CALICO ROUNDUP 2012 is over: SUN J SADDLE HORSE MAKES GREAT EFFORT TO ESCAPE ON THIS LAST DAY OF ROUNDUP; MOUNTAINS BEREFT WITH TOKEN, BROKEN HORSE & BURRO HERDS REMAINING

 (Photos and videos in this blog are for informational purposes only.  Do not use without express written consent from me.  Feel free to link or cross-post to this blog, however.  Thank you. -Elyse Gardner)


          THE BELOW PHOTO is not what you think...
©2012 Elyse Gardner

Sun J saddle horse makes valiant effort to escape

                  Although what you see above looks like helicopter-assisted roping of a wild horse, the fleeing horse is actually Sun J's own saddle horse.  

                  It was around 9:20 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2012, when we arrived at the trap site.  We'd been driving since 6:40 a.m., and burro roundup operations were already under way.  I was anxious to get out to the observation area and anxious for Roger Oyler to get up to the trap pen to begin his advisory role.

                 As Mark Wilkening, Roger Oyler, and I were hiking up the dirt road — Mark and I to head out to the observation point, and Roger to head up to the trap pen to advise local BLM and Sun J on the characteristics of burros and how best to round them up -- when we all saw a horse running down the road away from the trap pen out into the vast open spaces.  

                 I was baffled for a moment since burros were targeted on this day (which turned out to be the last day of the roundup since BLM reached its inordinately high goal of  rounding up140 burros). 

                We all realized almost simultaneously what we were seeing, and as I took off my pack and quickly got out my video camera, Mark stated it:  "That's one of the saddle horses."  Wranglers had already mounted up and were in hot pursuit as I fired up my camera:

                  This would be humorous if it weren't so sad.  I'd already witnessed and filmed the "Judas horse" try to escape just a few days earlier, and that video will be up shortly (I will put the link here when it is available as well as post it on the blog about the Judas horse).  

                   Roger is BLM's knowledgeable Wild Burro and Horse Program Lead from Arizona. Roger puts the burro before the horse since he specializes in these amazing little animals and, in Arizona, they outnumber the wild horses.  His "official" title is "Wild Horse & Burro Program Lead.  After 20 minutes with him, I am impressed with this man and his knowledge and was glad he was there.

                  Mark Wilkening is BLM's Public Affairs Officer from Oregon.  Mark and I spent a lot of time together during the Twin Peaks roundup, also.  I was glad to see him again. 

                  After Ginger Kathren's had filmed and publicized the inhumane hotshotting of burros during this roundup, she pressed for remedial action to be taken, and Winnemucca District Manager Gene Seidlitz arranged to have BLM's burro expert from their Yuma, Arizona office, come to oversee and advise the contractors and BLM crew on burros and burro roundups.  We also saw no more of the COR present during that ugly abuse of the burros. 

                  I was also troubled that Gene Seidlitz went back on a commitment and did not wait the one day for Roger to arrive despite having initially arranged to do so, and had gone ahead and started the burro roundup the day before, without Roger.  Hmm.  Sigh.  But the effort was made, and Roger was present at least for the last day, and that's certainly better than a kick in the shins, and I'm certain this entire crew learned something from him they could take with them if they care to.

                 In terms of remedial actions taken in response to Ginger's eye-opening footage, even though the COR present during the hotshotting of the burros was removed, she was replaced with COR Melani Mirati who finds it acceptable to use a hotshot on an injured horse to make him stand up if he even could — which was unknown at the time — without having given him even five minutes to stand on his own — or even 10 seconds, for that matter.  I will be posting my interview with Melanie Marati where she acknowledges making the call to hotshot the injured stud who went down in the trailer.

                      The escape effort was made by this horse, who is one of Sun J's saddle horses.  

                  Here is our saddle horse escape-attempter after being roped and captured.  He sure gave a mighty effort.  Of course, once roped he was quite docile (though I suspect unrepentent).  

                  I have now witnessed two of Sun J's horses — their "Judas" horse, who no longer deserves that name since he tried to quit, and this horse they use as a saddle horse — make determined escape attempts to be free.  I will go into more detail when I get the videos up and posted.

CALICO BURRO ROUNDUP CONCLUDES

CALICO TRI-STATE BURRO NUMBERS REDUCED TO 39 in nearly 600,000 acre complex. 

