Keeping the Salt River Wild Horses Free 🐴
We the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), keep the Salt River wild horses free by: 1. Continuously advocating for their rights since 2010. 2. Monitoring and keeping accurate data on every horse in the herd. 3. Working with the authorities, not against. 4. Implementing solutions at no cost to the government. 5. Promoting ...
Respecting Wild Horses
Respect wild horses by maintaining a 50 ft distance from them at all times. Help us protect wild horses by sharing this video, thank you! SRWHMG.
Advocates call for more enforcement after video shows man kayaking at Salt River horses
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Advocates are calling for more enforcement and clarification under the Arizona statute protecting horses after a man was recorded on video kayaking directly at Salt River horses over the Memorial Day weekend. Officials with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group shared the video on their Facebook page ...
UPDATE: Bush Hwy re opened as of 3 pm.
ALERT! Bush Hwy is CLOSED! Never in our lives have we seen so many people in the Tonto National Forest and on Bush Hwy! All Rec Areas are filled to capacity, there is stand still traffic everywhere. Authorities have had to shut down Bush Hwy from all sides, from the Beeline, from Power Rd and ...
FROM THE AZDA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOTICE : Suspected VSV in Salt River Horse Herd
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Arizona Department of Agriculture has identified four Salt River horses in the Bulldog and Goldfield areas of the Salt River which have lesions consistent with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). While these horses are suspected to have VSV, it has not been confirmed by testing. Out of an abundance of caution, all ...
Signs Posted!
These are the signs we have posted at all main entrances to the Forest. Horse riders please beware. We have already discovered 4 more suspected cases. Please share with your horse back riding groups and friends. This is the press release from the AZDA: NOTICE : Suspected VSV in Salt River Horse Herd PHOENIX, Ariz. ...
4 Salt River Wild Horses Suspect to Have VSV.
Factual information about the Salt River Herd: 99% of the Salt River wild horses are healthy, strong, shiny and fat. However, since VSV (Vesicular Stomatitus Virus) has been confirmed in Arizona, we were worried about some weird looking skin at the coronet band of two older stallions and one older mare. One younger filly also ...
Monitoring and ID-ing Salt River Wild Horses.
Can you tell which horses are the same and which are different? In these pictures you can see how similar some of the face markings can be. Yet we need to know exactly who is who, especially with the mares, because they are all on a different PZP time schedule and they each have their ...
Rescue Spotlight: Felicity is the cutest!
Our hotline rang at 11 pm; two wild horses had fallen into the South Canal and were struggling and floating toward the deadly transfer dam. It made the national news at the time, this was 2018. With a huge effort from our volunteers plus 18 firefighters, Felicity and Iggy were hauled out in the nick ...
You Make a Difference!
Our rescued Salt River wild horses can’t have the river, but they can have their own waterpark! They are simply fascinated by water. All of these sweet souls would have died slowly in the wild, had it not been for our rescue program. These are orphan foals, and horses with detrimental injuries, horses hit by …
Cut Fences Cause Band of Horses on Hwy.
Constant public interference jeopardizes Mick's band. The USFS, AZDA and SRWHMG need your help. There has been a lot of interference in the humane management of the Salt River wild horses lately. The breaking of gates, the pushing of horses, the interfering with an ongoing project, placing water in dangerous areas and the cutting of ...
Kelly Townsend Has Sponsored a bad Bill: HB 2858
🚨ALARM: The sponsor of the original Salt River Horse Act, Rep. Kelly Townsend, has sponsored a bad bill, HB 2858, which would amend and potentially undermine the original Salt River Horse Act by limiting humane management. The bill as written will block life-saving measures that are sometimes necessary to sustain the health and well-being of ...
Baby Salt River horse saved after death of her mother
SALT RIVER, AZ (3TV/CBS5) — A baby horse whose mother died on the Salt River has been rescued and is now safe. The 8-week-old foal, Rosy, was found alone after the apparent death of her mother, who was known as the oldest mare in the Salt River herd. She was 25. The Salt River Wild …
SRWHMG Sets Precedent Humanely Managing Wild Horses
For immediate release: Salt River Wild Horse Management Group sets precedent humanely managing wild horses, but needs help from the public. Tonto National Forest, Mesa, Ariz. (March 7th, 2018) —Multitudes of people visit the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, to see the Salt River wild horses. These beautiful wild animals are managed ...
Felicity Just Had Her Baby!
**Mare rescued from drowning in AZ canal, gives birth to healthy foal!** It was a traumatic rescue on May 20th 2018, when SRWHMG and 14 firefighters helped pull Felicity and Iggy out of the AZ canal. Afterwords, we did not know if Felicity would make it because she had inhaled a lot of water (which ...
