The first round up in 13 years will begin today, October 10, inside California’s Modoc National Forest. The wild horses of Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory have grown to more than 4000 individuals, well beyond the defined management level of 402 animals. The forest service plans to round up 1000 horses during October and put them up for adoption and sale.

Photo Courtesy Devil’s Garden Wild Horses Facebook Page

Many of the wild horse populations in the America are managed by the Department of the Interior which prohibits the sale of wild horses for slaughter. The Modoc horses are managed by the Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture which does not provide such a restriction. Animal activists are concerned that the older horses maybe sold and transported for slaughter. The Forest Service acknowledges this possibility.

All 1000 horses will be made available for adoption. Younger horses will be transported and offered for adoption at the Bureau of Land Management’s Litchfield facility near Susanville, CA. Horses 10 years and older (estimated 300 animals) will be made available for sale with limitation for $1 each in November. The older horses will reside at the new Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals in Alturas, CA.

Photography Courtesy the U.S. Forest Service and the Devils Garden Wild Horse Facebook Page.