Alberta is facing a record-high population of feral horses, sparking a heated dispute between provincial officials and wildlife advocates over how the animals should be managed and counted.
Record Population Levels Reported
A provincial feral horse survey released in April indicates You’ll see at least 2,072 wild horses across Alberta’s six equine management zones. This represents the highest number ever recorded by the province.
The government has designated population levels in the Clearwater, Elbow, Ghost River, and Sundre zones as not ecologically sustainable
. According to the province’s horse management strategy, these abundance levels have reached unacceptable
thresholds.
Management Strategies and Ecological Concerns
Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen stated that population control is necessary to prevent the horses from negatively impacting grazing areas used by wildlife and cattle.
The provincial government classifies these horses as stray animals rather than wildlife. Under a management framework established in 2023, the province may utilize licensed capture, sales, adoption, and the administration of contraception to mares.
Disputed Data in the Sundre Zone
The conflict is most evident in the Sundre equine management zone, where the population threshold is set at 1,000 horses. The latest provincial count suggests at least 1,303 horses live there, the first time the threshold has been exceeded since 2018.
However, Darrell Glover, founder of the Support Alberta Wildies Society, disputes these findings. Glover, a pilot for 50 years, reports that his group’s aerial survey counted 1,005 horses this year.
Glover argued that the jump from last year’s provincial count of 855 horses to 1,303 is physically and biologically impossible
. He asserted that his organization knows the dynamics of the herds because they are out there constantly
.
Government Response and Public Pressure
Minister Loewen defended the data, noting that while methodology remains unchanged, better weather and snow conditions likely made the horses easier for ground crews and helicopters to spot.
Advocates point to significant public support for the animals, citing the Help Alberta Wildies Society’s Facebook following of nearly 700,000 people. Glover criticized the government’s approach, stating they don’t care which family gets broken up
as long as the animals are removed.
Minister Loewen countered that the government provides honest, serious protection
through regulations that prevent illegal capture and poaching.
Potential Next Steps
The province is currently seeking federal approval to begin using contraception on horses this year as a means of population control.
While the government has outlined options for licensed capture and sale in zones deemed unacceptable, Minister Loewen could not confirm if capture efforts are currently underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Alberta government classify feral horses?
The Alberta government considers the horses to be stray animals rather than wildlife.
What are the province’s primary methods for controlling the horse population?
The 2023 management framework includes removal from the wild, putting horses up for adoption, licensed capture, putting horses up for sale, and administering contraception to mares.
Why is there a discrepancy in the Sundre zone horse count?
The province counted at least 1,303 horses, attributing the high number to better visibility due to weather conditions. The Help Alberta Wildies Society counted 1,005 horses and claims the provincial increase is biologically impossible.
Do you believe feral horses should be legally reclassified as a naturalized wild species?
