama. Not only have I grown a deep connection with these wonderful horse families, but I know many of you have as well! So in order for us to help and stop this from happening, the public commenting process for the release EA is open till Aug. 12th, 2023, at 4:30 PM, MST. Below are some key talking points that you can use to back your argument when you submit your comments.
Comments can be submitted to the e-planning site at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022012/595/8003816/comment?fbclid=IwAR22NbO02yQjkxgdO8nSw8fFJUCwX4iYT_Ok5KmQS_V3YfyqlPCue0R8VNI
1# - Appropriate Management Level (AML)
The Appropriate Management Level (AML) at McCullough Peaks is 70-140 horses, with the current population at 181 horses. The EA outlines gathering and removing excess wild horses through bait trapping to bring the herd numbers down to AML, however, the EA is unclear as to how many horses will be left on the range after the removal. If herd numbers are brought down to AML, the herd won’t be genetically viable. Dr. Gus Cothran, Professor Emeritus at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, states that at a minimum, herd size must be maintained at 150 horses to ensure genetic viability. This fact is acknowledged in the BLM’s own Wild Horse and Burro Handbook.
2# - GonCon & PZP
With regard to the use of additional population growth suppression treatments, this EA outlines three conflicting plans for use of GonaCon in conjunction with PZP on mares at McCullough Peaks as follows: GonaCon used on mares older than 13 years that have contributed to the genetic diversity of the herd; GonaCon used on mares that have contributed to the genetic diversity of the herd (no age stipulation), and Gonacon used on PZP non-responders only.
If the BLM uses GonaCon on all mares that have contributed to the herd’s genetic diversity, they will be moving the herd one step closer to obsolescence. Given concerns about the potential for permanent sterilization and injection site abscesses, GonaCon should never be considered as a fertility treatment for any mares at McCullough Peaks. PZP has been used successfully since 2011 and should continue to be used for population management.
3# - Public Grazing Leases
The EA states that the BLM must manage the rangelands to prevent the range from deterioration associated with an overpopulation of wild horses. The BLM has provided no data indicating the rangeland is deteriorating and without these data, there is no rationale for the proposed gather. In addition, there is no analysis provided for the impact of livestock grazing on the rangeland. An evaluation of the impact of livestock grazing is required to determine rangeland health before any wild horses are permanently removed from McCullough Peaks. A proposition of permanently removing the public grazing leases on all HMA's sure be considered before any gather/roundup is to be conducted.
4# - Population & Age
The EA states that the older population of horses (20 years of age and above) living within the McCullough Peaks HMA will not be removed. The EA also states that any animals affected by a chronic disease, injury, lameness or serious physical defect, such as severe tooth loss or wear would be humanely euthanized. Horses are categorized as “seniors” beginning at 15 years of age, and at that time they begin to experience tooth loss/wear and would be more likely to present with lameness or injury. If horses in this age range are trapped, we can infer that those with age-related issues will be euthanized. Older horses make up 1/3 of the population and, it is feared that a high percentage of these horses will be killed, thus negating the BLM’s proposed action that older horses remain on the range. Issues that are indicators of a horse’s senior status, should not be considered as criteria for euthanasia for any of the McCullough Peaks herd.
Please make sure that when you are leaving your comments, that they are civil, respectful, and factual. With everyone's help, we can do our part in moving forward in hopes that these wonderful horse families, remain and always be, WILD & FREE!