Wild horses aren't ecological villains

The Times' July 27 editorial "Wild horse sense," which weighs in on proposals to handle the growing feral horse population in the western United States, makes at least one good point: Using an immunocontraceptive vaccine (birth control, in other words) developed by the Humane Society of the United States presents the "best hope" for managing wild horses in an effective, humane and cost-beneficial manner. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that by treating more mares with this drug and returning them to the range, rather than detaining them indefinitely in holding centers, the cost of managing wild horses could be reduced by as much as 14% per year, saving taxpayers more than $6 million annually.

By Stephanie Boyles

July 31, 2009