Here are some questions answered and myths dispelled, about the horses and about our programs:

🐴👉Even during the worst of natural circumstances, SRWHMG was able to provide enough feed to keep the entire Salt River wild horse herd in good condition, bridging the gap between times of abundance. Our feed program was necessary from October to February and we were glad to end it, as it is very expensive.

🐴👉Q: Is the shortage in forage caused by the horses?
A: No, it is caused by our extreme temperatures (55 consecutive days over 110 degrees in 2023). Horses did not eat all the forage, it simply withered and died, just like all the other hot parts of Arizona where not a single wild horse roams.

🐴👉Q: Are wild horses ruining the forage or the environment?
A: They are not ruining this environment, otherwise how would it regenerate like this? The horses are nicely manicuring it and reducing the high firedanger that is sure to follow this summer. In addition, they are reseeding the grasses and the mesquite trees, through their live manure, which also is great fertilizer for the poor soil.

🐴👉 Q: “Did wild horses not survive here for many centuries without humane management?”
A: They sure did, but their numbers were reduced by starvation during drought, instead of by humane fertility control. We think our way is far better.

🐴👉Q: “If there is a shortage of forage during the summer, should the horses be removed?”
A: No, because it’s better to feed them for a short amount of time, than to take their freedom and have to feed them for the rest of their lives.

🐴👉Q : “Why do you “lure” wild horses to feed stations?”
A. Let’s be clear, this question is malicious. SRWHMG does not ” lure” wild horses, that was deliberately made up by haters to disparage our organization, and dissuade people from donating. But without donations, we cannot keep the horses here! There is of course no reason to “lure” wild horses anywhere, but there is very good reason to keep them from starving, as that is not only cruel, but also would cause removals of the horses.

🐴👉Q”How do u decide where to feed horses?”
A: We work with the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) who is in charge of managing the horses. We work under them, through a non paid contract. We only feed horses at government authorized feed stations, 3 or 4 are located at the river and 1 at our headquarters, which is adjacent to the Tonto National Forest.

🐴👉 Q “Can anyone in the public feed the horses?”
A: No, it is illegal to feed the Salt River wild horses for anyone other than SRWHMG. This is for the safety of the public and to ensure the well being of the horses.

Please enjoy the horses and give them 50 ft distance at all times. For our next round of Q and A, ask us your questions by messaging our page.

Thank you for reseeding this message, pun intended, and thank you for donating to our important programs. ❤️ If u haven’t yet, please find out how to join our important mission of keeping them wild and free, by heading to our website www.SRWHMG.org

For the public and by the public, SRWHMG.

Picture by Paris Park Photography (also a volunteer with SRWHMG)