written by Maureen Harmonay – Equine Advocacy Examiner
Another Calico filly dies under suspicious circumstances
Foal orphaned early in the controversial Calico wild horse roundup - photo by Sharon Lamm
March 13, 2010 – More than half of the 1922 wild horses scavenged by the BLM from Nevada’s Calico Mountain Complex have now been pushed through a squeeze chute at the Indian Lakes Road feedlot to be freeze-branded, wormed, vaccinated, and otherwise “processed” for adoption. In spite of BLM assurances that the processing is relatively benign, it has already claimed the lives of several horses, including a yearing filly whose death was chronicled in yesterday’s Gather Daily Updates.
But the details of her demise don’t add up, as they are described in the report:
“A yearling filly died when she suffered a spinal neck fracture. She was standing unattended in a chute, waiting to be moved forward for adoption preparation, when she jumped forward, injuring herself.”
The filly broke her neck when she jumped forward? It doesn’t make sense. We’ll never know for sure what really happened, or how it happened, because the BLM has padlocked the gates of this wild horse holding facility to prevent outside onlookers from seeing what’s going on.
Earlier this week, after Humane Observer Elyse Gardner got a glimpse of what is happening behind closed doors at the Fallon facility during a rare “media day,” she described what she saw:
“Once they were in the chute, many would put their heads down very low so the vet/wranglers couldn’t access their neck to shave and freeze brand (It doesn’t seem very painful, thankfully. By the way, they don’t react other than to be very still, actually. Must feel strange). They made these pathetic little grunting noises. I don’t know if my camera picked it up.”
What we do know is that at least 73 mustangs have perished as a direct result of the Calico roundup, and at least four dozen more late-term, in-utero foals have been lost due to miscarriages and the deaths of their pregnant dams. The true toll on the horses who remain is incalculable, but it is eloquently described by noted wild horse advocate, Craig Downer, in the video attached to this story:
“Family, along with freedom, is everything to these horses. . .Captivity deadens their spirit. They become mere shells of their former selves. . .The horses are warehoused as if their lives have no meaning. . . .”
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Thousands of people who are outraged by what is being done to our wild horses in the name of our government will converge for an unprecedented March for Mustangs in Washington, DC on March 25th. Join them.
1:00-3:00pm, Press conference and speakers at 1:30pm (Hope Ryden, author “America’s Last Wild Horses,” Filmmaker Ginger Kathrens, Author R.T. Fitch, Friends of Animals Director Priscilla Feral, In Defense of Animals President Dr. Elliot Katz, Filmmaker James Kleinert and many more- including special guests to be announced)
If you can’t get to Washington, consider making a contribution to The Cloud Foundation’s Roundup Watch Fund, to support the tireless efforts of people like Elyse Gardner, Craig Downer, and Ginger Kathrens who are on the ground to make sure that the plight of these horses stays in the forefront of our hearts and minds.
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Categories: Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
The filly broke her neck because she was probably pressured beyond belief and in trying to get away from too much pressure(instinctive flight instinct of horses) ran into a wall w/such force that her neck snapped. In every video I’ve seen, all these people are about is “speed.” hurry, hurry, pressure, pressure these horses. the cattle prods laying around are not there as window dressing. They are used when the observers and their cameras are not around. This is a terrible testament to the supposed’higher order” thinking of humankind, isn’t it? God help us all.
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My gosh, anyone who has owned a horse knows that one of the most difficult things to teach even a domesticated horse is to be confined if it hasnt been taught that it is okay to be in a restricted space from birth!!! How do you think these WILD horses feel when they are squeezed into that terrifying “squeeze chute”????? God it makes me sick just to think, after all they have endured already that must be like the last straw. I have watched horses that have come into my barn who have lost the will to live because of abuse and neglect, horses that have left vibrant and healthy and that I have retrieved because the people who took them did not turn out to be the people I thought they were! All lessons learned the hard way by me at the expense of a few of my horses who will NEVER find themselves in that position again.
My heart bleeds for these poor horses. I hope these people rot in hell, as you sow, so shall you reap, tenfold!!
Sorry rant over for the day.
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Holy God help us..Dear Lord! This massacre just gets more disgusting by the day. Can anyone imagine what in the hell these horses suffered during less followed/publicized round-ups?!?! Good God Almighty! This is repugnant and disgusting and to think my tax dollars are paying for this abuse makes physically ill and violently angry to affect change.
