On September 2, 2025, the U.S. Forest Service will launch a roundup of 350 wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Plateau in Northern California. Officials say the operation is meant to reduce the herd toward an AML of 206–402 horses, a number set back in 2013.

The Forest Service has hired CD Warner Livestock, LLC to conduct the roundup using helicopters and bait traps. Once captured, the horses will be sent to the Double Devil Corral for adoption.

Public access will be extremly limited. No more than six people will be allowed to view on select days, with entire trap sites closed off from observation. Roundups are already dangerous and stressful for wild horses — limiting oversight only adds to the risk of abuse hidden from view.

Transparency is not optional — it is the law.

September 2, 2025

The US Forest Service began the Devils Garden wild horse roundup today, September 2, 2025. The operation is being conducted by the contractor CD Warner Livestock 

Only two runs occurred throughout the day. A total of nine horses were captured and removed, including two foals. The small number of runs resulted in limited activity overall.

Public observation was offered, but the location at Lauer Reservoir provided a highly obstructed view. Trees blocked visibility, leaving observers with no clear sight of the trap site, trailers, or loading area. 

This lack of access prevented meaningful documentation of the roundup itself.

In addition, observers were denied access to the Double Devil Corrals, where captured horses are held. The Forest Service has stated that public access to the corrals will only be permitted on Saturdays. 

Only three members of the public attended today’s observation.

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