Alberta’s government has declared the population of ‘feral horses’ in the region to be at ‘unacceptable’ levels, according to its recently released horse management strategy.

Record Horse Populations

The annual survey, conducted in April, revealed a record-high number of free-roaming horses – at least 2,072 – along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains across six equine management zones. This is the highest count ever recorded.

Populations in the Sundre, Ghost River, Elbow, and Clearwater zones are deemed ‘not ecologically sustainable’ by the government. Officials state that controlling these populations is crucial to prevent overgrazing and protect resources for both cattle and native wildlife.

Management Strategies

The province’s management framework, established in 2023, outlines several strategies for population control. These include removal from the wild, adoption programs, and the administration of contraception to mares. Licensed capture and sale of horses are also considered in zones exceeding established thresholds.

Currently, the Sundre zone, with a threshold of 1,000 horses, holds at least 1,303, surpassing the limit for the first time since 2018.

Disputed Findings and Advocacy Concerns

These findings are being challenged by wild horse advocacy groups, such as the Help Alberta Wildies Society, who conduct their own independent surveys.

Darrell Glover, founder of the society, claims their aerial survey counted only 1,005 horses in the Sundre zone, significantly lower than the government’s estimate. He argues that a 50% increase is biologically implausible.

The government attributes the discrepancy to improved weather conditions aiding visibility during their counts, but acknowledges a general population increase over time.

Public and Rancher Perspectives

The issue is further complicated by strong public support for preserving Alberta’s wild horses and opposition to removal efforts. A petition presented to the Alberta Legislative Assembly last year, garnering over 15,000 signatures, called for the horses to be designated as a naturalized wild species rather than stray animals.

Advocates express concern over the disruption of family groups during removal processes. While ranchers often view the horses as a nuisance, organizations like the Wild Horses of Alberta Society are actively working to find homes for them, collaborating with veterinary students from the University of Calgary to manage their populations.

Minister Loewen maintains that the government provides essential protection to the feral horses through regulations preventing poaching and illegal capture, asserting their role as the primary protectors of these animals on the landscape.