WHOLEE KAE-RAPP!!!! SQUEEZE CHUTES FOR EQUINES with speed as the need????? Well, I suppose in that stunted mind that is the equine haters, meat lovers brigade it’s acceptable, but think about it…last I checked squeeze chutes were designed for freaking cows/sheep…not horses. Anybody seen a squeeze chute designed for horses?…designed for horses and used in BLM round-ups? I studied Ag and never saw a squeeze chute recommended, much more applied for equines.
Good Gravy…these people are not only cruel, nasty humans…they appear to be stupid too. Sorry…that’s redundant. Hey, Cattoor and lackeys: Your “salt of the earth” cards have been revoked and will not be renewed if I have my way.
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As much as I hate this process-a squeeze chute would be the safest way to do what they are doing..you would see alot more dead and damaged horses..alot more flipping over in those alley ways..these are wild horses
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Ok. So you know my obsession for this week is ‘hyperlipemia’?
I went back over the vet reports (link above) and 16 Captives were euthanized due to this mysterious malady, with an additional 4 euthanized for ‘metabolic’ reasons.
This is an illness that has been categorized in one diagnostic paper as being ‘rare in the equid’.
Do any other past vet reports cite ‘hyperlipemia’ as reason for euthanasia or cause of death?
Also, Vet wrote in his report on Dietary Adaptation:
“Alfalfa is a good choice for horses, makes it possible to provide a consistent diet between BLM facilities across the country & is the one most likely to be fed by potential adopters.”
I may be judgemental, but I don’t believe you can feed 100% Natural Offa the Range Horses anything with the protein content of alfalfa WITHOUT causing extreme physical harm; it would be tantamount to force-feeding a vegan pork fat.
This entire Calico episode has been conducted like a lab experiment – from the dead of winter roundup of pregnant mares to handing custody of them over to a privately owned facility and all the BS in between.
This little rant, of course, adds nothing to solving the problem. It’s simply today’s Factual Snark because it’s all I got. I listen to the Law Abiding Advocates and wonder how they can be so outwardly calm as this isn’t their first dance. I’ve learned more about the Raping and Pillaging of the West in the last six months to ensure I never sleep the sleep of the innocent again. And I would like very much for the Powers to start having some insomnia of their own.
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We don’t EVER feed straight alfalfa. A bit in cold weather, but only purchased from the same supplier. As you say, no way to know the protein content. We feed Equine Senior to horses that need to put on weight, & free choice grass hay to all all year.
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They weren’t feeding the horses alfalfa, that is and has been obvious since the first pictures came out..It looks too fine stem to be oat hay, looks more like grass hay and is Definately not alfalfa, I grew it and fed it to 60 hourses for 40 years. I feed it free choice in big bales..
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Lisa, I don’t feed MY horses straight alfalfa hay, as it would cause THEM dietary distress, like colic. It is way too rich of a hay for horses; that is the opinion of my horse vet; plus over time, it can cause longterm problems(kidney, and others) in less active horses; which the Calico horses now are.
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Jan, I have a Thoroughbred who is not now nor has ever been A Wild Equine; he’s been fed the Feed of the Realm – rolled barley, grass hay, oat hay and has had every imaginable nostrum injected in his hide, veins or mouth to ensure he remains a healthy Domestic fella. He has, however, a chronic intolerance to alfalfa – his chubby li’l body (that’s sarcasm; he’s 17 hands and lean at 1000 lbs.) cannot process the protein.
I cannot imagine any responsible vetrinarian ‘prescribing’ alfalfa as an inclusion in a diet for a horse that’s had nothing richer in it’s system than maybe minerals in it’s ground water. This man may be a fine vet ordinarily, but from his repeated diagnoses and reports, I believe he may be out of his element here.
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I think we know very well what happened- we know BLM HATES WILD HORSES, ARE BOLD FACED LIARS & HAVE MADE DETAILED PLANS ON HOW TO KILL AS MANY AS POSSIBLE AFTER ROUND-UP. They have already destroyed over 100 herds, lie and steal their homes and give it to private cattle owners, hire convicted horse thief /slaughterer to terrorize and run the horses and their foals down with a helicopter, and have 30,000 in feedlots while they strive to send them to brutal abuse in rodeos and give them to animal abusers who starve them to death and have already sent tens of thousands to slaughter houses on purpose. Having BLM protecting our treasured horses is like having Michael Vick protect the nations dogs .
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If the BLM knows that the feed is causing distress and death in the horses and they do nothing to alter the diet, isn’t this gross negligence?
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Somehow the animal abuse/neglect laws seem to say if you have “adequate” feed, water and shelter for your animals you are not in violation of the law. But, as we know over feeding can be just as deadly as under feeding. And the definition of “adequate” leaves much to be desired.
