Gallery 8: White Mountain Horse Gather
The BLM is required to keep herd levels within set parameters. With few natural preditors, herds can swell above the maximum numbers within two or three years. One of two or three contractors is hired to come into a horse management area and move excess horses to BLM holding pens.

Besides the contractors, numerous state and federal officials oversee the operation. A Wyoming brand inspector, veterinarians, sherrif, and a BLM co-ordinator make sure things go smoothly.

Horses are inspected, aged (by their teeth), separated into stallion, mare, colt, and younger stallion pens. Some of the most colorful and healthiest mustngs are put into a holding pen and are returned to the range for future generations of wild mustangs.

For a more detailed account of the gather, click here.