State awards Salt River wild horse management contract

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Agriculture has awarded the Salt River Horse Herd management contract, it announced Wednesday.

According to AZDA, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) was selected after a procurement process that included an assessment panel that had veterinarians, a scientist specializing in rangeland management and a federal wild horse manager.

The panel reviewed two proposals before picking SRWHMG for the five-year contract.

“With the help of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, we will continue to responsibly promote and protect the Salt River experience that so many locals and visitors enjoy each year,” Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley said in a press release.

AZDA added that it is committed to sustainably managing the wild horse herd in a scientifically sound manner as well as meeting its statutory obligations.

What does the Salt River wild horse management contract consist of?

The management plan was a multi-party compromise to continue gradually reducing the wild horse herd, according to AZDA.

The department said the reduction is necessary in order to optimize the resources that are available in the Salt River Herd Management Area and preserve the genetic integrity of the herd.

The reduction will be done using a few different methods, including natural attrition, fertility control and gradual, humane relocation of the horses.

According to SRWHMG, the goal over the next five years is to reduce the size of the herd from 274 to 120. The group added that fertility control will help keep the removals to around 25 horses annually.

AZDA noted that there are new safeguards in place to ensure the protection of the horses that leave the management area, adding they will only be relocated to AZDA-approved sanctuaries, including SRWHMG’s in Prescott.

SRWHMG President Simone Netherlands said that the group is also looking for land or leases closer to Salt River to relocate the horses to in order to keep the family bands intact and continue allowing the public to view them.

She added that a previous proposal by the city of Scottsdale to relocate the horses to the Sonoran Preserve was voted down.

SRWHMG has been managing the herd since 2018 and during that time reduced the herd from 450 to 274 using its fertility control program.

“While it took difficult decisions from all parties, we reached a pragmatic compromise,” Netherlands said. “We thank the Arizona Department of Agriculture for entrusting us with the safety and future of Arizona’s treasured Salt River wild horses.”

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