Report Emphasizes Need For A Safety Buffer Between Aircraft And Wild Horses

A report from the American Association of Equine Practitioners BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) Task Force indicates that pilots engaged in the roundup of wild mustangs using helicopters should keep a significant safety buffer between their aircraft and the animals.

The caution is part of a 35-page report focusing on the treatment of the wild horses, which are regularly rounded up in Nevada. The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that a judge recently issues a temporary restraining order requiring the pilots to maintain a "safe distance" from the mustangs. Horse protection advocates has asked the judge for the ruling.

The group said it had a video showing a horse being hit by the landing skid of a helicopter engaged in a roundup conducted August 11th, a charge that BLM denies. The judge said regardless of whether the horse was actually hit, the pilot flew "dangerously or unreasonably" close to the animal in violation of federal law protecting wild horses.

In its report, the task force found that: "Based on observations of five gather days in the high desert country in Wyoming and Nevada, the use of helicopters to herd horses to a trap was judged humane, efficient and effective.

"On some drives during the Adobe Town/Salt Wells Creek Complex gather, the helicopter flew in a close horizontal plane to the trailing horses as the group approached the trap. The helicopter was also close to the ground in a vertical plane on some of these final trap drives. Flying patterns observed during the Pine Nuts HMA and Antelope Complex gathers were more conservative: the helicopter maintained a longer distance away from the trailing horses and flew higher above the round as the horses were herded into the trap. Effectiveness of the herding drives was similar at all the observed gathers.

"Close proximity of the helicopter skids, rotors, body or tail to the horses and/or ground poses a safety risk for the horses. Conservative flying patterns that allow a reasonable buffer distance between the helicopter and the horses, and the helicopter and the ground are recommended at all times."

In a statement, the BLM said "The Bureau of Land Management appreciates the thorough, objective report prepared by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which was asked by the BLM to review the agency’s care and handling of wild horses and burros at gathers, short-term holding corrals, and long-term holding pastures.  The BLM will review the recommendations of the AAEP and will continue its ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the health and welfare of wild horses and burros."

FMI: www.blm.gov