Don't Let Them Disappear! Our Wild Forest Horses

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If you visit the Ochoco Mountains of Central Oregon, you might experience the thrill of seeing the wild horses who live there. Because most wild horses in the West live on desert rangelands, this Big Summit Herd is unique. About 130 horses live in small bands on 27,000 acres in the Ochoco National Forest, and are managed by the US Forest Service.

The Big Summit Herd has lived in this area for at least a century and are an integral part of the natural environment of the Ochoco Mountains. However, the “Territory” assigned by the Forest Service for these horses is a significant reduction in land from their original range.

Wild horses are federally protected on public lands, yet they are erroneously touted as overpopulated and victims of mass removals, while private for-profit activities (livestock grazing, mining, gas and oil extraction) are expanding and further reducing the horses' designated protected ranges.

Risk of genetic collapse and loss of herd

Recently, the Forest Service made the decision (not based on science) to reduce the Big Summit Herd to about 50 horses. This unsustainably low number will not include enough breeding adults and will risk genetic collapse of the herd, as well as limiting their ability to survive increased predation and more severe environmental impacts of climate change. If carried out, the decision to remove more than two-thirds of this herd could easily facilitate the end of these beautiful and naturally hardy animals.

Collaborations and lawsuits

The Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition (COWHC) and its board president Gayle Hunt have been fighting for these horses for decades. Ms. Hunt, who worked for the Forest Service for 27 years, has been actively engaged with the agency and local advocates to assist with adoptions, training, and youth programs benefiting both the horses and the community for years.

Due to the drastic herd reduction proposed by the US Forest Service, Hunt and her non-profit sued the agency to stop the effort that would forever alter this herd. While the final decision of the lower Court is awaited, there is a very strong likelihood that a formal appeal will be necessary. The original lawsuit was incredibly expensive, funded only by personal assets and some donations. Now the coffers are empty, yet the fight must go on. “The Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition will not leave these horses to die out due to the failings of the Forest Service," says Hunt.

Why fight to save these Ochoco horses?

Besides being federally protected as iconic symbols of the American West, wild horses are native to North America. Naturally adapted to this continent, they are much easier on their environment than privately owned non-native livestock, which outnumber wild horses on average 30:1 on our public lands.

The Big Summit Herd, in its mountainous terrain, is isolated from other wild horses and is considered a “closed herd.” The apex predators in this area make a big impact on these horses, greatly reducing population growth. These and other factors make this herd an excellent candidate for a study herd on wild horse population dynamics and genetics, so that future decisions can be made based on science.

The fight to protect these Ochoco horses right now is critical. Roundups could begin this summer.

Please help by donating to our legal fund. Thank you!

To find out more, visit the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition's website cowildhorse.org, or their Facebook page. Thank you!