Saving Canada's Wild Horses

09/10/2026

URGENT - PLEASE let the Alberta government know you are against their plan to remove young stallions from the wild and use experimental contraceptives on the wild mares!

Write - call - email - visit - the officials in charge!

It doesn't matter how you let them know - it only matters that you do let them know. Otherwise CHANGE WON'T HAPPEN. Alberta's wild Mountain Horses depend on YOU!

Here is a letter you can use and adapt as you wish. Simply copy and paste into your email to Premier Danielle Smith. We will post this onto the Help Alberta Wildies Society page also.

THANK YOU from all of us!
Michelle
----------

Honourable Danielle Smith
Premier of Alberta
307 Legislative Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Email: [email protected]

RE: Urgent Request to Halt Wild Horse Contraceptive Use and Reform Advisory Committee

Dear Premier Smith,

I am writing to urgently call for an immediate halt to your government’s plan, as reported by CBC News on September 8, 2026, to administer the contraceptive vaccine SpayVac-Equid to Alberta’s wild horses and remove young stallions from the wild.

According to the Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) President Jack Nichol, this time the SpayVac vaccine will be used instead of Zonastat-H, and it will be administered by hand. This is cause for alarming concern since repeating the failed 2014 pilot program poses severe risks. SpayVac works by causing long-term ovarian shutdown, with studies showing pregnancy prevention lasting 3 to 7 years, unpredictable reversibility, and sometimes permanent infertility and ovarian damage. Furthermore, capturing and hand-administering this vaccine to wild bands guarantees traumatic social disruption, stress, and injury.

I urge your government to immediately halt all contraceptive and capture operations, pending an independent review - and reform the Feral Horse Advisory Committee (FHAC) based on three critical failures:

• Severe Conflict of Interest: WHOAS holds a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your ministry that explicitly involves horse capture and contraceptive administration. Allowing a group that participates in a delivery mandate for these operations to sit on the advisory committee tasked with recommending management policies represents a severe conflict of interest.

• Failure of Advisory Committee Integrity: sound public policy also means government advisory bodies must adhere to rigorous and transparent vetting standards, and balanced composition. The current structure of the FHAC does not represent balanced perspectives nor the independent scientific expertise necessary to ensure decisions are evidence-based and grounded in unbiased wild horse ecology and humane welfare standards.

• Insufficient Baseline Data: Major wildlife management decisions require verifiable population baselines, independent herd viability models, and public transparency. Proceeding with horse captures and multi-year chemical contraception without subjecting protocols to independent peer review undermines public trust and scientific integrity.

Alberta’s wild horses are a cherished part of its natural heritage. Policy decisions regarding their future must be grounded in transparent science, rigorous vetting and genuine public accountability.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Town, Alberta]

[add these email addresses to your CC list]:
• Honourable Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, Email: [email protected],
[email protected]

• Alexandra Miller-Tait, Executive Director, Lands Delivery and Coordination South, Forestry and Parks, Email: [email protected]

• Mike Alexander, Director, Range Conservation and Stewardship, Forestry and Parks, Email: [email protected]

• Feral Horse Advisory Committee Secretariat, Email: [email protected]

• Sarah Elmeligi, Shadow Minister for Environment and Protected Areas, Email: [email protected]

09/10/2026

URGENT - PLEASE SHARE!
CBC news reported on September 8, that the Alberta government has received approval to use contraceptive vaccines on the province's wild horses, and plans are in place to administer this fall, as well as remove young stallions from the wild for adoption.

We ALL must speak up against this because it is not only 100% unnecessary, but it carries extreme risks to the horses and their fragile population! Please stand by - we will be sharing a letter that you can use to contact government officials.

DID YOU KNOW?
- SpayVac vaccine will be used and it will be administered by hand. SpayVac works by causing long-term ovarian shutdown, with studies showing pregnancy prevention lasting 3 to 7 years, unpredictable reversibility, and sometimes permanent infertility and ovarian damage.
- Capturing and hand-administering this vaccine to wild bands guarantees traumatic social disruption, stress, and injury.

