Murderers Creek wild horse gather completed; herd still struggling
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 in Columbia Basin Top Stories Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
GRANT COUNTY – The Forest Service and BLM report that the agencies have completed an “emergency wild horse gather” in the Murderers Creek Joint Management Area on February 18th of this year. It is noted in an official release that 410 horses were gathered and protected in the efforts. The Rail Ridge Fire of 2024 destroyed over 175,000 acres of wild horse habitat and forage grounds. Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley reported on a March 12th episode of KJDY’s Coffee Time that the public continue to call in regarding sick and dying horses:
“People are calling in about injured, sick, and dying horses quite a bit now that they’re able to get in the area, but the horse herd looks very rough. I mean, they’re just—they’re starving. I’m sure they’re going to find a lot of carcasses out there. You can definitely report those if you see them. We’ll let the Bureau of Land Management know. I know they were out there in the yesterday Maggot Springs area checking on more.”
Listen to the full podcast with Sheriff McKinley below:
**Stock photo of Eastern Oregon wild horse from the author**
Find the full USFS and BLM press release below:
(Press Release from the Malheur National Forest and BLM Burns Office)
John Day, OR –(March 12, 2025) The USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed an emergency wild horse gather at the Murderers Creek Joint Management Area February 18, 2025.
This critical operation was a direct response to the effects of the Rail Ridge Fire, which burned more than 175,000 acres of habitat on federal and state lands earlier this year.
The gather addressed an immediate risk to the herd of approximately 650 wild horses and to protect sensitive ecosystems due to severe forage shortages damaged by the fire. It also supported recovery of the burned area and rangeland health restoration.
“This emergency gather was essential to the survival of the wild horse herd and the critical habitat impacted by the Rail Ridge Fire,” said Ann Niesen, Forest Supervisor for the Malheur National Forest.
Gather Details
The operation prioritized humane bait and water trapping methods, minimizing stress and risk to the animals.
The initial goal was to remove as many as 400 horses or more from the area based on conditions such as ground access and animal presence.
“With the coordination between BLM, Forest Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, we gathered and protected 410 wild horses from the shortage of forage” said BLM Acting Central Oregon Field Manger, Stephanie McKinney. “This successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of interagency coordination”.
Gathered horses have been transported to holding facilities in Hines, Ore., and Alturas, Ca., where they are receiving veterinary care and are being processed according to agency standards. They receive daily high-quality feed, constant access to water, ample space, and veterinary care as needed.
No decision has been made regarding the future of removed horses.
About the Wild Horse and Burro Program
The Wild Horse and Burro Program is committed to the humane and sustainable management of wild horse populations and their habitats. Through collaborative efforts, the program seeks to protect the welfare of wild horses and burros while preserving rangeland ecosystems for future generations.
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