Independent Newsmedia
By John Mack | Fountain Hills
I recently read Susie Bell’s letter in the Independent about the Salt River wild horses, and felt it was important to offer an alternative perspective.
When ARS 3-1491 passed in 2016, it clarified the horses’ legal status and gave the Arizona Department of Agriculture authority to oversee their humane management. That law was never meant to guarantee that no horse would ever be removed. It allowed for removals when necessary, and it placed responsibility in the hands of state officials — not private interest groups.
Since then, the current management group has promoted a narrative that any removal equals betrayal. But that’s not what the law says, and it’s not what sound management looks like.
Fertility control has helped reduce the herd size, but we cannot ignore the broader ecological picture. The range has limits, and there are drought cycles, degraded riparian zones and signs of overgrazing. Responsible management sometimes requires difficult decisions — including removals.
AZDA’s new request for proposal reflects this reality. It is part of a public, competitive process — open to anyone, including the current contractor. That is how accountability works.
It is not a “slow extinction plan,” as some claim. It is an opportunity to reassess whether current practices are serving the horses, the land and the public interest.
Unfortunately, much of the public narrative has been shaped by a group that resists transparency, refuses independent oversight and treats legitimate oversight as an attack. That’s a problem. Good management isn’t about who posts the most dramatic videos — it’s about who shows up with science, openness and the ability to adapt.
AZDA deserves support as it works to evaluate alternatives and uphold the intent of ARS 3-1491. With decisions still pending, this is the moment to demand clarity, accountability and a science-based plan that ensures a higher standard of care — for both the horses and the fragile ecosystem they inhabit.
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