Worth the saving? Rescue highlight.
Worth the saving? Rescue highlight: This is Snow, orphaned in the wild, almost died from acidosis combined with anemia (mesquite bean poisoning). Needed initial fluids and plasma treatments then special feedings every hour around the clock for weeks. Raised in a living room. Now 7 months old and loving life together with his best buddy ...
Weekend Update: Highway Patrol, Parade & More
Maximizing our productivity! It was a very very busy weekend for all of us at the SRWHMG! Luckily we are able to split into several different teams to cover all positions in a lot of different places; we have a team for Bush Hwy patrol, a team at the parade and our sales booth, the ...
Warning: Helicopter Registered to Sabercat Productions
Beware: This helicopter, registered to Sabercat Productions and flown by N5 helicopters in Scottsdale, appears to come to the lower Salt River often for the purpose of chasing and harassing Salt River wild horses, who are protected pursuant to A.R.S. 3-1491. These pictures were taken this past Sunday, February 17th when this helicopter flew very ...
RIP Cinnamon: It’s Happened Again
Not again. Last night at 10.30 pm we received another dreaded call. We regret to inform you that Cinnamon, this beautiful ten year old dun mare, passed away from impact with a vehicle, at Coon Bluff horse crossing. She died from a broken neck, so at least she did not suffer for long. While his ...
It’s Young Ducey’s Birthday Today!
It is young Ducey's birthday and he is doing fabulous! Also, the first foal of 2019 was born this week! (Out of a different mare) We will soon announce the name of the person we are naming him after in appreciation. Pictures coming soon!
Update: Horse Deaths Deemed Shootings
Update: We've seen enough evidence to call these deaths horse shootings. We are compiling a report. We found the lone filly, who's still very confused and stoic. We are worried about her. SRWHMG.
Shootings of wild horses and Wild Horse Management Group.
Modern day wild west horror story in a National Forest in Arizona. The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group is in Heber, Arizona with a team of 6 volunteers and our Heber affiliates. We are finding out a lot more about the recent apparent shootings of Federally protected wild horses and we are checking on ...
Stunning Salt River Wild Horse Video
A stunning video of our Salt River wild horses playing and battling. A good reminder to give wild horses their space. Please enjoy these spectacular sights while keeping a 50 ft distance at all times or stay behind the fences. Please keep dogs on a leash and please do not park right at a horse ...
Wild Horses Have Incredible Bonds
Use Caution on Bush Highway
ALERT!! This gorgeous lead stallion was hit on the road this morning, and had to be euthanized. This is horse #2 just this year, 2019!! IF you are driving Bush Highway, please SLOW DOWN. The horse crossing signs are at ACTUAL horse crossings. Underpasses and a completely fenced off road are the only permanent solution, ...
Birth Control for Horses
This program is so important because it makes the authorities happy, it makes the public happy and most of all, it keeps the horses happy and where they belong! SRWHMG.
Managing SRWH Herd Numbers
MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS5) -- Our Salt River wild horses are now protected. But part of protecting them, also means managing herd numbers. The group that watches over them is doing that by giving them birth control, delivered via dart. It takes patience and good aim to track and dart female wild horses. [RELATED: Protected: Salt River wild ...
Birth control darts used on Salt River horses
Please thank 12news for this newspiece! **The protected Salt River wild horses reside in the Tonto National Forest on FS land and are managed by the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group under the Arizona Department of Agriculture.** This herd was saved from roundup and removal, but is surrounded by civilization on all sides and …
Protection of The Historic and Beautiful SR Wild Horses
As all of you know, we have fought long and hard for the protection of the historic and beautiful Salt River wild horses, who today, are protected pursuant to A R.S. 3-1491. (Or the Salt River Horse Act, HB2340) Pursuant to the Act, last year, the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) and the U.S. Forest ...
How Cute Are They?
Trick or Treat, after dressing up, they were very thirsty! 🥛 They each get their own milk, but watch how Gideon prefers to drink together! How cute are they? Foals need milk protein until they are about 6 months old, you can help tremendously by clicking this link, to get them more milk! 👉 http://a.co/9FUqamX Please share, because ...
We Are Looking For Investors – Hay Cafe Franchise!
We have taken care of hundreds of happy customers with our Hay Cafe's (feed stations). We now finally have some beautiful new grasses coming up in the Tonto National Forest, but especially now, we need your help!🙏 Together, we got the Salt River wild horses through the worst drought in history, but we cannot just ...
