Health Canada has granted approval for a birth control vaccine to undergo testing on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The Alberta government has expressed concerns over the rising horse populations in certain regions, deeming them “unacceptable.” To mitigate the impact on grazing areas, the province views horse population control as essential.
Among the strategies outlined in Alberta’s feral horse management framework are contraception, removal from the wild, and facilitating horse adoptions for population control purposes. Health Canada confirmed that the Alberta government received a “research authorization” for the use of the contraceptive vaccine SpayVac-Equid in late August, emphasizing that this authorization is for research purposes and not for general use.
The provincial government is currently evaluating the approval specifics concerning horse contraception and collaborating with stakeholders to implement management actions in a humane and science-based manner. The latest feral horse survey revealed a record count of 2,072 wild horses in Alberta’s equine management zones, with certain population levels deemed unsustainable.
A previous contraception pilot project conducted by the province and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society utilized a different vaccine called ZonaStat-H. The study demonstrated the challenges of administering contraception, including costliness and the rugged terrain where the horses roam. The new strategy involves capturing horses, administering the vaccine manually, and releasing them back into the wild marked for identification.
Wild Horses of Alberta Society president Jack Nichol shared that this method boasts a high success rate, lasting three to four years without altering herd dynamics. Unlike the previous contraceptive, SpayVac-Equid does not require booster shots. The society aims to launch the contraception project in the fall as part of a comprehensive population control strategy, complemented by the removal of young stallions from the wild.
Nichol emphasized the government’s intention to manage horse populations while keeping them on the land and maintaining harmony among various land users. The Wild Horses of Alberta Society continues its efforts in rescuing, rehabilitating, and adopting out horses that come under its care.
