On December 21, 2018 the federal government entered into a partial shutdown. Among the agencies affected are those that care for our nation’s wild horse and burro populations. With no end in sight, AWHC has compiled the following updates on how wild horses and burros are being affected during the shutdown.

#1. Wild horses and burros in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) holding facilities continue to be fed and cared for. For example, AWHC has learned that the USFS is continuing to perform all functions related to the health and safety of the horses in holding. We have also learned that BLM’s short-term holding facility, Palomino Valley Adoption Center, is closed to visitors because of the shutdown. However, we confirmed that the BLM is continuing to care for the horses and burros that are in holding there.

#2. Pending wild horse roundups and sales – have been postponed. The USFS told AWHC that the agency does not have the staffing under the shutdown to prepare for any adoptions or sales events. Between January 7th and 13th, the USFS was planning on launching its new Online Corrals that would allow individuals to adopt or purchase horses through the internet. However, as a result of the federal shutdown, the launch has been delayed. In addition, the agency noted that all horse pickups will be postponed.

At this time, there is still no news about the impending roundup in the Pine Nut Herd Management Area, scheduled for January 7. If the government shutdown remains in place, it is unlikely that the roundup will occur on schedule.

#3. Deadlines for public comments on various proposed actions related to federally protected wild horses and burros may be extended. As comment periods come to a close, AWHC is reaching out to each respective agency in an attempt to confirm that personnel are available to receive the comments when they are sent. So far, we have not received any confirmation. Therefore, it is likely that each agency’s open comment periods which come to a close under the shutdown will be extended once the shutdown is over.