And interestingly - here is a sample of the research that backs this up - apparently not considered by the Feral Horse Advisory Committee and Todd Loewen:
-------
Lovasz et al. (2025) note that fertility control targeting mares through contraception has become a popular method for horse population control. Despite evidence that some contraceptives are successful in reducing horse population sizes, questions persist regarding their long-term effects on behaviour, population welfare, and ecosystem effects. The authors highlight studies reporting:
• decreased harem stability in treated populations. This could lead to non-reversible changes to the complex social structure (e.g., altered mating behaviours, hierarchies and population dynamics), an important factor in the health and well-being of individuals.
• treatment of mares with porcine zona pellucida (PZP) resulting in mismatches in foaling and resource availability. This means foals were born in winter instead of early to late spring, posing a threat to survival of small populations.

The authors recommend natural population control – a hands-off approach where both ‘top down’ (predation) and ‘bottom up’ (environmental conditions, forage availability) processes are left to their own, to achieve a dynamic, self-sustaining ecosystem where horses roam free. “Potential issues arise from disregarding horses’ natural social behaviour, likely reducing their effectiveness as ecosystem engineers. Notably, human induced fertility control disrupts social interactions of horses, restricting spatial heterogeneity of their movement. It is therefore preferable to allow for natural top-down and bottom-up population control processes…” (Lovasz et al. 2025).

09/03/2026

Mr. Blue Eyes himself, Major was stomping up some trouble and creating some drama with the mares this day!

09/03/2026

A moment of rest. A moment to be still. Nothing to run from. Just for that moment.

08/31/2026

Good Monday morning to you! From one of Canada's wild Alberta Mountain Horses! Look at those wavy locks on this mare 😍

08/29/2026

Having devoted my career to policy making and consultation, it is easy for me to see when things aren't done right. Such is the case with Alberta's management plan for its free-roaming, wild horses and its Feral Horse Advisory Committee. My insight into this Committee is what triggered me to write this OpEd for the Calgary Herald, published in print and online today, Saturday, August 29. Alberta can and should do better. Please share. It's up to each and every one of us to speak up!

08/27/2026

Eye contact stirs the soul. His glance freezes me in my tracks, and I forget my camera. Sometimes you have to - and simply be in that moment. But before he turned, I snapped this one. I can't resist eyelashes in the sunlight. This is beautiful Torin and his mom Tia in the background. Do you like black and white images?




(taken with a long lens and heavily cropped)

08/26/2026

To those of you who live outside Alberta and care enough about our wild horses to send this letter - THANK YOU! A couple of the email addresses don't seem operable and that may be due to the volume of emails they are receiving, which is a good thing! You can try to reach these Ministers in your CC by using their Constituency Office email addresses:

Grant Hunter: Minister of Environment and Protected Areas -
[email protected]

Andrew Boitchenko: Minister of Tourism and Sport -
[email protected]

In the coming months, we will be updating the HAWS website, and adding more tools and resources - including more ways for you to help protect Alberta's wild Mountain Horses. Right now we have a Letter on the website for Alberta residents to send directly to the Minister of Forestry and Parks. https://helpalbertawildiessociety.com/call-to-action/

If you live outside Alberta, simply copy the letter below, add your name and send by email (don't forget "CC" the names at the bottom of the letter). THANK YOU for standing with us and supporting our mission to protect Alberta's Mountain Horses!!





COPY AND SEND:

Honourable Todd Loewen
Minister of Forestry and Parks
Government of Alberta
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: The Economic and Ecological Value of Alberta’s Mountain Horses

Dear Minister Loewen,

I am writing to you as someone who deeply admires the natural beauty of Alberta. Although I do not reside in the province, Alberta’s remarkable landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and iconic wildlife are among the reasons why I - and many others like me - regard Alberta as a truly “must-visit” destination. In particular, the free-roaming Alberta Mountain Horses represent your most unique and meaningful symbol of the province’s landscapes and heritage, embodying the spirit and resilience that make Alberta so admired by visitors from across Canada and around the world.

I am concerned to learn about the current management activities aimed at reducing the population of these horses. As one of countless others who value Alberta’s natural heritage – whether as visitors to your province or through a shared concern for the protection of wildlife and wild spaces - I urge you to halt all removals and use of contraceptives until a management plan is established that is based on robust, transparent, and evidence-based data.

