Regarding the Current Round Up of 37 Horses, Round Up #5
It’s very important to remember any time you deal with Kill buyers, Kill Pen Horses… etc. the risk of exposure to disease is far greater. Especially for wild horses whose immune systems are not exposed to such pathogens in the wild as would be a domestic horse in a Kill pen. Sadly all officials involved seem to be stacking the cards against our wild horses. The Army will likely try to say Fort Polk horses are carriers, But the truth is they have delicate immune systems and were likely infected during the capture by being exposed to Kill buyers trailer, equipment, or the lack of pasture management in the holding pen on Fort Polk. Seemingly nothing was done by any official involved to ensure that the spread of disease was prevented. Officials in charge were aware that the Thompsons most likely caused an outbreak at the Jan 2018 Round Up # 4 but neither Fort Polk Officials, nor Texas State University, nor APHIS did anything to ensure that pasture was clean, nor did they relocate the holding area to another clean location nor did they take measures to ensure that future horses would not be exposed.
Begs the question; is it intentional or simply negligent?
See article from Jan. 2018 Round Up.
Fort Polk and Texas State University Line Pockets of Kill Buyers in mission to Eliminate Louisiana’s Wild and Free Roaming Horses
Demand that these horses at the very least are not subject to kill buyers, receive basic veterinary care, as well as steady supply of hay and make sure water troughs stay full.
In statement from Ron Anderson, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy’s aid; “I have close to 7000 of these e-mails – FYI” , it is apparent that the citizens of Louisiana and our Nation do not want these herds annihilated due to poor herd management, neglectful treatment, and a plan that does not consider the welfare of these animals, who are historically, culturally, and genetically significant. See Amicus Brief filed by Dr Phillip Sponenberg
A statement in response to a concerned citizen from LDAF Assistant Commissioner, John Walther, on May 14th, 2018
“We appreciate your concern for the welfare of the horses at Fort Polk with their capture and relocation. Fort Polk is a Federal Enclave and not subject to many of our state laws. The United States Army has contracted with Texas State University for the relocation of these horses to rescue locations. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has assisted the United States Department of Agriculture with sampling to test for Equine Infectious Anemia and Equine Piroplasmosis as these horses are an untested population. Thus far no Fort Polk horse have tested positive for either disease. In the event of a positive result the horse in question would not be eligible to travel. The Office of State Veterinarian within LDAF is charged with the control of diseases in animals. Concerns about handling of the horses should be addressed to the US Army or Texas State University.”
In a statement from Dr Diane Stacey LDAF State Vet, on May 17th, 2018
“I just received the report from Dr. Brandon and talked to area VMO Dr. Matt Traylor. These horses suspected of having strangles and exposed horses will not be able to leave Louisiana until we get test results back. No veterinarian should write a health certificate attesting to the health of sick or potentially sick horses and no state will allow sick horses into their state. We should get PCR results within a few days and we will sort things out then. But for now, these horses may not move. Thanks for your help, Diane Stacy, DVM”
Only when we have a confirmation from the vet will we know what we are dealing with.
Based on the Army’s chosen course of action, once State Vet releases horses after basic blood work, the 501(c)3 selected by the Army has 8 days to pick up horses from holding. After 8 days the Army will move to their “Give-Away Phase” and we all know that spells disaster for the horses.
See Army’s chosen course of action aka COA 7 is truly designed to benefit kill buyers.
Public Records Request submitted to Texas State University 05-08-18 https://pegasusequine.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/05-08-18-tsu-clarified-public-record-request.pdf
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Army initial claims a total of 700 back in 2015.This number is total of 2 areas that are approx 30 mins apart from each other.
These areas are
1.) Drop Zone on the main base
2.) Peason Ridge.
Originally, locals estimated approx. 300 on DZ and 150 on Peason. So while initial totals are unclear.. its very clear that they army has absolutely decimated the herd on the Drop Zone.
Video documentation of the herds in the wild, as of end of April 2018 https://youtu.be/rllqKYCpNCU
“Documented” round up numbers since COA 7 was implemented in 2016
RoundUp#1 by HSNT 50 10/2016
RoundUp#2 by HSNT 15 12/2016
RoundUp#3 by FRRR 18 12/2017
RoundUp#4 by FRRR 21 01/2018
RoundUp#5 by MFR/SLPAC 37 05/2018
That totals 141 horses “documented” removal since 2016 under Course of Action 7 aka COA7.
Its important to remember that prior to this it was basically a free for all and in the past Army officials admitted in a meeting on base that “a group of individuals were caught rounding up large groups of horses” and there have been several reports of “individuals taking horses out the backdoor”
Since the US Army’s 2015 public announcement to “eliminate” Louisiana’s Wild and Free Roaming horses, locals and advocates have been extremely concerned. This proposed plan was immediately met with strong public resistance, however the Army at Fort Polk has continued to move forward with this plan for elimination; a plan most US citizens would certainly disapprove of.
Locals and advocates have pleaded with the Army to consider the welfare of these unique horses, however it seems our concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
Direct requests have been made to Army Officials from countless individuals and humane organizations; requesting that they refrain from working with individuals or organizations who would profit from the slaughter of these unique horses, specifically but not limited to Thompson Kill Pen in Pitkin, LA (aka THL, Thompson Horse Lot, or Double S Kill Pen)
Sadly, the US Army and Civilian Officials managing this initiative have completely ignored direct request and public sentiment by subcontracting with the Thompson’s of Pitkin, LA who are suspected to have been hired by the primary contract holder Texas State University, led by Todd Ahlman, Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University http://www.txstate.edu/
Texas State University who was awarded 1.75 mil by Army Corps of Engineers.
“The Corps has awarded Texas State’s Integrated Natural and Cultural Resources Team (INCRT) with several task orders totaling $1.75 million. The INCRT is an interdisciplinary team of specialists from departments and programs across the university led by Dr. Todd Ahlman, the director of our Center for Archaeological Studies. The Texas State team will conduct archaeological surveys and support the management of cultural resources at U.S. Air Force bases and training facilities in eight states.”
See more here regarding TSU collaboration with Army Corp of Engineers
https://mailchi.mp/4d5d103101aa/news-from-the-hill…
Not sure how Todd Ahlman, TSU Director of Archaeology, can in good faith allow the decimation of herds of horses that are culturally, historically and genetically significant? See Amicus Brief filed by Dr Phillip Sponenberg in support of preserving and protecting the unique wild horses of Louisiana. Potential to endanger a species of horse that is already threatened, known as the Choctaw Horse
Contact Texas State University and demand that they cease collaboration with Kill Buyers, the Thompsons. Demand that they treat these animals humanely and ethically.
email: toddahlman@txstate.edu
email: cas@txstate.edu
phone: 512.245.2724
Kisatchie Wild Horses 
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