Meadowood Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the timetable for completion of BLM's planning process?
2. What is the status of Meadowood during the planning process?
3. Will wild horses be allowed to roam openly on Meadowood as on a refuge?
4. How will current horse boarders be affected by the BLM's intended use of the stables?
5. How would privately-owned horses be protected from exposure to diseases carried by wild horses?

1. Q: What is the timetable for completion of BLM's planning process?
   A: The proposed plan was released to the public November 18, 2002. The decisions made in the Proposed PA/EA will not be final until after a 30-day protest period and completion of the Governor’s consistency review, for which 60 days is allowed. The Decision Record approving the management decisions made in the PA/EA will be withheld until all protests, if any, are resolved. Protests must be filed with the Director of the BLM by December 18, 2002.
2. Q: What is the status of Meadowood during the planning process?
   A: Meadowood is officially closed to the general public until completion of the planning process.
3. Q: Will wild horses be allowed to roam openly on Meadowood as on a refuge?
   A: No. While we are planning to keep a small number of wild and gentled horses and burros at the center for public viewing and demonstrations of how they can be gentled, the wild stock will not be allowed to run free. They will be corralled in pens with six-foot-high, metal pipe fences. Safety will be our paramount concern: safety for the animals and safety for people visiting the center and living in surrounding neighborhoods.
4. Q: How will current horse boarders be affected by the BLM's intended use of the stables?
   A: Although it will be some time before final decisions are made on the activities at Meadowood, our preliminary concept involves continuing private boarding and we are actively exploring ways to do so. In any event, we are committed to honoring a 6-months advance notice policy for any BLM-initiated relinquishment of stalls.
5. Q: How would privately-owned horses be protected from exposure to diseases carried by wild horses?
   A: Any time horses are shipped from location to location, they are subject to exposure to various illnesses. While we cannot guarantee that any boarders' horses would not be exposed to a contagious disease, we will make every effort to limit the possibility of exposure. Wild horses receive veterinarian examinations including inoculations for common, communicable equine diseases and they will have current negative Coggins tests. Upon arrival at Meadowood, they will be separately quartered and pastured. Because the stress of shipping often subjects horses and burros to increased potential for exposure to disease, we would isolate any new arrivals. We also would require that all boarders maintain current vaccines on their horse for a number of equine diseases, including strangles.