The Bureau of Land Management wrapped up its 2020 Red Desert Complex wild horse gather operation early, due to winter weather conditions and for the safety of staff, the public and the horses. 

A total of 1,970 horses were gathered during the 35-day operation, which began Oct. 10. A total of 10 horses died during the operation, including seven that were euthanized after health problems were discovered.

The gather could continue at a later date, the BLM says, as the agency is seeking to reduce wild horse populations “to within appropriate management levels.”

The Red Desert Complex — which includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas — is located in Sweetwater, Fremont, Carbon and Natrona counties west and south of Wyoming Highway 287.

Based on recent aerial surveys, the BLM estimated that the Red Desert Complex’s population was nearing 3,000 wild horses, while the appropriate management level set by the agency is 480–724 horses. In addition, the BLM says horses “were moving outside of their established herd management areas and causing impacts in areas not identified for their management.”

Select mares and stallions were returned to the complex to ensure genetic variability and to preserve the New World Iberian Genotype present in the complex. All mares returned were treated with fertility control.  A total of 197 horses were returned to the range, with 100 treated with fertility control.

Horses gathered through the operation will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Animals not adopted will be cared for in off-range pastures.