October Local Happenings
Wild Horse Connection Diversionary Feeding
With industry and community expansion, it is necessary to help divert, or redirect, horses in search of forage from crossing busy roadways or wandering into residential neighborhoods. Habitat loss causes disruption to horses’ historic movement patterns, causing them to travel into areas that may cause a public safety issue.
Thanks to a cooperative agreement between Wild Horse Connection Range Management and the Nevada Department of Agriculture, diversionary feeding projects have been started throughout the range. These projects will help protect public safety and keep wild horses off the roads.
Volunteers who are participating in these projects will have vehicle signs as well as safety vests so the community is aware that they are authorized to feed the horses. The purpose of the project is to draw wild horses out onto the range to look for forage in the hills away from roads, neighborhoods, and industrial areas.
To volunteer, please contact info@wildhorseconnection.org.
Wild Horse Connection volunteers out on the range working hard to keep the public safe and horses out of the roads.
Update on Highway 50
Over the past couple of years, numerous horses have been struck and killed in vehicle accidents on US-50 in the Dayton - Mound House area. Volunteer groups that have responded to horses-on-highway incidents have discussed safety issues with Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) personnel in hopes of reaching a consensus that would improve traffic safety and reduce the numbers of horses killed on area highways. Some long-term solutions are now in the design phase. See the newest NDOT announcement below!
As a side note: So far in 2020, large animal rescue volunteers have responded to over 135 incidents involving horses that needed to be removed from traffic or horses struck by vehicles in their five-county response area.
NDOT Announcement
Chris Young (Nevada Department of Transportation)
Oct 1, 2020, 9:44 PDT
The Department is currently in the design phase of a project that includes placing additional sections of horse fencing, cattleguards, and overhead lighting along portions of US 50 between SR 341 (eastern edge of Mound House) and Chaves Rd. (eastern edge of Dayton Valley/Mark Twain). This project is anticipated to be constructed summer 2021and will help reduce the potential for vehicle/wild horse conflicts.
Nevada Department of Transportation is committed to keeping you safe and connected. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us about our highways. If you have further inquiries, please contact our office at 775-888-7000.
Kindest Regards,
Christopher
Nevada Department Of Transportation
LBL Equine Rescue Foal Nursery Update
Work has been progressing on the foal nursery. A huge thank you to Mike who generously donated his time and wired the nursery for electrical, and to Dave and Josh who installed the insulation and finished the walls with plywood. We have moved in the microwave, refrigerator, and hot/cold water dispenser so we can prepare Foal Lac and medication for the babies. Cabinets need to be assembled and installed – we are getting there.
Below is a list of items still needed:
• Powder River Gate/panels from Tractor Supply
• Rubber stall mats
• Oil filled electric heaters
• Twin size mattress and bedding or cot
• Gift cards to Lowe’s, Home Depot or Tractor Supply
If you can help in any way, please contact LBL here: lblequinerescue.org/contact-us
LBL Adoption Updates:
LBL horses Cayo, Grosh, Hondo, Bambam, Sully, and Scout are in their forever homes! Last month’s adoptable horse Reni will be heading to her new home shortly!
LBL has some amazing horses still looking for their forever homes. Come by and visit the horses. Your best friend could be there waiting to meet you!
LBL Adoptable Horse of the Month: Carson
Do you want to know a secret? I think someone named me after a city since my name is Carson. I don’t really mind being named after a city at all, especially Carson City, the capital of Nevada!
I am a three-year old Mustang who has been at LBL Equine Rescue for most of my life. My previous home did not work out, although they did teach me about halters and being led around, which was fun! My family came on hard times and I got really skinny before I moved into LBL Equine Rescue. The groceries here at LBL are great, and now I am a handsome horse, if I do say so myself. I hear the people here at LBL say I am flashy with lots of chrome. It sounds like they are describing an automobile.
I love to run around and play with some of my friends here in the pasture and over the panels between our stalls. I like all my neighbors and some of them even share their food with me on purpose, and sometimes I sneak a bite between the panels when they’re not looking.
When I run people seem to stop what they are doing and watch. They make comments about how handsome I am, what a beautiful mover I am and how I would have been a great Pony Express horse. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds impressive and I think it has some historical significance, especially in this area.
Now that I am getting older, I think it is time for me to expand my knowledge and training. I have seen other horses wearing something called a saddle, and (gasp) carrying people around. That looks like something I’d be good at, as I am very athletic and of course, handsome.
I really like people and want one, or two, of my own. Do you want to be my family? Since I am young, I probably need someone who is patient and has some experience starting young horses, I want us to get this right. Please come meet me at LBL, I look forward to meeting you and just know that we’ll be a great match!
Carson is a flashy, well built horse!
Carson is a stunner!
Virginia Range Wild Horse Protection Association’s new deal!
The Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association (VRWPA) has a coffee blend from Splendid Cup Handcrafted Coffee made right here in the Virginia Range. Proceeds go to VRWPA. This is a full-bodied coffee blend sporting hints of blueberry and dark chocolate. Click on the link and get your fresh roasted coffee while supporting our wild horses at the same time.
Don’t Forget to Sport your VR license plate!
Don’t forget to trade your current plates in for these Historic Virginia Range Mustangs plates to support projects to protect the wild ones!