Devils Garden Wildhorses
As of 09.18.25 172 Wild Horses have been removed from their home, with 6 deaths. They do not note what caused the deaths, only the numbers. Many have been wondering about the collars you are seeing in the photos of the Devils Garden Horses.
2023 Study: In 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) vaccinated 31 mares at the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals with GonaCon. These mares were also fitted with tracking collars and released back to the territory to be studied for population growth rates and movement. One of these mares was later killed by a mountain lion.
* Stallion Study: There has also been a study by Wildlife Services (a program within the USDA) that vaccinated an undisclosed number of stallions with GonaCon. The purpose of this study was to determine if GonaCon would sterilize stallions.
* Policy for Older Mares: There is a written policy from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) that advises all territories to treat older, unadoptable horses (20 years and older) with GonaCon and release them back into the territory. This is intended to free up corral space for younger, more adoptable horses.
* Tracking Collars: The use of tracking collars is confirmed, but only on a limited number of horses, specifically the 30 mares released as part of the 2023 study. The collars are used to track the mares for research purposes.
The use of GonaCon on the Devil's Garden herd has been limited and appears to be part of specific research projects rather than a widespread, ongoing management program.
The Devil’s Garden wild horses—the last viable herd managed by the U.S. Forest Service
Your voice matters. Please urge the U.S. Forest Service to postpone the roundup until proper science and transparency guide the decision. These horses deserve protection, not elimination.