Dear SRP and Dear Supporters
*100% for 100 CFS!* Dear #SRP and dear supporters, We wanted to show you what it looks like when the river eelgrass is dying. The output from Stewart mountain dam today is 30 CFS and dropping. This video was taken at 3 PM today, October 20th. As a result of our meeting with SRP upper management, they ...
Meet Ducey!
This is Ducey. Ducey was the first born foal of 2017. We named him after Governor Doug Ducey , as a thank you for everything he did for the Salt River wild horses. (The horses are now protected and humanely managed under the State of Arizona.) The horse Ducey is doing great and is now a year ...
Shocking Wild Horse Shootings – SRWHMG Offers Reward
Two beautiful healthy wild horses were found shot and killed in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This occurred sometime yesterday, oct 13th 2018, on FS road 50, mm8, close to the Heber Wild Horse Territory. This is not the first time for someone to shoot wild horses in the Heber area or the Salt River area. ...
Animal Activists Outraged at Forest Service Handling of Wild Horses
We are glad and thankful that our Forest Service listened to the public and that we now are managing the Salt River wild horses humanely. We implore the Modoc National Forest to do the same.
They Belong to Mother Nature
They belong to mother nature, they belong to the wind, they belong to the river, they belong to all of us. Click love if u love them. SRWHMG
Gorgeous Day For a Swim
SRWHMG Official Statement in Regards to Stray Horses
When people find stray or abandoned horses, anywhere in Arizona, these horses have to be picked up, held for seven days, and sold at auction by AZDA, (Arizona Department of Agriculture), even if the finder or a horse rescue is interested in keeping the horse(s). This is not the fault of the AZDA, it is ...
Water Management, The Environment, and Wild Horses
SRP (Salt River Project) has no environmental clause for the management of the lower Salt River, from Stewart Mountain Dam, to Granite Reef Dam, and it is usually kept at 0 to 8 CFS during the winter. (Compare this to the average of 900 CFS during the summer.) It pains us every year to see ...
Yummy Green Spaghetti
Thank You For Picking SRWHMG As Your Charity!
Thank you everyone who shops at Fry's and has picked SRWHMG as your charity! With one click on the Fry's website, you help make a difference all year, and it doesn't cost anything extra! Our goal is to get to 300 households! Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors about how easy it ...
Glimpse into the Peaceful Lives of the Salt River Wild Horses
About 15% of the Salt River Wild Horses Have the Grey Factor
About 15% of the Salt River wild horses have the grey factor. This means that they can be anything from dark grey, dappled, light grey or white. However, even when they appear completely white, they are still called a grey, because their skin underneath is black. They are only a "white" horse, if the skin ...
ANOTHER Dumped Horse in the Tonto National Forest!
We had to rescue yet ANOTHER dumped horse in the Tonto National Forest! SERIOUSLY! This one is a gelding as well and a little younger than the other one, approximately 16 to18 yrs and the paint looks to be approximately 18 to 20. Both appear healthy and not lame. After getting him safe as well, ...
People Working Together
Sometimes it takes a village, sometimes it takes a whole State, sometimes it takes a community, but all times it takes people working together. We want to thank caller Tony Thompson for immediately knowing to call our hotline when seeing this stray horse! (*We confirmed there were two different calls/alerts in regards to him) Thank ...
A dumped horse in the Tonto National Forest!
A dumped horse in the Tonto National Forest! Listen to our president tell it like it is! Horses are a lifelong commitment. This horse served somebody, tried its best to do what was asked of him and this is what he gets. He has no idea where the river is. Had we not found him, ...
Two Arrested in Connection With Shooting at Salt River.
It's just impossible to make sense of why anyone would do this. We've looked at the suspects and we don't know them. What could possibly be in it for them? Is it their idea of fun? Has anyone heard of any other hwy shootings?
Our SRWHMG Property Got Shot At!
This is not what we want to be in the news for! We are still in disbelief. Our SRWHMG property got shot at. Yesterday, right after feeding the rescued wild horses their dinner, volunteers Tracey, Ryan and Bren heard gunshots. They saw the truck on the Highway that was driving slowly, bam bam bam bam ...
Happy Endings: Nakota and Old Lady part 1
This sweet old gray mare had lived her whole life free on the river, and had survived at least 20 years of natures challenges, hence her name "Old Lady". But this last spring, the drought would have killed her, had we not stepped in and rescued both her and her filly. She was in emaciated ...
Hurricane Florence
The Corolla wild horses are a herd of historic wild horses who live on the outer banks of North Carolina in Currituck County. With hurricane Florence creeping closer, our thoughts are with them as well as all animals and people in its path. Much like our situation, these wild horses were saved by the community ...
