Alberta’s iconic wild horses, affectionately known as “Wildies,” are once again at risk. The Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS) is raising alarms over new management plans by the provincial government that they argue could lead to the decline of wild horse populations. HAWS is urging immediate public action to stop what they describe as misguided and harmful policies.
The Alberta government recently released its Feral Horse Management Framework 2023, describing the province’s wild horses as descendants of domestic animals released during the pre- and post-Industrial Revolution. The report underscores the importance of managing these horses to protect Alberta’s multi-use landscapes and ensure long-term ecological sustainability.
The framework sets population thresholds and outlines management strategies, including adoption programs and the use of contraception to control horse populations in areas where they have exceeded recommended numbers. According to the government, these measures are necessary to mitigate the environmental and financial impacts of unmanaged horse populations.
Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting both wild horses and their ecosystems, stating:
“Alberta’s government is dedicated to protecting our native wildlife, vegetation, and feral horses, ensuring they thrive in their ecosystems.”
HAWS Pushes Back
HAWS President Darrell Glover, who has spent over a decade advocating for the Wildies, strongly disagrees. He argues that these management plans are based on flawed data and misconceptions about the impact of wild horses on Alberta’s ecosystems.
“They said [the horses] were full of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)—we proved that wrong! Then they claimed the numbers were skyrocketing—again, we proved that wrong. Now they’re saying the horses are damaging the landscape, but the real damage comes from logging, off-road vehicles, and cattle,” Glover stated.
HAWS also highlights findings from a 2015 health report, which concluded that wild horses cause minimal damage to the environment compared to other human activities. The group is adamant that the current wild horse population is stable or declining, contradicting government claims of overpopulation.
Glover and HAWS warn that proposed solutions, including culling and contraception, could push wild horses toward extinction. They argue that contraception, in particular, may seem humane but could silently reduce population numbers over time.
“We cannot stand by and let the government implement policies that will lead to what we call ‘equine genocide,’” said Glover.
HAWS is calling for Alberta’s wild horses to be recognized as a naturalized species, deserving of unique protections under the law. They criticize the government for lumping wild horses under the Stray Animals Act, a designation they feel fails to reflect the animals’ historical and cultural significance.
HAWS is urging the public to take action by contacting Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister Todd Loewen. Key points for letters and emails include:
- Oppose the culling of wild horses, particularly in the Clearwater Zone, where numbers are critically low.
- Reject the use of contraception as a population management tool.
- Advocate for wild horses to receive “Naturalized Species” status.
- Emphasize the cultural and tourism value of Alberta’s wild horses.
Contact Information:
Premier Danielle Smith
Email: premier@gov.ab.ca
Minister Todd Loewen
Email: fp.minister@gov.ab.ca
Glover remains hopeful that with public support, HAWS can protect Alberta’s wild horse heritage. “United, we stand a chance to make a difference,” he said.
For more information, contact HAWS at hawsteam@gmail.com.
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