©2012 Elyse Gardner

Two of the targeted 140 burros being rounded up and removed from Calico and the "Tri-State Complex"
                    Yes, that is not a misprint:  39 burros in 600,000 acres.  Sickening.  BLM is looking to reduce the wild burro population to a mere 3,000 in the entire west.  This would be listed as an endangered species were it anything else.
                    I must check out of this motel and get on the road, but I wanted to be faithful to provide updates to what is occurring in the Calico complex and wild horse program in general.
SOME FINAL COMMENTS 
                    I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR:  I am glad BLM called Roger Oyler in to advise on the burro roundup even though they didn't use him at the start.  But this program, BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program, must have an actual Standard Operating Procedure, a legal code to which they can be held to account, e.g.:
                    There must be a distance certain/mile limit beyond which horses and/or burros may not be chased by helicopter or any other mechanized instrument;
                    There must be a distance the BLM and contractors can be held to account for, that the helicopter must keep between it and an animal unless an emergency exists, such as guiding an animal away from a ledge;
                    There must be temperature limits over which roundups must be called/postponed, both for heat and cold;
                    There must be tighter guidelines on the use of hotshots.  
                    These are just a few of the issues; this list is not complete by any stretch.  But I do have to check out of this motel (yes, I'm in another motel, heading for another holding facility to observe the horses and look to see if a particular black stallion has been captured, since I was precluded from being able to see all the horses coming off the range.)
                     Leaving these things up to the judgement of those involved isn't sufficient.  The experience and caring, or lack thereof,  of those involved is too variable; the cast of characters changes all the time.   It is time for a legal standard.
                     This is why the humane case Laura Leigh has filed is so important, and it comes before the Court on January 26, 2012.  Please stay tuned to Wild Horse Education (http://wildhorseeducation.org) for updates on this important litigation.
                    And if you haven't already done so, I urge you to contact respond to requests from The Cloud Foundation, AWHPC (American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign), Wild Horse Education, and me in terms of letters and calls to various lawmakers and BLM.  The wild horses and burros need our voices.
                    That's all I have time for right now.  I will be supplementing posts with video and photos and adding new posts and film from this roundup.
                    I hope to see you along the good trail...

INHUMANE PRACTICES DOCUMENTED BY BLM

(Still the same blog with a new look.  Welcome.) 

                 (Don't forget to click on the photographs to enlarge them; they nearly come alive. -- EG.)                 

   ©5/7/10 Elyse Gardner              

Twin Peaks horses in their living room. 
 On May 7 I went with five other people to see the range and the horses.  I found a lush, spacious expanse perfect for the wild horses and burros.  That they thought so, too, was evident in their well muscled beauty and shining coats, and general contentment and solidarity that radiated everywhere they went in their family groups.  These were fulfilled horses. You just felt great looking at them -- and frightened, knowing what was coming.  

                      ©5/7/10 Elyse Gardner       

Twin Peaks horses where they belong.  The rightness and serenity of these horses on the ranges cannot be described.  They are at peace, their society rich and tender,  fierce and strong; loyalty, friendship, and family bonds evident in all their interactions.  We are the aliens here.  
       I have thoroughly enjoyed perusing my photo library and finding these opening photographs for you although it's taken me on a two-hour detour from my task at hand.  But this stroll down recent memory lane has again reinforced the absolute rightness -- no, the utter, overarching need -- for these unique, irreplaceable animals, the wild and free horses and burros, to remain wild and free on their home ranges in genuine, solid numbers.
         C.S. Lewis said it is more important that Heaven should exist than that any of us should get there (The Essential C.S. Lewis, by Clive Staples Lewis, edited by Lyle W. Dorsett).   In the same way, it is more important for Americans to know our wild horses and burros remain an intrinsic, wild part of our west than it is for the average American to get out and see them:   The wild horses are there, the wild horses are happy and safe, and all is well with the world.
         The 1971 Congress understood this very well when they drafted the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act.  They used the words "intrinsic," and "enrich," and "fast disappearing."  And what the Bureau of Land Management is now doing is tampering with a very sensitive core of our society.  Will they get it? -- that these animals are tied to us and we to them, and it is not just a numbers game?           
          I have a sense of urgency for the sake of the mountains as well as the horses and burros, for the sake of all that is right, to protect them and to see that they get to stay in their homes in the healthy, full numbers that they deserve and need, not this frightening skeleton crew straggling on the mountains that the Bureau of Land Management is leaving.
                ©5/7/2010 Elyse Gardner    (Click on the photo...)