Stand With Wild Horses Everywhere!
All of our supporters are incredibly good at contacting legislators. Today we ask you to give your voices to all BLM managed wild horses by calling congress. Congress will begin discussions to finalize Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations Legislation today. The committee will reconcile differences in the House and Senate versions of these spending bills. If ...
Share Your Own Pictures and Experiences
Did you know that we also have a page where you can share your own pictures and experiences with the Salt River wild horses, and interact with others who enjoy coming to the Salt River? It is a wonderful interactive community and has almost reached 8000 members! To visit the page click below and request ...
Live with Snow and Gideon
Thank You, Volunteers!!
LABOR of love….🐴💕 Our volunteers do much more than rescue injured Salt River wild horses…For example… A regular day for us starts at 5 am 🕔 with opening of the Forest Service gate at first light. We then patrol all areas where
Snow and Gideon Together
Managing wild horses this closely, it gets tough sometimes, it does. Danger lies around the corner for each wild horse born free. Only the toughest and luckiest make it past their first year. We know that we cannot save them all, even when we give it our all, like in Cheyenne or in Sidneys case. ...
Our Rescued Horse Has Passed
We are double sad about this: Little Sidney, named after Senator John Sidney McCain, joined him in crossing over to greener pastures where pain does not exist. She put up a brave fight, but succumbed to something mysterious that neither we nor our veteranarians have found the cause for yet. We sent her body down ...
Newborn Rescued
On Saturday we rescued a newborn that was stuck in the river. We named her Sidney in honor of Senator John Sidney McCain, who fought with us for the protection of the Salt River wild horses. We tried to find her band to reunite her, to no avail. But it turns out there was a ...
Follow Our Rescuers – Up Close And Personal
Did you know that you can follow our rescues much more up close and personal on this page? You can support all of our volunteers there who take such amazing care of all of the rescues. There are daily updates! Request access to our wild rescues page by clicking here. (We dont accept trolls or ...
Help Needed To Reunite Foal With Mother!
To all visitors, kayakers, tubers and helicopters above the Salt River. Help needed! -We have rescued a newborn foal that was stuck in brush in the river yesterday. She can still be reunited with the mother if we find her band (her family) today. -We had our search teams out yesterday and again today, and ...
Thank You Senator McCain
He was a hero for the Salt River wild horses, like he was a hero in many other ways. He represented his constituents powerfully when he wrote letters to the Forest Service questioning the roundup. Thank you Senator McCain. With utmost respect and condolences to Cindy and the family. May he rest in peace. SRWHMG.
Help Support Our Efforts
Ever wish you could help lift hay bales, mend a fence, clean a recreation area, join a search and rescue, assist in a horse emergency, or work with the wild rescues ...but just can’t find the time or strength? Well, there is another way that you can still help support our efforts simply by having ...
2 Little Orphan Salt River Wild Horses Feeling Fine!
2 little orphan Salt River wild horses feeling fine! Snow is finally strong enough to be together with Gideon. He is not afraid to tell Gideon no! Snow, after losing his mother Snow White, almost died from mesquite bean poisoning. It caused severe acidosis, anemia and hypoglycemia. His blood work was awful and his heart ...
Sisters Stick Together
These two sisters, seen here sharing a meal of eel grass, have literally stuck together this close, ever since their mother was hit by a vehicle and died. They are the offspring (1 and 2 year old fillies) of Sarah, who was one of the 5 horses hit by a vehicle months ago, which "spurred" ...
Updates On The Salt River Wild Rescues In Prescott
Updates on the Salt River wild rescues in Prescott. At this facility we have Agave (3 months, had impaction colic), Snow (6 weeks, orphan), Gideon (6 weeks, orphan), Rosco (2.5 yrs, abandoned) Pacman (2.5 yrs, suffered from bone infections) and Diamond (3 yrs, lost his hoof in a cattle guard) and Cochise (a horse that ...
A Beautiful tribute To Cheyenne
A beautiful tribute to Cheyenne from James and Shelley, who dedicated so much time to her. Please thank James and Shelley for that on their page. (Click on this link) You can also sign up for their Trust Technique course and mention that you saw it here, they will donate 25% back to SRWHMG! Thank ...
A Wild Place To Be
RIP Cheyenne
You did good Mamma, good girl, rest peacefully now. We are so very sorry to inform you, our amazing supporters, that we had to lay Cheyenne to rest. We were working hard for a different outcome, but the angels wouldn't have it. Background: On July 7th, our field team, with the help of Jacquelynn (and ...
