Recently the BLM received questions regarding the lack of shelter at the Palomino Valley Corrals (PVC) outside of Reno, Nevada to protect the gathered wild horses and burros during the hot summer weather.
No protection for wild horses from summer sun
The public has been questioning the BLM regarding the lack of protection from sun and heat for the wild horses and burros in BLM holdings near Reno, Nevada.
© 2013 by Peter Schmalzer
The BLM response is that "Wild horses and burros are accustomed to open environments and when their nutritional demands and need for water are met, they do well in coping with the natural elements, including sun, rain, snow, and hot and cold temperatures. Over the life of the program, the BLM has evaluated the need for shelters at PVC, and other short-term corrals, and determined they were not needed."
"However, due to recent public inquiries, the BLM is committed to consulting with the research community and scientific literature in reconsideration of this issue."
"In the meantime, BLM assures the public that the wild horses and burros at PVC have a continuous supply of water and are fed daily. PVC, as with all BLM facilities, has a veterinarian that visits the site regularly and is available on an as-needed basis."
"No illness or ill effects have occurred as a result of the animals not having shade. However, as a trial, the BLM installed sprinklers to three of the large, outside pens and five mare/foal pens on June 28."
"In the past, shade structures were installed at BLM's Ridgecrest corrals in southern California. This facility is located near the Mojave Desert and experiences prolonged periods of high temperatures. The needs and climatic conditions at this facility are different from what is experienced at PVC."