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Around here folks could often get around the “adequate” part by having a single bale of old, moldy hay on their property, no matter how many skinny horses were in their corral. The Livestock Board used to (and may still) let them get away with it, but our local inspector is trying his best to crack down. Don’t know if this is happening in other NM counties or the rest of the country.
Trouble heresis the NM state vet doesn’t want to authorize seizing starving horses unless he’s forced to (like when they’re already on the ground and it’s too late). He prefers to “educate” owners for 90 days. Often their skinny horses “magically disappear”.
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Forgot to check boxes again!
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from what I understand the feeding schedule @ Fallon is:
“Orchard Grass and Rye Grass Mix for 2 – 4 weeks (looks green and stringy
and then on to Alfalfa Hay…Looks long stemmed; has fiber
some pages say they give the Mustangs Oat hay; but I read this just once;
the worst problem is: The Hay mixes with Sand and other debris from the Pen; anne
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If you and I were doing this, yes, we’d be up on animal negligence charges at the least, but as is so evident in everything BLM does, apparently they don’t have to obey the same laws we do,
and Lisa, this vet isn’t licensed in NV, what does that tell you?
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Does anyone know where this vet IS licensed if not in Nevada??? I hope the judge says put them back, the survivors. It is ludicrous that Catoor is hired by BLM after the federal conviction of Dave Catoor for Mustang hunting and slaughter! It this isn’t a sign of total corruption, what is!
we need to get this information out to the general public in a big way!!! I think more people will be screaming than just us advocates. The Calico atrocities and the systematic destruction of our wild horse and burro herds, is the shame of America!! The IDA lawsuit better shine the light on them or I think there is going to be a fury arise that will shock the nation! If Obama wants to improve health care, he can start by fixing this problem now, as all of our blood pressures are rising higher with each day!!
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Check those boxes!
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When I read that this vet wasn’t licensed in Nevada I went to the Nevada Revised Statutes and found this:
Licensing
638.090. Unlawful to practice without license
It is unlawful for any person to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, obstetrics or dentistry within the State of Nevada without a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Amended by Laws 1960, p. 412; Laws 1995, p. 1679.
638.100. Application for license; qualifications; fee; grounds for refusal of license
1. Any person who desires to secure a license to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, obstetrics or dentistry in the State of Nevada must make written application to the Executive Director of the Board.
2. The application must include all information required to complete the application and any other information required by the Board and must be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant:
(a) Is of good moral character;
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, has received a diploma conferring the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent from a school of veterinary medicine that is accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association or, if the applicant is a graduate of a school of veterinary medicine that is not accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association, that he has received an educational certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the American Veterinary Medical Association or, if the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the American Veterinary Medical Association ceases to exist, by an organization approved by the Board that certifies that the holder of the certificate has demonstrated knowledge and skill of veterinary medicine that is equivalent to the knowledge and skill of veterinary medicine of a graduate of a college of veterinary medicine that is accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association;
(c) Has passed each examination required by the Board pursuant to NRS 638. 110; and
(d) Is a citizen of the United States or is lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States.
3. A veterinary student in his final year at a school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association may submit an application to the Board and take the state examination administered by the Board, but the Board may not issue him a license until he has complied with the requirements of subsection 2.
4. The application must be signed by the applicant, notarized and accompanied by a fee set by the Board, not to exceed $500.
5. The Board may refuse to issue a license if the Board determines that an applicant has committed an act which would be a ground for disciplinary action if the applicant were a licensee.
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So that’s THAT…the guy is practicing illegally! Apparently
NOT SO if THIS applies:
638.105. Admission to practice without examination
1. The board may in its discretion license an applicant solely on the basis of oral interviews and practical demonstrations upon sufficient proof that the applicant has, within the previous 5 years, successfully passed any examination approved by:
(a) The board; and
(b) A national testing service for veterinary medicine that has been approved by the board.
2. The board may, upon payment of the fee prescribed under NRS 638.100, license without examination any person who has a diploma from an approved specialty board of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The veterinary practice of any person who is licensed pursuant to this subsection is limited to the specialty in which the person is certified. If an applicant for a license under this section is denied a license, any fee tendered by him may be returned to him at the discretion of the board.
Amended by Laws 1960, p. 413; Laws 1975, p. 1151; Laws 1995, p. 1680; Laws 1999, p. 184, effective October 1, 2000.
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Since it’s the BLM we’re talking about, I’m sure they worked around the licensing requirements for this guy… just like they have for every law concerning the wild horses in Nevada! This situation gets dirtier by the hour and the BLM need’s it’s CLOCK CLEANED!
