PryorWild

The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center is aware of the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to euthanize the Pryor Mountain wild horse stallion Killian/Echo.  We are very saddened by this loss. The BLM stands by this decision based on Policy PIM 2021-007.  In this policy, the phrase “poor prognosis for improvement or chance of recovery” sets one of the standards to euthanize a wild horse.

We disagree with the decision to euthanize Killian through the assumption that he had a “poor prognosis of improvement or chance of recovery.”  The policy also states that the “humane care of wild horses on the range requires periodic evaluation of their condition by qualified BLM personnel or a veterinarian to provide for their well-being.”  The quick act of euthanasia came before any “periodic” evaluations of his condition by qualified BLM personnel, or a veterinarian, as required by this policy. The Guidance for Euthanasia that is attached to this Policy also states , “When possible, a veterinarian should be consulted prior to euthanasia unless circumstances necessitating euthanasia are urgent or obvious.” See https://www.blm.gov/policy/pim-2021-007.

The Center’s stance comes from decades of observing and monitoring the Pryor Horses. As part of this, we have consulted with the BLM when they had concerns over the conditions of several horses.  Through this, the BLM previously sought to humanely address injury or illness while also recognizing that these are wild animals that do have the capability to successfully recover from such ailments.  We have observed several cases where Pryor Horses exhibited poor body conditions or severe injuries but survived and recovered.  Ironically, just yesterday, we received a photo of the horse Malpais/Mandan who, back in 2014, had a severe leg injury. He was monitored by us and other volunteers and at times looked pretty “hopeless.”  At one point he disappeared, and it was believed he had died.  A few weeks later, he reappeared looking healthy and moving “with freedom of movement.”  

We unfortunately have also observed several cases where, after thorough evaluation and observation, the BLM has determined that the best option is euthanasia; and we have sadly been in agreement.  In the case of Killian’s condition, though, we have countless examples of Pryor Horses who came out of a severe winter with extremely poor body conditions.  We have witnessed them make remarkable recoveries once the spring grasses fully emerge.  We strongly believe that Killian deserved this same type of opportunity for life instead of being subject to decision making based upon limited evaluation. To our knowledge, Killian’s situation was not  “urgent or obvious.”  From the information that has been provided, the decision was made due to poor body condition, labored breathing, minimal mobility, and lack of reaction when approached in close proximity –  all deduced in one single observation

We have clearly expressed disagreement with the BLM’s decision. As we now mourn the loss of Killian, we remain committed to working to prevent a similar act from happening again now and in the future.  Now is not the time to let this situation incite any threats against those at the BLM involved with this decision.  Killian’s legacy will serve as a cautionary reminder of the importance of those like us, to continue to carry on the work in preserving the future of the Pryor Horses.

Christine Reed, Nancy Cerroni

Introduction: Christine Reed, a member of the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center Advisory Council, and Nancy Cerroni, the director of the Mustang Center, co-authored this article about the important role of prominent mares in the social lives of their family bands in Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History. Nancy has monitored and documented the lives of the Pryor Horses for twenty years. Christine is a researcher with the Equine History Collective, a community of scholars from a variety of disciplines with an interest in equine history, and she presented an earlier version of this article at the 2022 EHC Conference. It is part of an ongoing project, including a 2023 EHC Conference paper based on Nancy’s experience raising Whisper, the orphaned foal of Cecelia, the main subject of this article.

Click on the link below to access the document.