The BLM is planning barbaric, archaic and dangerous sterilization experiments on captured wild mares at its Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon.
These experiments have never before been performed on wild horses or, in the case of two of the three proposed procedures, in horses anywhere at all.
The agency is accepting public comments on an Environmental Assessment (EA) through February 10.
Warning (graphic description): At least 100 mares — 75 of whom will be pregnant — will be subjected to “ovariectomy via colpotomy,” a dangerous procedure in which a veterinarian makes an incision in the mare’s vagina, inserts his arm into the vaginal cavity, manually locates the ovaries and rips them out using an “ecraseur,” a rod-like device with a chain on the end. The painful procedure will subject mares to the risk of infection, hemorrhage and evisceration (intestines coming through the incision) and cause mares in the early to mid-stages of pregnancy to abort their fetuses.
Less Invasive Procedures
Two less invasive experimental procedures also proposed would use endoscopes to achieve sterilization without removal of the ovaries. These procedures have never been done in horses, domestic or wild.
Front Range Equine Rescue has submitted comments to BLM in opposition to this heinous research plan as have other advocacy groups and thousands of individuals.