This lovely, fair sorrel mare was keeping a not-very-concerned eye on us as we enjoyed these horses.   A newer young horsewoman with us was thrilled in learning about reading horse body language so we wouldn't drive them away.  And yes, it is thrilling to be able to simply "hear" what they tell us, if we just stop and listen.  The horses teach us how to respect each other's space, take the time to read the messages others are giving us:  Her head comes up and she looks at me:  You are getting too close; I don't feel safe.  If you want to be with me, you need to stop pressing in, or I'll flee. We stopped and stepped back a pace or two when she did this.  She went back to grazing.  Ah, yes, they teach me all the time if I listen... 

            ©5/7/2010 Elyse Gardner  

Here she is with her whole family -- stallion and son -- who are watchful but accepting of our presence, a very sweet time.  We were only about 50 feet away.  Around 6 p.m., sun is going down.  Wonderful time. 

A fellow advocate said she saw them in the pens; they were rounded up. 

          I cannot explain it; I only know it is so, that the heart and soul of America is still tied in a rudimentary way to our wild horses, yes, and their humble burro friends,  and we are committed to their well-being.  Am I being heard, somebody?  And I am here to do everything I know to see that we are not sold a lie, that we are not told by a conflict-of-interest-driven Bureau of Land Management that all is well with our wild horses while they proceed to decimate wild horse and burro populations, forcing them off and stealing their ranges to make way for special interests, including but not limited to natural gas, foreign investing, gold mining, and not last and certainly not least, livestock interests, and benignly calling it "multiple use." (See Debbie Coffey's article, The BLM's Multiple (R)USE Mandate.)  
                  ©7/19/10 Elyse Gardner     

Vulnerable wild horses. I took this from the helicopter in the

flyover Laura Leigh and I made with George Knapp on July 19, 2010.  

From the helicopter the horses are so vulnerable.  Just look at them.  A helicopter is a tremendous power.  It is far too easy to abuse these animals with a helicopter.  We must get protections in place, parameters around helicopter use and wild horses and burros -- or any animal, for that matter. We stayed up very high.  

 THE HELICOPTER REMOVALS

          The horses lose everything in the process, freedom and family, and suffer tremendous fear as well as physical strain and hardship.  It is a marathon of fear, and often of pain.  And I think the only thing worse than being abused is to have one's abuser and witnesses not even recognize the suffering inflicted. "No, that didn't hurt.  You're fine.  You'll get over it."  And that is what we have here.
         I have frequently heard BLM and roundup contractors talk about how humane helicopter roundups are for horses.  They could be if done correctly.  However, what we see here is hardly humane.
         Let's watch some footage that the BLM itself has provided to roundup contractor Rick Harmon, who owns Cayuse, Inc.,  for the purpose of his promotional video.  This film is in the public domain and was made with taxpayer dollars.
           BLM makes promotional videos all the time, which is perfectly fine.  Let's see what BLM and Mr. Harmon are promoting.  These films were taken during the Twin Peaks roundup of 2007.

              And you will see below, these practices are not contractor-specific, that is, these are two different contractors using helicopters physically to physically goad horses, and it is certainly not a thing of the past.  Although it is under different circumstances, the roundup contractor in Twin Peaks also pushed a horse, just a yearling.  You may have seen the still photographs I took of this young horse I've named Banner.  Here is the video.  I apologize for all my noise in this video, but I don't want to tamper with the soundtrack.  This really got to me.  It was a long month...

        The use of the helicopter in this manner is wrong.  The most chilling part of this may be the fact that BLM and the contractors don't even recognize the wrongness of it. Their ability to have compassion has shriveled.   There was no justification and no need to push that mare with the helicopter.  
        If this is what the public is seeing, what kinds of atrocities are happening about which we never learn?  Does this not qualify as criminally abusive to animals?  Doing something wrong for years will never make it right.  It is definitely time for a mounted video camera with timestamps.
        My hope with Banner is that as his story is shown, Banner will represent a pivotal turning point,  be a "banner" horse, a portend for what is to come, a recognition and incentive for BLM to examine its ways and change OR to have its wrist thoroughly slapped and for the President to recognize the need for change in his Department of the Interior,  and Congressional and Senatorial representatives to look at this and demand some boundaries to protect these innocents from the inherent violence of a roundup to every extent possible.
        RECOMMENDED  IMMEDIATE PREOCEDURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED:
        1)  The American public wants to see these horses protected, and we are requesting a freeze; we are asking that roundups halt and a Congressional investigation of BLM practices be initiated.  We very much want to see the National Academy of Sciences complete their study of the remaining wild horse and burro populations before they are decimated and  before any further discussion of roundups ensues.
        IF/WHEN THERE ARE ANY HELICOPTER ROUNDUPS, WE REQUEST:
        1)  The pilot to approach wild horses and burros at no closer than 100 feet.  No exceptions.  Violations should be fined a minimum $500 each occurrence and/or prosecuted as allowable under animal cruelty statutes.
        2)   Barring a moratorium, a mounted live-feed video camera on the helicopter, transmitting at all times the helicopter is airborne, with the BLM representative and representative from the public witnessing the transmission.  
        3)   GPS coordinates to be obtained from the trapsite and made available to BLM and the public;
        4)    GPS coordinates to  be noted and made available to the public of where the wild horses and/or burros are located when the pilot began the drive toward the trap pen;
        5)   Videotape to be dated and time-stamped.
        6)   That the pilot be held to a speed limit to the best of his ability, of no more than 10 mph for horses and 7 mph for burros. (Note:  I have seen these figures before in BLM documents, but BLM never actually holds the contractors to it because they never ask for the data, according to two BLM sources.)
       These amazing animals so beautifully equipped to live in the most sparse, rigorous landscapes of the high desert, have no means to protect themselves from the likes of flying glass monsters used like a whip.  This is wrong, and it needs to stop.  I have all but given up hope that the Bureau of Land Management will police itself or its agents.  All they consistently appear to do is try to marginalize the suffering of the horses and burros, and I am so sick of it I cannot tell you. But many of you are sick of it, too, and I don't need to tell you.
         ©9/17/10 Elyse Gardner

