BLM Launching Horse Rescue In SE Oregon

Beginning Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management launches what it’s calling an emergency rescue operation to save wild horses in southeast Oregon.

BLM officials said as many as 1,200 horses are in the Sheepshead-Heath Creek Herd Management Area, which can sustainably support up to 900 horses.  Because of last winter’s drought and this summer’s wildfires, only two of the usual 63 water sources are available for the herd.

“We are taking this necessary, humane step to prevent widespread suffering and a further decline in the animals’ health," said Cassandra Andrews-Fleckenstein, Deputy District Manager for the Vale District.

BLM officials plan to move around 500 horses to an off-range facility where they’ll be evaluated, and some of those animals will eventually become available for adoption.

Public safety and animal welfare remain top priorities. The Wild Horse and Burro Program is committed to the humane and sustainable management of wild horse populations and their habitats. These drive-trap gather operations are guided by the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which sets handling standards that prioritize the care and well-being of the animals.

Removing these horses from the range will support rangeland health and help the land recover from the recent wildfire, ensuring these areas can continue to provide habitat for wildlife and support multiple land uses. Through collaborative efforts, the program seeks to protect the welfare of wild horses and burros while preserving rangeland ecosystems for future generations.

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