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Today we find corruption at many levels, or circumstances, regarding America’s Wild Horses. We can find the obvious at many levels — Government Agencies the BLM and USDA Forestry Programs — Corrupted Non-Profits — Corrupted Politicians — We find enough to understand quite clearly, many situations outright Feed-Off of the Co-Habitation Principle of Out Right Corrupted organizations.

John Cox, M.A. C/M

Scientific Critiques

The most comprehensive independent evaluation was conducted by the National Research Council (NRC). Their seminal report, Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, highlighted several structural failures:

• Population Counting: The BLM was heavily criticized for using non-rigorous methods to estimate herd sizes, resulting in inaccurate counts and population models that fail to predict the effects of management actions.
• Forage Allocation: Reviewers found that the BLM does not accurately assess the availability and use of forage on rangelands, often leading to disproportionate focus on horse removal compared to livestock grazing.
• Focus on Removals: Scientists concluded that the BLM’s historic reliance on “gather and remove” (often via helicopter) artificially stimulates population growth through a compensatory rebound effect, making it an ineffective long-term strategy.
  
  (Problem is: The BLM & Forestry Program numbers simply do not add up, and fraudulent. A good example, pointed out many times in paperwork and graphs from the BLM = One mare, according to their statistics, may give birth to 2 or more foal during the year — Or, the simplistic facts, the BLM/Forestry numbers become assumptive that Wild Horses do not die, or pass-away from old age, but live forever. Is this Fraud? Absolutely.)

Corrupted Administration Example: Much more when we break-down the actual Corruption

Allegations of corruption and severe mismanagement in the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program primarily center on the agency’s now-defunct Adoption Incentive Program (AIP). Launched to reduce holding facility costs, the cash-for-adoption scheme became a pipeline for federally protected mustangs to enter the slaughter pipeline.

The Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) Scandal

Introduced in 2019, the AIP paid individuals $1,000 to adopt an untrained wild horse or burro, allowing up to four animals per adopter. Investigations, including a landmark expose by The New York Times , revealed the following:

• The “Flipping” Scheme: Individuals and groups of related adopters exploited the cash incentive by claiming the maximum number of horses, waiting exactly one year to receive legal title, and then selling the animals to “kill buyers” who transport them to foreign slaughterhouses.
• Profiteering: The easy money facilitated organized fraud. In some cases, adopters pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded incentives while deliberately offloading the animals for profit.
• Program Overturned: Following a lawsuit, a federal court struck down the AIP, ruling that the BLM implemented the cash incentive unlawfully without the required environmental or administrative procedures, and that the program directly contributed to the mass slaughter of wild horses in violation of congressional bans.

Broader Institutional Concerns

Beyond the adoption scandal, investigations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) have long identified structural issues and financial mismanagement within the program:

• The Slaughter Pipeline: In 2015, an OIG investigation found that 1,800 wild horses sold by the BLM to a known kill buyer were illegally slaughtered in Mexico.
• Mass Incarceration: The BLM’s policy of rounding up mustangs to appease private livestock interests has resulted in over 65,000 wild horses and burros being held in off-range corrals and pastures. Housing these animals consumes roughly two-thirds of the program’s entire annual budget, costing taxpayers millions.
• Financial Improprieties: Previous OIG audits have exposed millions of dollars in mismanaged funds, including improper over-payments to state prison systems for horse-training contracts and financial improprieties at the Mustang Heritage Foundation, a non-profit receiving over $1 million annually from the BLM.

The fact remains, when we break-down the Fertility-Control Programs — i.e. PZP/GONACON Programs and the hidden agenda of Experimentation forced upon the Wild Horses, we see another entire Arena of not only misinformation, but very corrupted government / Non-Profit Conflicts and Fraud. The corruption, in a more sly-way, obviously has infiltrated many nonprofit programs, as well.

