Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustang handling procedures during three roundups this past summer were professional and appropriate, according to independent equine specialists who observed the gathers. The observers' findings were published in a report released by the BLM last week.

Camie Heleski, PhD, of Michigan State University; Betsy Green, PhD, from the University of Vermont; Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, from Rutgers University; and Carolyn Stull, PhD, from the University of California at Davis observed gathers at the Owyhee Herd Management Area in Nevada, the Stinking Waters Herd Management Area in Oregon, and the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area in California. The American Horse Protection Association chose the observation team, and each observer served on a team of two. They were specifically tasked to observe the care and handling of the animals for a three- to four-day period during the gather process.

The teams observed gather activities, including horse handing, and they described the horses and the horses' conditions at the gather's temporary holding facilities.

In the report the observers state that mustangs removed from the ranges in the three gathers did not exhibit undue stress or show signs of extreme sweating or duress during the helicopter portion of the gather. Observers also found both contractors and BLM personnel to be knowledgeable, and they noted that veterinarians from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were open and candid regarding protocols for treating injured horses. In cases of euthanasia or injuries, the authors noted that these veterinarians made no attempt to minimize or hide any information or details related to the injuries of euthanasia procedures