Amidst Growing Outcry, the Brutal Nevada Roundup Continues to Rack Up an Ever Higher Count of Equine Deaths

The Mustangs in Nevada represent a symbol of freedom and the untamed spirit of the American West. These majestic creatures have roamed the open plains for centuries, captivating the hearts of those who witness their beauty and grace. However, their existence is now under threat as they face a brutal roundup to curtail their population. On the first day of the ten-day-long roundup, 11 Mustangs tragically lost their lives, sparking outrage and calls for immediate action to protect these iconic animals.

The Bureau of Land Management has come under a lot of criticism for its handling of the roundup. Many politicians have voiced their concerns about the brutal technique used to capture these magnificent beasts. The outrage has grown even more after the ordeal of one well-loved horse named “Sunshine” became known.

Sunshine’s tragic ordeal in Nevada’s mustang roundup

The death toll included five foals and four colts who died from broken necks. Lastly, a Palomino stallion also lost its life in the most brutal way possible. Sunshine was chased by a rider on horseback and a helicopter. The frightened stallion tried to jump over a trap fence but snapped its rear leg.

The horse kept trying to escape the helicopter and continued to flee on three legs. After chasing the horse for thirty-five minutes, it was finally shot down. The whole incident was caught on video and shared online. Laura Leigh, the founder of Wild Horse Education, saw the video and said, “It made me physically ill to see what was done to that beautiful stallion I have known for years”.

Leigh has been petitioning the courts to ban the practice altogether. She blamed the wranglers for guiding the stallion toward the trap that caused the accident. Moreover, the fact that the wranglers continued to chase after Sunshine in that condition for over thirty minutes appalled her. Later she spoke to AP News, saying, “These barbaric, cruel, intentional acts must end”. Fortunately, many politicians have responded to her call and thrown their weight behind her argument.

Politicians rally to end brutal Mustang roundup after Sunshine’s death

Nevada Democratic Rep. Dina Titus could not believe her eyes that the miserable stallion was chased by a helicopter in such a condition. She criticized the BLM’s practice and wants to ban it through legislation. This is not the first time that Leigh has spoken out against the inhumane treatment of mustangs. She sued the Bureau for a similar incident in the past and forced them to enact the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program. This program safeguards the Mustangs from colliding with helicopters. However, Leigh wants to stop the use of helicopters in the round-up.

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Heather O’Hanlon, the spokesperson for the Bureau, assured that the horses captured in the round-up are tended to by vets. Another spokesperson for the Bureau, Rita Henderson has argued that this practice is necessary to control the population of horses on Federal land. But critics believe that this is an attempt to appease the nearby ranchers who want to save the forage for their livestock. The American Wild Horse Campaign led by Grace Kuhn is trying to bring the issue to the forefront by sharing graphic photos of the inhumane treatment done to the horses. With growing public support and the backing of influential politicians, there is hope for a brighter future where wild horses like Sunshine are protected from such tragedies.

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