Wild Horse Losses Orr Springs Area Dugway Proving Ground Utah PDF Download

The loss of 50 horses during the week of July 4th, 1976 to July 9th, 1976 at the Orr Springs area of Dugway Proving Ground, and the joint investigations by qualified persons of Bureau of Land Management, the Utah Department of Agriculture, and Dugway Proving Ground scientists involved many areas of scientific investigation. It was necessary to gather information concerning the following: Natural range geography, Plant, insect and rodent life(wild life ecology), Climatological data, Water sources and Chemical analysis of sources, Range management practices, Normal habitat of wild horse herd, Wild horse psychology, Environmental movements of wild horses, Physiology of extracellular fluids, Fluid and electrolyte balance and therapy of horses, Necropsy techniques, Histological pathological procedures, Blood chemistry, Tissue chemistry, Bacteriology and virology, Heavy metal and organophosphorous chemistry, People: Personnel of various agencies, Press, Humane Society, General public, Natural or 'nature' phenomenon, Personal observations of people investigating. Conclusion: May and June climatic factors of below normal rainfall and relative humidity plus higher than normal temperatures, coupled with water improvements that were in the process of completion were contributing factors. The premature drying of some water areas forced early movement of horses to other watering areas, which were in the final stages of development. The horses being dehydrated evidently were reluctant to move again and remained in their social groups and died. It became necessary then to restore their former watering areas.