The Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) West Desert District, Fillmore Field Office will begin the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) wild horse gather on or about Feb. 12.

The BLM is planning to gather an estimated 262 wild horses from the Swasey HMA, with up to 100 being released back onto the range following the gather. Approximately 49 mares will be treated with the fertility control drug porcine zona pellucida; the remainder of the released horses will be studs.

Approximately 162 excess wild horses, including wild horses gathered that are residing outside the HMA boundary, will be removed from the range. Animals removed from the Swasey HMA will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Those that are not adopted will be cared for in long-term pastures, where they retain their "wild" status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

The Swasey HMA is located in Millard and Juab Counties, about 50 miles west of Delta, Utah. It encompasses approximately 120,113 acres, with a current population estimated at 350 wild horses. The appropriate management level for the Swasey HMA is 60-100 wild horses