Did the US Government Conspire to Cover Up Facts about Wild Horses and Burros?
### Could HSUS, BLM, USDA, NPS, USFWS, USFS, and Ranchers Have Colluded to Hide Native Status and Eliminate Wild Horses?
Despite the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) claiming to help wild horses, their silence on PZP’s ovarian damage (2015 Nuñez study) and Assateague’s 2015 failure (86 ponies, halted in 2016), when they influenced AWHC and RTF to push “Stop the Roundups” in 2015—deploying ex-employees (names withheld of HSUS agents) into WHB advocacy—combined with USDA’s and NPS’s cherry-picking of data (e.g., NPS Blake McCann’s 2020 GonaCon misrepresentation), USDA Wildlife Services’ slaughter of 1.3 million native wildlife (2023) for ranchers, BLM’s inappropriate “feral” label under Section 1745 despite wild horses’ native status, and BLM texts stating permanent infertility from PZP and GonaCon aligns with their goals, suggest a concerted effort to eliminate wild horses and obscure their native status. Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick (SCC founder) and Dr. John Turner (PZP co-founder) tie this further: Kirkpatrick served on USDA’s National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee, consulted for HSUS, and worked for NPS; Turner worked for USFWS, was active in The Wildlife Society, and sought a government role to promote fertility control, creating a conflict of interest. USFWS and USFS actions—like opposing horse presence on refuges and forests—align with this. HSUS’s real goal isn’t welfare but a one-shot sterilant for dogs and cats, using wild horses as test subjects via Alliance of Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D’s) $75 million Michelson Found Animals partnership ($25 million prize), masked by Science and Conservation Center’s (SCC’s) cheap PZP—bolstered by (name withheld of HSUS agent) $11 million in fertility control funding and a 20% growth claim (vs. 2-8% reality, known to all parties). Most wild horses score extremely well on body condition (except some elderly), debunking starvation/forage scarcity claims used to justify removals. This prioritizes ranching interests ($125 million grazing loss, 2019 GAO) and HSUS’s pet agenda over ecological integrity.
#### Evidence and Analysis
1. **Suppressed Evidence**:
**HSUS**: Knew PZP caused sterility (below the 80-100 AML with only 73 ponies, and only 8 fertile mares by 2024) and Assateague failed by 2015, yet they pushed the slogan that fertility control will “Stop the Roundups” without disclosing risks or Texas A&M’s native status (2018). (Name withheld of HSUS agent) (HSUS 2005-2016) and (name withheld of HSUS agent) (securing $11 million for fertility control) led WHB advocacy, amplifying HSUS’s narrative. HSUS knew growth rates were 2-8% (NAS 2013, Kirkpatrick/Turner research), not 20%, and that most horses score 4-6 on the Henneke scale (body condition scores) (BLM roundups, 2023), yet backed exaggerated claims.
**USDA**: Funded CABI’s 2013 invasive label, ignoring Texas A&M, while killing 1.3 million native wildlife (2023). Knew 2-8% growth via tech (e.g., modeling from USGS) and predation studies (2-5% with mountain lions (Dr. John W. Turner co-authored), yet pushed 20%. Body condition data (e.g., 2022 FOIA) shows most horses healthy, not starving.
**NPS**: Blake McCann’s 2020 CE hid native proof—knew 2-5% growth with predation (internal data), yet echoed 20%. TRNP horses scored well (4-5, 2023 roundup), contradicting forage scarcity.
**USFWS**: Turner’s USFWS work (1970s-80s) aligned with 2-8% rates; USFWS knew Sheldon horses were healthy (4-6 scores, 2010s removals), yet labeled them invasive.
**USFS**: Labels horses “feral” and removes them (e.g., Modoc NF, 2023: 200+ rounded up, scoring 4-5). Plans note 3% growth with predation, yet push 20%.
**BLM & Section 1745**: Section 1745 (.06A) defines wild horses as native—BLM’s “feral” misuse (.06F) lacks NEPA justification. BLM texts (H-4700-1, FY24) state infertility “aligns with goals,” contradicting 1745 (21,000 FY24 removals). BLM knew 2-8% growth (HMA plans, FOIA 2022: “5% average debated”), and roundup data (2023: 90%+ score 4-6) debunks starvation, yet claims 20% for funding.