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I was absolutely horrified by what occurred with the Calico herd. I’m sure I shouldn’t admit to it, but I spent 30 years with the Federal Government and was involved in gathers and the BLM for about 8 of those years. I can tell you, the hay issues that we did face throughout the years were always a problem. The hay had to be certified weed free (CWF) because of the range being seeded by the horse droppings where the holding facilities were set up which some folks aren’t aware of. Generally, we always tried to bring in the CWF in good grass hay or sometimes of grass with alfalfa mixed in. And because of the certification, it was always more expensive than the market hay.
The health of the horses was always a first consideration with us. I was terribly upset that that was apparently not the consideration with the Calico herd. On gathers, it is not uncommon to loose some horses, but this really was not an acceptable loss in my opinion. Occasionally, we’d have injuries, but not from the way they were handled. Plus, we always had horsemen on the ground to pick up the stragglers (a mare with a newborn or an older horse or a gimpy horse[usually with deformities]) and a certified vet to care for them if injured.
Our vets were always a local veterinarian, and a State vet and an APHIS vet. The squeeze chute that we had had been reengineered with padding so the horse would not be hurt and they weren’t rushed through. When they would get really agitated we would slow the process down so they could calm down before we started again. Many would actually relax when we would talk to them or hum a little tune. We even played music for them {not one of the requirements}. And there was always someone with them 24/7 while they were held just in case. Absolutely, no one was allowed near the horses with a cattle prod. That was a good way to get fired and I and the horse specialist would assure it.
I guess I’m saying that don’t judge all BLM employees by the Calico incident. There were those of us who really cared about the horses and who took special pains to assure that they were well treated. I can personally testify to that and the nights I spent sleeping with the herds or woken suddenly and helping a mare deliver at 3 in the morning. Often I was accused of setting up teatime and babysitters for the mares, but was glad I did.
I still have 4 wild horses of my own – a stallion and mare that are both 18, a mare that’s 10, and a youngster not yet a year old who is an absolute little devil. They have been a joy for me. My stallion was my greatest comfort when my husband passed unexpectedly in 2006. I would go talk to him and his forelock was wet alot from my tears, but he was always there for me and never complained. The one thing I can say about all of them is if you are good to them, they’ll never turn away from you. Even after their checkup and release back to the wild, many would return to our holding pens just to check on us. (I’m sure it was looking for a meal, but I like to think they came back to see us!)
I guess I’ll close for now since I really only wanted to say I thought the Calico incident was a travesty and makes me ashamed for the BLM. Heads should roll for it! I really hope they do!!!!!!!
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Hi, Deborah,
First of all, I’m so sorry you lost your husband. To hear you found comfort with your stallion is a truly wonderful thing. Whenever I feel sad or frustrated, I head out to the barnyard and leave my worries at the gate. Horses are the best medicine for me.
It’s comforting to hear your words and know there are caring BLM folks who try their best to put the wild ones’ interests first. You and horsemen like you are precisely those who should and must not only be the “boots on the ground” for the WH&B Program, but also move up the ladder to leadership and decision-making positions. The entrenched “good ol’ boy, wink and a nod” BLM culture has got to go!
As you undoubtedly know, the BLM has become increasing callous and corrupt, especially under The Cheney/Bush administration and Ken Salazar. He should never have been held over by Mr. Obama, who was obviously convinced by special intersts that Salazar knew best in the West
Now it’s all about the rape of “our lands” for natural resources, and the BLM wants the wild ones driven off the “BLM lands” to allow unimpeded access to that wealth. The 2004 Burns Amendment literally drove the last nail in the wild ones’ coffins.
We’re all working so hard on many fronts to find a solution to this travesty. As I’ve said before, I don’t believe those who supported and passed the 1971 Act ever anticipated it would be twisted and used against the very horses they sought to protect. I came of age in the ’70s, and more-or-less trusted our officials to do their jobs and serve the interests of the public (except in Vietnam). Sadly, that was a far different time.
Our government has become increasingly corrupt and sees everything from an “inside the beltway” perspective. Money is their motivator, although it’s flying out the doors to keep good relations with other countries that now hold so much of our national debt and prop up the dollar.
Personally, I’ve found “Nevada Willis” to be a particularly good source of information and practical approaches to wild horse issues.
Please continue to comment, and encourage others with similar experiences to join the fight. We need your expertise to help bring sanity back to this horrible misuse of power and save our wild ones from a terrible fate and possible extinction!
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