BLM’s wild horse and burro program looks to community for ideas at workshop

BLM NEWS — In light of recent public concern over shade at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Palomino Valley National Wild Horse and Burro Center (PVC), the BLM will hold a public workshop in coming weeks to provide an open forum and allow for information sharing, suggestions, and ideas on how the BLM can best provide for the horses at PVC with available resources and within constraints.

In addition to the workshop, the BLM is consulting with animal welfare experts Dr. Carolyn Stull, Ph.D., and Dr. Kathryn Holcomb, Ph.D., of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who are scheduled to visit PVC to assess environmental conditions. Dr. Holcomb has conducted research to determine if horses prefer and benefit from shade and Dr. Stull is known for her animal welfare work with agricultural animals.

“Although PVC doesn’t typically have triple-digit temperatures for prolonged periods of time, as is the case in other areas where shade is provided for the animals, we know this summer in Reno has been especially hot,” said Joan Guilfoyle, Wild Horse and Burro Division Chief. “The well-being of the wild horses and burros under BLM’s care is important to us, both on and off the range, and we’re interested in constructive input and dialogue with the public.”

The PVC facility has been an important part of the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program for many years. Horses and burros there have a continuous supply of water and are fed daily. A veterinarian regularly visits the site and sprinklers were installed in late June to three large outside wild horse pens and five mare/foal pens to help keep the animals cool on warm days. No evidence exists that any animals being held at PVC are experiencing life-threatening conditions as a result of high temperatures.

The Center is the largest BLM preparation and adoption facility in the country with a capacity of 1,850 animals. It serves as the primary preparation center for wild horses and burros gathered from the public lands in Nevada and nearby states. Visitors wishing to adopt are encouraged to call the Center prior to arrival at (775) 475-2222. Public hours for visiting are held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m.-noon.

Photo caption: At the BLM’s Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center outside Reno, a sprinkler attached to the panel of a large wild horse pen sprays water while horses eat in the distance.