SAVE THE SALT RIVER WILD HORSES
These magnificent horses are facing peril due to Governor Hobbs's decision to heed the Tonto National Forest's long-standing desire to remove the wild horses. While they claim it is for the sake of the environment, recent revelations indicate that they are covertly promoting grazing in the drought-stricken desert, which they argue is too delicate for wild horses. Just to clarify, cattle grazing causes far more harm than wild horses ever could.
The hypocrisy is astounding. Their reasoning is deeply flawed, and their deceit is what Governor Hobbs has accepted!
Sign and share the Petition to Save The Salt River Horses with this link!
Thank you for signing the petition to Save the Salt River Wild Horses.
Please don’t let your efforts end here!
Educate and inform others on the cause.
In 2015, Arizona enacted the Salt River Horse Act to safeguard these horses from slaughter and removal. Salt River Wild Horse Management Group cared for the herd with compassion, enjoying strong public support and collaboration from the government. Thanks to humane fertility control, they have successfully lowered the foaling rate from 100 foals annually to an average of just two, resulting in a current population of approximately 280 horses. However, Arizona’s cherished Salt River wild horses now face a significant population reduction under a new five-year state contract. The Arizona Department of Agriculture has ordered a reduction of the herd from 274 horses to merely 120—representing a decrease of over 50%. Previously, the herd's numbers declined from 450 to 274 in recent years without large-scale removals, relying instead on humane fertility control management and natural mortality rates. Although the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group will continue to manage the herd, this will be the first time since state protections were established in 2017 that horses will be removed from the Lower Salt River and relocated to sanctuaries. This new removal strategy raises critical concerns regarding genetic viability, long-term stability, and the future of these beloved horses, who attract visitors from around the globe and hold a special place in the hearts of Arizonans.
Make your voice heard to those that can change the fate of the Salt River Horses!
CALL:
Governor Katie Hobbs, 602-542-4331
The AZDA: 602-542-4747 option 6, option 2
Senator Ruben Gallego: 408-697-3600
Senator Mark Kelly: 602-671-7901
Here are talking points to help your asks:
- The Salt River horses are protected by state law and they deserve the protections legally awarded to them, not cruel removals that could endanger the herd.
- The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has successfully and collaboratively managed this herd for years, changing this program would be a break in public trust.
- I support continued humane management of the Salt River wild horses at their present numbers and I urge you to do the same.
EMAIL:
Governor Katie Hobbs engage@az.gov, wgreene@az.gov, AZDAPBrieley@azda.gov, SJones@azda.gov, KDdavis@azda.gov
Here’s an email for you to send. Please personalize and add your own thoughts! As always, please be respectful.
“The Salt River wild horses are protected under Arizona state law and deserve the full protections it provides, not cruel removals that would endanger the herd.
The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has successfully and collaboratively managed this herd for years. Changing this program by reducing the herd to non viable numbers, would not only harm the horses but also break public trust.
I strongly support continued humane management of the Salt River wild horses at their current numbers and I urge you to do the same."
