Late in 2019, word started to circulate that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was set to round up roughly 200-230 wild horses from the Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) located roughly 40 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. This area extends from Johnsons Pass south to Look Out Pass, and includes roughly 205,394 acres of area. In 2017, the BLM estimated roughly 450 wild horses to be living in this area which includes the Pony Express Trail*. The goal of this gather was to reduce the herd to a more manageable size per guidelines created by the BLM. The method of removal was going to be via helicopter—a traumatic experience, where terrified wild horses, young and old, are chased and funneled into pens to then be moved into a holding facility where the horses would be auctioned off to the public.
While RJ is a supporter of herd management, RJ does NOT support the methodology of using helicopters or bait and trap set ups. RJ supports herd management numbers that are verifiable through science and facts, along with the use of PZP which is a form of birth control that is darted at mares as a method to control herd populations**. While this gather was sadly unavoidable, action needed taken immediately as the beloved wild horses captured needed sanctuary and homes that were familiar with gentling mustangs. Once these horses that so many have came to know and love were rounded up, there was almost a zero percent chance that these horses could be released back into the wild by the BLM. Thus Operation #BringOnaquiHome was born.
Operation #BringOnaquiHome started out as group of photographers who quickly joined together and rallied the public for support. Their goal was simple, take immediate action to save as many of the wild horses that were gathered as possible. The efforts caught fire fast! It was quickly determined that some of the horses that were gathered included a few well known stallions that were commonly photographed, as they are jaw dropping, and majestic mustangs. These horses represented the spirit of all the other horses left within the Onaqui Mountain Herd—born wild with wind tangled manes, battle scars, and beautiful from their life of freedom on the range. It was absolutely devastating to see these horses in the holding facility—broken, crowded, dirty, and tired.
Through social media campaigns and partnerships with several fabulous wild horse sanctuaries*** and organizations, roughly 30 horses from the gather were won at auction—and most without a competing bid. It was truly a miracle! Enough money was raised from supporters to fund the horses transportation to their new home, along with many months of up keep and vet bills. Still today, Onaqui supporters are adopting horses at the facility.
While RJ would have loved to have seen these horses in the wild until the end of their days, fate had dealt them a different card. The non-profit sanctuaries that adopted some of the horses offered a life without bars, a safe place to sleep, and many miles for them to run free with other rescued wild horses. These horses are now ambassadors to their cause, and stand as a reminder to others. RJ was blessed to have been a part of their story and is forever grateful for their safe passage to their new homes. Operation #BringOnaquiHome was a success!
*Information retrieved from blm.gov
**For more information on PZP and what you can do to support the wild horses, visit the American Wild Horse Campaign
***Please visit Sweetbeau Horses and Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary to learn more about the sanctuaries that adopted some of the Onaqui