By Jordan Gerard | Arizona Capitol Times
Key Points:
- A crowd rallied at the Arizona Capitol in support of the Salt River horses
- Research says wild horses both benefit and harm the desert and riparian ecosystems
- One legislator wants to give the horses further protection before they can be removed
Not far from the Phoenix metro area, horses graze along the riparian areas of the Salt River, peaceful and unaware of the ongoing fight about their herd at the Capitol.
An estimated 274 horses make up the Salt River herd, but that number will be reduced to 120 horses after five years, according to a recent agreement by the Arizona Arizona Department of Agriculture and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.
In a news release, the Agriculture Department said the gradual reduction balances the limited range resources available while maintaining the genetic integrity of the herd. The plan also provides new safeguards to protect the horses that leave the management area and only be relocated to sanctuaries approved by the department.
