Earlier this week, terrifying news reached the horse-loving community: the National Forest Service announced plans to roundup and 'dispose' of the Salt River horses.  Click here to read the posting by the Forest Service

With an announced roundup start date of August 7; merely one week after the initial announcement; the community quickly got over their initial feelings of shock and frustration.  They contacted media outlets and local politicians, started an online campaign of support for the wild horses (which reached over 90,000 signatures in one day) and organized a rally in the National Forest in 113 F temperatures.

Why the roundup?  These wild horses are loved by the many people who visit the Tonto National Forest (near Phoenix, Arizona) each year.  Wild horses are a symbol of the west and are truly an exciting sight to see.  The problem however is that the government does not recognize these horses as "wild".  In 1971, the "WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS ACT" was enacted to protect our wild horses and burros, but not all wild horse herds across the country received the "wild" designation and thus, didn't receive any protection under the act.  The Salt River herd never received the status of being "wild" and are to this day considered to be "feral livestock".  

Even though the locals and tourists love to see these wild horses in and around the Salt River recreation area, the Forest Service claims that they are a danger to the public, are not "wild" and thus considered to be livestock, and should be removed from public lands.

The public outcry has been amazing to witness.  Thanks to social media such as Facebook, people from all around the world stepped up in the defense these majestic animals.  The killing of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe (by a U.S. citizen nonetheless) was bad but the reality is that to many animal-lovers these 100+ wild horses in fact represent the killing of Cecil x 100.

The media reacted almost instantly by reporting on the suggested plans by the Forest Service.  Both local as well as national news outlets have reported on the issue.  (USA Today, Arizona Republic, Fox, ABC, etc.)

One day later, the politicians got on board.  Arizona senators John McCain and Jeff Flake stepped up, as did Arizona governor Doug Ducey and Arizona U.S. Representatives Matt Salmon, David Schweikert and Kyrsten Sinema expressed their opinions in favor of protecting Arizona's historic herd.

An injunction has been filed with the court to stop the proposed roundup.  Big thanks to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group who are trying to work with the Forest Service for a humane solution.

Let's keep up the fight to protect these (and other) animals.  

Thank you!