Is The Horse A Native Species?
Scientifically, wild horses are a reintroduced native species. Economically, they are a big boon to the areas where they exist. Historically, we would not be where we are today without them. Naturally, they help abait wild fires and fertilize the soil where they live. Educationally, the study of wild herd behavior is valuable. Artistically, they ...
Humane Fertility Control
Humane Fertility Control is an important part of wild horse management. Without this component we could not have saved the Salt River wild horses. From the very beginning we have said "there are better ways". We've worked hard to solve every safety issue and every management issue in order to prevent their roundup and removal. ...
Gideon, The Smallest Ever Salt River Wild Horse
Gideon, the smallest ever Salt River wild horse says:"To amount to big things, you have to care about the little things too." We want to thank all of our volunteers, and especially the night shift; sometimes they drive from Mesa to Prescott just to have a sleepless night! Little crazy? Maybe. But worth it? Tell ...
Cheyenne and Nakota Update
Cheyenne is resting her head on her filly Nakota during their afternoon nap. These two are very close and clearly feel safe in their new environment with their Salt River cousins and aunties right next to them for company. (Next to them are Felicity, Iggy, Old Lady, Gem and Mori.) We rescued this unlucky pair ...
Thank You to Everyone!
Thank you to everyone, young and old, with hearts of gold. This amazing young Lady donated all of her 7th Birthday money to the Salt River wild horses yesterday, at the Tractor Supply fundraiser! We think that is so very special. We would like to do something special in return. We have a little gift ...
Fundraiser at Tractor Supply
What a wild fundraiser at Tractor Supply! We had a great time and are so honored to meet and talk to so many wonderful supporters at our table! You can learn about what we do and about all of our rescued wild horses and their stories. Please come say hi to us again at the ...
“They need us, so then you just be there for them.”
"They need us, so then you just be there for them", said Karen, who was on foal watch all night. Foal care is only a SMALL part of what we do at SRWHMG, but it fills a BIG part of our mission statement; Treat the herd, as well as every horse in it, HUMANELY. But ...
Little Guy Fighting To Be Alive
Just a little guy fighting to be alive, dreaming about running like the wind in a big arena with his Salt River brothers and sisters. His bloodwork is improving and his iv came out today! We think he will be as white as snow just like his mom Snow White. (who sadly passed away from ...
Bachelors Did Not Behave Themselves Today
The bachelors did not behave themselves today, so we told them to park it for a while. Lol. (Actually this was pure happenstance) Video by SRWHMG Lester Walker.
It is Gem’s birthday!
It is Gem's birthday! Last year she was born a healthy wild foal at Butcher Jones to Sapphire. But she sustained an injury in her fetlock. We rescued her when she was only 3 weeks old; she could no longer keep up with her band and was septic. The infection was eating her fetlock joint ...
Wild babiemania!
We sure have our hands full these days as life has been rough for the Salt River wild horses and these foals need our help. (Because of climate and natural challenges) One thing to learn from their incredibly strong survival instinct, is that nomatter how bad things may get, you hang inthere, keep your head ...
hanging in there!
Snow is hanging in there! He is not wanting to drink his milk yet but ate all of his Timothy hay. He is getting Dextrose and electrolytes through his IV and his bloodwork shows major improvements. Yay! He is in no way better yet, but we are going to keep you, our supporters, frequently updated ...
Life is not all fairytales
Life is not all fairytales, we know that, but with mystical and kind creatures living in the Tonto National Forest, a little bit of magic is preserved there for everyone who believes in it. We fight hard for the well being of the whole herd as well as each individual horse that is part of ...
National Horses Day!
It's national I love horses day, we almost missed it, because we were very busy on the river, as well as busy taking care of these precious souls. They all have their own stories and their happy endings, thanks to your support! Do you know all of their stories? You can learn more about them ...
We Need Your Help
We are having a bad colic season. The mesquite beans have gotten wet, and the horses keep eating them, which is giving them colic. (A very bad stomach ache from impaction, that can kill them) Our team is non stop in emergency mode, we administer banamine in severe cases when we can, which reduces the ...
Cheyenne Video Update
Here is the beautiful video that James and Shelley made of the process of taming Cheyenne so that we could treat her wounds and take x-rays without sedation. Enjoy the video! Thank you for your support.
Trust Technique
Incorporating the Trust Technique with James and Shelley at our facility has been amazing. Yes Cheyenne was really wild and shy the day before! Watch the first part of the story of Cheyenne and her foal Nakota. They have made a beautiful video of it! Follow the link below to learn the Trust Technique, when ...