Youngster struggles to keep us, falling behind.  No need for helicopter's pressure like this.

       BLM, go ahead and surprise me.  I would love to be wrong about you.
       But we have now seen for many years that the Bureau of Land Management will not stop unless it is stopped, and that needs to come from the President or from Congress.
                 ©9/17/10  Elyse Gardner

Pregnant mare racing as fast as she can.  There is no need for this level of helicopter pressure.

            What do I mean by "marginalize the suffering"?   One example that comes to mind is Legacy's story (click on the purple link to view my video).  Legacy was an approximately eight-month-old colt who had a poor reaction to his castration and did not want to stand up (click on the link to see another short video of Legacy) even when two unfamiliar humans approached closer than he was comfortable with.  When he did stand, he staggered a little and could barely walk from the pain and obvious swelling.  While observing this, a BLM official told me he wasn't in excruciating pain; he was "just a little stiff."  I videotaped this episode, and after reviewing it, Dr. Eric Davis, the HSUS vet, stated he would have treated this colt with bute; further, he is recommending that gelded horses be given banamine.  As of this writing my understanding is BLM is doing no such thing.
             This is by no means unusual, and BLM's credibility in my view has been compromised because of it.  
             We believe a moratorium is called for because of the low numbers of wild horses and burros especially in relation to the ongoing, untouched populations of livestock in the very limited wild horse and burro Herd Management Areas.  Without exception, the livestock vastly outnumber these wild horses and burros, yet the horses are being removed.
        Please speak up for the wild horses and burros.  The White House line is 202/456-1111.  Ask them to log your call.  Stop destroying our last big herds.  Stop the trauma and assault on these animals now.  Look at the abusive practices and rein in your BLM, Mr. President.  Helicopters prodding horses are not okay.  
       A friend wrote me and sent this out among many.  His straightforward way touched me deeply as he spoke for me and for thousands more Americans who love our horses:

Is this the best we can do for these horses, low cross bars they hit their heads on and kill them. Tying saddle horses next to a pen of a wild horse family and expecting nothing to take place, running the  hoofs off of young horses. Not padding the panels or the gates to prevent injury. Forcing a Mare to stand over her dead stallion. I mean really, this is the best we can do. I'm not saying stop the gathers but if we must do it, then don't you think we could do it with a little more respect than this. This saddens me. It's that simple (caring doesn't cost money).

         Please encourage your friends and colleagues to learn more and take action by getting on the mailing lists and responding to alerts from them.  My aim is not so much to convert those who do not care (although I try to help people see the amazing individuals the horses and burros are); my aim is to motivate those who do care to take action.  You can help the horses by subscribing to these mailing lists and responding to alerts and things as they arise:

thecloudfoundation.org

http://WildHorsePreservation.org

http://idausa.org
http://savingamericasmustangs.org

Thank you.  Please send this blog post to your elected representatives.  They need to know what is happening.

For the wild horses, captive and free, and their humble, hardy burro friends,

Elyse Gardner

     ©5/7/10  Elyse Gardner          As the day winds down...

Stallion and mare at Twin Peaks as it was... and the day winds down, 6 pm.  

Were they rounded up?  If so, they are separated forever.

-o0o-

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