December Fertility Control update
Update Numbers
Total Treatments: 2929
Total mares darted: 1278
Welcome New awhc darters
Last month, we told you that six more fertility control darters had completed their training and certification to dart through the Science and Conservation Center (SCC) class AWHC sponsored in Dayton. A huge thank you SCC for coming here from Montana to teach a new crew of darters!
Since they are now certified and are in the field, AWHC thought it would be a great time to formally introduce them and share a little about why they wanted to become AWHC darters! So without further ado, meet the new darters!
First up we have Nancy Florence
Why did Nancy join AWHC’s darting team? Well she says “I became a darter to give the horses the best chance of staying wild and free! And to show a woman can shoot an Excalibur... lol!”
Go Nancy!
Next we have Chuck Staton
You may remember Chuck from a previous volunteer highlight! Now he is a certified darter and goes out on the range with his wife Terry, who is also an AWHC darter! He says he joined the darting team to do what he can to “preserve a small part of the history of this great country. It was built on the backs of these incredible animals.”
Thank you Chuck for your dedication!
Meet Gary Ponder
Gary joined AWHC’s darting team to make a difference for the wild horses living in the Virigina Range! He was a part of a rescue at Tesla and then he fell in love with the wild horses.
We’re so excited to have you on the team, Gary!
Welcome Lynn Eley!
Lynn is also highlighted in the monthly highlights section of this Pinto Post, so be sure to read her in-depth story there. Lynn joined AWHC’s darting team to make a difference in the lives of the horses!
Thank you Lynn!
Why are there still foals being born even though there is a darting program?
We often are asked about the fertility control program and why we still have foals on the range. Please be sure to share this information with anyone who may want to know.
We got authorization from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) to start our fertility control program on April 9, 2019 when many foals had already bee born and their mommas were already bred back during their foal heat. As our darters began treating the mares with PZP, we knew that many were already pregnant and there would be foals born in 2020, and we discussed that with the NDA. We also mentioned that it would be 3-5 years before we stabilized the population. In addition to starting late, acquiring property owner permission to dart on their land was another inhibiting factor. As we have had more and more property owners come on board, our darting teams have expanded their impact. Again, when foals were born in areas where we could not dart, it meant that their moms would already be in foal for the next season. We track our progress regularly and we appreciate everyone who has helped our program be a success.
We expect to o see about half as many foals in 2021 and a larger impact in 2022 and 2023.
Reducing the population is an alternative to these Nevada State horses, who do not receive federal protections, being rounded up and entering the slaughter pipeline.