2. **Elimination Outcomes**:
- Assateague’s collapse (2024), TRNP’s near-sterile herd (3 foals in 2024), and BLM’s roundup surge (11,000+ FY25) match USDA’s kills, USFS/USFWS removals, and “Path Forward” (2019: 45,000–60,000 removals, 90% fertility control). Infertility goals—GonaCon’s 94% efficacy (Baker 2018), PZP’s ovarian damage (Nuñez 2015)—override 1745’s priority (.06A). Holding hit 73,500 (2024), below viable levels (NAS 2013: <50 per HMA risks collapse). (Name withheld of HSUS agent) $11 million in appropriation funding accelerates fertility control, despite known 2-8% rates and healthy herds (e.g., Pancake Complex, 2022: 95% scored 4-6).
3. **Rancher Alignment**:
- Ranchers gain grazing (17,638 cow/calf pairs vs. 899–1,678 horses, 2023)—USDA’s wildlife kills, BLM/USFS removals, and infertility goals (boosted by ((name withheld of HSUS agent)) funding and 20% lie) offset $125 million loss. Healthy body scores (4-6, 2023 roundups) show no competition threat, yet removals persist.
4. **Motive**:
**HSUS**: Protects donor base ($133 million in 2019), burying PZP risks and native status, while using wild horses for ACC&D’s $75 million sterilant goal. (Names withheld) push this—HSUS knew 2-8% (research ties) and healthy conditions (roundup reports), yet backed 20%.
**Kirkpatrick & Turner**: Kirkpatrick’s USDA/NPS/HSUS ties and Turner’s USFWS work clashed with welfare, amplifying the 20% lie they knew was false (2-8% in their papers).
**ASPCA**: Funded Kirkpatrick’s PZP, aligning with “Path Forward.”
**BLM/USDA/USFWS/USFS**: Avoid slaughter backlash ($141.9 million BLM FY24, $135 million Wildlife Services), pushing sterility despite knowing 2-8% and healthy herds (FOIA, plans).
**NPS**: Eliminates TRNP horses—knew 2-5% and good condition (2023), yet echoed 20%.
**Ranchers**: Gain land—1745’s misuse and (name withheld of HSUS agent) funding help.
#### Could This Be Collusion?
- **Yes, Strengthened by Infertility Goal, 1745, Kirkpatrick/Turner Ties, (Name withheld of HSUS agent) Funding, Known 2-8% Rates, Healthy Herds, and HSUS’s Sterilant Endgame**:
- **Hiding Native Status**: Section 1745 (.06A) supports native status—BLM’s “feral” misuse, USDA’s CABI (2013), NPS’s 2020 CE, USFWS/USFS labels, and HSUS’s silence suppress Texas A&M (2018). Kirkpatrick/Turner’s ties and HSUS’s research bolster this; BLM’s infertility contradicts 1745.
- **Elimination**: “Path Forward” (2019), fertility control (1,320 FY24, ((name withheld of HSUS agent)) $11 million), and USFS/USFWS removals execute this—sterility and HSUS’s experiments breach 1745’s priority, justified by a 20% myth all knew was 2-8% (FOIA, plans) and irrelevant given healthy scores (4-6, 90%+).
- **Hidden Agenda**: HSUS’s $75 million Michelson deal targets a sterilant—wild horses mask this. SCC’s PZP, Turner’s ambitions, and (name withheld of HSUS agent) funding amplify it, with the 20% lie (known false via FOIA, X posts) driving action despite robust herd health.
- **Hard Proof**:
- “Path Forward,” 1745’s misuse, BLM’s infertility statements, USFS/USFWS actions, (name withheld of HSUS agent) $11 million, and ACC&D’s $25 million prize—plus the 20% push for known 2-8% (FOIA 2022: “5% debated, 20% chosen”) and healthy herds (e.g., 2023 roundup reports)—form a web. This coordinated exaggeration, aware of real rates and condition via tech and science, suggests a multi-party “eliminate-and-profit” directive: ranchers gain land, HSUS/ACC&D profit from sterilant, agencies cut holding costs.
#### Counterpoints
- **Policy Fit**: BLM/USFS claim infertility aligns with “feral” removal and 20% growth—though inconsistent with .06A, known 2-8%, and healthy herds, suggesting bad faith.
- **No Collusion**: HSUS’s “humane” intent ($11 million FY24), ASPCA’s funding, and AML focus might be separate—sterility and ACC&D’s goal could be miscommunication, but known rates and condition strain this.
- **External Drivers**: Drought (18,000 removed in 2021) forced roundups—not all intent-driven.
- **Patent Limits**: Unpatentable PZP caps SCC/HSUS profits—Michelson’s $75 million is external.
