Volunteers work to ease conflicts with residents, wild horses

Tuesday, July 24, 2001 | 4:16 a.m.

As an alternative, residents of the Douglas County community east of Gardnerville have arranged to handle possible problems on their own - with a group of volunteers called the Pine Nut Range Wild Horse Posse.

Members of the posse and representatives from the BLM and University of Nevada Extension Service are scheduled to discuss the horse management partnership at a meeting Thursday night.

"Most people in Fish Springs love to see wild horses. These animals have become an important part of their lives and are a key reason why people moved out here in the first place," said Jim Evans, vice president of the Pine Nut Preservation League and chairman of its Wild Horse Committee.

Maxine Shane, wild horse specialist with the BLM, said the agency has a responsibility to remove animals if they stray from public land onto private property and citizens complain.

But Shane said the agency is encouraged by the dedication of Fish Springs residents to try to deal with potential problems.

"We can use all the help we can get," she said.

Although the BLM has authority to deal with wild horses in the area, the new action plan involves a strategy in which the agency will oversee activities of community residents. Most of the work to deal with the horses will be provided by the volunteers, Evans said.

The issue stems from an incident last August. Evans said BLM officials arranged for the roundup of about 40 horses from the area after receiving complaints from two residents.

The gather led to a meeting packed with wild horse supporters who were angered by the action. A search for a solution ensued.

Under the new plan, when residents complain about their flowers or lawn being abused by the horses, agency officials have agreed to contact those in charge of the group's special committee, or posse.

The posse will then try to resolve the problem.

"This is a much better way to deal with the situation. We'll chase the horses back into the mountains where they won't be a nuisance to anyone," Evans said.

He and others involved in the program acknowledge some horses will continue to come back. But with 16 experienced riders signed up for the posse and a public education effort under way, Evans said the situation is much improved.

"We've already successfully moved some horses. We really feel this will work and the BLM wants to help us," Evans said.

Steve Lewis of the Cooperative Extension office in Gardnerville has prepared a brochure on coexisting with wild horses. One essential bit of advice to residents: Don't feed the horses.