Help Care for the Rescued Gila Herd

Our rescue of the Gila herd in 2017 had a large impact on RTF. Among other additional management requirements, our hay expenses rose by about a third. 

After transporting them to CA, with the help of supporters here and elsewhere, we situated them on a leased property in Lassen County, CA where we initially managed them. Due to the sale of that property, RTF moved the herd once more, to a 1000 acre leased pasture in Alturas, CA, where they now reside.

In early January 2019, RTF Biologist Celeste Carlisle, who manages our population control program, visited the Gila herd in Alturas, CA. to check on their health and well-being.  Since coming into our care, we have managed the herd’s size using birth control.

Here are excerpts of her observations about their reproductive history and their current status:

 Re: Birth Control Application and Fertility Control Outcomes

The Gila mares (located, at the time, in Bieber, CA) were all boosted or started on birth control May 22-24, 2018.  65 mares in total were treated.  The entire herd appeared fat and happy, Since PZP had been implemented in the previous year we were pleased with the results, only 4 mares had foals during the 2018 spring/summer foaling season.

Sarah Mullein, a UC Davis equine veterinary student, accompanied me (Celeste) to the field to assist with photography, paperwork and identification management.      

Gila Fertility Control Statistics
The Gila horses birthed a total of four foals in 2018.  Of note:  prior to the Gila's arriving into RTF's care, 35% of reproductive aged mares became pregnant and gave birth to foals.  After RTF's implementation of fertility control vaccine (PZP), 7% of reproductive aged mares became pregnant.  Our PZP efficacy rate for the Gila's is 93%.

Visit to the Gila’s, January 5-6, 2019
I traveled to Alturas, CA to check in with the ranch manager at Alturas, and to record health and vitality of the Gila herd overall.  The herd is in the large introduction pasture on the ranch and will soon be allowed free access to the remaining acres.  The ranch manager has spent the past few months feeding increasing amounts of hay so that lactating dams have enough nutrition available to foals, and older horses can more easily maintain body condition through the colder months.   The horses are in excellent physical condition!  Out of the entire herd, only one older stallion is a bit thin, and he has always been a tad on the thin side.  He typically hangs back, keeping to the edge of any groups.  His demeanor seems completely normal.  He is alert, moves well, and eats heartily.  The four foals, ranging in age from 6-8 months at this visit, were all curious and active. — Celeste Carlisle

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From their rescue from a life-threatening situation, to their transport to CA and their move to their current location and their ongoing good care, only the generosity of our—and their—supporters has allowed this project to flourish. We are grateful to you each time we look at the happy Gila herd, and think of what might have otherwise been without you.    — All of Us at RTF.