For international and out-of-province travellers, the opportunity to see the Alberta Mountain Horses in their natural habitat is a unique draw that rivals the appeal of the National Parks. Wildlife tourism is a significant driver of economic growth, and visitors coming to see Alberta’s Mountain Horses contribute directly to local economies through accommodations, guiding services, dining, transportation, and other tourism-related spending.

In an era where travellers increasingly seek authentic, "rewilding" experiences, Alberta’s free-roaming horses represent a rare and invaluable ecological treasure. To lose them or even reduce their numbers would diminish Alberta’s brand as a world leader in wildlife conservation. Their loss or continued decline would not only be ecologically significant but would also negatively impact Alberta’s global reputation as a destination for authentic wildlife experiences. Visitors are drawn to places where wildlife is protected and allowed to thrive, not managed in ways that risk its disappearance.

I respectfully ask that your Ministry reassess its current approach and prioritize the protection of the Alberta Mountain Horses as a vital component of Alberta’s identity. The world is watching how Alberta chooses to manage this irreplaceable treasure.

Thank you for your time and for considering the perspective of the global community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Province/State and Country]

Cc:
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta - [email protected]
Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – [email protected]
Sarah Elmeligi, Shadow Minister for the Environment – [email protected]
Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport – [email protected]

08/26/2026

Emerging from the cool forest canopy, with confidence and grace. This is Steele. At least I think it's Steele, affectionately known as Baby Steele, offspring of White Spirit and Serena.

08/21/2026

In the coming months, we will be updating the HAWS website, and adding more tools and resources - including more ways for you to help protect Alberta's wild Mountain Horses. Right now we have a Letter on the website for Alberta residents to send directly to the Minister of Forestry and Parks. https://helpalbertawildiessociety.com/call-to-action/

If you live outside Alberta, simply copy the letter below, add your name and send by email (don't forget "CC" the names at the bottom of the letter). THANK YOU for standing with us and supporting our mission to protect Alberta's Mountain Horses!!





COPY AND SEND:

Honourable Todd Loewen
Minister of Forestry and Parks
Government of Alberta
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: The Economic and Ecological Value of Alberta’s Mountain Horses

Dear Minister Loewen,

I am writing to you as someone who deeply admires the natural beauty of Alberta. Although I do not reside in the province, Alberta’s remarkable landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and iconic wildlife are among the reasons why I - and many others like me - regard Alberta as a truly “must-visit” destination. In particular, the free-roaming Alberta Mountain Horses represent your most unique and meaningful symbol of the province’s landscapes and heritage, embodying the spirit and resilience that make Alberta so admired by visitors from across Canada and around the world.

I am concerned to learn about the current management activities aimed at reducing the population of these horses. As one of countless others who value Alberta’s natural heritage – whether as visitors to your province or through a shared concern for the protection of wildlife and wild spaces - I urge you to halt all removals and use of contraceptives until a management plan is established that is based on robust, transparent, and evidence-based data.

For international and out-of-province travellers, the opportunity to see the Alberta Mountain Horses in their natural habitat is a unique draw that rivals the appeal of the National Parks. Wildlife tourism is a significant driver of economic growth, and visitors coming to see Alberta’s Mountain Horses contribute directly to local economies through accommodations, guiding services, dining, transportation, and other tourism-related spending.

In an era where travellers increasingly seek authentic, "rewilding" experiences, Alberta’s free-roaming horses represent a rare and invaluable ecological treasure. To lose them or even reduce their numbers would diminish Alberta’s brand as a world leader in wildlife conservation. Their loss or continued decline would not only be ecologically significant but would also negatively impact Alberta’s global reputation as a destination for authentic wildlife experiences. Visitors are drawn to places where wildlife is protected and allowed to thrive, not managed in ways that risk its disappearance.

I respectfully ask that your Ministry reassess its current approach and prioritize the protection of the Alberta Mountain Horses as a vital component of Alberta’s identity. The world is watching how Alberta chooses to manage this irreplaceable treasure.

Thank you for your time and for considering the perspective of the global community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Province/State and Country]

Cc:
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta - [email protected]
Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – [email protected]
Sarah Elmeligi, Shadow Minister for the Environment – [email protected]
Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport – [email protected]