BLM facing criticism for situation at Muddy Creek Horse Management Area

SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Land Management is facing criticism after horses became stuck and died at the Muddy Creek Wild Horse Management Area. 

A video showed a mare, or an adult female horse, sinking into the mud. 

A press release from the Wild Beauty Foundation said the horses had walked onto the dried mud in search of water. Then, they broke through the hardened layer, sinking into the soft mud below. 

Eventually, one of the foals also became trapped. 

The foundation said that photographer Jennifer Howe captured the footage, as well as photos. She later alerted the BLM about the situation, requesting emergency water for the animals. 

Emergency water?

“When I asked if emergency water could be hauled, the agency official responded with a firm, ‘Absolutely not,” said Howe. 

According to Ashley Avis, the founder of the organization, the BLM is capable of getting water to the horses. However, she thinks they are choosing not to. 

“It is unconscionable for the agency to allow more federally protected animals to suffer such an agonizing fate,” said Avis. “Treating them as disposable nuisances, rather than the highly intelligent, emotional beings they are, speaks to the deeply troubling mindset of the agency. This is a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided.”

In a statement on Facebook, the BLM confirmed that it is not currently providing water to the animals. The press release cited the BLM as saying “that wildlife must fend for themselves.” 

Howe said that the situation is not nature taking its course. 

“It is the consequence of climate change, an absent Congress and a captive agency which receives taxpayer funds for their salaries and benefits while allowing horses like this little family to die a horrible death and doing nothing to prevent it,” said Howe. 

In the statement, the BLM wrote that ponds within the area are usually replenished by rainfall. However, a lack of precipitation has left them dry. 

“We are not asking for the removal of the Muddy Creek wild horses, but rather for our tax dollars to be used fairly and efficiently to provide emergency life-saving measures for these animals,” said Avis. “The agency is mandated to protect from capture, branding, harassment, and death. Our world is changing, and the compassionate American public demands the BLM act in a humane fashion.”

The Bureau of Land Management responds

In its statement, the BLM wrote that it is “closely monitoring the Muddy Creek Wild Horse Herd Management Area due to drying ponds.” 

Since the ponds often dry up during the hotter months, wildlife often migrate to find water. 

“While not currently trucking in water, if the situation arises where animals need water to survive, the BLM will take action,” wrote the BLM. “We remain committed to the health and safety of the wild horse population and other wildlife in the Muddy Creek HMA. Our efforts are focused on monitoring and providing necessary aid to ensure their well-being.” 

Stuck horses euthanized 

The BLM added that it had to euthanize two horses that became stuck within the Muddy Creek Wild Horse Herd Management Area. 

Both of the horses had gotten stuck in the same pond. The BLM said it had become a mud hole. 

One of the horses was euthanized yesterday. After attempts to save it, the second was euthanized today, the BLM said. 

After it was discovered, the horse was cleaned, given water, and then transported to the Axtell Off-range Wild Horse Facility. 

It received overnight veterinary care, but efforts to rehydrate and care for it were unsuccessful. The BLM called its decision an “act of mercy.” 

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