IDAHO: Management to Extinction
Management to Extinction in Idaho – the Saylor Creek Herd,
by Connie J Cunningham, WHE Board Member (you can read more by Connie on our “Inspire” pages about the Saylor Creek herd)
The following information was obtained from the BLM website for the Saylor Creek herd updated 8/12/13.
The Saylor Creek Herd Management Area (HMA) is located approximately 15 miles south of Glenns Ferry, ID in Owyhee County, ID and Elmore County, ID within the Jarbidge Field Office. The Saylor Creek HMA encompasses 94,992 acres of public land in the Jarbidge Field Office.
The herd ranges from 30-50 horses. Colors include Pintos, Sorrels, Roans, Palominos, Bays, Browns, Blacks, and Grays. Horse size is 14-16 hands and 900-1000 pounds.
It is believed that the Herds foundation originated from mares captured near Challis, ID by a group of horse runners from the Wendell, ID area. According to local history, several mares were transported into the Saylor Creek Area in the early 1960s. A registered stud was then purchased and turned out with the mares. Until the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971 (P.L. 92-195), the group of horse runners would capture as many colts as possible in annual roundups.
The Saylor Creek Herd was gathered in 2010 after another devastating wildfire, the Long Butte fire. After BLM completed rangeland restoration efforts throughout the burned area, 30 horses were returned to the HMA in the early fall of 2011.
According to an Idaho BLM release dated 8/26/14, the proposed alternative for the Saylor Creek Herd is that it be managed as a NON-REPRODUCTIVE HERD with younger horses being removed and hopefully adopted. What does that mean, the Saylor Creek Herd will be extinct with the death of the last reproductive wild horse in the herd. Oh, BUT BLM can introduce other non-reproductive wild horses from other areas in Idaho to maintain a herd. AND guess what will remain on the HMA, LIVESTOCK GRAZING, pronghorn antelope and upland game species!
Definition taken from The Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act: (d) “herd” means one or more stallions and his mares;
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.