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WHOA Members Responds

WHOA members reject Albuquerque Journals implied characterization that it is anti-ranching.  The following are two letters written to the Albuquerque Journal....

Hi Gary,
 
Please see the attached excerpt showing NINE wild
horse territories and 3 burro territories. 
 
There are horses (and very few) on only 3 of these.
Whats happening to our Wild Horse territories, or
potential wild horse teritories???
 
The rancher's plight is not the horses, it is the
drought and competition from beef imports from South
America. If you need info regarding this, it is in the
Livestock Newspaper distributed at the auctions. I can
supply you with this. Most cattlemen lost $34/"head"
of cattle last year.
 
I am glad you are presenting the ranchers side. I am
always working for win win alternatives for as you
know such as generous buy-outs and alternative energy
sales on their public land permits. They are my
friends and if you like, I can give you easily 10 life
long ranchers with whom I am like family for the last
15 years. 
 
I personally and WHOA heartily object to being
portrayed as being against the ranchers. As you may
recall, it was I who faxed you the article written by
Sebedeo Chacon as previously, he could not get it
published.
 
I have been forthright with you and would like to
maintain our forthright relationship. I will assume
the last sentence at the end of todays article was an
oversight regarding the nuance it portrayed
incorrectly.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions
regarding the attachment or anything at all I can help
you with.
 
Thank Much,
Patience O'Dowd
Wild Horse Observers Assoc. WHOA
PO Box 932
Placitas NM, 87043
 

Albuquerque Journal North

Letter to the Editor

A Wednesday, April 16th article unfortunately depicted WHOA (Wild Horse Observers Association) as anti-ranching. As a member of WHOA, I would like to clarify our position.

We certainly are not out to get small ranchers like Sebedeo Chacon. In fact, the small rancher and the wild horse are probably both endangered species. But on public lands we should be able to find a way to share the range between cattle, wild horses and burros where they exist, and wildlife.

The wild horse is protected by federal law. We understand that the herds do need to be managed, but sound management depends on sound information about wild horse ecology and wild horse populations. We do not believe the Forest Service had sound information when it decided to conduct the Jarita Mesa wild horse roundup in April.

Fact: A herd (comprised of several small bands) requires at least 150 animals to maintain long-term genetic viability, according to Gus Cothran, an equine genetics specialist at the University of Kentucky. The horse population estimates at Jarita Mesa range from 36 to 63 by actual count or up to 100 according to guesstimates,. In any event, removing 30 of them puts the herd at risk long term.

Fact: Cows graze within a mile of water while wild horses are highly mobile, grazing from five to twenty miles from water, at higher elevations, on steeper slopes, and in more rugged terrain. A congressionally mandated study by the National Academy of Science found that wild horses and burros are not responsible for overgrazing on public lands. Yes, horses and cattle often prefer the same grass and forb species and their diets may overlap in some areas, particularly in winter **(however, the cattle are off the National forests in winter). Horses do tend to eat more than cattle

**(According to the forest service, they eat the same amount, see below. Also, at the 1st public meeting, they said they both eat 22 or so lbs/day.
Cow/calf (nursing) = 1.32
Horse =1.2
Bull = 1.25
Yearling cow (9-18 mos) = .7
Calf = .5 )

and are able to nip grasses shorter, but their range will tend to differ significantly. There is also typically little competition between wild horses and native wildlife.

Fact: Rounding up wild horses by helicopter during the foaling season puts both the mares and foals at risk. The horses are most vulnerable during this time. This was well known and communicated ahead of time.

We are pleased that the roundup has been cancelled after the capture of only a few horses and we would welcome the opportunity to join in a discussion about long term management of Jarita Mesa Wild Horse Territory for the benefit of all concerned.

Joan Fenicle
Placitas, New Mexico
Member, W.H.O.A.

 

**indicate modifications added after publication 






                                      







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Last modified: 
04/25/08