This being simply a synopsis of the cultural and lack of integrity this type of Corruption develops — and worsens as time move forward. We do see a day when it will be put to an end, and the sooner the better — as it is inevitable anyway — so there is no time like the present to take action in putting an end to such travesties.”

John Cox, Experienced Horse and Wild Horse Advocate, as well as currently Administrator of Preservation of America’s Wildlife, an Advocacy to promote the Safety and Well Being of America’s Icon’s — the Wild Horses and Wildlife, as essential to our American Culture.

Article by
John Cox M.A. C/M

When perusing the Internet the other day, with a friend (Anthropologist – Large Mammal Biologist – PhD) and myself found an article I completed a couple of weeks ago. I wrote about contamination in water tanks near, or on pastures, where horses or cattle graze, specifically.

The situation I explained was how harmful Blue-Green Algae, obvious by the blooms floating on top of the water in the tank, and in many Water Tanks, or ponds, can develop into extremely sick livestock, as well as kill them. This also contaminates the beef, et al., and makes it harmful for the public to digest – The amount of Recalls of beef, yearly, serves as evidence, quite well.

We looked at 424 irrational comments, of snide, very ignorant statements of no value. Obvious, by name recognition, the Pro-Slaughter – Protect the Harvest (or whatever they call themselves today) people involved, as well as a few snide ranchers, that were covering their ass. . . All made assess out of themselves, anyway – the obvious seems to be something they have no idea about — Their Ignorance, Bigotry, and Bias showed us, quite well.

What stood out, was their hatred toward anyone that had anything to say about their bad, and even neglectful and incompetent management circumstances (again see the number of yearly recalls of bad-beef i.e. contaminated beef, below). For the most up-to-date information on active recalls, you can check the FSIS Recent Recalls page. But need we not forget, this beef industry on

Our Public Lands, are demanding less regulatory-controls, so they can pump-out more beef products to make more money. The fact is, they are out of control currently, and it is an unnecessary situation (less than 1% of beef product in the United States Markets) –

Out of the 424 people making statements, we found a large percent from places like New York City, Miami, Fl., Detroit, Mi., Dallas, Tx., Salt Lake City, Ut., Phoenix, Az., and other cities, debating and stating how Blue-Green Alge in water tanks on ranches and on the range harmless (packaged blue-green algae on the commercialized beauty-markets are not the same toxic-types we are discussing here, as reading and being able to understand what they read, it is obvious), and Advocates such as myself, were just educated snobs, that know nothing. Interesting, the length people will go to debate an issue. Demeaning people that contradict them (over the internet and from their living rooms), are intimidated by the fact they actually, and obviously, know nothing about the subject they discuss, pretend they are Experts (i.e. Wolves and Wild Horses suffer the same tragedy), and have probably never left their city or town environments, nor their living rooms or home office space.

This is a good example of the Ignorance we deal with daily, the bias, the bigotry, the outright hatred, that politicians, et al., have accomplished in separating our society, as well, which is beneficial to them, not us, as Taxpayers and Americans (as a Vietnam Veteran myself, I take this as a grave insult, the things we see today in Our America). So, let’s look at reality, with the Blue-Green and Toxic Algae that forms in water tanks, when the cattle or horses, in this case, are neglected by ranchers, et al., and the outcome . . .

Beyond a doubt, case-proven. There were no animals harmed, nor people threatened by us, and simply showing here, how people do make asses out of themselves, when doing their attacks toward those of us that provide good information to the public, that may contradict their bias, or going over-their-heads in total, due to lack of an appropriate knowledge-base, in order to communicate their beliefs or opinions. Yes, ignorance. Those who call themselves Experts, and yet . . .

The Reality:

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in a water tank (mixed or blooms) are dangerous and potentially fatal for horses and cows. It can cause rapid death, liver damage, neurologic issues, or severe illness. Tanks should be scrubbed weekly, and if a bloom occurs, animals must be removed from that water source immediately. Science shows this quite well, and an occasional dead Bird in the tanks, floating, as well, among other animals.

