Seasonal Movements and Home Ranges of Feral Horse Bands in Wyoming's Red Desert

Abstract

Feral horses have seasonal movement patterns which correspond to their use of water sources and areas near ridges. Home ranges of horse bands varied in size from 73 to 303 km2. Some bands shared use of a common home range. Those bands having a common range followed similar movement patterns within their home ranges. A herd is defined as a structured social unit made up of bands following movement patterns within a common home range. Movements of feral horses can be important to managers in determining the effects of the horses on the range and in setting boundaries of herd management units. Previously reported feral horse home ranges have varied from 0.9 km2 on Sable Island (Welsh 1975) to 78 km2 for a spring and summer home range in Stone Cabin Valley, Nev. (Green and Green 1977). As part of a general study of feral horses in Wyoming's Red Desert (Miller and Denniston 1979, Boyd 1980, Miller 1980, Miller 1981, Miller 1983), movements and home ranges of the horses were determined. The objectives of this portion of the study were to determine the size of band use areas and to determine if a pattern existed in time of use for any one area.