tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post4297749361973235448..comments2024-01-30T17:39:16.896-08:00Comments on American Herds: Say It With A SmileUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post-8037804482239136042010-01-03T20:03:49.479-08:002010-01-03T20:03:49.479-08:00The BLM has mismanaged the Sulphur herd. They igno...The BLM has mismanaged the Sulphur herd. They ignored Dr. Sponenberg's recommendation on how to manage for Spanish type and now we hardly have any Spanish horses left. I own a Sulphur mare. She came from the 1998 gather. The last great gather occurred in 2001. That gather was Spanish horse after Spanish horse. Now, we are stuck with horses that every once in a while look like a classic Sulphur that is coming off of the range. The Spanish Sulphur breed represents the very last of the historic Spanish horses of old California. Please view my website to learn more about this amazing and historic breed of horse. California's Spanish horse breed! www.spanishsulphurs.orgSpanish Sulphurshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00089412190520803451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post-65553414982111358732009-05-08T13:02:00.000-07:002009-05-08T13:02:00.000-07:00First off, the herd that had large numbers of dead...First off, the herd that had large numbers of dead horses was in Oregon, not Utah. Read BLMs report as provided in the link. Secondly, a wild horse advocate happened to be right next to an area the Sulphur wild horses were roaming before the November gather and watched "private" livestock get turned out on the range this summer, livestock which could easily trespass on the adjacent public lands. She was so concerned about the terrible range conditions (and she too was very concerned about what would wildlife be left with after the grazing), she contacted BLM about it and that is how we learned they were on "private" land. Maybe you should contact the rancher that would turn his animals loose despite such bleak conditions. Third, the Sulphur wild horses were rounded up in the summer of 2006, so they have not been left "unmanaged" as you have claimed. Fourth, since the die off was in OREGON, you should re-read the quote posted at the top of this story as it discusses very UNNATURAL conditions; fences, entrapment to prevent migration, cattle consuming the resources until there was nothing left for any species and the ranchers lying about the number of actual horses on the range. Furthermore, there is a huge body of evidence that indicates lying about population numbers is so prevalent, that no sincere "management" is possible for any species because the BLM is not reporting nor is it sincerely interested in reporting the objective truth. No, nature is not humane but the majority of evidence in the wild horse and burro issue points to the lack of humane treatment coming from BLM management actions and non-compliance with laws to pander to the livestock, mining and hunting industries. Lastly, your concern for George Knapp investigating lack of accountability within a government agency IS exhibiting journalistic integrity of the highest sort. Investigating waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars is a legitimate and necessary function of our media as recognized by our forefathers in the formulation of this country. If you sincerely believe that using one's position in the media to beat a drum that only serves one's personal agendas, perhaps you should take up your argument with Bill O'Reilly or the entire FOX news team as they more closely resemble the "lying, factless, dribble" you express concern about and their sphere of influence is on a much larger scale than the occasional investigative reports Mr. Knapp presents. For the record, that is what Mr. Knapp does for a living, produces investigative reports to help inform the public on a large variety of issues, not just wild horses and burros. In actuality, he is one of the few that DOESN'T let political and industry giants persuade him from his path of responsible reporting. However, I do have to agree with you on one point - mostly those reporters who try to tell the public what is really going on are often treated like criminals for their courage in not bowing to their corporate Lords.Preserve The Herdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362973536663928206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post-36020070923207622392009-05-08T06:45:00.000-07:002009-05-08T06:45:00.000-07:00Since you bring up George Knapp, it is criminal th...Since you bring up George Knapp, it is criminal that he use his power of the press position to advocate a political position that is irresponsible to sound resource management. If he wants to be an advocate for wild horses, let him do it on his own time, and not force the public to listen to his lying, factless, dribble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post-83640034450437654312009-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:002009-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:00As one who lives right next to the Sulpher Herd, I...As one who lives right next to the Sulpher Herd, I could have predicted this outcome without even a crystal ball. That herd of horses has been left unmanaged because of issues related to some special line of 'wild' horse (I think they call them Spanish Barb). Large ungulates, left unmanaged, without natural predation, will eventually rise in population to the point of a crash. This winter was evidently crash time for the sulpher herd. In touring the area last summer and fall, the range was in terrible condition. I commented to several other folks that there was so little feed that even the jack rabbits were leaving. The cattle have been removed from this area long ago. Most of the area is managed as a wildlife management unit. As long as you folks fight against responsible management of 'wild' horse numbers, you can count on periodic die-offs or population crashes. If the horses are not managed humanely, they are left to nature; and nature is not humane.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562357749295999770.post-5106581064567771142009-05-07T08:49:00.000-07:002009-05-07T08:49:00.000-07:00Hard to smile when certain information was provide...Hard to smile when certain information was provided (at least to a few who requested it specifically) and after the GAO report which stated they needed to provide MORE info they now provide LESS!! <br /><br />Shame on the BLM. They work for us and the government should (unless it is a matter of national security) be transparent so we can see how our tax dollars are spent. But, what can you expect from an agency that has ALWAYS attempted to withhold necessary information? Reporter George Knapp has had difficulty getting documents requested under FOIA, as have other groups and news agencies. BLM has gotten away with this for FAR too long. It is time that accountability is DEMANDED.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com