Symptoms of Exposure to Horses:

• Neurological: Muscle tremors, convulsions, convulsions, paralysis, and sudden death.
• Hepatic (Liver): Weakness, jaundice, diarrhea, blood in stool, and colic.
• Other: Skin rashes and irritation of the eyes and nasal passages.
Health Risks to Most Livestock:

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is extremely harmful and often fatal to horses. It produces toxins that cause rapid liver failure, severe neurological damage, or sudden death within 24 hours of ingestion. Blooms appear as blue-green, green, or “pea soup” scum on stagnant water, especially in warm, calm weather.

• Neurotoxins: Cause muscle tremors, convulsions, breathing issues, and death.
• Hepatotoxins: Cause liver damage, diarrhea, weakness, and death.
• Irritation: Skin rash, eye issues, and oral sores.
Management Tips for Water Tanks:
• Routine Cleaning: Empty and scrub tanks weekly to remove algae scum.
• Prevention: Avoid using chemical fertilizers near water sources.
• Safe Water Alternatives: If a, pond is infested, pump water from deep in the center or provide an alternative water source.
• Treatment: Use copper sulfate or safe, registered algae control products if necessary, but keep animals away for at least 5 days following treatment.
Prevention and Management
• Restrict Access: Fence off ponds, lakes, or slow-moving water with visible algae.
• Provide Clean Water: Always provide fresh water from tanks, avoiding stagnant, scummy, or nutrient-rich water.
• Check Supplements: Ensure high-quality supplements, as some can be contaminated with blue-green algae.
• Avoid “Scum”: If water looks like green paint, avoid it entirely
The fact is, If you suspect your livestock have ingested this algae, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Facts of Contamination – The Reality (Are we protected as consumers, from this travesty of ignorance and deceptive ranching management situations)

So why do we pay attention to this situation? Well — Contamination. Because the Beef industry and management of Beef is a – get it in, get it fat, get it out, industry. How do we know this?

Beef recalls fluctuate significantly based on contamination events, ranging from small, specific batch recalls to millions of pounds in a single year. While smaller recalls (under 30,000 lbs) occur frequently, major incidents, such as the 2018 recall of over 12 million pounds of beef due to Salmonella, or drinking polluted water from contaminated water tanks / creeks i.e. toxic algae, where cattle graze, or numerous other situations of mismanagement, or neglect — demonstrate how drastically the amount can vary.
• Significant Recalls: Major recalls often involve millions of pounds, such as the 2018 JBS Tolleson recall of 12 million pounds of beef.
• Common Causes: Recalls often occur due to blue-green algae, potential E. coli O157:H7 or O26 contamination, or contamination from foreign materials (metal, plastic).
• Recent Examples: In late 2025 and early 2026, several recalls for E. coli involved smaller, targeted amounts ranging from roughly 2,800 to 58,000 pounds.
• Regulation: The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) handles these recalls, categorizing them based on health risk severity.

For the most up-to-date information on active recalls, you can check the FSIS Recent Recalls page.

In Our Food Supply – Beef Products, et al., when Beef Contaminated by the Blue-Green Algae —

Symptoms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) poisoning via ingestion of contaminated food, such as meat from exposed animals, include severe gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), headache, fever, muscle weakness, and numbness. Serious cases involve liver damage (jaundice, shock) or neurotoxic effects (tremors, paralysis).

Symptoms of Blue-Green Algae Toxicity

Symptoms can appear hours to days after consuming the contaminated food:
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain.
• Neurological: Headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, tingling, numbness, and in severe cases, paralysis.
• Hepatic (Liver): Elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and potential liver failure (often caused by microcystins).
• General/Other: Fever, sore throat, cough, pneumonia-like symptoms, and skin rash.

Mechanism of Toxicity

While direct exposure to contaminated water is more common, poisoning can occur by consuming meat from livestock that ingested high levels of algal blooms (microcystins or neurotoxins). These toxins do not disappear through cooking.” — John Cox, M.A. C/M