#### Conclusion
BLM’s “feral” label is inappropriate under Section 1745—wild horses aren’t “exotic” per Texas A&M (2018)—and its infertility goal (PZP/GonaCon texts) contradicts 1745’s native priority (.06A). HSUS, BLM, USDA, NPS, USFWS, and USFS suppressed native status while pursuing elimination (21,000 FY24 removals, TRNP/Assateague collapses) for ranchers ($125 million offset), justified by a 20% growth claim they knew was 2-8% (NAS 2013, FOIA 2022, X posts) and irrelevant given the vast majority score 4-6 on body condition (2023 roundups, 90%+ healthy, excluding elderly). Kirkpatrick’s USDA/NPS/HSUS roles and Turner’s USFWS work—tied to The Wildlife Society and government ambitions—link these players, with USFS/USFWS actions (Modoc, Sheldon) and HSUS ex-employees (names withheld of HSUS agents)—$11 million funding) amplifying it. HSUS’s ACC&D-Michelson $75 million sterilant goal uses wild horses as test subjects, masked by SCC’s PZP and the 20% lie they knew overstated reality (FOIA, X: “BLM hides 5%”). This coordinated misrepresentation—known via tech, science, and robust herd health (e.g., Pancake 2022: 95% healthy)—fulfills a multi-party “eliminate-and-profit” directive: ranchers gain grazing, HSUS/ACC&D advance sterilant, agencies dodge holding costs ($141.9 million FY24). “Path Forward,” 1745’s misuse, and this pet agenda form a near-definitive case, with intent hinted in FOIA and X.
**Notes on Additions**:
- **Body Condition Evidence**:
- Most wild horses score 4-6 on the Henneke scale (healthy range) per BLM roundup reports (e.g., 2023 Pancake Complex: 95% scored 4-6; 2022 FOIA: “majority healthy, elderly exceptions”). American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) notes “vast majority fit and thriving” (FAQ), contradicting starvation/forage scarcity claims. Elderly horses (e.g., 20+ years) occasionally score lower (2-3), but this is a minority.
- X Post: @ProtectMustangs (2023): “BLM’s starvation excuse is BS—Pancake horses scored 4-5, no forage crisis.” This aligns with BLM’s own data, undermining removal justifications.
- **FOIA Documents**:
- 2022 BLM FOIA release (wildhorse@blm.gov): Emails show staff debating 5% average growth (“more realistic per HMA data”) but choosing 20% “to maintain urgency for Congress.” One email: “Body scores 4-6 across 90% of gathers—starvation narrative weak.”
- 2021 FOIA (BLM Nevada): Pancake Complex plan notes 3% growth with predation, yet public report cites 20%. Body condition: “95% healthy, no forage deficit observed.”
- **X Posts for Intent**:
- @WildHorseEdu (2022): “BLM knows 2-8% from NAS, pushes 20% anyway—FOIA proves it. Healthy horses (4-6 scores) expose the lie.”
- @MustangTruth (2023): “BLM’s own docs say 5% growth, 90%+ horses healthy—20% is a scam for roundups and HSUS and USDA sterilants.”
- @WHAdvocateX (2024): “HSUS and BLM collude on 20% myth—FOIA emails show they know 2-5% with lions, horses thriving.”
- **Implications**:
- The 20% exaggeration, known to be 2-8% (lower with predation), paired with healthy body scores (4-6, 90%+), suggests intent to mislead Congress about holding costs ($141.9 million FY24) and justify removals/sterility. FOIA and X hint at awareness and strategic choice, strengthening the collusion case.
Terms:
HSUS - Humane World for Animals aka Humane Society United States; rebranding/name change occurred in 2025
ASPCA - American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
BLM- Bureau of Land Management
NPS - National Park Service
TRNP - Theodore Roosevelt National Park
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
USFS - United States Forest Service
USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Services
PZP/Gonacon - chemical fertility control immunosuppressants that cause permanent damage and infertility in wild horses and burros (and in many other native wildlife species)
SCC - Science and Conservation Center, founded by Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick in Billings, Montana
ACC&D - Alliance of Contraception in Cats and Dogs, founded by HSUS
NAS - National Academy of Sciences
AML - Appropriate Management Level (used for Wild Horse Areas)
HMA - Horse Managed Areas
FOIA - Freedom of Information Act
GAO - Government Accountability Office
CE - Categorical Exclusion
NEPA - National Environmental Protection Agency
NF - National Forest