Equestrian Users Please Be Aware

Salt River Horses

Equestrian Users Please Be Aware
In mid-July 2024, a Salt River horse was encountered with a lesion consistent with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) or strangles. Although currently unconfirmed, Salt River horses in the Bulldog and Goldfield areas of the Salt River previously tested positive for VSV in 2020, prompting the Arizona Department of Agriculture to issue a quarantine notice AZDA's Post. This disease is very contagious to all horses. 

Out of an abundance of caution, the Tonto National Forest is urging equestrians to avoid Salt River horses and consider riding in other locations on the Forest. If you own horses and hike at the Salt River, please also be aware that it can be present in the soil, so clean off your clothes and boots before you go near your own horses. Additional information regarding this equine disease can be found at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-equine-strangles

Management of the Salt River Horse Herd
On Dec. 28, 2017, the USDA Forest Service and Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) entered into an intergovernmental agreement that identified actions and responsibilities to manage the Salt River. The agreement committed the USDA Forest Service to fund and organize a collaborative process of interested parties to facilitate creation of a long-term management plan for the Salt River horse herd. 

The agreement committed AZDA to contract with a private entity for short-term management of the horses. AZDA conducted a request for proposal process and chose the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to undertake management of the Salt River horse herd, beginning in May 2018.

Final Report: Salt River Horse Collaborative
The Salt River Horse Collaborative Final Report documents the outcomes of the Salt River Horse Collaborative process. The report was submitted to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) and USDA Forest Service on behalf of the Collaborative by the facilitation team. Several federal and state policy initiatives and related activities in the 2015-2017 timeframe provided the backdrop and impetus for the convening and formation of the Collaborative.

Additional Documentation
•    Lower Salt River Horse Survey Report
•    Forage Assessment for Lower Salt River Horse Recreation Area, Maricopa County, Arizona