The following is an interesting tid-bit that I happened to come across. This is the earliest known round up of wild horses by a government entity that I have come across. In November 1929 the forest service conducted a roundup in the Dixie Valley area of northwest of Lassen County. The following is the statement they issued:
“Wild horses and scrubs have become a nuisance on the national forests. With the shortage of feed, due to the unusually dry season, there is a serious shortage of forage and these animals are taking a large amount that right fully belongs to the stock entitled to grazing privileges in the forest.
“The forest service, in cooperation with the C.W. Clarke ranch in Dixie Valley, recently staged a roundup in which about 140 of these scrub animals were corralled and sold to the buyers of chicken feed.
“While these horses are termed as “wild horses,” in reality they are scrubs that have escaped from herds ranging the forest and from Indian owners. They are of no value, except as chicken feed, and the cost of catching them often amounts to far more than can be realized for them for that purpose.
“When the horses are rounded up those bearing brands are marked and again turned loose. Indians and others are notified and if they can establish ownership are allowed to take their property upon a fee of catching them.”
Legislation just passed to change how BLM manages equine populations on public lands
See AWHC, The Cloud Foundation..,.
Birth control darting and putting herds on areas that are sustainable, the cattle and horses have destroyed many small streams that produce good spring water; but the areas are trampled- making them un drinkable.