A few (and just a few) of the horses who have been chosen for the Adoption at this year's WSWHBE (the ones on the BLM website: http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/spotlight/030720adoption/index.htm)
have recently been diagnosed with strep equi, commonly known as Strangles.
Only a few of the horses have been affected, and burros are not known to contract the disease, although they can carry the germs on their coats and feet. For the safety and health of all concerned, the BLM veterinarian immediately decided not to bring these animals - horses and burros - to the Expo. Even the horses that don’t show any signs of infection will not come to the auction.
The affected corrals are over an hour away from the Expo Center so you can be assured there is no potential for this to be a concern for the Expo grounds.
Strangles (so named because the it causes swollen glands in the throat, which can put pressure on the windpipe, making breathing labored) in young animals is usually not serious or life-threatening. It normally runs its course with no long-term effects, although it can occasionally result in serious complications and even death. Since it is contagious, affected herds need to be quarantined until all animals in the group are free of infection.
BLM always endeavors to insure the health and safe keeping of the wild horses and burros under their jurisdiction. Some of you may not know that BLM, in addition to all other shots and worming, have been giving the West Nile vaccines to all horses that have come off the range for over a year now. They pre-planned for the potential of West Nile hitting all our horses across the United States and at great expense to the program, started vaccinating over a year ago to make sure that none of the horses in the program would go unprotected.
BLM is to be recognized for all their hard work in keeping our horses safe. The men, women, and veterinarian at the corrals are working round the clock to prepare for adoptions, transportation, upcoming gathers, medical care and adoption preparation.
Strangles can crop out unexpectedly. It is quite a job for BLM but they have moved quickly, sterilizing water troughs, feeders, and pens to prohibit any further spread and also provide extra veterinary care such as penicillin for those that are affected. They have put in a lot of extra hours here to get on this immediately.
Since many of you have been inquiring about specific animals that you hope to adopt, all the horses and burros that were originally offered for adoption at the Expo WILL still be available for adoption July 20th. They just will not be physically present at the Events Center. These horses are being held at a separate facility under the supervision of a veterinarian to insure their health and well being.
BONUS –
Because of this situation, BLM has decided to add to the Expo adoption, approximately 30 wild horses from other unaffected facilities to choose from and adopt. These new animals will physically be at the Expo on July 18-20 for viewing and adoption on the 20th. The horses trained at the Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City are unaffected and will also be there.
The photos of the new horses should be up soon on both the BLM and Expo sites. Look for them, I have already seen them, they are absolutely beautiful, healthy horses of various ages that you will be able to pick from. Something to fit everybody’s needs: various regions, age, size and color.
So now, you will have a total variety of over 60 horses to choose from. The 30 new horses will be able to go home from the Expo adoption immediately. Those who adopt the animals from the photos may pick them up in August. A time and place will be announced as soon as they would be ready to go.
Hey!!!!! this gives you the added opportunity of adopting multiple horses now, taking a new horse home now and working with it and then being ready for your other new horse to come home in a few months. It doesn’t get any better than that, you can phase in and get the benefit of all these beautiful horses that will be available July 20th.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the BLM or myself, Cathy Barcomb, 775-849-3625
If you get a chance, please take the time to thank the BLM for all of their hard work and caring which keeps these horses healthy.
