Colorado Horse Roundup Focuses On Fertility Control

DOLORES, Colo. (AP) -- Two upcoming horse roundups in western Colorado will focus more on fertility control, rather than horse removal, under a new federal policy.

The first horse gather, in the Spring Creek Basin near Dolores, will start Friday. The second is set to start Tuesday near Meeker.

However, opponents of roundups say they've filed a lawsuit seeking to declare the roundup illegal.

In both roundups, adult mares that are released back to the range are set to be treated with birth control drugs to slow the rate of herd growth. Others, however, will be taken out of the wild.

In the Spring Creek roundup, about 60 of the approximately 90 wild horses there will be gathered. About 25 will be put up for adoption at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on Sept. 24.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)