ALTURAS, Calif.--The Modoc National Forest plans to gather approximately 1,000 wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory this fall to address impacts on aquatic resources, wildlife, grazing and traditional cultural practices. Reducing the population will allow range and riparian ecological conditions to recover, while also supporting herd health by reducing competition for limited food, water and habitat.
A public meeting to provide updates and answer questions is planned for July 11, 2018 at 4 p.m. at the Forest Supervisors Office, 225 West Eighth St., in Alturas.
“We are honored to have this wild horse herd on the Modoc National Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Amanda McAdams. “We are working hard to manage for healthy wild horses that live in balance with wildlife, watersheds and a resilient sage-steppe ecosystem.”
This action is prescribed by the 2013 Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Management Plan found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=32426. This plan designates an appropriate management level of 206-402 adult wild horses. There are currently an estimated 3,900 on and around the territory.
Gathered horses will be transported to short-term holding where they will be fed, watered and humanely cared for. Most are expected to be under 10 years old, and the Devil’s Garden offers horses with good minds that can be trained for any number of uses. Find information on how to adopt wild horses at https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/.
Finding adopters will remain the first priority for all horses. The Forest Service is also planning to make horses 10 years and older available for sale as authorized by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, recognizing the likelihood of older horses being adopted is limited. Partner and public support has been a key element to past success and will remain irreplaceable in finding homes for as many horses as possible.
If you would like to help provide homes for horses, take part in the Modoc Mustang Trainer Program or want to learn more about Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory and horses, please see https://go.usa.gov/xQ3r3 or email modoc_info@fs.fed.us.
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