BLM completed “a perfect gather” of 191 wild horses in the McCullough Peaks, with 94 horses trucked to Rock Springs for eventual adoption. Spokesman Sarah Beckwith said the horses will be available for adoption at Rock Springs within about 30 days. Those not adopted there will be brought back to the Cody-Powell area in the spring for a local adoption, she added. A total of 97 horses were returned to the range, where the agency has a target management level of about 100 horses, Beckwith added. About half the returned horses were mares or younger fillies, and half were stallions or colts. During the helicopter-only roundup, no horses sustained injuries except possibly minor scratches sustained in the corrals, Beckwith said. Of those 97 animals returned to the range, 34 mares were treated with birth control to keep herd growth in check. “About 100 horses are out there” in the peaks, she added. Beckwith said an estimated dozen “loner” horses, possibly older animals too wild to rounded up, evaded the helicopter and remained on the range. “They were on the outskirts of the herd management area,” Beckwith said. The agency contracted with Cattoor Co. from Utah to do all its Wyoming roundups this fall Once the McCullough Peaks gather was finished, they moved on to the 15·Mile herd managed by the Worland District, where about 300 horses are targeted for gathering from a herd of up to 350 animals. They will be taken to Rock Springs for adoption to avoid the BLM competing with the Worland sale ring, Beckwith said. “At McCullough Peaks, the helicopter was not pushing the horses – it hung back and let them choose the course,” Beckwith said. “It was more like they were guiding them, ” She said a trained “pilot horse” was haltered and held near the jute-fenced wings leading to the corrals. The pilot horse was released as his wild counterparts approached, and he led the wild horses into the trap, knowing (‘there was’ nice hay and water “waiting for’ everyone .” “He was well trained,” Beckwith said. “It was an exceptional gather.” “
