The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will not impound feral horses roaming the Salt River area of the Tonto National Forest, near Mesa, Arizona, until continuing talks over the herd’s management are completed.

In July the USFS published a Notice of Unauthorized Livestock and Intent to Impound, specifically stating that any unauthorized horses found on National Forest System Lands within the boundaries of the Tonto National Forest’s Mesa Ranger District. Could be impounded on or after Aug. 7. The USFS later announced that it would not take any action for at least 120 days so it could work with interested parties to find a solution to address the unauthorized horses. Now, the agency has announced that it has postponed the impoundment indefinitely.

“Because the Forest Service is continuing to engage with the local community and state and federal officials to explore potential alternatives with respect to unauthorized horses found in the Mesa Ranger District on the Tonto National Forest and to avoid continued public confusion resulting from the (impoundment) notice, the Forest Service has decided at this time to rescind the impound notice published on July 31, 2015,” a statement on the agency’s website read.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) believes the delay will allow time to negotiate an agreement for the horses’ long-term protection